Moving House With Children: Complete Guide for Families

Moving house with children adds another layer to an already busy time. Alongside packing boxes and organising the move, you may be helping a baby keep their routine, explaining the move to a toddler, dealing with school changes or helping an older child say goodbye to friends.

This guide covers how to prepare children for moving house, what to do on moving day and how to help them settle afterwards, with specific advice for babies, toddlers, school-age children and teenagers.

Quick Guide

Before Moving House With Children

Once the move is definite, explain what is happening in a way that suits your child’s age. Give them opportunities to ask questions and avoid making promises about the new house, school or neighbourhood that you cannot guarantee.

Help Them Feel Involved

• Show them photos of the new house and their new bedroom if possible.
• Explore the new neighbourhood together.
• Let them choose a few ideas for their new bedroom.
• Give them age-appropriate packing jobs.
• Let them decorate or label their own moving boxes.
• Make plans for keeping in touch with friends.
• Keep favourite toys and comfort items out of the removal van.

Keep Familiar Routines Where Possible

There will inevitably be disruption around moving day, but familiar meals, bedtime routines, stories, toys and other everyday habits can provide some consistency while everything else is changing.

Moving House With a Baby

Moving house with a baby is less about explaining the move and more about keeping their day as manageable as possible while everything around you is being packed and transported.

Pack a Baby Moving-Day Bag

Keep this bag with you rather than loading it onto the removal van. If practical, prioritise setting up the baby’s sleeping space when you reach the new home so the essentials are ready before bedtime.

Moving House With a Toddler

When moving house with a toddler, keep explanations simple and concrete. Young children may understand the move more easily if they can see the new house, look at photographs and understand that their toys, bed and family are moving too.

• Read stories about moving to a new home.
• Let them put a few toys into their own box.
• Keep their favourite toy or comforter with you.
• Avoid packing every familiar item too early.
• Keep bedtime as familiar as you reasonably can.
• Prepare simple colouring and activities for periods of waiting.

Moving With School-Age Children

School-age children are likely to understand what moving means but may be particularly concerned about their school, friendships, clubs and what their new neighbourhood will be like.

If Your Child Is Changing School

Start researching the school arrangements for your new area as early as possible. Admissions arrangements vary, particularly when applying outside the normal admissions round, so check the relevant local authority and school information for your circumstances.

Give your child opportunities to say goodbye to friends and, where practical, agree how they can keep in touch after the move.

Give Them Something to Plan

Their new bedroom is an obvious place to give them some control. They could sketch a bedroom layout, choose where favourite possessions will go or decide on small changes they would like to make once you move.

Moving House With Teenagers

For teenagers, leaving friends, school, activities and independence may matter more than the house itself. Give them space to have an opinion about the move even when the decision to move cannot change.

• Share information rather than keeping them out of the process.
• Discuss school and travel arrangements early.
• Plan realistic ways for them to stay connected with existing friends.
• Let them have meaningful input into their new room.
• Explore transport, sports, clubs and activities near the new home.
• Give them responsibility for packing personal belongings if appropriate.

Moving Day With Children

Moving day means open doors, people carrying heavy furniture and a lot of activity. For babies and younger children, arranging for a trusted relative, friend or childcare provider to look after them during the busiest period can make the day easier and safer.

Children’s Moving-Day Essentials Bag

Pack this separately and keep it in the car or with you:

Make Moving Fun for Younger Children

Small activities can turn some of the waiting around into part of the adventure. Children could colour a picture of their new house, decorate their box, draw their new bedroom or complete a moving-day scavenger hunt.

Helping Children Settle Into the New House

Once you arrive, getting at least part of your child’s bedroom organised can make the new house feel familiar surprisingly quickly. Bedding, favourite toys, books and familiar decorations are more important initially than having the room completely finished.

During the First Week

• Return to familiar routines as soon as practical.
• Explore the new neighbourhood together.
• Find the local park, shops and other useful places.
• Let children help unpack their belongings.
• Keep contact with old friends where appropriate.
• Give them time to become familiar with their new surroundings.
• Ask how they are finding the move rather than assuming everything is fine.

Family Moving Checklist

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving the conversation about moving until the last minute.
• Packing every favourite toy or comfort item onto the removal van.
• Assuming children will automatically be excited about the move.
• Giving children promises about their new school or neighbourhood that cannot be guaranteed.
• Forgetting food, entertainment and spare clothes on moving day.
• Trying to unpack the whole house before making children’s sleeping spaces usable.

Moving House With Children FAQs

When should I tell my children we’re moving house?

Once the move is sufficiently definite, give children time to understand what is happening and ask questions. The amount of detail you give will depend on their age.

How can I make moving house easier for my child?

Involve them in age-appropriate decisions, keep familiar routines where possible, let them keep important belongings close and help them understand what will happen before, during and after moving day.

Should children be there on moving day?

It depends on their age and your circumstances. For babies and younger children, having a trusted person look after them during the busiest loading and unloading periods can simplify the day. Older children may prefer to be involved.

What should I pack for children on moving day?

Keep drinks, snacks, spare clothes, favourite toys or comfort items, entertainment, toiletries and any required medication with you rather than packing them into the removal van.

How do I help my child settle after moving?

Make their sleeping space familiar, restore everyday routines, explore the new area together and give them opportunities to talk about both the things they enjoy and the things they miss.