Five ways to make moving with kids fun
At You Move Me, we know that moving can be a stressful and busy time for anyone. If you have kids, a move can be a time of stress and confusion for the children. We have compiled a list of ways you can help reduce your child’s anxiety when moving.
We have also added in some local things that you can do with your children that will hopefully make the transition of moving to a new home smooth and fun.
1. Find kid-friendly things to do in the area
Try to learn as much about your new area as possible. Here are some of the fun “kid-friendly things you can do in Clark County:
- Dizzy Castle – Dizzy Castle is an indoor playground that boasts a 20ft tall castle that will amaze children of all ages.
- Big Al’s – If you have older kids, big Al’s Family Entertainment Center is a great place to be. Not only do they have 30 traditional lanes of bowling, they have 12 additional lanes in a private lounge style setting, video arcades, and a snack bar adjacent to the lanes and arcade.
- Chelatchie Prairie Railroad – Pulled by an 1841 diesel locomotive, the train transports passengers through scenic northern Clark County. If you ride during the holidays they have a headless horseman’s Halloween train, a Steam Fall Leaves special, and a Christmas tree special train.
- G6 Airpark – The only indoor trampoline park in Clark County, they have wall-to-wall trampolines with an open jump area, a dodgeball court, basketball dunk station, and a separate jump area for children 8 and under.
2. Visit your new home and surrounding area
If you are able, take the kids to your new house. Spend the day doing a walkthrough of the house, discuss which room gets to be theirs, hear what they have to say about where they want to arrange their furniture. Once you’ve gone through the house, spend the day walking around your new neighborhood and surrounding area. Find your local Library on the Fort Vancouver Regional Library website and end the tour at your new library. Or, if your child is going to be going to a new school, end your visit with a tour of their new school.
3. Emphasize the excitement of moving
Children tend to focus on the negative aspect of moving. Remind your child that even though the move may be making everyone a bit uneasy, it will also be adventurous and exciting. Involve your child in the move by encouraging them to make list of things to do before and during the move. Even if you may just be moving across town, explain to your child the excitement of being able to involve themselves in a new community. There are many community activities hosted in Clark County.
- Weekend Farmers Markets
- Community sports and activities such as: sports leagues, swim lessons, ballet, pottery, theater, and more.
- Summer Camps
- After School camps.
4. Pack a “Treasure Box”
While packing, give your child a box that they can decorate (if they are younger) and pack with all of the things they want to take in the car with them. This way, they will have access to all of their favorite things. This is useful to do even if you are moving just a short distance across town.
5. Do Something fun the day you move in
Pizza picnic on the new floor? Chances are you won’t be prepared to cook a meal on your first day in your new home. Make it fun, have a picnic, order take-out, or do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Here are some local restaurants that you may not know about:
- MegaBite Pizza – They even deliver
- YouSkyme – Great for take out teriyaki
- Ice Cream Renaissance – go out for a special treat, all natural ice cream made in-house
- Goldies BBQ – Goldies specializes in authentic BBQ.
