At what age do children really understand a move?

Even toddlers from about two years of age sense changes in their surroundings, even if they do not yet fully understand the move . From pre-school age, children can understand connections better and benefit from simple explanations. School children often question more and need more detailed conversations about the reasons and the process. What always matters is loving, clear communication suited to the child's stage of development.

How do I take away my child's fear of the move?

Take your child's worries seriously and talk openly about fears such as being separated from friends. A visit to the new flat or neighbourhood before moving day creates familiarity. Setting up the new children's room together also gives security. Constant rituals such as bedtime stories also help ease moving stress in children .

Should my child help pack the moving boxes?

Yes, involving them in age-appropriate tasks strengthens the feeling of control and having a say. Younger children can pack their own toys in a colourful box, while older children may label their own boxes. This active participation reduces resistance and turns the family move into a joint project rather than something imposed on them.

How do I deal with saying goodbye to friends and the Kita?

Deliberately plan time for farewell get-togethers with close friends, such as a small leaving party. Photos or a memory book help children appreciate the old surroundings and keep in touch. Explain that friendships can continue over a distance, especially with a long-distance move . That way the farewell is easier to process and moving stress in children is reduced.

How do I organise childcare on moving day?

Ideally, one parent or a trusted person takes on all the childcare while the professional moving team does the actual work. Alternatively, grandparents or friends can look after the children for a few hours. That way you avoid children being unsupervised among boxes and heavy equipment, and the move is safer and more relaxed for everyone.

How do I set up the new children's room as quickly as possible?

Ask our team to unload the boxes with the children's room contents first and bring them into the new room. Set up the bed and familiar furniture first so that a place of retreat is created; favourite blankets or posters provide a sense of recognition. You can find more ideas in the article Pack the children's room last, set it up first .

How do I help my child make friends in the new surroundings?

Use local offers such as playgroups, clubs or neighbourhood get-togethers to make first contacts. The new school or Kita also often organises welcome activities for new children. Encourage your child to approach others actively and support them at the first meetings. Patience is important, because new friendships take time.

How long does it take children to settle in after a move?

The time varies depending on age, personality and the distance of the move, usually between a few weeks and several months. Younger children often settle in faster than school children with established social ties. It is important to stay patient and keep rituals. If difficulties persist, professional support through the Kita or school can be helpful.

What should I do about changing school because of the move?

Contact the new school early and bring the latest school report. In Berlin, the responsible primary school depends on your home address; the district's school office (Schulamt) answers questions about available places. A visit to the class in advance or a talk with the teacher reduces uncertainty. Talk openly with your child about expectations and fears around changing school .

Should cuddly toys and favourite things be transported separately?

Yes, important items such as cuddly toys, favourite blankets or a favourite book should travel in a separate bag instead of being stowed in the removal van. That way children have familiar comforters to hand throughout the journey and right after arrival. This small measure prevents unnecessary tears and contributes considerably to emotional stability.

How do you plan a move with children?

For a private move with children, we agree in advance which boxes are loaded last and unloaded first, and on request we schedule the date during the school holidays. Details can be found under Private move . For longer routes we also handle the long-distance move , see Long-distance moves – always at a fixed price after a survey.

FAMILY ON THE MOVE

Moving Stress in Children

Q: How do I best explain the upcoming move to my child?

Talk about the move early and in an age-appropriate way, ideally several weeks beforehand. Use picture books or role play to make the idea more tangible. Emphasise positive aspects such as a new children's room or a nearby playground. It is important to answer questions honestly and take fears seriously, so that moving stress in children is reduced from the outset.

Children often experience a move as a big change – we show how families can noticeably reduce moving stress in children.

Get a quote

Our services

Customer service01625978461

Google · 119 reviews

(5,0/5)

Monday – Friday09:00 – 17:00 Uhr

Red box van on a paved square in front of trees

FOCUS ON CHILDREN

Moving with family

A calm family move – so parents have time for the children

Security for the little ones

Unsere Firma Tell them honestly, let them have a say, keep rituals – this is how a move becomes an adventure for children rather than a burden.

A family move places special demands on planning, because children need stability and fixed points of reference. For a private move, on request we pack the children's room carefully and pay attention to favourite things. You can find more about our service on the page Private move. We quote the price as a fixed price after a survey, so that parents can concentrate on their children on moving day.

Moving stress in children often arises from uncertainty – which is why it is worth packing toys and cuddly toys last and unloading them first. On request we plan moving day so that one parent has time to look after the children while our team takes care of the heavy work. Even with a long-distance move to another city we take care of the transport – find out more under Long-distance moves. That way the move becomes a fresh start experienced positively.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

50,-DISCOUNT

PERSONAL ADVICE

Plan your family move – fixed price after a survey

Personal advice for parents with children

Call us on 01625978461 for advice on your family move. After the survey we quote a fixed price with no hidden costs and, on request, plan the date to fit around school holidays or settling in at the Kita (day nursery). Your household goods are covered under the German Commercial Code (HGB).

