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Young parents are pushing their two young daughters across the floor in empty moving boxes. The overlaid text reads, “Minimizing the tears & fears that accompany moving with kids begins with honesty & involvement.”

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15 Tips to Make Moving with Kids a Good Experience for All

Moving

by Shannon Jacobs Posted on November 13, 2024

Adding a move to the mix of toddler, tween, or teen drama? Let’s face it: Changing schools, leaving friends, and abandoning a beloved childhood bedroom have the potential to make the process of moving with kids difficult — if not downright traumatic. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

First of all, kids are resilient and eminently adaptable — which is not to say it’ll be smooth sailing all the way. But grownups have the power to help minimize the tears and fears that often arise in the middle of moving with family. Sure, every child and every family situation is different, but take a look at our top 15 tips to make moving with children as painless as possible for everyone involved.

A mother sitting her child down to discuss moving.

First on the list of tips for moving with kids is to be honest: Tell your kids why and when you’re moving — in age-appropriate language, of course — as soon as the plans are finalized.

1. Be Transparent.

Our tips for moving with kids begin with honesty. Start with the why and when — in age-appropriate language, of course — as soon as the plans are finalized. Is this a job-related relocation? Are you moving to be closer to family? The No. 1 tip for how to talk to kids about moving is to use simple, direct language they’ll understand.

Our children have a sixth sense that can pick up on the slightest shift in the household vibe. So instead of waiting for the elusive right time, tell them on time. Add the topic to the next family meeting agenda or take a walk-and-talk break. They may need a minute to absorb the news and process it, so give them that, too. But make sure they’re informed of your plans early, and keep them up to speed every step of the way; that’ll go a long way toward an easier move for the entire family.

A young girl is helping her father tape up a moving box as her mother packs another box beside them. The room is filled with packed moving boxes, plastic tubs, and other miscellaneous home goods.

Keeping your kids involved in the move as part of the family team will help them adapt to changes.

2. Involve Your Kids in the Move

From picking a new house to packing up treasures, enlist your kids as part of the team — it’s a family event, after all.

Here are a few tips for moving with kids and getting them involved:

Give Your Children a Vote as You Look for a Home in Your New Town.

This can be as simple as looking at photos online together as you narrow down your search or taking them along to tour new homes. Find out what their dream rooms would look like. How about the yard? Have they always wanted a treehouse? Is a swimming pool on their wish lists? When you're moving with kids, they should be part of the decision: Ask their opinions, hear their pros and cons, and consider their views when making your selection. Do keep the dream-house exercise in the realm of reality, though; you don’t want to end up disappointing your kids if you can’t deliver the hillside castle with ponies and an amusement park out back.

Help Your Kids Create Their Own Moving Checklist.

When it comes to moving tips for families, working together to make a plan is a win-win: It gives your children ownership over their part of the move, helping them feel involved in all the changes — and it lays a foundation for an important life skill: getting organized! Start with what they might want to keep with them in a backpack rather than loading up in the moving truck (favorite PJs, bedtime books, and that special lovey). Other considerations: how many boxes they may need for their toys and how to label their belongings.

Send Them to Their Rooms — With a Few Boxes To Pack.

Figuring out how to move with kids can feel huge, but letting them physically help out can be mutually beneficial. Giving your kids ownership of their part of the move — again, age-appropriately, of course — helps them feel like they’re a part of the process and can make for an easier transition. Then do the same at the other end: Have them take the lead on unpacking in their new room. Find out where they’d prefer to hang pictures and posters and how best to arrange the furniture.

Unleash Your Kids’ Inner Decorators.

