How to Move House With Kids

Moving house is not only a big change for you, it is also a big deal for your children. Make your kids’ wellbeing a priority and keep things calm and stress-free for yourself by following these guidelines.

Talk about the move with your whole family

Make sure your whole family is present when you explain where and why you’re moving house. Try to keep things light and positive as you explain the exciting adventure you’re about to embark on step by step. As your children ask questions, give them as much information as possible on the move.

• Discover the new house together Involve your children in the move by checking out the new house as a family. Visualise what the rooms could become and check out nearby parks, cafes and schools. Embrace the exciting side of moving and the new possibilities that await you in your new home.

• Get help from friends and family In order to keep your children safe and occupied during the trickier stages of moving, enlist the help of your friends and family. Confirm that the person you ask is willing and able to provide the care you need. Try to give them plenty of notice and vary who you ask.

• Be prepared for anything Moving into your new home can present you with unpredictable situations and you will have to deal with them to the best of your ability. Try to cover all bases for you and your children before you move and expect the unexpected. Make a list of addresses phone numbers of your new local doctors, hospitals, chemists, supermarkets and takeaway food stores.

To make the whole house moving process easier for your entire family, involve your children in suitable parts of the experience and encourage them to constantly ask questions. For a moving quote, contact Fragile removals & Storage on 1300 857 696.

Explain the parts of the plan that are settled

Tell children what you know about the new home, the move and the routine around it in a way they can understand. Separate confirmed arrangements from things still being decided. If they ask about a school, bedroom or activity that is not yet settled, explain what the next decision will be rather than making a promise you may not be able to keep.

Give children time to ask questions and talk about what they will miss as well as what they might enjoy. A positive introduction can coexist with uncertainty. The purpose is to keep communication open; no moving checklist can guarantee that every child will respond in the same way.

Where access is permitted, explore the new home or area together. Talk about practical details such as where familiar items will go and how an ordinary day may work. Confirm school, childcare or other service arrangements directly rather than relying on a suburb description or assuming a place will be available.

Offer suitable choices without giving children moving responsibilities

Children may enjoy choosing a label for their belongings or identifying a few familiar items to keep accessible. Match any involvement to the child's age and abilities and keep it supervised. Adults remain responsible for packing decisions, heavy objects, access arrangements and the moving crew's work area.

Decide which toys, bedding or everyday items should travel with the family rather than being buried in the load. Label boxes for the destination room and record where the first-needed items are. Avoid promising an exact unpacking time if the delivery window remains uncertain.

If belongings are being donated or discarded, explain the process before packing them away. Keep possessions intended for the new home distinct from items leaving through another arrangement. A clear family plan can reduce confusion when several people are helping.

Confirm supervision for collection and delivery

Choose a responsible adult to look after the children while the crew is working. Agree the time, place, contact details and handover arrangements with that person. If the children will stay at the property, plan a suitable supervised area away from furniture handling and the main access route.

Tell helpers and the crew about the supervision arrangement. A closed door or a verbal reminder does not replace an adult who knows they are responsible. Revise the plan if the room needs to be emptied or if delivery takes longer than expected.

Keep the family's immediate essentials and important contact details accessible. Prepare a list of nearby doctors, hospitals, chemists, supermarkets and food options. Check the details relevant to your family before the move and keep them available to the supervising adult.

Make the first arrival manageable

Prepare a place for the children to be supervised while goods are still arriving. Keep them away from loading areas and partially unpacked items that adults have not yet checked. Explain which spaces are ready to use and which are still part of the moving work.

Unpack the familiar items you identified earlier when practical and return to the household's ordinary routines as circumstances allow. If plans change, give a simple update about what will happen next. For concerns about a child's wellbeing, seek appropriate support rather than expecting a general moving guide to resolve them.

Use the moving house checklist for adult tasks and the change-of-address checklist for accounts and records. If your household also includes pets, coordinate the pet moving plan so responsibilities are clear for both children and animals. Keep the family plan separate from instructions to the removal crew, with one adult available to handle booking questions.