Moving with Kids: Making Moving Day Easier for the Whole Family

Pack your kids' rooms last and unpack them first. Keeping their space familiar for as long as possible, then set up quickly at the new place, gives them the shortest possible stretch of disruption.

Let them pack a moving-day bag. A small bag of favourite toys, books or comfort items that stays with them (not in the truck) gives kids something familiar to hold onto during a day that's otherwise full of strangers and boxes.

Arrange for supervision on moving day itself if you can. Moving day involves open doors, a constantly moving crew, and heavy items — it's genuinely safer, and less stressful for you, if young kids aren't underfoot while the truck is being loaded.

Involve older kids in the process. Letting them pack their own room or choose where things go in the new one gives them a sense of control over a change they didn't choose themselves.