Moving to a new city can be exciting – new places to explore and sights to see. But, if you’re moving with children, they’re focused on missing friends, school, and familiarity. You can help ease this transition so your little one is excited. Here are the top ways to help your kids make friends in a new town.
1. Find Parks With Playgrounds
It should be easy to find parks with playgrounds depending on where you’re moving. If a quick Google search doesn’t yield results, try looking at the local Parks and Recreation Department. They should have a list of locations and the amenities they provide.
Playgrounds are an excellent place to meet other kids and parents. Try to go to ones close to home since there’ll be a higher chance of anyone at the park being local. Then, you can wait for your child to make a new friend and introduce yourself to their parent.
2. Go to Family-Friendly Events
Many cities and towns host events throughout the year for families and children. Often, many of these events are free, so you don’t have to spend too much money attending. This tip is helpful because it allows your kids to meet other children their age and helps you discover your new home and what to do nearby.
Usually, you can find a calendar of events on a local city page. Still, there are also lots of websites that curate this information to precisely zero in on family-friendly activities.
3. Join Local Children’s Groups
Some examples of youth groups include the YMCA, music and arts clubs, and agriculture clubs. Joining these kinds of groups is an excellent way for your little one to make friends because they often meet regularly, so you have a chance to meet parents and introduce yourself. Also, new members may come in and out regularly, so your child’s friend group can expand quickly.
4. Sign Up for Sports
These days, sports don’t have to be limited to basketball, football, and the like. Instead, you can often find competitions around anything your child likes. Some unconventional examples include chess, video games, ballet, cheerleading, taekwondo, and more. Team-based sports are good because they help facilitate bonds between the players. However, anything that allows your child to meet other kids their age is a golden opportunity for them to make friends.
5. Attend Classes Together
If there’s a local community center, you can research classes suitable for children and their parents. Or, even if you’re not participating, you can stay and watch your little one engage with other kids. Examples can include art classes, crafting, programming, and more. Again, find something your child is interested in so you know they’ll look forward to going regularly.
Get Moving Help Today!
If you’re worried about how your child handles the stress of moving, you already have a lot on your plate. So, let us take care of the logistics of packing and transporting your items to your new home. Contact us today to find out more!