Moving With Kids: 6 Essential Items to Leave Unpacked for Moving Day

Moving with kids can be an exciting experience! You’ll need to have the proper equipment available to you on moving day to ensure that your kids will stay out of the way of movers and adequately entertained. This means that you’ll have to leave some essential items unpacked for the day of the move. Here’s are some suggestions to help when moving with kids.

1. Snacks

Kids need healthy, non-sticky, non-messy snacks on moving day. Pack snacks that are filling and tasty. Granola bars, apples, cheese sticks, and dried fruits are all examples of the types of foods that you’ll want to have on hand for your children on moving day. You may also need to order food for lunch on moving day, so know the name of a local place that serves food your kids are likely to eat without trouble.

2. A Comforting Item

Moving can be a little traumatic. Leave out a comforting item such as a stuffed animal, a favorite blanket, or a preferred doll to have on hand. If your child is old enough to choose, allow your child to pick the item for themselves.

3. Change of Clothes

Kids can get messy, especially if you plan to send the kids into the backyard while the movers take away boxes. Put a change of clothes in a bag, including underwear, socks, and a sweater or jacket for the evening. You can also put your kid’s pajamas in this bag, so you can easily find what you need to get them ready for bed in the evening after you’re in your new home and the movers have left.

4. Medicines

If your child needs medication during the day, you’ll naturally want to have their medicines on hand and available whenever you need them. Ask your child’s physician for extras of the prescription if you’ll need some during the transition. Even if your kids don’t take any medicine regularly, you’ll still want to have some medication available if your child wakes up not feeling well. Consider leaving out a fever-reducer, thermometer, allergy, and other regular medication your child may take throughout the year.

5. A Source of Entertainment

It’s so important to have a source of entertainment for your child available! It’s also essential for the entertainment source to be easily transportable. This might be a hand-held video game system, some car-ride games, or games loaded onto a mobile device. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something your kids will find entertaining for long periods.

6. Items Needed for Nap Time

If your child is young enough to need naps, keep items needed for nap time available throughout the relocation. This might include a roll-out mat, a blanket, and a pillow. If your child needs something else to get to sleep – like a music player to soothe them – leave that out as well.

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What to Know Before Planning to Move Indoor Household Plants

Taking care of houseplants is a daily joy for those who carefully maintain them. Most people don’t want to leave their plants behind in a move, but there are several essential details to know if planning to take them.

Moving household plants can be tricky. Professional moving companies can’t transport them since state rules, and other industry regulations prevent them from carrying them on their trucks.

If you are determined to bring your plants with you when you move to your new home, you need to be prepared to manage that. Here are some tips to help you move your own household plants.

Moving Across State Lines

Before taking any plants across state lines, it’s important to research state laws. Also, be sure to follow any applicable federal requirements in their effort to prevent the spread of pests. Some states require permits; others have stricter regulations.

Prep Plants Before the Move

Before the move, about a week (or more if possible), start prepping plants for the trek. Before doing any preparation, be sure the plants can survive in the new climate. Even though plants are indoors, local environments can negatively impact them, so be sure to check. Once you confirm plant hardiness, prep the plants.

  • Prune dead leaves

  • Rid the plants of pests (use a flea collar at the base of the pot to draw them out)

  • Refresh soil with sterilized planting soil

  • Water plants 2-3 days before moving

Additionally, transfer plants to plastic planters if you are not already using them. This will make indoor plants lighter to carry and create conditions for less chance of breakage.

Pack plants in open boxes

For short moves across town, carefully place indoor plants in open boxes. This is the easiest way to transport them.

  • If using cardboard boxes, tape the bottom to reinforce them

  • Cushion the sides of the planters with newspaper or other recyclable items

  • Make sure there is enough space for houseplants to breathe

  • Place box on the floor in the backseat if possible

  • Add a few sturdy items to help keep them still, if needed, especially if the vehicle’s trunk is the only option.

Longer moves are a little tricky because plants need protection from heat and cold. Plan to keep them at a steady temperature that is appropriate for your plant. Keep in mind that sunlight exposure through windows can make them overheat. Trunks are not ideal for long transports since plants won’t receive fresh air or sunlight. Also, remember to bring a watering container along to keep them moist. Be prepared as the process could get a little messy.

Winter Moves

Exposure to extreme cold can damage sensitive indoor plants, even for brief periods. If moving during a time temperatures have plummeted, warm up the car before leaving and carefully wrap plants with newspaper.

Unpacking Plants

Be sure to unpack the plants as soon as possible upon arrival. Understandably, they’ll be plenty to attend to, but it’s essential not to leave plants packed any longer than necessary. After all, you spent all that time carefully packing and transporting them; it would be a shame for beloved houseplants not to survive the move once they’ve arrived.

Shipping plants

In some cases, houseplants can be shipped through the USPS, UPS, or FedEx, but check with company representatives before making arrangements to ensure that you follow guidelines and rules. Keep in mind that boxes will shift, and plants have a higher chance of being damaged, so take extra care to pack houseplants when planning to ship them. Choose the fastest method possible.

Share the Love

Since transporting plants to a new home, especially a home that’s far away, can be a significant chore, consider donating your plants to neighbors, friends, or family before you move. Your friends might appreciate the gesture, and it will give them something to remember you by.

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