If your family relocated during your childhood, you know that moving to a new home is not all fun and games. That doesn’t mean that fun shouldn’t be part of it, especially when you’ve got kids. Play is one of the most important pillars of children’s emotional and cognitive development, as it teaches them to learn about the unknown in an enjoyable way.
So, why not let them see the good times that can come even with the hassle of packing and unpacking or planning a timeline and going through with it? Here we’ll give you some jumping-off points for involving your kids in the moving process and teaching them how to juggle responsibility with playfulness.
Plan the move together and let them get creative
The planning starts once you’ve done the most important thing — that is, giving your kids an honest account of why, when and where you’ll be moving, while also being open to any questions they have. You can further strengthen the bond you’ve created through honesty by inviting them to take part in the planning process.
You can start by showing them a photo of the new home and their new room. Afterwards, have a brainstorming session on ways to arrange the furniture and decorate the place. You can even print out an image of their room and let them draw the décor they’d like to see. This will also give you a better idea of how to categorize your belongings and make the whole process more exciting.
This is also a great time for them to draw up a checklist of things they want to bring along with them and things they’d rather donate. As a matter of fact, it would help if you could make one for yourself and show them what you prioritize. And if there are things you’d like to keep but may not fit into the new place, you can look at self-storage solutions. There is even a fun storage unit size calculator that you and your little ones can play around with as you prepare for the big move.
If you have kids of various ages, designate tasks accordingly
Age differences often breed conflict, so it’s helpful to stress the importance of every player when you give everyone age-appropriate tasks. For instance:
- – Little children might like to help pack their toy collection and put stickers (be it tags or cartoon stickers) on the boxes.
- – Meanwhile, ask your school-aged kids to help with the cleanup and have your teenagers make sure that everything is packed and ready.
- – While you’re doing all this packing, you can throw together a playlist about new beginnings and relocations (think “Moving Out” by Billy Joel). You can even teach your children road-trip songs that you can sing together later on. After all, we know that it helps to whistle while you work.
Don’t forget the essentials bag, but prioritize fun as well
If you’re traveling cross-country, make your kids a checklist of things they need to bring along: toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels and a change of clothes. Also, encourage them to pack things that just make them feel better, whether it is a toy or a book.
For babies and toddlers, let them see you packing their favorite toys, stuffed animals, books or games (along with snacks and drinks, which are essential). Make sure that you also have a moving essentials bag for when the whole family gets to the new home, plus a bag with all the essentials for traveling (including corner protectors if you’ll be staying at a hotel).
All in all, you’re not just doing your kids a favor by taking a fun and lighthearted approach to moving homes. You’re also making it easier on yourself, which your children will surely appreciate, too. And while packing for a relocation is not exactly a recreational activity, it can surely make for some happy memories anyway. Who knows? Maybe your kids will re-create these packing hacks with their own children someday.
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