Children add an extra layer of complexity during a move, and the move itself can be complex enough!
Whether you’re organizing boxes, coordinating with a real estate agent, or loading the moving truck, keeping kids safely occupied requires strategic planning.
No worries! Just remember these pro moving tips on how to entertain kids, including:
- Creating designated safe zones for different age groups during the moving process
- Entertainment strategies for both packing day and travel
- Ways to involve your kids while maintaining productivity
- Tips to help your kid feel secure during the transition
- Activities for both younger kids and older kids
There are two main phases to a move that generally need to be considered: managing children during packing/loading day, and keeping them entertained during the journey to your new home.
Let’s start with making moving day smoother for everyone involved.
Part 1: Make Packing and Loading Day Fun
Depending on their ages and ability levels, your moving day strategy for the kids might range from containment to cooperation.
Whatever your children’s ages, here are some tips on how to keep things moving smoothly.
Create Kid-Friendly Zones
The best approach when moving with kids is to keep them away from the action.
Set up dedicated spaces where children can play safely while adults handle the heavy lifting.
Choose a room furthest from the main activity—ideally one that’s already been packed except for key entertainment items.
This creates a buffer between your children and the busy loading areas.
For homes with multiple age groups, consider these space-planning strategies:
- Designate a quiet corner for younger kids with familiar toys and books
- Create a separate zone for older kids with age-appropriate activities
- Set up a shared family space for meals and breaks together
To keep your kids entertained and comfortable, include these items:
- Favorite stuffed animals for comfort and familiarity
- A few cherished books and games
- Comfortable seating or cushions
- Water and healthy snacks
- A tablet or device for entertainment
- Basic art supplies
- Their special comfort items or security blankets
By establishing dedicated spaces, you help children feel secure while keeping them safely away from the moving activities.
You’ll then be free to coordinate with the moving team and see that the move stays on schedule.
Turn Packing Into Play
When moving with family, transform packing from a chore into an adventure by finding creative ways to involve your kids in the process.
Younger kids can sort their toys into simple categories, while older kids can take charge of organizing their rooms.
When children participate in the moving process, they often feel more in control of the changes happening around them.
Create a decoration station where kids can personalize their moving boxes. Supply markers, stickers, and labels, letting them design “room signs” for their belongings.
This not only keeps them engaged, but also helps them identify their items when unpacking in the new home.
For example, they might draw pictures of what’s inside or create coded symbols for different types of toys.
Make sorting into a game by setting up “keep,” “donate,” and “storage” zones.
Challenge kids to make quick decisions about their belongings with a timer, offering praise for thoughtful choices.
This approach helps with decluttering while teaching valuable lessons about organization and giving to others.
How To Manage Multiple Age Groups
Coordinating activities for different age groups can be challenging during a move, but having family members work together creates valuable bonding opportunities.
Create a buddy system, where older kids help guide their younger siblings through simple tasks. This can help foster a sense of responsibility.
Here’s how to keep everyone working together:
- Assign team tasks where each child contributes according to their abilities
- Let older children read stories to younger ones during breaks
- Create a family playlist where everyone adds their favorite songs for packing sessions
During the moving day itself, rotate activities to keep energy levels balanced.
While one child helps label boxes, another might organize their special collection of stuffed animals.
The key is maintaining a mix of productive tasks and breaks that help each child feel more comfortable with the moving experience.
Remember to acknowledge each child’s contributions, no matter how small.
When children feel their efforts are valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged and positive throughout the move.
Part 2: Entertainment for the Journey
Once the vehicles are loaded, many families face a long car ride to their new home.
Here’s how to keep your kids entertained and excited during a long-distance move.
Road Trip Ready
Kids get antsy when they have to ride long distances in the car. Keep them engaged, entertained, and cared for to avoid highway meltdowns and sibling conflicts.
Schedule regular breaks that align with your children’s school year schedules—this helps maintain a sense of normalcy.
When planning stops, look for parks or playgrounds where kids can burn off energy while taking a break from the car.
Long-Distance Entertainment
Prepare age-appropriate entertainment plans for your kids to keep them occupied.
For many, this might mean video games and social media scrolling, but you can use technology to do a lot more.
Here’s a guide to age-appropriate entertainment packs that also stimulate the mind:
Age group | Essential items | Digital entertainment | Comfort items |
Ages 2–5 | Coloring books, stuffed animals, simple puzzles | Educational apps, downloaded shows | Favorite blanket, snacks |
Ages 6–12 | Activity books, card games, journals | Audiobooks, gaming device | Family photos, travel pillow |
Teens | Reading materials, sketch pads | Loaded playlist, laptop | Headphones, personal care items |
Learning About Your New Home
A long car ride is a perfect opportunity to familiarize your kids with their future home.
Here are some ways you can entertain, educate, and excite about the move:
- Research your children’s new school district and create trivia questions to quiz them on.
- Have older children use Google Street View to tour the new city.
- Create a scavenger hunt of iconic landmarks and features of your new home state that children can spot from the car windows.
- Have older children research nearby extracurricular activities, parks, youth programs, and sports opportunities to get them excited about their new home.
Your car ride can be a fun and educational transition into their new lives. Children accept changes best when they are involved in the planning process.
Moving with kids may take some extra planning and work, but with your support, they can be an active part of the process.
And that means that everyone will be able to enter the new family home happy and ready to start a new chapter in their lives!