Move Smart Solutions Blog

If you’re like us, the middle of summer is just about the time this Texas heat becomes unbearable, and you start dreaming of white sand, blue waves, and more iced tea than you can shake a stick at. The kids are dying to build sandcastles, and you’re dying to lay under a giant beach umbrella with a good book. Sound familiar?

While this year is a little different than others, getting out in the great outdoors is still one of the safest things you can do. And if you’re feeling especially safety-conscious, use this time to plan next year’s beach adventure.

Tired of being cooped up inside? Us too. And if you’re sick of not being able to go to your favorite places and do your favorite things—or even get out to the grocery store—then your kids are likely going a little stir-crazy as well. When you’ve run out of puzzles and construction paper crafts to concoct with the little ones, what’s a busy parent to do?

Never fear. We’ve put together our tried-and-true list of activities to do inside with kids young and old. Check it out below!

Moving is a big change for kids but getting them involved in the moving process can help make the transition smoother for the whole family and even fun for the little ones!

Let Them Help from The Start

Getting them involved from the start can help ease the process and allow them time to prepare for the change. Even in the home search process, get the kids involved! Take them on showings or show them photos during your searches if having them tag along is too taxing. Letting them be a part of this decision making can even make them feel more included in the transition. Make a timeline of the move and what’s happening when. For example, you could put down when you plan to start packing and when they start their new school.

So it’s the week before Halloween, and you just got invited to a costume party with no time to prep costumes for yourself, let alone your kids. Don’t panic! There are loads of quick last-minute costumes that you can throw together in a pinch, with just the items you have in your closet already. Your kids will love the creativity, and you’ll save money in the long run!

Here’s our top 5 picks for simple DIY Halloween costumes your kids will love:

Are you planning to move soon? If so, now’s just the right time of the year to make the leap. Summertime is the best time to relocate, whether it’s across the country or just across the neighborhood. The sun is shining, the kids are out of school, and the future looks nothing but promising. If you weren’t convinced yet, here are five more great reasons that summertime is the best time to move.

1. Summer is the best time to sell your home

Statistically speaking, summer is the best time of year to sell your house. June, July, August, and even September are when houses really start to move off the market, and selling your current home is pretty integral to moving into a new one.

Decorating a house is an important part of making your home feel like, well, your home. When kids come into the picture, it gets harder to keep your home looking as nice and stylish as it once was. We have a secret to tell you: There’s no need to sacrifice having a fantastic looking home just because of the little ones. There are several ways to make any room look stunning while still keeping it kid-friendly! We’ve picked out some of our favorites to give you an idea of how to decorate your home while keeping those loveable mess-makers in mind.

Get Creative with Seating

If you’ve got a toddler wandering around, too-high seating areas and pointy edges might be a cause for concern. Considering replacing it with poufs or even a storage ottoman. These will be easier on the little one if any accidents happen. As your toddler grows, the poufs can provide extra seating for them and any playmates they might have over, freeing up couch space for the adults. And a storage ottoman can be great for quickly clearing toys off the living room floor before guests arrive. Poufs and ottomans are easy to move around, and can make great accent pieces to any room.

If you’re a DIY kind of person, you can take your old, rectangular coffee table and turn it into an ottoman with this handy guide!

Use an Outdoor Rug Indoors

Outdoor rugs are incredibly easy to clean, but they don’t just have to be kept outside. Find one that’s stylish to add a nice touch to your dining or living room. When the kids get messy during meal time or rowdy at play time, your floors will be protected and you don’t have to worry about an expensive rug being ruined!  These are also great to throw down in other high-traffic areas of your home, in case of muddy footprints or spilled drinks while your family moves about.