If you have children, you know how sentimental they can be about their toys. Getting stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, and gaming systems prepared for travel is easier said than done, as toys can easily be damaged in transit. Read our packing tips to prepare even the most fragile toys for transport or storage.

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Preparing to Pack Toys

Packing toys is similar to packing any collection of small items. You’ll need cardboard moving boxes or plastic bins, tape, filler such as packing paper or bubble wrap, and labels. Sealable plastic bags can help keep small pieces and parts together while garbage bags are useful for large stuffed animals.

See a few of your options for moving boxes in the video below:

Older children may enjoy, or at least tolerate, the process of packing toys. However, the act of stowing toys away may upset younger children. To handle this in a sensitive manner, we recommend setting aside a few favorite toys for your child to play with during and immediately after the move, and consider packing the bulk of your house’s toy collection when your young child is at school.

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Sort, Reduce, and Clean

Sort toys into four piles—toys to throw away, toys to donate, toys to keep, and toys with sentimental value. Throw away toys that are broken or too soiled to clean or donate. Sort the toys you plan to keep into subcategories such as size, type, and degree of fragility. While there’s no one correct way to sort, we recommend sorting similar items together.

Clean the toys you plan to keep before packing. You can wash most plastic toys that don’t have batteries in warm, soapy water. Wipe down plastic toys, electronics, and wood toys with antibacterial wipes. Vacuum and spray stuffed toys with fabric spray. Make sure all toys are completely dry before packing them to help prevent mold and bacteria from forming.

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Small Toys

Even if you need to pack your home quickly, resist the urge to dump all small toys into a large cardboard box. Fragile toys with small parts can easily break, and large boxes can become too heavy to move easily. Instead, line the bottom and sides of small- to medium-sized boxes or plastic bins with cushioning materials such as bubble wrap or crushed packing paper.

Start layering the toys at the bottom of the box, padding empty spaces with that same cushioning material. If a toy such as an action figure comes with accessories, put the toy and its spare parts in a sealable plastic bag.

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Large Toys

Tape shut larger toys that come in boxes, such as board games or puzzles, preferably with packing tape for best results. Disassemble construction sets and dollhouses and put them back in their original boxes or a sealable plastic bag. Remove batteries from electronic toys, especially for long moves or storage, so that they don’t corrode and damage the toy.

Store liquid art supplies, such as paint and glue, in sealable plastic bags if case they leak. Do the same with sets composed of small pieces, such as beads, sequins, and glitter, to prevent a spill. Sort through art supplies and dispose of hardened paint bottles or other craft items that aren’t usable.

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Collectibles, Expensive Items, and Fragile Toys

Treat porcelain dolls, collectibles, and other delicate toys as fragile items and pack them separately from other toys. If possible, put them back in their original packaging for transportation, or wrap them individually in bubble wrap and put them in sturdy boxes meant for breakable items. Fill gaps with packing material so the toys won’t slide around in transit. Mark the boxes or bins with “fragile” or “handle with care.”

Treat expensive items such as gaming consoles and tablets as electronics, and put them in their original packaging if possible. Cover all vents and ports to keep out dust and insects. Coil cords to keep them from tangling and put them in sealable plastic bags. Try your best to pack these boxes in spots that won’t allow them to shake or jostle.

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Stuffed Animals

You can use small stuffed animals as extra cushioning material between small or fragile toys, and you can put larger stuffed animals in clean plastic garbage bags and tote bags. This method is best for short moves since it doesn’t protect the soft toys from dirt, insects, or sharp objects. For long-distance moves, put stuffed toys in plastic bags and put those bags into boxes. You can lightly compress the toys as you fill the box, but too much pressure can damage them.

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Create a Travel Kit

Make a travel kit that includes your child’s favorite toys for them to keep during the moving process. Include activities or craft supplies such as coloring books, markers, colored pencils, and crayons. Encourage participation by your child by asking him or her to help pick out what goes into the travel kit. Keep the size limited to a small bag or backpack that the child can easily carry.

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Label Boxes, Bins, and Bags

Clearly label each moving container as you begin the packing process—this will make your life much easier when it’s time to start unpacking. Use descriptions such as action figures, puzzles, and coloring supplies. Additionally, it may be helpful to mark the boxes with intended destinations, such as “playroom,” if you’re hiring professional movers. You can write directly on the cardboard boxes, but use peel-and-stick labels for plastic bins or bags. Seal cardboard boxes or garbage bags with plenty of packing tape.

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Our Conclusion

Take the time to ensure that toys are properly packaged and secured to minimize the chance of damage. This will help create a positive experience for your child in the move. With a little planning and a reliable moving checklist, packing toys can be a stress-free process.

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FAQ About Packing Toys

When should I start packing toys?

You can pack toys that your child doesn’t frequently use, such as puzzles or board games, early in the process. Wait to pack other toys until a week in advance of the move.

How do I pack large toys for a move?

You should disassemble larger toys and pack them in their original boxes. Make sure all the pieces remain together by storing them in a large resealable bag.

How do I prioritize which toys to pack first?

Pack toys that your child doesn’t frequently use first, then pack your child’s favorite toys or leave them for your child to use during the moving process.

What are some creative ways to label boxes of toys for a move?

You can color-code moving boxes so that they correspond to different rooms. Make sure to use specific, descriptive labels. Stick with the same scheme you use for the rest of the boxes to avoid confusing the movers.

Where can I donate used toys?

Thrift stores are a great place to donate reasonably clean and undamaged toys. Consider offering toys to Goodwill, Salvation Army, your local church, or local community charities.

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