Late October is a busy time to move: leases turn over at the end of the month, the weather finally cools down, and your kids have one question on their minds. "Are we still going trick-or-treating?"
Yes, you are. Moving around Halloween can actually make the change easier for kids. Here is how to keep the costumes, the candy and the fun on track.
Pack a "Halloween box" that rides with you
The number one Halloween moving disaster is a costume buried in a box at the back of the truck. Pack one box, or a bag, that stays in your car, not the moving truck:
The Halloween box
- Costumes, masks and accessories
- Face paint and makeup remover
- Trick-or-treat buckets or pillowcases
- Flashlights or glow sticks
- A bag of candy for your new door
- Batteries for anything that lights up
Turn boxes into a craft project
Give each child their own box for toys and let them decorate it: markers, stickers, drawings, their name in big letters. Kids who pack their own treasures feel more in control of the move, and it is easy to find their box first at the new house.
Label kids' boxes "Open First"
Mark your children's boxes "Open First" and ask the crew to put them in their new rooms. Setting up a familiar room on night one helps kids settle in faster.
What not to pack in the truck
- Carved pumpkins. They get soft and messy fast in Florida humidity. Enjoy them, take photos and leave them behind.
- Candy. A closed truck in the Florida sun gets hot, even in October. Chocolate will melt.
- Candles. Wax can soften in a hot truck. Pack them in a sealed bag and bring them in the car.
- Fog machine fluid and spray cans. Movers usually can't transport flammable or pressurized items.
Use trick-or-treating to meet the neighbors
Halloween is the one night a year when everyone opens their door. For a family who just moved in, that is a gift:
- Walk your route in daylight first so you know the sidewalks, the busy streets and the way home.
- Put the porch light on and hand out candy at your new home, even if the living room is still full of boxes. Neighbors will stop to say hi.
- Ask other parents which streets are popular for trick-or-treating. It is an easy conversation starter.
- Write your new address and a phone number on a card in your child's pocket.
Keep the routine where you can
Moving week is hectic, so small routines matter: the same bedtime, the same bedtime story, a favorite breakfast. If you can, have a friend or family member watch younger kids on moving day. It is safer around dollies and open doors, and it keeps the day short.
If time is tight, our crew can take on the packing too. See packing and unpacking, or read how to keep the whole move affordable in our local moving guide.
Moving at the end of October?
End-of-month dates fill up fast. Our 2-mover crew is $129/hr with no travel fee. Request a free quote and get your date on the calendar before the costumes come out.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good idea to move right before Halloween?
It can be. The weather is cooler than summer, and Halloween is an easy way for kids to meet new neighbors. Keep costumes and supplies in your car so they don't get buried in the truck.
How do I help my kids adjust to a new home?
Let them pack and decorate their own box, set up their room first, and keep bedtime and meal routines as normal as you can. Exploring the new neighborhood together also helps.