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

Two movers in red T-shirts lift a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

CONSIDERATION FOR FAMILIES

How we take the load off families on moving day

Parents with the children, us with the boxes

We plan moves with children so that the day runs as calmly as possible: fixed times, the children's room as the last load and the first to be unloaded, bed and favourite furniture set up first. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide; destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview. With a fixed price after a survey the move remains predictable, and your household goods are covered under the HGB. Punctual, friendly communication also helps children feel they are in good hands.

Children's room last

We pack toys and cuddly toys last and unload them first – on request our packing service takes care of this.

When the company moves

If a parent's workplace moves too, we coordinate both dates – private and for the office move – so the family doesn't face chaos twice.

Grandparents move closer

When grandma and grandpa move closer to the family, it is a lovely occasion for children – we plan the senior move calmly and with time.

Children's bed first

We set up the bed, favourite shelf and play mat first so that the first night in the new home goes well – part of our furniture transport.

WITH CONSIDERATION

What matters to families when moving

Transparency, reliability and consideration are especially important when children are part of the move. We treat every home with the respect we would wish for ourselves.

Reliable timing

We arrive at the agreed time so that naps, Kita pick-up and dinner remain predictable on moving day.

Care with favourite items

We treat crafts, children's drawings and favourite toys as carefully as any other household goods.

Clear agreements

We discuss beforehand what goes into the children's room first – so parents and team know which boxes take priority during the move.

Safe work area

Children and heavy furniture do not belong in the same hallway; a supervised retreat makes moving day safer for everyone.

Dates around the holidays

Scheduling the move during the holidays or before settling in at the Kita takes the pressure off – we work around your family calendar.

First room ready

At the end, the children's room – with bed, lamp and cuddly toy – is the first familiar place in the new home.

SMALL HOUSEHOLD

Not much furniture? Part load!

When only part of the household moves

For smaller volumes, for example when moving into a smaller flat after a separation, we offer an affordable part load. You share the cargo space with other customers and save money; the date depends on the tour.

Open cargo space of a red lorry with wrapped furniture, panels and boxes

CHILDREN AND MOVING

Before,
on moving day and afterwards

Three phases, three tasks

There are many aspects to moving with children, from announcing it early to settling into the new home. With a long-distance move in particular, saying goodbye to friends and the familiar school plays a big role; information on transport can be found under Long-distance moves. The new children's room should be set up first so that children quickly have a familiar place to retreat to. A Kita place and school registration also need lead time.

Tell them early

Tell them several weeks in advance, show them the new area, leave small decisions to them – this applies to the family's private move just as much as to the grandparents' senior move.

Moving day without commotion

With a packing service and furniture transport by professionals, one parent can be fully with the children; a small transport collects individual items later.

Arriving and formalities

Re-register the children too, inform the Kita and school, find friends – and if only part of the household moves, a part load or a furniture taxi is often enough.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

Google 5.0 (119 reviews)

Two movers in dungarees carry moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about moving with children

Answers on explaining, fears, saying goodbye, childcare, the children's room, changing school and Kita.

Talk about the move early and in an age-appropriate way, ideally several weeks beforehand. Use picture books or role play to make the idea more tangible. Emphasise positive aspects such as a new children's room or a nearby playground. It is important to answer questions honestly and take fears seriously, so that moving stress in children is reduced from the outset.

Before the move: involve children early

Children cope better with change if they are informed in good time and actively involved. Explain in a child-friendly way why the move is happening, and let your child make small decisions, such as which wall colour the new children's room will have. That way an abstract change becomes a tangible, positive event.

A visit to the new surroundings before the actual moving day can also help reduce fears. Show them playgrounds, the new school or the nursery so that your child can get a picture in advance. This preparation considerably reduces moving stress in children.

On moving day: provide routine and security

On moving day it makes sense for one parent or a trusted person to look after the children exclusively while our team transports furniture and boxes. That way the usual daily routine with meals and bedtimes stays as stable as possible and gives children security amid the commotion.

Pack a small bag with favourite toys, snacks, pyjamas and a toothbrush that is to hand during the journey. After the move, remember the formalities: children are also registered at the registration office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks. In Berlin, a Kita voucher (Kita-Gutschein) is valid in all Berlin day nurseries; if you move away from Berlin, you apply for childcare again with the new municipality.

What a family move costs

Your moving costs can be estimated quickly. For a 4-room flat prices start from €1,279, for 3 rooms from €884. Smaller flats are cheaper: 2 rooms from €615, 1 room even from just €375. For a house or villa we always prepare an individual quote, as every property is different. If you move further away, a price from €4.20 per kilometre applies to long-distance moves. It is best to clarify everything else during a free survey.

Why larger flats cost more

How much your move costs depends on the volume of the household goods, the distance (from €4.20/km) and the floor. A lift saves time and money. A parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) may also be necessary. Further services such as furniture assembly or part load round off the package.

Services that take the load off parents

From part loads to a complete company relocation – we are your reliable partner.

Part load Part load
Company relocation Company relocation
Private move Private move
House clearance House clearance
Furniture transport Furniture transport
Move with assembly Move with assembly

Family move from Berlin – nationwide

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and support families moving throughout Germany. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview, more on longer routes under Long-distance moves.

Family & Pets

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 4, 2026

Back to Blog

Family & Pets Moving Tips