Moving with Kids Tips: An Ontario Family Checklist

Common Emotional Responses

Children may show a move is weighing on them through:

• Anxiety about the unknown and what comes next
• Sadness over leaving friends and familiar places
• Anger at having no control over the decision
• Fear of not fitting in at a new school
• Regression to earlier behaviours (clinginess, bedwetting)
• Physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches

How Kids Understand a Move by Age

Tailor your moving with kids tips to their stage:

• Toddlers (1-3 years): May not grasp the concept but sense parental stress
• Preschoolers (3-5 years): May worry about losing toys or believe they caused the move
• School-age (6-12 years): Understand more but worry about friends and fitting in
• Teenagers (13-18 years): Often resist most strongly due to established social networks

Changing Schools After an Ontario Move

School transitions are often the biggest worry for kids — and parents:

• Contact the new school or board as soon as your address is confirmed
• Have proof of address and your child's immunization record ready
• The Ontario Student Record (OSR) transfers between Ontario schools automatically
• Ask about class placement, bus routes, and before/after-school programs early
• Moving between public, Catholic, French, or private systems? Confirm which board serves your new address

Before Moving Day

Preparation reduces anxiety for everyone:

• Pack a kids' essentials box for each child: pyjamas, favourite stuffed animal, books, nightlight, and tomorrow's outfit
• Arrange childcare on moving day if possible — movers, doors, and heavy furniture are not kid-friendly
• If they'll be present, give them special jobs like checking off boxes
• Explain what will happen step by step so there are no surprises
• Take photos of their current room to recreate favourites in the new home

During the Move

Keep children safe, fed, and out of the movers' path:

• Have snacks, drinks, and activities readily available
• Create a "safe zone" in each home with familiar items
• Keep regular meal and snack times even when the day runs long
• Take breaks together to check in on how they're feeling
• Celebrate small milestones (first box packed, truck loaded)
• Keep the kids' essentials box in your car — never in the truck

After Moving In

Help them settle into the new environment:

• Set up their room first to create a familiar sanctuary
• Unpack the kids' essentials box before anything else
• Explore the new neighbourhood together as an adventure
• Find nearby parks, libraries, and community centres
• Keep connections with old friends through video calls
• Be patient — adjustment can take weeks or months

How do I transfer my child to a new school in Ontario?

Contact the new school or school board as soon as your address is confirmed. You'll typically need proof of address and your child's immunization record. The Ontario Student Record (OSR) transfers between Ontario schools automatically, so ask the new school if they need anything else for class placement.

How can I keep my toddler's routine during a move?

Keep meals, naps, and bedtime consistent, pack a comfort kit with a favourite blanket, snacks, and a nightlight, and set up their sleep space first at the new home. Familiar routines are the fastest way to help toddlers feel safe.

Should my kids be home on moving day?

If possible, arrange childcare with a friend or family member so kids stay clear of the movers' path and heavy furniture. If they must be there, set up a safe zone in one room with familiar items, snacks, and activities.

When should I tell my kids we're moving?

Tell them as early as you reasonably can — ideally 4 to 6 weeks out — using simple, positive language. Involve them in age-appropriate choices, like picking paint colours for their new room, to give them a sense of control.