From paint colors to pillowcases, let them help decide the look of their new bedrooms — a key part of easing the angst of moving with children. Even the most cranky tween will crack a smile if they get to pick out new goodies. And you don’t have to break the bank — just a few simple touches can change the character of the new space. You might suggest a signature piece to build a design around: maybe a favorite cartoon character, a movie, or a sports theme. (This is a great opportunity for friends who may be asking about moving gift ideas for kids: Share what your child is imagining for their new room!) Your child might want to recreate their old bedroom in the new house — which is fine, to a degree. While you’re just getting settled, it’s important to support your child and make them feel comfortable, but you do want to strike a balance that helps them accept the reality of the move, as well.

Pro Tip: Advise the kids to keep the lovies out of the moving boxes. Stuffed bears and penguins belong in a carry-on backpack or otherwise in hand at all times — the Golden Rule of moving with kids. The last thing you want is for that precious cargo to get stowed away in a moving truck or container.

A mom and dad swinging their daughter in their arms while walking in a new city

Help your kids see their new city as a place with plenty of exciting experiences and adventures ahead.

3. Take Your Kids Along on a Recon Trip to Your New Town.

Looking for some tips for moving out of state with kids? If you’re moving for work, negotiate moving family with you and include a visit to your new city as part of your relocation package. Make a mini-vacation out of the trip and explore the area — particularly sites with kid-friendly activities like parks, playgrounds, and the nearest ice cream shop. When they’re familiar with places of interest in their new town, your children will feel more at home when you get there for good.

4. Join the Club.

A surefire way to help your family feel at home is to get involved in a social or civic club that interests your kids (and you!). A few ideas:

Volunteer With a Nonprofit.

A neighborhood clean-up crew or a food pantry are good places to start. You’ll find like-minded folks to get to know, and you’ll be doing meaningful work for your new community.

Get Creative.

Check out arts organizations in your new town for opportunities to act, paint, write, or even play in a band. Expressing emotion and working through issues creatively is a cathartic, tried-and-true therapy — just ask Taylor Swift. So if your kids are having some angst about the new town, put a guitar, a paintbrush, or a blank notebook in their hands and see what they come up with.

Sporty Kids in the House?

The YMCA or local community center are good bets for energetic little ones. If the weather’s agreeable, find (or kick off) a pickup game of soccer and let your kids unleash their inner Olympians. Older kids can check out your local YMCA or community center as a source of new pals, as well, particularly if you’re moving during the summer, when area swimming pools are the social hub of neighborhood activity. Bottom line: Help them keep moving! With kids, physical exertion is an important release — and a great way to improve psychological health, too.

Extra, Extra!

Help your kids explore after-school options. From sports to social clubs, extracurricular activities help students find peers with shared interests and perhaps foster a new hobby. If their particular passion isn’t offered in a club, encourage them to start their own club — another terrific way to meet people with similar interests and hobbies.

Q: Why is moving hard for children?
A: Change is hard! Leaving behind friends, teachers, extended family, and familiar surroundings can be sad and unsettling, no matter how exciting your new town may be — and no matter how old you are. But a move doesn’t have to be traumatic. To mitigate potential stress, caregivers should stay connected with their children, help them feel comfortable about the move, and encourage them to get engaged.

5. Check In On Your Kids’ Feelings About the Move.

After you’re settled in the new house, set aside time once in a while to check in with your kids and chat about how they’re doing — even if everything seems fine. It’s likely a somewhat chaotic time for everyone as the family gets settled in the new space, so you might miss distress signals you’d otherwise catch. A special lunch date for two — or even a car ride to soccer practice — is a good way to get a little one to open up.

There are certain situations that require an especially delicate touch, of course. If you’re blending families, for instance, consider your child’s relationship with your significant other in the way you choose to have the conversation. Moving in together is exciting, but it can also be stressful. And moving in together with kids adds a whole new dimension.

The same holds true for adding family members to your household — a grandparent comes to live with you, for instance. Welcoming a new person (or people!) to the family dynamic generally brings a mix of benefits and challenges, so be sure to check in with your kids during the transition — and beyond — to make sure they’re adjusting well.

