Hello World! Welcome Friends! It can be extremely difficult to relocate. It can be particularly difficult if your children will be present during the move. Having a babysitter, neighbor, or family member watch your children on moving day would be ideal, but we understand that this isn’t always possible.
If your kids are going to be with you during the move, make sure there are some things for them to do as you deal with some last-minute packing, planning, coordinating the movers, or any other moving day tasks. Check out some of our tested moving day activities to help you plan for the big move with your kids.
Have a Moving Day Pack
Prepare a set of fun activities for the kids to keep them occupied on moving day. There doesn’t have to be a large number of objects, but just a few meaningful (and portable) items that will keep your children occupied. Markers, crayons, a coloring book, an activity book, a sticker book, playdough, and so on may all be included. Give them their bundle of activities on the day of the move to make it extra special. This will keep it new and exciting for them.
Make Sure that They Have Access to Their Special Toys
Make sure they have a couple of their favorite toys as well as their activity pack. This will provide some familiar comfort for them during the frenetic and overwhelming moving phase. All you have to do now is make sure the toys aren’t too cumbersome or large.
Teach Them Some Card Games
If they have never played card games before, this one may involve some prior preparation as you will need to teach them some games, but a simple deck of cards can keep older children amused for hours. Solitaire is a great one if you have just one child to think about.
Books
Most kids love books and reading can be a lovely, calming way to while away a few hours. Allow your children to choose a few of their favorite items during the packing process to be saved for moving day. If you have children who do not yet know how to read, such as toddlers, choose a few picture books for them to look at. Choose a fun place for your children to play while the movers load and unload their belongings on moving day. Make sure this isn’t in a congested or high-traffic section of your home or apartment.
Let Them Play Outside
If you have some safe, secure outdoor space, let them play out there. Give them a ball or a jump rope or some pavement chalk, or let them just explore the outdoor space. Just make sure that they do not get in the way of movers and that the garden area is safe before letting them play.
Go for a Walk
Sometimes, kids need a break from the often heavy process of moving house. If there is more than one parent or adult available, have them take the children for a walk. It may tire them out so they are happy for a quiet activity or even a nap later on, as well as giving them some fresh air and a break away from the intensity.
Give Them a Cardboard Box and Markers
You are moving house; you will inevitably have a supply of large cardboard boxes and marker pens – children’s favorite things to play with. Give them a couple of big boxes and let them loose. See where their imagination takes them. Encourage them to make dens, castles and cars.
Set Up a ‘Drive-Through Cinema’
Download some films to a tablet or laptop and prop it up somewhere. With the aforementioned cardboard boxes, make cars and create a drive-through cinema, where they sit in their cardboard cars and watch a film. You could even pick them up a take out lunch from McDonald’s or the like to make it feel super special, or give them a bowl of popcorn and chips to munch on while you carry on packing.
Get Them Involved
This does not work so well with younger children but older children can certainly help with the packing. Get them to pack their toys and decorate the box, or get them wiping down shelves in a cupboard that have already been emptied and packed up. This not only keeps them from under your feet for a while but saves you a job too.
Moving house with kids can be stressful, but if you have some activities and ideas up your sleeve, you can keep them busy while coordinating your move. Good luck.
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
Getting them involved and listening to their concerns is vital
Kathryn, your moving day activities for kids are a lifesaver! Keeping children engaged during a move can be challenging, but your suggestions ensure a smoother transition for families. Thank you for sharing these practical tips!