Toys Moving: Essential Tips for Easy Moving
Table of Contents
- 1. What Packing Materials Are Needed to Move Toys?
- 2. How to Pack Toys for Moving?
- 3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
First things first. To avoid any mix-ups, it’s important before we venture further to emphasize that the “toys” in question here are children’s toys.
Cut the “Aah’s…”
With that little preamble out of the way, let’s dive into the crux.
When the time to shift to a new home comes, there are so many things topping your list of priorities that there’s a fair chance toy packing isn’t one of them. Toys are one of those things most people often disregard, thinking they’ll just stuff everything into a moving box and get on with it.
In truth, packing your child’s playroom can be a little challenging. Not only do toys come in all sorts of odd shapes, but they’re also like skittles: wide-ranging. There are toys for stimulating the senses, toys for sparking delight, toys for developing spatial awareness, toys for supporting motor skills, you name it. Small toys. Sizeable toys. Large toys.
If you have children of varying ages, that’s another piece of the toys moving puzzle that needs solving. While packing toys is one of those tasks that should be done closer to Move Day to keep your children occupied and not getting all cranky on you, planning in advance can save you a heap of trouble.
We put together this simple guide to help you plan for toys moving efficiently so you can avoid last-minute chaos and ensure your children’s treasured pieces get to the destination intact.
What Packing Materials Are Needed to Move Toys?
Here is a list of the packing supplies you will need for toys moving, depending on the toys in question:
- Moving boxes – you’ll need small, medium, and large boxes to accommodate the different types of toys;
- Clear zippered storage bags – you don’t have to bundle all the toys into moving boxes. The soft types can be packed in large plastic bags;
- Trash bags – for putting broken toys;
- Ziploc bags – for packing toys that can be lost easily and other small parts and accessories;
- Packing tape – for securing boxes;
- Bubble wrap or foam wrap – for protecting fragile items;
- Packing paper or newspapers – for wrapping toys and padding the boxes;
- Marker pens and labels.
How to Pack Toys for Moving?
If you’re planning to move toys, here are some tips that should come in handy:
Separate Toys You No Longer Need.
The first thing you need to do is embark on a purging spree to get rid of broken toys and toys that have already served their purpose.
There is no point packing toys that won’t be used again. And if you ever needed an added fillip, eliminating surplus toys can contribute towards trimming your moving bill. You can always sell them or better yet, donate them. There is no shortage of takers – daycare centers, local hospitals, the Salvation Army, or Goodwill Industries. Any broken toys should be put in a sturdy trash bag for disposal.
Prepare Moving Supplies.
It is a moving best practice to gather moving supplies weeks ahead of your move, and toy packing should be no exception.
Work with the list above which should be informed by the types of toys in question (and amount), keeping factors like size, shape, and build in mind.
Involve the Kids in Preparing for the Move.
Most children will find the purging process difficult, but toys moving is the one area you can get your kids involved in the relocation. This way, they will feel they are part of the process, which should also help if they had any misgivings about moving from your current home in the first place.
More than that, this is a learning process for them which you can use to instill in them the values of regular tidying up, going through old possessions on occasion, and charity.
Disassemble Large Toys Pre-move.
Dismantling large toys prevents accidental breakage during transit. Disassemble items like walkers, dollhouses, rocking horses, jumpers, and riding toys before packing toys. Same goes for delicate wooden toys.
While you’re at it, make sure to put the parts in the same box to avoid misplacing any.
Clean and Disinfect the Toys.
Cleaning is an important part of every moving routine, and while some toys might be tricky to clean more than others, clean and disinfect the ones you can. All baby toys need to be cleaned and disinfected to prevent contamination, though, as young tots are sure to put them in their mouth from time to time.
Clean dirty toys in warm soapy water if you’re up for it; otherwise use cleaning wipes to wipe them down.
Sort the Toys by Category.
When planning for toys moving, take some time to sort and organize the toys before packing your child’s playroom. When you get down to unpacking on the other end, you’ll be happy you did.
Instead of shoving all the toys in the same box, separate them into piles of like items first, grouping them by category.
For example, one pile could be made up of books, another pile stuffed animals, another art supplies, and so on and so forth. Do the same with wooden toys, blocks, musical toys, dolls and dollhouse parts, and all the other toys that keep your young ones absorbed.
Once separated this way, go ahead and pack similar items together. Unpacking them will be, um, child’s play.
Set Aside Toys That You’ll Carry in Your Essentials Bag or Suitcase.
This comes in handy when moving long-distance. Kids don’t cope too well with long distances as they get bored easily.
If your move will involve long hours on the road, set aside some toys to keep the children occupied in the car. You can select them yourself or have the kids do it if they are old enough.
Having toys on hand can be a good way to break the monotony of the iPad. These toys should be put in an essentials bag or suitcase instead of the moving supplies boxes for easy reach.
Pack Soft Toys in a Large Box or Large Plastic Storage Bag.
The best way to move soft toys is to use large boxes. Stuffed animals and soft toys are lightweight and work great when bundled into large boxes.
This way, their form is maintained and the boxes can be carried without the risk of falling apart.
Alternatively, soft toys moving can be done in large zippered plastic bags.
Pack Small Toys and Accessories in Wrapping Paper.
Packing paper is ideal for small toys moving and should help avoid any misplacements. It’s okay to bundle them together as long as they are not susceptible to scratches.
Ziploc bags are another good alternative when you want to move toys. Soft toys to be specific.
Tape Puzzles Down.
Puzzles, just like board games, aren’t really much use if they are missing pieces. The best way to pack them when doing toys moving is in their original box.
If you don’t have the original box, find a similar-sized box, put the puzzle inside along with the pieces, then use tape to seal it before proceeding to put everything in a bigger box.
Label All the Boxes.
With everything in its rightful box, it’s time to label your boxes for toys moving. Use a marker pen to clearly indicate the contents on each box holding the toys. You can simply mark each box as “Toys”.
As well, consider outlining which toys are in which box by scribbling it out on the labels. This helps not just when loading or unloading items from the moving truck or van, but it also saves you the headache of rummaging through boxes when you get to your new digs.
Most people are guilty of playing down the effort it takes to pack the kids’ playroom.
However, ask anyone who has been involved in toys moving and they will tell you it’s something that warrants proper planning beforehand, especially if there is a fair chunk of toys involved.
You can avoid any stress associated with toy moving by creating a plan in advance. You don’t need to make your house move more stress than it already is.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the Best Way to Pack Toys for Moving?
Toys can be a tricky proposition if you’ve never packed them before. After sorting them out, pack your children’s toys by category, size, shape, and weight.
When putting them in boxes, use bubble wrap or newspapers as padding to shield the fragile pieces, filling every empty space inside the box. Label your boxes clearly, and always remember the heavy boxes go to the bottom if you’re stacking.
How Do You Clean Toys Before Packing?
There isn’t a science to it really. Some warm or hot water should do the toy pieces some justice. Use a microfiber for good measure.
If you’re considering cleaning and sanitizing before toys moving, the EPA recommends using cleaning products certified by agencies like EcoLogo, Green Seal, and the Design for the Environment.
Where Is the Best Place to Donate Toys When Relocating?
You can always enquire from local daycares, shelters, and hospitals for starters. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Purple Heart, and Goodwill will also be happy to get used toys off your hands.
