Moving With Kids: No Stress, Have Fun!

A mountain of boxes that rivals Everest paired with a seemingly endless to-do list; it’s no secret that moving can be a stressful experience. But it isn’t just adults that get overwhelmed—kids are especially susceptible to stress during this transition. After all, a move for them might mean leaving their friends behind, starting over at a new school, and being submerged in a foreign environment, so who could blame them? 

Luckily, by infusing your move with a few kid-friendly activities, you can not only eliminate some of your kids’ stress but also ensure your move is packed with fun! 

Show Off Your New Home 

Change at any age can be scary, but kids have especially vivid imaginations when it comes to the unknown. By helping your kids get acquainted with their new environment before they are submerged in it, you can eliminate the stress of the unfamiliar and help them become excited about the move.  

How to: Show your kids pictures of their new home, encourage them to explore the new neighborhood with Google street view, or plan a day trip to the new town before the move. Helping them familiarize themselves with their new home is the first step to getting them actively imagining how they and their belongings will fit there. Take it one step further and ask young children to draw a few pictures of what they would like to do in their new home. For older children, you may want to encourage them to start planning their new room or research teams/activities that their new school offers. 

Get Everyone Involved in Packing

Get children of all ages on board for the packing process—even if they won’t be of much help, encourage them to jump in! This will help them feel involved in the new adventure and give them a sense of accomplishment.  

How to: Older children should be able to both pack and declutter their bedrooms. While packing and decluttering don’t exactly fall into the “fun” category, if your moving timeline allows for it you can sweeten the pot by asking them if they want to host a yard sale. This will keep them busy and provide an opportunity for them to make a bit of extra money. Children that are too young to help with packing or those with an artistic streak may enjoy decorating some of the packed boxes with crayons. While random doodles are always an option, consider having them draw a picture of the room the box is labeled for. Stickers can also be fun for this, just make sure they are only getting stuck on the boxes!

Make the Car Ride into a Fun Road Trip 

With a major focus on the end goal of the move, it can be easy to give little thought to the time that will be spent time on the road. However, by infusing the car ride with a few road trip survival tips, you can ease stress, keep the kids entertained, and make the whole trip more enjoyable. 

How to: To avoid the dreaded “I’m bored!” and “Are we there yet?” be sure to plan activities for both inside and outside the car. Younger children may enjoy fun car games like I Spy or Go Fish, while a good audiobook can keep all ages entertained. And don’t forget the snacks—everyone loves car snacks! Outside of the car, be sure to plan plenty of stops to stretch your legs. With kids in tow, a stop at a playground or park can be heavenly. It will allow your kids to burn off some energy and give you a bit of quiet time. 

Take A Break from Unpacking  

Put down the boxes and do a family activity outside the house that you commonly did in your old hometown. This offers a much welcome break to unpacking and can provide both familiarity and excitement. 

How To: Think of activities that you liked to do as a family in your old hometown and look for opportunities to replicate the experience. This could be going to the movie theatre or playing at the park. Can’t think of any outdoor activities that you frequented? Don’t sweat it and try something indoors! If you commonly indulged in pizza and a movie or had a family game night, these activities can also provide a fun experience, as well as offer a sense of togetherness and comforting familiarity.  

Explore Your New Hometown  

You may be busy with a new job and new home, but take a few hours every week to get out as a family and explore. This will help both you and your kids familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood and what it has to offer. 

How To: Ask your kids what interests them—you may even be able to get some ideas for their drawing that they did before they moved—or look at the local event listing in your area. Community events can be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the locals and if school is currently not in session, also a chance for your kids to meet others their own age. Not one for large crowds? Look up some of the less crowded hotspots in town and check them out. Older children may be less interested in family events, so encourage them to get out in their new town by joining a sports league or club that interests them.

Moving isn’t always easy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a good experience! With a little less stress, a lot more fun, and a bit of planning, you can make it a memorable and exciting experience for not only your kids but the entire family.