Packing Hacks Every Mom Needs To Know Before Moving
Last summer, I found myself surrounded by half-packed boxes, missing tape dispensers, and three kids asking when we’d have dinner—all while trying to remember which box contained the pasta strainer. If you’re a mom preparing for a move, you probably know this chaotic dance all too well. After several family relocations, I’ve learned that moving with kids isn’t about avoiding stress altogether—it’s about having systems that let you manage the chaos.
Whether you’re relocating across town or across the country, these packing hacks will help streamline your moving process and maintain your sanity along the way.
Create a Moving Command Center
Before packing a single box, designate a moving headquarters. This creates order from the beginning and gives all family members a central location for moving supplies, documents, and questions.
In our last move, I cleared off our dining room table and created three zones:
- Supplies corner (boxes, tape, markers, labels, bubble wrap)
- Documentation station (school records, moving contracts, new home information)
- Communication board (timeline, to-do lists, and a calendar counting down to move day)
My command center also included a color-coding system that simplified our unpacking. I assigned each room a color (blue for bathroom, red for kitchen, etc.) and marked boxes accordingly. When we arrived at our new home, even the movers knew where each box belonged without constant direction.
Pack “Go Bags” and Unpack Them First
One of the most stressful aspects of moving with family is losing access to essential items. Prevent this by packing a “go bag” for each family member at the start of your packing process.
Think of these bags as what you’d pack for a weekend trip, plus any can’t-live-without items. For kids, this might include:
- Several days of clothing
- Toiletries and medications
- Favorite stuffed animal or comfort item
- A few beloved toys or activities
- School supplies if moving during the school year
- Equipment needed for extracurricular activities
For parents, include important documents, device chargers, medications, and enough clothes to get through several days. Keep these bags in your vehicle rather than the moving truck so you have immediate access when you arrive at your new home.
Create a Kitchen Survival Kit
The kitchen typically contains the most difficult items to pack, yet it’s often the first room we need to use. Start by purging what you don’t use. Then, create a small “kitchen survival kit” that you’ll keep separate from everything else.
Your survival kit should include:
- Paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils
- One pot, one pan, and one baking sheet
- Coffee maker and supplies (priorities!)
- Basic spices and cooking essentials
- Dish soap and kitchen towels
- A few reusable containers
Pack the rest of your kitchen by category rather than by cabinet, which makes unpacking much more intuitive. Use towels, clothing, and linens to wrap breakables instead of purchasing excessive bubble wrap—you’ll protect two categories of items and reduce waste.
Protect What Matters Most to Your Kids
Children often struggle with moves because they fear losing connection to what’s familiar. Ease this transition by involving them in packing their special belongings.
I learned to spend time having my kids create a “treasures box”—a small container for their most precious items that travels with our go bags. This gives them agency and keeps their comfort items from getting lost in the shuffle.
For older items that have sentimental value but aren’t currently used, take photos before packing them away. Create a digital memory book that your children can look through even if their physical items are temporarily inaccessible during the move.
Strategize Your Home Setup
The most overwhelming part of a move often isn’t packing—it’s the mountain of boxes waiting to be unpacked while life continues. Prioritize settling into your new home with this strategic unpacking sequence:
- Kids’ beds and essential furniture (everyone needs a good night’s sleep)
- Bathroom necessities (shower curtain, towels, toiletries)
- Kitchen survival kit
- Kids’ treasure boxes and comfort items
- Living room basics for family gathering space
When my family moved last year, I made the mistake of trying to unpack everything at once, leaving us with partially functional rooms throughout the house. I’ve since learned that unpacking by room function allows you to keep life going while unpacking less critical things.
If you’re moving to a new school district, set up a dedicated space for school-related activities early in your unpacking process. This helps children transition to their new academic environment and gives them a sense of preparedness amidst the change.
The Power of the “Later Box”
For every room, create one “later box” for items you’re unsure where to place or that aren’t immediately needed. This prevents decision fatigue during unpacking and keeps the process moving. Schedule a specific day, about two weeks after your move, to tackle these boxes when you have a better sense of your new space.
Moving Day: The Final Countdown
After weeks of preparation, move day finally arrives. Have a designated area where you can “pack” young children away from the commotion. If possible, arrange for younger kids to spend the day with friends and family to reduce their stress and yours.
Enlist the Pros
After three moves with children ranging from infants to teenagers, I’ve collected these moving tips through trial and plenty of error. During our most recent move, these systems helped us unpack our four-bedroom home in under a week—a vast improvement from our first chaotic relocation.
If you’re overwhelmed by your upcoming move, get professional help. Full-service movers can handle packing and unpacking so you can focus on your family. I used Zip To Zip Moving Company during our last relocation. It was so relaxing to let the pros handle color-coding boxes and unpacking everything quickly. They offer services ranging from full-service packing to simply transporting your already-packed boxes so you can customize support based on your family’s needs.
