are you moving with kids and freaking out? me too! after chatting with lots of fellow parents who have gone through moves with little ones at all different ages, i’ve learned that each age group handles the change super differently so hopefully this post can prep you a bit for what’s ahead!

for babies and toddlers (0-2 years)

stick to routines

the #1 thing for the tiny humans — keep their schedules as normal as possible! same nap times, same meal times, same bedtime rituals. trust me, this consistency is their security blanket during the chaos.

pack a “first day” survival box

grab their favorite stuffed animal, blankey, books, and whatever else they’re obsessed with. keep this box with you (and not the movers!) and unpack it first. having their comfort items immediately available will be a total game-changer.

their room comes first

i know you want to set up the kitchen (or is that just me?) but resist. setting up their room first helps them feel at home faster. try to arrange things similar to their old room – they notice this stuff even when they can’t communicate that with you.

prepare for some regression

if your potty-trained toddler is suddenly having accidents or your good sleeper is waking up and crying all night, that’s all normal. just be patient, gentle and know this phase will pass as they adjust.

for preschoolers (3-5 years)

make them your “special helpers”

preschoolers love feeling important! let them pack their own stuffed animals, decide where toys go in their new room, or put stickers on packed boxes. giving them ownership in the process is huge.

create a moving picture book

grab your phone and take photos of your current place, the packing process, the new house, and cool things near your new home like parks or pools. make a simple book you can flip through together. this visual story helps them understand what’s happening.

play “new house” with dolls or toys

use dolls to act out moving scenarios with their toys. this helps them process what’s happening and gives you a chance to talk through their feelings.

visit the new neighborhood before moving day

if possible, take them to the new house and explore nearby parks, the library, or ice cream shops. finding exciting new places helps balance the sadness of leaving familiar ones.

for school-age kids (6-12 years)

give them decorating power

let them choose paint colors, bedding, or arrange the furniture in their new room. having pinterest browsing sessions together for room ideas can build excitement about the move and their new space.

help them stay connected

set up video calls with old friends, plan a goodbye party, and create an address book with everyone’s contact info. knowing they can maintain friendships makes the transition less scary.

research cool stuff together

make a bucket list of fun things to explore in your new area. museums, hiking trails, splash pads, pokemon card shops– whatever they are into! having adventures to look forward to helps overcome the “new kid” anxiety.

create a memory box

before leaving, help them collect mementos from your old home and neighborhood – a rock from the backyard, a leaf from a favorite climbing tree, photos with closest friends.

for teens (13-18 years)

acknowledge it’s hard and listen

teens might have the toughest time with moves. let them be upset without trying to fix everything. sometimes they just need you to say, “yeah, this really sucks, and i’m sorry.”

give them control wherever possible

let them make decisions about their new space, keep their room arrangement similar if they want, or completely reinvent it if that’s their preference. this control is crucial when everything else feels out of their hands!!

help them research their new school

look up clubs, sports teams, and activities at their new school that match their interests. this gives them a starting point for finding their people.

encourage social media connections

before moving, help them connect with kids their age in the new location through supervised social media or parent networks. having potential friends before arriving will make such a huge difference.

general tips for all ages

be honest but positive

kids can sense when you’re stressed or anxious, so acknowledge the challenges while focusing on the positives. “yes, saying goodbye is hard, but i’m so excited about the big backyard at our new house!”

create moving day kits

pack backpacks for each kid with snacks, water bottles, comfort items, and activities for moving day. having their own “survival kit” gives them something to focus on during the transition.

maintain family rituals

keep up taco tuesday, sunday movie nights, or whatever traditions your family loves. these familiar routines feel like they provide security even when everything else is different.

celebrate new beginnings

plan a special “first night” dinner in your new home, even if it’s just pizza on the floor surrounded by boxes. creating positive associations with the new space helps everyone adjust faster.

be patient with yourself and them

some days will be rough for all of you. that’s ok! adjustment takes time, and sometimes the best parenting move is ordering takeout and building a blanket fort in the living room.

things that can hopefully make moving with kids easier

here are some items that might be lifesavers to make the transitions smoother.

for the actual move

for the emotional stuff

moving-themed books

here is an age-appropriate list of moving themed stories to make your kids feel less alone in their big feelings.

friendship keepsakes

for the older kids who are emotional about leaving their friends behind, friendship bracelets would make saying goodbye a little less traumatic and give them something tangible to hold onto.

for the new place

for staying connected

and some things for you …

moving is even more stressful for the parents, because we have to deal with managing everything PLUS their emotions! here are some things to help with your mental health too.

moving with kids isn’t easy, but with some planning and lots of patience, you can help them not just survive but thrive through this big life change.

do you have any moving tips!? would love to hear them in the comments!!