Moving from one home to another is a life-changing event that impacts everyone in the family, especially the children. Since kids will also be subjected to changes brought about by the move, it is wise to include them throughout the process. This gives them a sense of importance and belonging during the move. Since children are not strong enough to carry heavy loads, they can help in packing in one way or another. Your kids will gladly help when you make packing a fun and exciting activity. Here are some ways to involve your kids in the moving process:

 

 

Make Decluttering Fun

Before loading your things into moving-out boxes, you need to declutter first. You don't need to bring all your things, so you can decrease the boxes you need to load onto the truck. One effective way of decluttering is using the Marie Kondo method. You can involve your children in the process by letting them sort out what needs to be packed and what needs to be left behind or donated. A fun way to make the activity fun and engaging for your kids is to give them sticky notes in two colors. They can help you choose what needs to be packed and what needs to be donated. Once things are sorted, you can fill out the boxes.

 

Let Kids Help with Packing

Let's admit that packing is repetitive and boring, especially when overhauling everything to move to a new home. You can turn this task into an exciting activity for the children. You can assign them to pack their belongings and label them with tape, pens/markers in different colors. This will maintain their attention and interest and give them a sense of responsibility for their things. Another thing that could add excitement to the task is giving them a limited amount of time to pack so they will view it as a game that needs to be accomplished. Giving them little rewards, like more time to watch TV or play, also ensures that they participate in this activity.

 

Decorate the Moving Boxes

People with kids understand that keeping the kids occupied is a wise strategy when dealing with tasks that require focus. You can let your kids decorate the cardboard moving boxes when you are still not done packing and decluttering. This is a fun way to keep them busy while you accomplish the rest of your moving-day checklist. Give them crayons, oil pastels, or colored pencils so they can express their creativity on the cardboard boxes.

 

Moving-Day Checklist

Moving to a new location can have psychological effects on your children. You need to set their expectations so they can understand the process involved in moving homes. Include your kids in the planning by making a moving-day checklist and letting them mark the tasks done. Make sure that the tasks assigned to them are age-appropriate and match their skill level. Divide your checklist into chunks that kids can handle, including sorting the toys and organizing the school supplies.

 

Check the New Neighborhood with Your Kids

Moving to a new location might be difficult for kids who have already started schooling since they will be apart from their friends. To make the transition smoother for your little ones, take them on a trip to the new neighborhood. Explore the local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly activities that can make them excited. You can also show them their new school to familiarize them with the new area.

 

 

Moving to a new home is a life-changing event that needs everyone's participation. Involving your children during the process is crucial for their emotional and mental well-being. Moving can be a demanding experience, so making it an enjoyable family activity is important. Your kids will be happy to feel included during decluttering and unpacking. Giving them tasks, activities, and rewards makes them feel connected and excited while developing important skills such as organization, adaptability, and decision-making. You can always hire professional packers and movers to help you move if there's too much on your plate. A reputable moving company can assist you with the load of the moving process.