Moving house is a big challenge for the whole family—especially for children. Changing houses, apartments, and familiar surroundings means not only losing familiar spaces, but also saying goodbye to friends, kindergarten, or school. To ensure a successful new start and help children feel at home quickly, it is important to approach the move carefully and with good planning. 

In this article, you will learn how to make the change easier for your children, what you should pay particular attention to, and receive a practical checklist for family moves. We also present five recommended German-language books on the subject of moving.

Moving with children: challenges and opportunities

Children often experience moving more intensely than adults. They have to say goodbye to familiar places and people, leave their familiar surroundings behind, and find their way in a new world. This can trigger uncertainty, fears, and sadness. At the same time, moving also offers opportunities: new friends, exciting discoveries, and the chance to get to know themselves better.



It is important to involve children in the moving process at an early stage. This makes them feel taken seriously and allows them to express their feelings. Transparent communication, rituals, and creating familiarity in the new home help to ease the transition.


 

What should you pay particular attention to?

1. Early information and involvement: Children should be told about the move as early as possible. Explain the reasons and the process in an age-appropriate manner. Let them ask questions and express their concerns.

2. Take feelings seriously: Fear and sadness are normal. Listen actively and provide support. Talking together and sharing your own feelings builds trust.

3. Discover new things: Plan trips to the new area, visit playgrounds, schools, or kindergartens before the move. This will help children form positive associations.

5. Establish routines: Especially after the move, fixed routines help children settle in and feel comfortable.

6. Encourage social contact: Support children in making new friends, e.g., through sports clubs or leisure groups.

7. Practical support: Especially with small children, it can be helpful to make the moving day as stress-free as possible—for example, by arranging childcare or having a familiar caregiver present.

Checklist for moving with children

| Task | Description | Timing |

Announce the move -  Inform children early and in an age-appropriate manner - 3-6 months before the move


Discuss feelings - Address fears and wishes, have conversations - Ongoing


Choose favorite things - Pack personal items together - 1-2 months before the move


Explore the new environment - Visit the school, kindergarten, playgrounds - 1 month before the move


Plan the moving day - Organize childcare, determine procedures - 2 weeks before the move


Create rituals – plan farewell rituals (e.g., farewell party) and arrival rituals (e.g., unpacking together) – 2 weeks before and after the move


Design the children's room – involve the children in the design of their new room – immediately after the move



Promote social contacts –  Establish contacts with new neighbors, clubs, schools – Ongoing after the move


Follow-up care – Regular discussions about the children's well-being – Ongoing

 5 recommended German-language books on moving with children

1. F. Nahrgang and M. Scharff-Kniemeyer - “Wir ziehen um” (We're moving) (My very first minute stories) - A short story about a family moving house and the stress that comes with it, but also about celebrating, for children up to 5 years old.


2. A. Wagner and E. Eriksson - “Timo und Pico ziehen um” (Timo and Pico are moving) - A beautifully illustrated story about the fear of new places and the worry of losing a friend, with a happy ending about the power of friendship, for children aged 4 to 6.


3. L. Schneider and J. Görrissen - “Conni zieht um!” (Lesemaus 66) - A charming story about moving house and the associated changes in surroundings, patience, and the warmth of parental care, ideal for children aged 6-7 who can already read.


4. H. Müller and H. Stollmayer - “Ricki zieht um” - A beautifully illustrated picture book for toddlers that tells the story of Ricki, a small, shy octopus who has to move to a new, unfamiliar place, for children up to 3 years old.


5. S. Barroux and A. Briere-Haquet: “We're Moving!” - A book that tells of all the challenges that come with moving to a new place, from saying goodbye to favorite places to making room for new, more beautiful places, including in the home, for children aged 3 and up, including children who can read themselves. 

 
Moving with children is a challenge that can be mastered with good preparation and a lot of empathy. By informing your children early on, taking their feelings seriously, and reassuring them, you can lay the foundation for a successful new start. 

Use rituals to consciously shape the farewell and arrival, and encourage your children to explore their new surroundings. 

With the right support, moving can be an opportunity for growth and new experiences for the whole family.

Your next step

 Use our checklist, plan together with your children, and refer to the recommended books to make the move as stress-free as possible. This will turn saying goodbye into a new adventure!