How to Move with Kids – Tips for a Stress-Free Transition 🎒👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Moving house is already a huge deal—but moving internationally with kids? That’s next level.

You’re not just packing boxes, you’re packing up your whole family’s life, routines, friendships, and memories. It’s exciting, overwhelming, and yes, a bit emotional (for everyone involved).

At Crown Relocations, we get it. We’ve helped thousands of families move across borders, time zones, and continents—and we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes the journey smoother when little ones are in tow.

So whether you’ve got toddlers, teens, or a mix of both, here’s how to make your family’s big move a little less “chaotic energy” and a lot more ✨cool, calm, and collected✨.

1. Talk About the Move Early (and Often) 🗣️

Kids aren’t fans of surprise curveballs—especially ones that mean saying goodbye to their friends, school, or bedroom. That’s why the best way to ease them into the transition is by talking about it early—and keeping that convo going.

✅ Try this:

  • Share age-appropriate info about your destination
  • Watch YouTube vlogs or TikToks together about your new city or country
  • Let them ask all the questions (yes, even the “can I bring my pet snail?” ones)
  • Show them pictures of their new neighbourhood or school

🔹 How Crown Can Help

We’ve got family-friendly destination guides packed with local insights—perfect for sparking curiosity and helping your kids feel more familiar with what’s ahead.

2. Involve Them in the Process 👧🧒

Kids love to feel like they’re part of something big—and spoiler alert: they are! Give them little jobs to help with the move. It builds excitement and gives them a sense of control.

✅ Ideas to try:

  • Let them decorate their own moving boxes 🎨
  • Make a “goodbye party” playlist together
  • Create a travel countdown calendar (bonus: stickers make everything better)
  • Start a memory scrapbook full of their favourite UK moments

🔹 Crown Supports This:

We offer family-focused planning sessions that help parents stay on top of timelines while giving kids fun ways to stay involved. Less stress for you, more connection for them. Win-win. 💯

3. Stick to Routines (As Much As Possible)

When everything’s changing, routines are your family’s secret weapon. Meal times, bedtimes, story times—it’s all part of what makes kids feel safe and grounded.

✅ Pro tip:

  • Pack a “first night” bag for each child with their comfort items (blanket, PJs, favourite book, tablet)
  • Keep snacks and toys accessible during travel
  • Stick to familiar sleep routines—especially if you’re hopping time zones

🔹 How Crown Helps:

Thanks to our door-to-door shipping and unpacking services, we help ensure your essentials arrive on time—so you’re not digging through boxes to find that one cuddly bunny at midnight. 🐰

4. Choose a Kid-Friendly Home & School 🏡🎓

A smooth landing matters. Finding a home in a family-friendly area—and getting your child into a school that fits their needs—can make all the difference in helping them settle quickly and confidently.

✅ Key questions to ask:

  • Does the school follow a curriculum similar to the UK?
  • Are there expat-friendly communities nearby?
  • What local clubs, parks, or activities are available for children?
  • Do you need language support services?

🔹 Crown’s Added Value:

Our team can assist with home search and school search services—saving you hours of research and making sure your family lands in a neighbourhood that feels like home from day one. 🏠

5. Support the Emotional Side of the Move 💬❤️

Let’s be real—relocating isn’t just about the practical stuff. It’s about emotions, too. Kids might feel a rollercoaster of feelings: excitement, nerves, confusion, sadness.

And guess what? That’s completely normal. So let’s make space for all of it.

✅ Support their emotional wellbeing by:

  • Creating a memory box or “goodbye book”
  • Helping them stay in touch with UK friends via video calls or postcards
  • Checking in often to ask: “How are you feeling about the move today?”
  • Making space for tears, laughter, and everything in between

🔹 Crown’s Touch:

We offer settling-in support and can connect you with expat communities and networks to help your family feel at home faster—and find your people in a brand-new place.

Bonus Tip: Make It an Adventure! 🌍🎒

This is a huge moment in your family’s story. So why not treat it like the adventure it is?

✨Create a travel journal
✨Turn packing into a treasure hunt
✨Plan a mini “welcome party” in your new home

When you frame the move as something exciting (instead of just stressful), your kids are more likely to feel curious and upbeat about the journey.

Final Thoughts 💭

Moving with kids might seem like a massive mission—and in some ways, it is. But with the right mindset, preparation, and support, it can also be an unforgettable experience that brings your family closer and opens up a whole new world of opportunities.

At Crown Relocations, we’re not just here to move your stuff. We’re here to help your whole family—big and small—make the leap with confidence.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ready to start your next chapter?

📩 Get personalised family relocation support!