MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – June and July are the busiest moving months. Any move is a stressful process, and children can add to the stress. Games can get your child involved in the process in a positive way while easing the transition of moving for them.
On Thursday at 9 a.m., Miriam Berrouet with the local office of Two Men and A Truck joined News13 NOW to talk about tips for moving and ways to turn the packing process into games to get kids involved.
Watch the interview and read below for more details.
With the following games, any wise parent can reduce the struggles of moving. These five games will calm any child and impart lasting security to usher them through the busy change in location.“I Spy”
- This verbal identification game is an effective method for taking stock of possessions. It is also an opportunity to hone communicative descriptions, and it allows kids to keep tabs on the evolving situation. Furthermore, it can be used to keep track of what has been packed and what hasn’t, which is particularly useful for the next activity.
Scavenger hunt
- Distracted children can become diligent assistants in no time. Kids will benefit when their parents orchestrate a treasure hunt, and everything they collect strikes an item off the packing list. If played directly after I Spy, the child will have a memory of each item’s location. Just remember to hide all hazardous objects before letting them roam around.
Hide and Seek
- Turn excess clutter into a game. The entertainment aspect of hide and seek can provide much-needed quiet time to assess each stage of moving. Make sure only safe compartments are accessible, and then let the kids show off their ability to remain invisible. Remember to keep the game fun and exciting by not having them hide for long periods of time.
Basketball
- Non-perishable items can be quickly rounded up with a make-shift game of basketball. For example, a laundry basket can collect any clothing that might be lingering. In the same fashion, stuffed animals can also be swiftly thrown into a suitcase. This game can rapidly clear out a home, and it is a perfect way to prepare boxes to be put in an extra storage spaceunit.
2 minute race
- Avoid a traumatic upheaval by packing a separate overnight bag with all of the kid’s sentimentally essential belongings. A child knows best what he or she needs, so devise a fast-paced game to encourage a quick collection of the child’s favorite toys. Observing the selections can provide invaluable insight into the interests of your kids, and the task can efficiently maintain basic comforts while adjusting to the new home.