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Writer's pictureSophia Perry

How to Keep Your Kids Occupied During a Long Distance Move

Moving is always at least a little stressful. How stressful it is going to be, depends on how well you are prepared for it. But ask any parent, and they will tell you that nothing is as stressful as making a long-distance move with your kids. Apart from dealing with storage, packing, and planning, parents have to keep their kids entertained. Moving is especially tough on kids. They know they have to leave their current home and go somewhere new and unknown, and on top of that, there is the whole process of packing and relocating. So if you are currently wondering how to keep your kids occupied during a long distance move, you came to the right place. In this article, we are going to give you some tips about making long distancing moving with kids more manageable and more relaxed.

Be understanding

The first thing you have to do Is show your kids that you understand how stressful relocation is for them and support them. They need to know their feelings are normal and expected in this situation, and there is not to be ashamed of.


A camera is a great way to keep your kids occupied during a long distance move

Let them say goodbye

Moving away can be really emotional. And especially for kids. The home they are leaving is probably the one they were born in and have always lived in. So the idea of moving is sad and upsetting to them. Let them say goodbye to their home. Let them make a video of their old home or make a scrapbook or an album. That way, they will have a piece of their home forever. Have a moving away party. Invite family and friends and remember the good times you had in that house.

Include the kids

The best thing to do is include them in the whole process.

That way, they will be occupied. First, show them where they will be moving. If it's possible, take a little trip to their future home so they can see for themselves. If not possible, show them videos and pictures. Then make them a part of the packing process. Let your kids help you choose what things to bring and what to throw away. Make it adventurous and fun and get them excited about moving.

Plan some fun outdoor activities

While the movers are busy packing and loading everything and preparing for the move, plan some fun outdoor activities for the kids. Set up some fun games in the backyard. Put their favorite toys and some snacks and let them play. You can even invite some of your kids' friends and make it a playdate. That can also be a nice way for them to say goodbye to their friends before moving.

Keep your kids occupied during a long distance move with a “box of fun”

A big part of what makes long-distance moving so stressful is the long and tedious ride to the new destination. It's ten times harder trying to do that with kids in a car. Children don't have the patience to sit that long, and they will get bored and anxious. So keep your kids occupied during a long distance move with a box of fun. That's a box full of their favorite things to keep them busy during a long drive. You can put their favorite book and toys, so they are entertained. Add some snacks and coloring books. This is a guaranteed way to make that ride easier.


Man standing between boxes and writing on a clipboard

Hire professional movers to have more time with your kids

This is one of the best steps you can take when moving with kids. But make sure you pick a good moving company. Professionals from Big Man's Moving Company advise that you let experts take care of everything for you. If you do this, you will have more time to focus on your kids. While they deal with packing and organizing everything, you can spend the day talking to your kids and explaining to them why this relocation is a good thing for the entire family.

Let them decorate their new rooms

A great way to keep the kids occupied is to let them decide what their new bedrooms are going to look like. Let them pick out the colors of the walls and carpets. They will have fun choosing the decorations and designing their new home. Therefore, they will be occupied, and you will get them excited about moving. Promise them a new toy for their new bedroom as a reward for being patient and well-behaved.


A little kid playing with the laptop

Make an exception on moving day

Many parents limit the amount of time their kids can look at the screen. But make an exception on moving day. Whether you like it or not, phones, computers, and TVs occupy children's attention the best. So on moving day, they let them play their favorite games or watch cartoons and movies as much as they like. Even better, get them that new game that they have been asking for. It's a guaranteed way to keep them busy during the move.

Final thoughts

These are some simple ways to keep your kids occupied during a long distance move. But remember moving is stressful for kids. So be considerate and supportive. Leaving home is an emotional experience. Let them say goodbye to their old house and their friends. A goodbye party is a great idea. Try to include them and get them excited about moving into a new home. If they are included, they will be less anxious about the whole process. And don't wait last minute to tell them you are moving. Kids will need time to accept such a big decision. Telling them just a few days before will be a huge surprise and not a pleasant one. Prepare for the big day. Make a box full of fun things to keep them entertained. Things like snacks, books, toys, and coloring books will do great. If you can, hire some good professional movers. That will give you more time to focus on the kids during the moving process. But most importantly, talk to them. Kids need reassurance that everything will be ok. Try to explain to them why you are moving.

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