Moving day and children are two things that often don’t mix well. Every item you pack it miraculously gets unpacked when you look the other way and for every room you empty, another one gets filled with toys. So, as you can imagine, being a parent and a mover can be a daunting task. But there is a solution. All you have to do is keep your kids busy and these fun moving day tasks will do just that.
Put Your Little One on Pet Duty
If you have a family pet, it’s best to keep them out of the way upon moving day. The last thing you want to do is spend your last couple hours in your current home searching the neighborhood for a missing animal. So, put your kids on animal duty. The key is to make it sound like a fun and exciting task. Ask them to show you their “big boy” or “big girl” skills by feeding, playing, and cuddling the family pet for the day. They’ll enjoy feeling like they’re contributing.
Let Your Child Be the Host for The Day
Set up shop in the front yard or in the empty living room! It’s time for your child to take their hosting skills to the next level. Cook up some cookies prior to the big day, grab some beverages, and let your child serve some snacks and drinks during moving day. Everyone who comes out to help you and your family move will definitely appreciate the gesture – and the little host.
Put Your Child in Charge of Pictures
Moving day is always something to remember. After all, you’re heading into a new chapter in your life and it’s worth celebrating. But walking around and taking pictures is the last thing on your to-do list.
So, put your child in charge of the pictures. Depending on their age, you may want to opt for some cheap disposable cameras instead of your expensive DSLR but either way, this is a great way to capture the moment and keep your child busy. Although, you may not want to rely too much on the photos; children love taking pictures of the ground.
Turn Your Child into A Little Manager
You know what children also love? They love being in charge – or at least, feeling like they’re in charge, and this can be an amazing way to keep them busy during moving day. So, hand your little one a notebook and pencil, and ask them to be the manager for the day. It’s their job to document anything that gets broken and more importantly, any aunts and uncles who are slacking for the day. The best part? Let your little manager know that they get to throw water balloons at the “employee” who slacked the most.
Send Them Around the Neighborhood for Goodbyes
Saying goodbye to neighbors is a special part of moving day. It can be sad to say farewell to those who have become friendly faces and they’ll likely miss seeing your little one grow up as well. So, a couple days prior to moving day, arrange for your child to make some goodbye cards for your neighbors. When moving day arrives, make it their job to deliver the cards to the correct recipients. It’ll keep them out of your hair and your neighbors will definitely appreciate the gesture.
With the doors wide open and large items coming in and out, it’s important to keep your child occupied, productive, and safe. With these fun moving day tasks, your little one will be eager to stay out of your way as they take on a new sense of responsibility. The secret is to amp up their tasks as if they’re the most important part of the day.
