Collaborative post
Moving to a new home is a big deal for the whole family. While it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos, involving your kids in the process can turn a potentially stressful experience into a family adventure. Let’s explore 15 ways your children can pitch in, making the move smoother for everyone.
Why involve your kids in the moving process?
Before we dive into the tasks, let’s talk about why it’s a good idea to get the little ones involved. First off, it teaches them responsibility. When kids help with moving, they learn valuable life skills and feel more in control of the change happening around them. It’s also a great way to reduce stress for the whole family. Instead of feeling like the move is happening to them, kids become active participants in the process.
But here’s the real sweetener – it’s a fantastic opportunity for family bonding. There’s something special about working together towards a family common goal. Plus, moving with kids can be like herding cats they have a mind of their own and you never know what they got up to. Giving them tasks keeps them occupied and out of your hair while you tackle the big stuff like booking removalists on Find a Mover.
The 15 Tasks Kids Can Do
1. Sorting Their Belongings
This is where the rubber meets the road. Ask your kids to go through their stuff and decide what to keep, donate, or throw out. It’s like a mini life lesson in decision-making and letting go. To make it more fun, give them boxes labelled “Keep it,” “Give it,” and “Bin it.” You might be surprised at how ruthless they can be when it comes to getting rid of old toys. Just don’t be shocked if that ratty teddy bear you’ve been trying to throw out for years somehow makes it into the “Keep” box.
2. Packing Personal Items
Once the sorting is done, let your kids pack their own things. Start with the easy stuff like toys, packing books, and clothes. It gives them a sense of ownership over the moving process and teaches them how to manage the packing so that the pile they decided to keep, actually fits into their allocated moving box. Show them tips on how to wrap fragile items and fill boxes without making them too heavy. Kids love craft, where, packing paper and packing peanuts are involved. Who knows? You might be raising the next Tetris champion.
3. Decorating Moving Boxes
Here’s where things get fun. Let your kids go wild decorating the boxes with markers or stickers. Not only does it make identifying their stuff easier, but it also adds a personal touch to the move. Watch thefurniture movers you hired handle these decorated boxes with extra care on moving day. It really works! Encourage them to decorate family boxes too. Nothing says “Kitchen Stuff” quite like a box covered in crayon drawings of spatulas and forks.
4. Labelling Boxes
Put those budding writing skills to good use. Have your kids label moving boxes with their contents and destination rooms. It’s great practice for writing and spelling, and it’ll save you a headache when unpacking. For younger kids, use colour-coded stickers for different rooms. Just make sure they don’t get carried away and label everything as “Dinosaur Room.”
5. Preparing a ‘First-Night’ Box
This is a important task that can make the first night in your new home much smoother and comfortable when you are able to locate the essentials to moving into your new home. Let your kids decide what essentials they’ll need, like pajamas, toothbrushes, and a their favourite toy they choose to keep safe with them. It helps them feel more secure during the transition into a new town and home. Plus, it saves you from digging through boxes at midnight looking for that one stuffed animal they can’t sleep without. So have them hold onto it like it’s their moving buddy.
6. Assembling Moving Day Snacks
Turn your kids into little chefs by involving them in snack prep. Have them make sandwiches, pack fruit, or portion out granola bars for moving day. It’s a great way to keep everyone fed and energised. Just be prepared for some creative sandwich combinations. Peanut butter and pickle, anyone? Or a triple stack sandwich?
7. Helping with Light Cleaning
Give your kids some simple cleaning tasks in their rooms. Dusting, wiping surfaces, or even helping to vacuum can make them feel like they’re contributing. Explain how move out cleaning makes it nice for the next occupants and prepares the new home. It’s never too early to start teaching them the joys of housework, right? Especially, when they’re still developing their negotiation skills.
8. Organising Moving Supplies
Put your kids in charge of the supply station. They can keep track of tape, scissors, markers, and bubble wrap. It gives them a sense of responsibility and keeps these items from mysteriously disappearing when you need them most. Plus, it prevents you from buying your fifth roll of packing tape because you can’t remember where you put the other four. Yes, it’s probably packed in a box somewhere.
9. Assisting with Pet Care
If you have furry family members, your kids can help keep them calm, fed, and comfortable during the move. It’s a great way to teach empathy and responsibility. Just make sure they don’t get any bright ideas about packing the cat in with the stuffed animals for “company.” And if you don’t have any, then assign them a houseplant to be your kids first pet.
10. Setting Up a ‘Goodbye’ Party
Let your kids plan a small farewell party with neighbours or friends. It helps them say goodbye to the old place and provides some emotional closure. It’s also a great excuse for one last neighborhood BBQ. Just remind them that a “goodbye party” doesn’t mean inviting the entire school over for a rager.
11. Unpacking Their Room
Once you’re booked movers have moved all your furniture in the new place, let your kids unpack their room first. It gives them a sense of ownership in the new space and helps them settle in faster. Turn it into a game by setting a timer to see how quickly they can organise their room. Warning: This may backfire if your kid’s idea of “organised” is everything shoved under the bed.
12. Arranging Their New Room
Give your kids free rein to decide where they want their furniture, toys, and decorations. It helps them feel more comfortable and excited about moving to the new house. Just be prepared for some interesting design choices.
13. Keeping Younger Siblings Occupied
If you have older kids, put them in charge of entertaining younger siblings. They can organise games or activities, freeing you up to focus on your moving checklist. It’s a chance for them to take on a leadership role. Just don’t be surprised if this leads to impromptu cardboard box fort competitions.
14. Yard Sale Helpers
Involve your kids in organizing a moving out yard sale. They can help sort items, set up tables, and even handle some transactions. It’s a great way to teach them about money management and the value of decluttering. Plus, they might be more willing to part with old toys if they see the cash rolling in.
15. Taking Photos of the Old Home
Let your kids be the official photographers of the move. They can capture photos of their favourite spots in the old house to create a memory book. It helps them process the move by holding onto cherished memories. Just be prepared for a lot of artsy shots of random corners and that one spot where the dog always naps.
Celebrating Their Contributions
After all is said and done, reward the effort of you kids and acknowledge their hard work during the move. A small appreciation or a fun activity in the new home can be enough to keep them wondering minds off the stress of a new environment and make the whole experience a positive one. As a family, maybe throw a first night pizza party in the new living room, surrounded by moving boxes? It’s a great way to remember the very first night of moving into the new house.
Moving with kids doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling experience. By involving them in these 15 simple tasks, you’re not just getting help with the move – you’re creating memories, teaching valuable life skills, and strengthening your family time together. Plus, you might discover that your kids have a knack at Tetris-ing boxes into the moving truck or coming up with creative uses for bubble wrap.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s about making the move an enjoyable family experience and helping your kids feel part of the process, keeping their minds busy and stress levels down. So embrace the moving chaos, laugh at the inevitable hiccups, and enjoy this new adventure together. Who knows? You might even find yourself looking forward to the next move. (Okay, let’s not get carried away – but at least you’ll be better prepared!)
In the end, moving is more than just transporting your stuff from one place to another. It’s about moving your family into a then next chapter of life. And by involving your kids in these tasks, you’re not just moving houses – you’re moving forward together as a family.