With expert packing tips and a ton of great ideas, you can be ready and prepared for you big move. Now it’s time to be a busy bee and get packing!

How to Pack a House for a Move: A Simple Guide for Families

Moving to a new house can be exciting! It’s a fresh start, a new neighborhood, maybe even a new school. But before you go, you have to pack up everything you own—and that can feel like a big job.

Don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll walk through how to pack your house step by step. We’ll talk about what materials you need, how to protect your things, and smart ways to save money. You’ll also learn how to pack glass and fragile items safely, so nothing gets broken.

Let’s get started!

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Step 1: Get Ready to Pack

Before you grab boxes and tape, you need to do a little planning.

Make a Packing Plan

Ask yourself:

• When is moving day?

• How much time do we have to pack?

• What room should we pack first?

It’s smart to start packing two or three weeks before moving day if you can. Begin with rooms or items you don’t use every day, like:

• The guest room

• Holiday decorations

• Old toys or books

• Clothes that are out of season

Get the Right Packing Materials

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy packing tools. You just need the right stuff to keep things safe.

Here’s what you should collect:

TIP: Ask stores, friends, or neighbors for free boxes! Grocery stores, shoe stores, and schools often have extras.

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Step 2: Start Packing—One Room at a Time

Packing one room at a time keeps things neat and less stressful. Pick a room and stick to it until it’s done.

Sort Your Stuff

Before you pack, sort everything into 3 piles:

1. Keep – These are things you want to take.

2. Donate – Things in good shape that you don’t need anymore.

3. Throw away – Broken, old, or unusable items.

This helps make moving easier and faster because you’re not taking stuff you don’t use.

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Step 3: Packing Tips and Tricks to Make It Easy

1. Use Towels, Socks, and Clothes as Padding

Instead of buying bubble wrap, use what you already have! Wrap dishes in towels or tuck glasses inside socks. Use t-shirts to separate breakable things. This saves money and space.

2. Don’t Leave Empty Space in Boxes

If there’s space in the box, items can slide around and break. Fill gaps with:

• Crumpled newspaper

• Old wrapping paper

• Clean socks or cloths

• Scraps of cardboard

3. Label Everything

Use a marker to write:

• What’s inside the box

• What room it goes to (like “Kitchen” or “Sam’s Bedroom”)

You can also use colored stickers or tape:

• Blue = Bathroom

• Red = Kitchen

• Green = Living Room

• Yellow = Bedroom

This helps movers or family know where things go fast!

4. Use Small Boxes for Heavy Stuff

Books, canned food, and tools can be heavy. Use smaller boxes so you don’t hurt your back or break the box. Fill large boxes with lighter items, like pillows, blankets, or toys.

5. Pack an “Open First” Box

This is the box you’ll open as soon as you move in. Put in:

• Toilet paper

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• One towel for each person

• Paper plates and cups

• Scissors

• A few snacks

• Pajamas and a change of clothes

Label this box: OPEN FIRST or DAY ONE BOX.

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Step 4: Special Tips for Packing Glass and Fragile Items

Glass can break easily, so take extra care when packing it.

Materials You Can Use to Protect Glass

• Bubble wrap (if you have it)

• Newspaper (crumpled and flat)

• Towels

• T-shirts, socks, or soft blankets

• Paper plates (between glass plates)

• Cardboard pieces

How to Pack Glass Cups and Mugs

1. Wrap each glass with newspaper or a clean sock.

2. Stuff the inside of each glass with paper or cloth.

3. Place glasses upright (not sideways) in the box.

4. Put a towel or soft cloth on the bottom of the box.

5. After placing a few glasses in, add more padding between them.

6. Once full, put more soft material on top.

7. Tape the box tightly and write FRAGILE: GLASS – THIS SIDE UP.

How to Pack Plates

1. Use a small or medium box.

2. Place a towel or crumpled paper on the bottom.

3. Wrap each plate with a sheet of newspaper or a t-shirt.

4. Stack plates on their sides, not flat. This makes them stronger during a bump.

5. Put crumpled paper between each one.

6. Fill the box with soft stuff around the edges.

7. Close it and write FRAGILE: PLATES.

How to Pack Picture Frames and Mirrors

1. Wrap the frame or mirror with bubble wrap or a towel.

2. Slide a piece of cardboard over the glass front.

3. Tape it to keep it steady.

4. Stand them up inside a tall box or flat between two pieces of foam or cardboard.

5. Label the box: FRAGILE – DO NOT LAY FLAT.

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Step 5: Packing Clothes, Toys, and More

Packing Clothes

You don’t need to fold every shirt! Here are some fast ways to move clothes:

• Leave clothes in drawers. Take out the drawers and wrap them in plastic wrap.

• Use trash bags. Keep clothes on hangers, then slide a big trash bag over them like a giant coat.

• Pack folded clothes in suitcases or duffel bags.

Packing Toys

• Use toys to fill empty spaces in boxes with fragile items.

• Put small toys in plastic bins or bags to keep them together.

• If your child has a favorite toy, pack it in the OPEN FIRST box or keep it with them.

Packing Electronics

1. Take a picture of how cords are plugged in.

2. Unplug everything and place cords in a Ziploc bag.

3. Wrap screens with soft cloths or towels.

4. Use original boxes if you still have them.

5. Tape the box and write: FRAGILE – ELECTRONICS.

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Step 6: Final Moving Tips

Stay Organized with a Checklist

Make a list of:

• What rooms you’ve packed

• What boxes still need tape or labels

• Things to do the night before the move (like empty the fridge)

Keep Important Things With You

Don’t pack important items in the truck. Keep these in your car or bag:

• Birth certificates

• Medicine

• Wallets, keys, and phone chargers

• Pet supplies

• Moving paperwork

Help Kids Feel Involved

Let kids:

• Decorate their own boxes

• Pack their favorite toys

• Choose what goes in the Open First box

It helps them feel excited—not nervous—about the move.

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A Packing Timeline Example

Here’s a simple guide for when to pack:

3 Weeks Before Moving:

• Pack the garage, attic, storage closets, and decorations.

2 Weeks Before:

• Pack extra clothes, books, games, and kitchen items you don’t use every day.

1 Week Before:

• Pack bathrooms (except daily items), dishes, and bedrooms.

2 Days Before:

• Pack food, daily clothes, and anything left over.

Moving Day:

• Grab your “Open First” box, important papers, and say goodbye to your old house!

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Final Thoughts: Packing Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Packing a house may seem like a big job—but when you plan, stay organized, and use smart tricks, it gets a lot easier. Use what you already have (like towels and socks) to protect your things. Label boxes clearly. Pack one room at a time. Most of all, don’t wait until the last minute.

Packing is the first step in your next big adventure. Your new home is waiting—and now you’re ready to get there without losing, breaking, or forgetting a thing.

Happy moving!