Ways to Simplify Moving With Small Kids

July 1, 2018

Volunteers unloading boxes from a truck outside a suburban house while a child stands nearby

Moving with small children may seem like a daunting idea, but the moving process can go smoothly when you are organized and rely on professional movers. Consider these tips to simplify the big move with small kids.

Pace Yourself When It Comes to Packing

Keep in mind that moving is a marathon, not a timed sprint. Don't try to do it all at once. Pacing yourself is especially important when you are moving with small children. Kids may be curious about the packing process, especially if they've never moved houses before, and they may have lots of questions. Take the time to answer as you pack and show them what you're doing.

Try to finish packing, sealing, and labeling a certain number of boxes per day to ensure that you are fully packed at least a couple of days before the date of your move. Given how life is, last-minute things may pop up some days, so you'll at least be ahead of the game even if it does.

Assign Age-Appropriate Moving Responsibilities

Daily chores may not be fun for children. However, kids may revel in being assigned certain things to do to help with the move. It can help them feel important and grown-up. Give each child specific responsibilities or activities during the moving process. You may switch up the activity each day.

For very young kids, you may simply ask them to hold a roll of tape for you until you need it. Consider your kids' own unique development and what they will best handle. Children who have been working on their handwriting may love the opportunity to show off by labeling their boxes and the boxes of younger siblings. Give lots of positive feedback when kids help with the move.

Empower Your Kids to Declutter During the Move

Children may want to cling to their toys during the move, and they may hesitate to get rid of things. Set a good example by decluttering your own stuff. As you look through your possessions during a move, point out to your children which items you are donating or giving away. Talk about why you made the choice to do so and why decluttering feels good.

Ask kids to go through a drawer at a time or take one thing out of a toy chest each day to decide if they want to keep it or donate it. To encourage kids to get rid of clutter, consider offering them the option to cash in the toys they donate for credit at the toy shop once you move. Then when you are settled in your new home, kids may think of things they need for their new room.

Have Several Discussions About the Move

Talk to your children about the upcoming move several times. Change can be scary for small children, and it may take several discussions before they really understand how their lives are going to change. Even if you are moving for reasons beyond your control and you are not exactly thrilled about it, present the move as an exciting, happy adventure when discussing it with kids.

As part of the conversation about moving, ask your kids several questions to encourage them to share how they're feeling about the move. You may simply ask which of their friends has moved and how they felt about it. Help kids feel that you're really listening by asking what you can do to help make the moving process easier on them.

Share your own positive feelings with your kids. Explain how the move will improve their lives. For example, if the new house is near a playground, talk about how you can make plans to visit it at least once per week. If the house is near a movie theater, you may talk about some fun upcoming movies you can see there.

Get Help Watching Your Kids on the Day of the Move

Enlist the help of a nanny or babysitter on the day of your move if you can. Young children may not understand the process of moving and seeing all your belongings removed from the home, which may cause unnecessary stress. You may plan for the day for them at a nearby park or other arranged outing.

If that doesn't make sense for your needs, you may simply ask a friend or family member to come over to help with some aspects of childcare on moving day. That way, you can focus on giving all your attention to ensuring the move goes just the way you want.

When you're moving with small children, having expert help with your move is the best way to streamline the process from the moment you pack that first box up in your old home until you unpack that last stored item in your new home. Contact Redondo Van & Storage for help with your next move.

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How to Pack and Wrap Specialty Items: A Guide from Your Local Moving Company

September 18, 2026

Some belongings just can't be tossed in a box with a handful of newspaper and called "packed." Grand pianos, fine art, antique furniture, wine collections, aquariums, and other specialty items need a different level of care — the kind that comes from decades of hands-on experience, not a YouTube tutorial the night before your move. At Redondo Van & Storage , we've been the trusted local moving company for Redondo Beach and the South Bay since 1919. Over more than a century in business, our team has packed, wrapped, and safely transported just about everything a home or business can own. Below, we're sharing our best tips for protecting specialty items — along with a reminder that when it's time to move, our residential moving company is only a phone call away. Why Specialty Items Need Special Attention Standard moving boxes and bubble wrap are great for dishes and books, but they fall short when it comes to items that are: Fragile or delicate — glassware, china, mirrors, and artwork Oddly shaped — chandeliers, lamps, sculptures, and musical instruments Heavy and awkward — pianos, safes, pool tables, and marble tabletops Sentimental or irreplaceable — family heirlooms, antiques, and collectibles High-value — jewelry, fine art, and electronics A single scratch, dent, or crack can turn an exciting move into a heartbreaking one. That's why our team treats every specialty item like it's the only one that matters — because to you, it is. Tips for Packing Specialty Items the Right Way 1. Use the Right Materials Cardboard and old towels won't cut it for your grandmother's china cabinet. Specialty items call for specialty supplies: foam padding, corner protectors, custom crates, moving blankets, and acid-free packing paper for artwork and photographs. These materials cushion against shock and prevent scratches, moisture damage, and shifting during transport. 2. Disassemble When Possible Large or complex items — think bed frames, dining tables, or electronics with detachable cords — travel much more safely when broken down into smaller pieces. Keep hardware bagged and labeled so reassembly at your new home is quick and painless. 3. Wrap in Layers Fragile and valuable items benefit from a layered approach: a soft inner layer (packing paper or foam) to prevent surface scratches, followed by a cushioning layer (bubble wrap or blankets) to absorb shock, and finally a sturdy outer layer (a well-built box or crate) to protect against pressure and impact. 4. Label Everything Clearly "Fragile" isn't enough on its own. Note which side is up, whether an item is climate-sensitive, and which room it belongs in at your new home. Clear labeling helps movers handle each piece appropriately from the truck to your front door. 5. Consider Custom Crating for High-Value Pieces Some items — fine art, marble statues, antique mirrors, and musical instruments — deserve custom-built wooden crates designed to their exact dimensions. This is where an experienced residential moving company makes all the difference. Our team can build and fit crates specifically for your most valuable belongings before moving day even begins. 6. Don't Forget Climate and Timing Certain specialty items, like wine collections, electronics, and wood furniture, are sensitive to temperature and humidity. If your move involves a stop in storage , make sure the facility can accommodate any special climate needs before your items arrive. Leave It to the Professionals Packing specialty items is one of those tasks that looks simple until you're staring down a 500-pound safe or a chandelier with more crystal pieces than you can count. Our full-service packing team has spent generations perfecting the art of wrapping, crating, loading, and unloading items of every shape, size, and value. Whether you're a homeowner in Redondo Beach or searching for a trusted moving company Rolling Hills Estates CA families rely on, our movers Rolling Hills Estates CA and throughout the South Bay bring the same white-glove care to every job — from a single antique dresser to a full estate. Why Choose Redondo Van & Storage Over 100 years of experience serving the Redondo Beach and South Bay community Voted South Bay's Best Moving Company six years running Recognized by USA Today as one of America's Best Moving Companies Full-service packing, wrapping, crating, and storage solutions Locally owned and operated — we treat your belongings like our own As a trusted local moving company and residential moving services provider, we know that specialty items deserve specialty care. Don't risk damaging your most valuable belongings with a rushed packing job — let our experienced team handle it from start to finish. Ready to move? Call Redondo Van & Storage today at (310) 376-7919 or request a free quote online for expert packing, wrapping, and moving services in Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, and throughout the South Bay.