If you have children, you are most likely used to living in a home strewn with toys. When the time comes to move, the idea of sorting through the chaotic clutter toys and packing them neatly may seem like an impossible feat. So, to save yourself from the emotional and physical turmoil of packing toys, here are some tips on how to organize, pack, and protect your kid's favorite toys when moving.
Sorting toys for moving with children
Kids may be a little overwhelmed during the moving process so go through all the playthings in your home and decide which of them are worth taking to your new place. If your kids are not too young, involve them in the sorting process too:
- Throw away broken toys
Your kids likely possess many battered, tattered, and broken playthings that are no longer working; things with missing parts and pieces. Talk with your kids and convince them that tossing away useless old toys is the mature thing to do. Let them know that letting go of the things that have little utility is part of the moving process. Your young ones will most probably agree as it will make them feel more responsible and grown up.
- Donate the unwanted
Toys that are still in good condition but are no longer played with can make another child happy. The best thing you can do is to donate them to children that are less fortunate.
- Set aside the favorites
Once you have sorted through the toys and decided what you will be eliminating, it's time to decide what toys are the most important and loved by your child. Set aside your children's favorite toys and make sure there will be enough space for them. This way, your kids will be able to find comfort in their most cherished playthings at any moment during the strenuous relocation process.
Packing toys and dolls for moving
Having sorted out your children's toys, you'll need to properly pack the ones that are worth moving to your new home. So, here is the best way to pack toys for moving:
- Packing Small toys
Small toys are simple to pack. Most will fit in small-to-medium-sized moving boxes. Toys that are more susceptible to damage, such as toys with moving parts, should be wrapped in packing paper before placing them inside the box. Fill any empty space with crumpled wads of paper or packing peanuts to limit the toys movement during transit. Tape all boxes securely with packing tape and label them with the contents and destination (child's room) to find them easily once it's time to unpack.
- Packing soft toys
Stuffed animals and other plush toys are easy to pack as they are not breakable and will survive the relocation intact. However, when packing them in cardboard boxes, make sure stuffed toys are well protected against moisture and dust. In fact, it is a good idea to place them in large plastic bags or garbage bags.
Packing porcelain dolls, vintage action figures and other expensive toys
For maximum protection, it's recommended that you individually wrap each doll, action figure, or expensive playing in packing paper or bubble wrap before putting it into a sturdy moving box.
Since these toys are fragile and expensive, you'll need to pack them in a special way to ensure that they are protected. Toys such as an expensive porcelain doll collections or vintage action figures will require further caution when packing. So, in order to pack them properly, here are some tips to follow:
- Dolls should be packed carefully with bubble wrap before being placed in boxes. For maximum protection, you are recommended to protect the most delicate and easily breakable parts of the doll by packing thoroughly.
- Too many toys in one moving box could cause them to become crushed and damaged. So, find the right box - probably big enough to fit your doll comfortably.
- Fill the empty space in the box with crumpled paper, soft fabric materials, or packing peanuts to prevent shifting during transit.
- Make sure any art supplies are properly sealed to avoid leaking or stains, and all water toys such as squirt guns are completely emptied and dried out before packing.
- Label the boxes "Fragile" and "Handle with Care" clearly so that the movers know to exercise extra caution when handling them.
Apart from these, you may need some extra packing supplies and different size boxes to pack toys properly for your upcoming move. Use these tips to make sure your kids' favorite toys and dolls are packed safely and turn the packing session into a fun event for the whole family.