When kids know their feelings are valued by their parents and caregivers, they gain a sense of trust and safety that can carry them through even the hardest times in life. And an added bonus of letting your kids know you’re really listening: You’ll gain points in the trust department — a rarity, particularly in those sometimes prickly teen years.

6. Connect With Other Parents.

This tip for moving with kids is great for you, too — not just your little ones. Tap into your social networks for connections. Somebody always knows somebody, right? Or if your situation is a job relocation, ask your new HR director to refer you to local parents’ groups. Moving with a baby? Check out the library for weekly story times or playgroups. The gatherings are an easy way to meet potential friends for both you and your children — essential to settling in and beginning to feel at home.

Kids being reunited with friends, walking and smiling arm in arm.

Turn that tearful “goodbye” into a cheerful “see you soon!” Everybody loves having something to look forward to. Apply the same anticipation to planning a trip back to your old town. Your kids will be comforted knowing there’s a visit on the calendar.

7. Party Time!

Once you’re (relatively) settled in the new house, it’s time to party! Enlist your kids’ help in planning a housewarming get-together — a great way not only to make new friends but to celebrate the accomplishment of moving. Depending on their ages, your children can help design the menu, pick out decorations, or deliver invitations to your neighbors.

8. Plan for a Visit to the Old House To See Old Friends.

Turn that tearful “goodbye” into a cheerful “see you soon!” Everybody loves having something to look forward to — it’s why we count the days until Christmas starting in July and have half-birthday celebrations in the summer. Apply the same anticipation to planning a trip back to your old town. Your kids will be comforted knowing there’s a visit on the calendar. It’s always soothing in times of stress to turn to old friends, so keeping them close in their hearts is the next best thing. And, in the meantime, encourage your kids to stay in touch via email or even old-fashioned letters. (Remember how fun it was to have a pen pal?)

9. Give Yourself Plenty of Time To Prepare for the Move.

As you’re winding down time in your old home and getting closer to moving day, the transition period will likely involve lots of unexpected moments: friends dropping in to wish you well, neighborhood going-away parties, and, inevitably, the occasional meltdown of one of your children — or you. Build in some buffer time to allow for these unplanned delays.

And consider PODS portable moving containers, which allow you to take all the time you need. Literally. Because the containers are just outside in your driveway until you schedule them to be picked up and transported to your new home, you have the flexibility to move at your own pace. The best part? That means you can keep your focus on your kids throughout the process.

10. Don’t Be Shy About Asking for Help.

Moving with kids takes a lot of time and energy, so there’s no shame in enlisting support from friends and family — or even a babysitter for hire — to spend time with your kids on moving day or in the run-up while you take care of the more mundane tasks.

Need to run out for more boxes and packing tape? Have one final room to organize in the new house before the first day of school? “Hello, Mom? Want to play with your adorable granddaughter for an hour?” An extra adult gives you the flexibility you need to get things done. And if your child is feeling stressed about the move, the familiarity of a beloved relative or babysitter can provide the extra support they may need to calm any fears.

Q: What age is hardest for kids to move?
A: While experts agree that moving is stressful at any age, there isn’t an established consensus on an age that’s the hardest for moving with kids. Moving in the middle of a school year might not be the most easy transition — but depending on the kid, it might be perfectly smooth. As with most challenges when it comes to parenting, knowing your own child and their needs and anxieties is the key.

A little girl in her pajamas is stretching in front of her bedroom window as the morning sun pours into her room.

Help your kids decorate their new rooms first — so they can start feeling at home faster.

11. Make the Kids’ Rooms a Priority.

Last and first: That’s how you should think about packing and unpacking your kids’ rooms — the last to pack up and the first to unpack. That way, your kids have the most time possible in their old room, and they can begin getting settled and feeling comfortable right away in the new house.

