Moving with Kids and Pets: How to Keep Everyone (Mostly) Calm

By the Buff Bins Team | buffbinswny.com

Moving is stressful for adults. For kids and pets, it can be genuinely disorienting — they don't understand what's happening, they can't help pack, and the chaos of moving day can send even the calmest dog or well-adjusted seven-year-old over the edge.

The good news: with a little planning and a few smart strategies, you can make the transition smoother for the whole family — two-legged and four-legged alike.

Moving with Kids

Start the Conversation Early

Kids handle change better when they feel included rather than surprised. As soon as your move is confirmed, sit down and talk about it. Answer questions honestly, acknowledge that it's a big deal, and let them feel their feelings about it — even if those feelings are "I don't want to go."

Some things that help:

Show them photos or videos of the new home, new neighborhood, or new school.
Point out things they'll gain — a bigger backyard, a new bedroom to decorate, a park nearby.
Let them know their routines (bedtime, meals, weekends) will stay the same even if the house changes.

Avoid the temptation to over-promise. "You'll love it, I promise!" can backfire if adjustment takes time. Instead, try: "It's going to be different, and different can be good."

Give Kids a Job

Children feel better when they have a role. Depending on age, kids can:

Help decide how to decorate their new bedroom.
Pack their own box of special things — favorite books, stuffed animals, art supplies.
Label boxes with drawings or stickers for their room.
Be in charge of keeping track of a special item on moving day.

Buff Bins' stackable, lidded bins are great for this — kids can pack their own personal bin and know it's theirs through the whole move. No flimsy cardboard, no tape, no boxes collapsing on their stuff.

Plan for Moving Day

Moving day is loud, chaotic, and not a great environment for young children. If possible:

Arrange childcare for the full day so kids aren't underfoot during loading and unloading. This is safer for them and faster for you.
If childcare isn't an option, designate a "safe room" — an empty room or the car — with snacks, a tablet, and activities while the heavy lifting happens.
Pack an "open first" bin for each child with their most important comfort items: their favorite stuffed animal, a change of clothes, a snack, and something to do. This bin comes off the truck first and goes straight to their room.

Help Kids Settle In

The first few nights in a new home can be hard. Prioritize getting their bedroom set up before anything else — familiar surroundings matter more to kids than the living room or kitchen being perfect.

Keep bedtime routines exactly the same.
Let them have input on how their room is arranged.
Give them time to explore the new space at their own pace — don't rush the adjustment.
If they're old enough, help them find a local activity they enjoy: a sports team, a library program, an art class. Having something to look forward to makes the new place feel more like home.

Moving with Pets

Understand What Your Pet Is Experiencing

Pets — especially dogs and cats — are deeply connected to their environment. The smell of your current home, the layout of the rooms, the familiar sounds outside: all of it signals safety and routine. Moving disrupts all of that at once.

Signs your pet may be stressed during a move include:

Hiding or excessive clinginess
Changes in appetite or litter box habits
Increased barking, meowing, or pacing
Accidents in the house

None of these are misbehavior — they're communication. A little extra patience goes a long way.

Prepare Before Moving Day

The weeks leading up to a move can be unsettling even before the trucks arrive. Help your pet adjust gradually:

Keep routines consistent — same feeding times, same walk schedule, same sleep spot. Routine is deeply reassuring to animals.
Don't hide the bins — let your pet sniff and explore the moving bins as they come out. Familiar smells on new objects reduce anxiety.
Update ID tags and microchip info with your new address before you move, not after. Moving is one of the most common times pets go missing.
Book vet appointments in advance if you're moving far enough to need a new vet — get records transferred and any necessary medications filled before the move.

Moving Day: Keep Pets Out of the Chaos

The front door open for hours, strangers carrying furniture, the scent of your whole home being disturbed — moving day is overwhelming for pets. The safest approach:

Confine cats to a single room with their food, water, litter box, and a familiar blanket. Put a sign on the door so movers don't accidentally open it.
Arrange a dog sitter or doggy daycare for the day if possible. If your dog stays home, keep them in a quiet, secured area away from the activity.
Never leave pets in a vehicle unattended — especially in western New York summers or winters.
If transporting a cat or anxious dog, use a carrier they're already comfortable with. Spraying it with a calming pheromone spray (like Feliway for cats) a day before can help.

Help Pets Settle into the New Home

Give your pet time to adjust — don't expect them to feel at home immediately.

For dogs:

Walk the perimeter of the new yard on leash before letting them off.
Explore the new neighborhood on foot together; familiar smells with you by their side build confidence.
Keep feeding and walking schedules unchanged.

For cats:

Start with one room — ideally a quiet one with their litter box, food, water, and bed.
Let them expand their territory gradually over several days rather than giving them the whole house at once.
Don't be surprised if they hide for a day or two. It's normal. Check on them, offer food, and give them space.

For all pets:

Bring familiar items: their bed, toys, and blankets with home scents on them.
Be patient. Full adjustment can take two to four weeks for cats and one to two weeks for most dogs.

A Few Final Tips for the Whole Family

Create a moving day kit for everyone. Pack separate "open first" bins for each family member — kids, adults, and pets. Each one should have everything needed to get through the first 24 hours without digging through stacks of packed bins: snacks, a change of clothes, medications, chargers, pet food, and comfort items.

Build in downtime. Don't try to fully unpack in one weekend. A few days of intentional rest — ordering pizza, watching a movie together, letting the dog nap on the couch — helps everyone decompress and start associating the new space with good feelings.

Celebrate the milestone. Moving is hard. Acknowledge it. Let the kids pick dinner on the first night. Give the dog an extra-long walk in the new neighborhood. Toast the new chapter.

Buff Bins makes the logistics easier so you can focus on your family.

Our reusable moving bins are delivered right to your Cheektowaga or western New York door — no box hunting, no tape runs, no cardboard disaster. With a dolly included, you can move more in fewer trips and spend less time hauling and more time getting everyone settled.

Ready to book? Visit buffbinswny.com to check availability and reserve your bins today.

Buff Bins LLC | Cheektowaga, NY | buffbinswny.com | Move Happy, Live Easy