Moving House With a Toddler: Gentle Tips to Make It Easier on Everyone

A helpful guide for moving house with a toddler, offering practical tips, emotional support, and ways to make the transition smoother for the whole family.

Claudia Heimes

Created

12 Jan 2026

8 months pregnant (in Durban summer) and needing to move to a new house to reduce expenses due to my main work contract ending – sounds hectic right? I’ve just survived this and want to reassure you that its possible. Moving house is one of those life moments that is completely overwhelming. Add a toddler and some pets in the mix and triple the stress. Home is safety, routine, familiarity – especially for our littles

Here is a guide coming from an absolute A-Type personality on how to make this process a little easier for everyone. It is all in the preparation and setting some realistic expectations. It’s also practicing a lot of compassion (for them, for your partner and for you). This transition can be smoother than you expect – you got this mama!

First prize is leaning on your partner to handle the move from the day before until the day after and taking your toddler on a little getaway to a familiar friend and family members house to stay two nights, but this is not always possible. Another option is to drop your child/ren off with a familiar caregiver (grandparent, godparent, etc.) so you can support your partner in the move (on moving day) or for single moms, have the mental space to effectively handle the move without your toddler clinging to you. If your support system is lacking, the more preparation you do in the weeks leading up, the better – this will keep moving day from being a nightmare.

Here’s a short list of things to have ready and packed in your car on the day for easy access.

Bottled water
A towel
Snacks
Phone charger
Stocked nappy bag with his/her favourite toy and book
Sunblock
Painkillers
Any daily medication
Overnight bag (featured in the below section)
Important files – vaccination card, birth certificates etc.
Pet essentials – their bed, food, water bowl, toys (if they like) any calming meds like CalmEase

Remember to wear comfy clothes (and shoes) for the move – especially if you’re running around after your toddler as well. Also charge your mobile phone or carry a powerbank!

Here are some gentle, real-life tips for moving house with your toddler.

1. Talk About the Move Early (Even If You’re Not Sure They Understand)

Toddlers may not grasp timelines, but they understand tone and repetition. Start talking about the move as soon as it’s happening.

Use simple, reassuring language:

“We’re going to a new home.”
“You’ll have a new room.”
“Your toys are coming with us.”

If you can, show them pictures of the new house or walk past it together. Familiarity builds safety - even in small ways.

2. Keep Routines as Steady as Possible

When everything feels new, routine becomes your toddler’s anchor.

Try to keep:

Mealtimes familiar
Nap and bedtime routines consistent
Comfort items (same blanket, dummy, bedtime book)

Even if the day is chaotic, a familiar bedtime ritual can signal, You’re safe. Things are okay.

3. Let Them Be Involved (In Tiny, Manageable Ways)

Toddlers love to feel included - and involvement reduces anxiety.

Simple ways to involve them:

Let them pack a small “special box” of favourite toys
Ask them to help bring you the packing tape or a box
Let them put stickers on boxes (bonus distraction)

This gives them a sense of control in a situation where so much feels out of their hands.

No items found.

‍4. Pack a “First Night” Survival Kit

When you arrive at your new home, you’ll be tired and so will your toddler.

Pack a bag containing both your and the little ones:

PJs
Toiletries and towels
Favourite toys or comfort items
Bedtime books
Snacks (their favourite sandwich, two or three pieces of fruit, a treat and maybe a muffin for some variety and to help you manage any fussiness with safe options – a hangry toddler is hellish)
A change of clothes (or two)
Nappies, wipes, bum cream and nappy packets
Water bottle
Milk bottle with some formula, bottled water or a litre of long life cow’s milk

Having these essentials easily accessible avoids unnecessary stress when emotions are already running high.

5. Expect Big Feelings (And Try Not to Fix Them)

Your toddler might:

Be extra clingy
Have more tantrums
Struggle with sleep
Regress slightly (this is normal)

Moving is a big emotional shift. Instead of trying to “fix” the feelings, focus on naming and holding them:

“This feels different.”
“You miss our old house.”
“It’s okay to feel sad and excited at the same time.”

Feeling seen helps toddlers settle faster than being rushed through their emotions. Extra cuddles and understanding will go a long way.

6. Set Up Their Space First

If possible, make your toddler’s room one of the first spaces you unpack.

Even if the rest of the house is chaos, having:

Their bed set up
Familiar bedding – I didn’t wash Tom’s bedding a few days before the move so he had familiar smells near him
A few recognisable toys – I also added a new one for excitement and spent lots of time on the floor with him in his new room unboxing it

…creates an immediate sense of belonging. One safe space can make a whole house feel less overwhelming.

7. Lower the Bar (This Is Not the Time for Perfection)

Screens might be used more. Meals might be simpler – or they might eat 4 bananas in one day (if, like my boy, you’re also loves fruit) The house might take longer to feel “done.” – even days

And that’s okay.

Moving with a toddler is about survival, not performance. Give yourself permission to choose ease wherever you can.

8. Create New “Home” Moments Together

Once you’re in, start building new rituals:

A walk around the block
Eating breakfast in a new sunny spot
Reading books in their new room

9. Reassure Yourself Too

This transition isn’t only hard on your toddler - it’s hard on you.

You’re allowed to feel:

Tired
Emotional
Disconnected
Overstimulated

Moving house is a life shift. You don’t need to hold it all together perfectly. Your presence, patience, and love are more than enough.

A Gentle Reminder

Your toddler doesn’t need the move to be smooth.
They need you to be steady.

And even on the messy days, when boxes are everywhere and emotions run high, you are doing something powerful: teaching your child that change doesn’t have to be scary.

That’s raising.
That’s rising.

No items found.