Moving with young children can be stressful—especially when trying to pack and entertain your kids simultaneously. However, even if you have very young children, there are still some fun ways to get them involved with the move (and keep them busy). Most kids want to be involved in the moving process but aren’t sure how to contribute, but we’ve got some great ideas for most children above four.
1. Have Them Create a “Donate” Pile
Are you looking to reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack and move? Many people use the packing process as an opportunity to eliminate things they no longer need. Involve your children by having them review their toys and other belongings. Ask them to create a pile of stuff they no longer play with or need. You can then donate or sell some items in a pre-move garage sale. This is a great way to reduce the number of things you need to pack while getting your kids involved.
2. Let Them Pack Their Own Rooms
Depending on your child’s age and abilities, consider letting them help pack at least some of their bedrooms. This can cut down on some of your own packing while giving your child an important task that helps them feel involved in the move.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you can just toss a couple of moving boxes into your kid’s room and expect them to know exactly what to do. Show them how to properly pack a moving box, and encourage them to ask for assistance with any fragile or breakable items.
3. Give Them Basic Cleaning Jobs
As you begin packing more things for your move, you’ll likely be left with messes—this is an excellent opportunity to give your kid some age-appropriate cleaning tasks. Dusting, sweeping, and wiping baseboards are all basic cleaning tasks that most children can help with. Older children may also be able to assist with things like vacuuming, cleaning windows, and disinfecting surfaces in preparation for a move. You can even reward them for completing these chores.
4. Encourage Them to Decorate Boxes
For very young children who may not yet be able to help with cleaning or packing their own boxes, simply allowing them to “help” by decorating your moving boxes can be a fun project. Provide them with some washable markers, crayons, and stickers—and let them get as creative as they want with each box.
Pro tip
Ensure you label every moving box so that your movers know exactly where to put them on the big day. Label each side of the box with the destination room at your new house.
Movers Get the Job Done Right
Have you scheduled your moving company? Hiring pro movers to transport your belongings from one location to another can ease the strain of moving. You’ll be free to concentrate on supporting your child during this time of change. Contact us now to learn more about our residential moving services and get a free quote!