Once you’ve found a new home and called the movers, your next step is to start thinking about how you will get to your new state. While you might not think much about packing your children in the car for a trip across the city, a multi-state move requires a little more planning. Despite what you might’ve heard, traveling with children can actually be quite pleasant. Using these ideas to prepare for the final stage of your move can turn this adventure into an awesome family memory.

Help Them Know What to Expect

Depending upon your child’s age and your family’s lifestyle, it is quite possible that your child has never moved before. Even if they have some experience with moving, this new relocation might be completely different from the last. Children do best when they have some information to help them prepare for what happens next. As you talk about the move, make sure to keep it age-appropriate.

For example, you might help your preschooler pretend that they are on an airplane. For an older child, you can talk about where they will sit and what they might see and hear as they fly. Teens might even want to know the details of their flight such as when the plane boards and lands. Giving your child room to ask questions also makes it possible to be sure that they understand what will happen on the trip.

Take Care of Their Essential Needs

If you’ve ever found yourself dealing with a hungry toddler while you tried to run an errand, then you already know what missing a meal can do. No matter how old your children are, you’ll want to make sure that you have a plan in place for every meal that occurs as you travel. Once that’s settled, you’ll want to think about snacks and water.

Keep in mind that this might be one of those times when it helps to sneak in a surprise. Although it might not be the healthiest option, a lollipop or other special treat could help your child skip having a meltdown. With the snacks packed, you might need to add a few more things to care for their needs. A favorite blanket or neck pillow can help your child rest if your trip occurs during their normal nap time. Use qr code tags to keep track of your child's belongings, thereby ensuring that you can secure them during the long journey..

Shorten Your Travel Time

For young children, being stuck in the car for hours is frustrating. In fact, having to stop for potty breaks, dealing with tantrums and cleaning up messes can turn the whole trip into a nightmare for you, too. Traveling by plane is much easier for cross-country moves. Your kids will be so excited to be on a brand new adventure that they won’t think about throwing a fit. If you’re lucky, they might even just sleep through the flight.

Car transport to Florida from California, for example, can be set up so that you get your car soon after you arrive. Being able to skip days of driving through traffic also helps you to arrive fresh and ready to help your children explore their new neighborhood after you unpack.

Plan a Few Travel Activities

Bored children are more likely to misbehave, and you’ll have more freedom to keep them entertained as you fly. While you can’t just let your kids hop out and run around, you’ve got the chance to do some new things. Many airlines offer in-flight movies that are wonderful for knocking out an hour or two of your traveling time. If your children use electronics, then you can also load a new app or game that you know they’ll find entertaining.

If your children tend to get bored staring at a screen, then you can look for innovative ways to have fun with them on a plane. While it might mean adding a few more items to your bag, you’ll be glad you did when your family is having so much fun that you barely notice when the plane lands.

By the time you head off for your trip to your new home, you’re all likely feeling the stress of moving. Fortunately, you can take this time to relax and begin generating excitement about what your lives will be like in your new home state. As you finish up your plans, make sure to charge your phone. You’ll want to take lots of pictures to document your journey to the next part of your family’s life together.