12. Check Out the Library.

The best first stop you can make after moving with kids is at your local library. Get your kids a library card — nothing like their very own IDs with their names on them! — and then get down to research. Make a fun project out of learning about the new community. The librarian can help you discover the history: Who founded the town? What are its main businesses? How many people have moved there in the past decade? If it’s summer and school’s out, turn the lesson into a creative art project: Have your child design a picture book or write a poem or short story about the town. Not the project type? There’s likely a book club or summer reading program (with prizes!) in full swing!

If your child is having a tough time with the transition, ask your friendly librarian to recommend children’s books about moving. Sometimes just knowing they’re not the first kid to feel anxious about a move can make all the difference. And if you’re finding the new road a little bumpy, you might just find a good book with even more tips for moving with kids.

A couple looking at their loaded PODS container as they stand with their arms around each other

PODS is all about flexibility. Pack on your own schedule and have full access to your belongings throughout the moving process.

13. Learn As Much As You Can About How To Make Your Move As Smooth As Possible.

Visit the PODS Blog for more great moving tips to keep your family sane. You also might want to check out these family-friendly neighborhoods in a few sought-after cities. Even if you’re not moving to one of these destinations, you’re sure to find some valuable information about relocating with kids, your move, and your home search:

14. Remember: There’s No “Worst Age” to Move a Child.

And if you’re wondering, “What is the best age to relocate kids?” there’s not one perfect number for that, either. There are distinctive challenges at every age when it comes to moving with kids — especially if it’s away from the only home a child has ever known. For teens and tweens, there’s the sadness of losing lifelong friends (more on that in a minute). Being the new kid in town can be nerve-wracking — and if the school year has already started, doubly so. For toddlers just beginning to gain their footing in the world, there’s the daunting task of navigating a new home and the loss of leaving familiar faces. Finding new friends will be key, so get involved with your local toddler network as soon as you can.

And as for older kids, talk with them about the chance to expand their horizons. Maybe celebrate the move with a shopping spree or a mini-makeover. A must: Help them find the best coffee shop in town (or another favorite eatery) and splurge for a gift card.

Remember that these moving challenges can also represent opportunities, and it’s your role as their caregiver to help put a positive — even exciting! — spin on the process. Acknowledge the sadness of leaving and the anxiety of starting over. But just as importantly, emphasize the good things that await in the new town. What a treat it can be to explore a whole new environment: fresh shops and restaurants to try, new parks to explore and friends to find, and the potential for interesting clubs and activities at school. With those fun possibilities on the horizon, you may be able to help your kids turn the blues around.

Q: What is the best age to move with kids?
A: Experts don’t have a strong consensus on the best age for a child to move; for some teens, for instance, a greater sense of independence might make a move less stressful, but others may feel the loss of familiarity more acutely. In general, though, younger kids adapt more easily and quickly to a new home, neighborhood, or city. As long as a child feels safe and secure, a move doesn’t have to be bad — at any age.

A mom and daughter smiling and embracing.

Reassure your kids during the move — especially if they’re leaving the only home they’ve ever known — and help them see the positives about a fresh start in a new place.

15. And Finally, Trust Your Instincts.

Moving is stressful at any age. In fact, experts consider it to be among the top five most stressful life events. But for kids, disruption lands differently. You know your children better than anyone, so pay attention to their moods and behaviors. Your goal is to reassure them and help keep angsty moments at bay. Even the most insightful parents can miss a signal, though, so be sure to check in often with your children to make sure they’re rolling with all the changes.

If new behaviors emerge that you find worrisome — spending a lot of time alone or exhibiting mood swings, for instance — it might be time for a heart-to-heart or a wellness break. Go outside and take a walk, start a new project, or just snuggle up on the couch for a movie or storytime. Sometimes a hug is all it takes to feel better in a time of disruption and change. And that’s true for kids of all ages.

Shannon Jacobs is a Tampa-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. She has lived in Atlanta, the Berkshires, and Nashville, but always returns to the warmth of Florida’s Gulf Coast.