Keeping The Kids Occupied During The Moving Process. Not everyone can afford a babysitter to watch the kids whilst moving house. Why not try some of these tips to keep the kids happy and busy during a very hectic period:
Before the big day:
Let them pack their own possessions
Allowing your children to pack up their own things can make them feel a little bit more in control of the situation. Help them feel like they are part of the move. Also, why not give them bubble wrap and tissue paper to wrap up some of their more fragile things. This will act as a distraction and we all know kids love to pop bubble wrap.
Get them to decorate the packed boxes
Why not let them write and draw on the already packed boxes? Get them to write what room the box is going to or even draw pictures on the box. This should keep them busy for a good few hours!
Get the kids cleaning
We all know that a mammoth amount of cleaning is necessary before moving house. Have them help with light chores such as washing windows and dusting. Everything that has gathered for years behind the couch is now exposed. Give the kids a duster and a brush and put them to good use.
On the big day before leaving:
Create a kids moving checklist
To make your children feel like they have authority during the move draw up a checklist for them. Think of places in the house where things could be forgotten and get them to check that nothing is there. For example ‘Check all drawers and cupboards to make sure nothing has been forgotten’.
Inspire their inner Roald Dahl
To keep the little ones distracted, why not ask them to write and illustrate a story about moving house. This could be something like ‘what they are most excited about in their new house’.
Get their brains working
Puzzle books provide endless hours of fun for kids. Investing in a quality book with a range of puzzles will keep them out of your hair for a good while. Once they have had enough of solving Einstein’s equations, try something a bit like a colouring book for a change of pace.
On the big day after arriving:
Tackle their room first
It is essential to make your children feel instantly at ease in their new environment. Therefore it is a good idea to help them unpack their belongings first to let them know that all of things have made the move also. Plus, you can keep them busy moving their clothes from boxes into drawers which accomplishes two goals at once!
Get them to be creative
The next step is to keep them occupied so you can unpack your belongings. Give them a piece of paper and some coloured pencils and get them drawing. Try asking them to draw a picture of their dream room or even draw a picture that they can hang up on their new bedroom wall.
