Moving House with the Kids Off School This Summer

Summer 2026 can be one of the best times to move house in Hemel Hempstead. The evenings are long, the weather is kinder, and with the children off school there is no juggling the school run around a mountain of packing.

It can also be a lot, all at once. A house full of excited, bored or slightly unsettled children and a tower of cardboard boxes is its own particular kind of chaos. Here is how to use the holidays to your advantage and keep the whole thing calm, for them and for you.

Why move during the school holidays?

Timing a move for the summer break can genuinely make life easier. There is no missed schooling, no dashing home for pick-up, and children have time to settle into a new home before a new term begins. If you are moving to a new catchment, arriving over the summer gives everyone a softer landing.

How do you keep children settled on moving day?

Children cope far better when they feel involved rather than simply shuffled from one place to another.

• Let each child pack a special box of favourite toys, books and comforts that travels with them, not on the lorry.
• Pack a first-night bag for everyone. Pyjamas, a toothbrush, a familiar blanket and a couple of toys mean bedtime feels normal even in a strange new room.
• Keep meal and sleep times as close to normal as you can.
• If possible, arrange for very young children or pets to spend moving day with a relative or friend.

How do you get children excited rather than anxious?

A move is a big emotional event for a child, even a happy one. A little involvement turns worry into adventure.

• Talk about it early and often. Show them photos of the new home and the new area.
• Let them help choose something for their new room, such as a paint colour or where the bed goes.
• Explore the new neighbourhood together before the move. A trip to the local park or ice cream shop makes it all feel familiar.
• Say a proper goodbye to the old home and let them take a photo of their old room.

What should you sort before the big day?

• Book your removals early because the best firms fill their summer diaries quickly.
• If you are changing schools, contact both the old and new school in good time.
• Redirect your post and update your address for the essentials before the move.
• Know where the kettle, snacks and phone chargers are. Small comforts go a long way when everyone is tired.

Frequently asked questions

Is summer a good time to move with children?

For many families, yes. Moving in the holidays avoids disrupting school and gives children time to settle before a new term.

How do I keep my child calm on moving day?

Give them a first-night bag and a box of their favourite things, keep meal and bedtimes as normal as possible, and let very young children spend the busiest hours with someone they trust if you can.

When should I tell the school we are moving?

As early as you reasonably can, so the paperwork and September place are ready.

Whether you are buying or renting, a move with a young family is always smoother with people who understand what you are juggling. If you are planning a summer move in or around Hemel Hempstead, we would love to help make it a happy one.

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