How to Pack Toys for a House Move
Toys cause two kinds of moving-day problem that most other categories do not: batteries that corrode or activate a toy inside a sealed box, and small parts that scatter and vanish the moment a box tips. Removing batteries first and bagging small parts by set solves both before they happen.
Remove batteries from every battery-operated toy before packing. Bag small parts and Lego sets separately with their instructions, and pack one familiar toy per child into a first-day box that travels with you rather than the van.
Remove Batteries From Every Toy First
Battery-operated toys should have their batteries taken out before packing, for two reasons.
A leaking or corroding battery inside a sealed box during a move can damage the toy itself and anything packed near it, and a toy left switched on inside a box can activate repeatedly during transit, running the battery down and, for anything with sound, making for a very strange few hours in the van.
Tape batteries to the base of the toy they came from in a small bag, rather than tipping all removed batteries into one container, so nothing gets mismatched later.
Small Parts, Lego and Building Sets
Board Games and Puzzles
Stuffed Animals and Soft Toys
Soft toys are some of the most forgiving items in the whole house to pack, since they compress well and cannot be damaged by light pressure.
They also work well as free filler material in gaps around other boxed items, provided the box is not one containing anything genuinely fragile that needs firm padding rather than a soft toy's give.
Keep a much-loved single soft toy out of the general packing entirely and treat it the same as a first-day essential.
Outdoor Toys and Ride-Ons
- 01
Bikes, scooters and larger ride-on toys generally travel loose in the van rather than boxed, much like adult bicycles, though they benefit from a light wrap around anything with exposed metal to stop it scratching furniture nearby.
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Deflate stabiliser wheels and tyres slightly if they are pumped hard, and fold or remove any parts, such as a scooter's handlebar, that reduce the overall footprint for loading.
Building a First-Day Toy Box for Each Child
Pack one small, clearly labelled box per child containing a handful of familiar toys, books and comforters, and keep this box out of the general move entirely, carried in the car rather than loaded onto the van with everything else.
Moving day is disruptive for children even when it goes well, and having immediate access to a few familiar items in an unfamiliar house makes a genuine difference to how the day feels for them.
Labelling Toy Boxes by Child and Type
Where more than one child is moving, label toy boxes by child's name as well as by type, for example "Emma - dolls and dressing up" rather than a generic "toys" label.
This avoids the common scenario of every toy box being opened at once while a child waits for the one specific item they are looking for, and it makes redistributing toys between bedrooms at the new house far more straightforward.
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Packing Toys Yourself vs a Full Packing Service
A playroom or a child's bedroom full of toys looks like a daunting packing job, but it breaks down quickly into a handful of clear categories once batteries and small parts are dealt with first.
Giant Van's packing service starts from £150 and covers materials, wrapping and loading.
Our crews are used to packing playrooms as part of a full house booking and will keep a first-day box separate on request, so children have familiar items to hand as soon as they arrive.
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How to Pack Toys for a House Move — FAQs
Should batteries be removed from toys before a house move?
Yes, from every battery-operated toy. A leaking battery inside a sealed box can damage the toy and nearby items, and a toy left switched on can activate repeatedly during transit and drain the battery.
How do I stop Lego and small building sets getting mixed up when moving?
Bag each set separately with its instruction booklet inside the same bag. Use the set's own storage tin or box where you have one, rather than combining several sets loose in a general toy box.
What is a first-day toy box?
A small box of familiar toys, books and comforters packed per child and kept out of the general move, carried in the car rather than the van, so children have access to something familiar as soon as they arrive at the new house.
Can soft toys be used to protect other items when packing?
Yes. Soft toys compress well and work as free filler in gaps around boxed items, provided the box does not contain anything genuinely fragile that needs firmer padding.
How should board games be packed for a move?
Tape the lid of each game box shut before packing, and bag dice, tokens and small pieces separately inside the box rather than loose, since a loose lid is a common way pieces scatter into unrelated boxes.
Do bikes and ride-on toys need to be boxed for a move?
No, they generally travel loose in the van like adult bicycles. A light wrap around any exposed metal protects nearby furniture from scratches, and deflating hard-pumped tyres slightly is a sensible precaution.
Should toy furniture like a play kitchen be dismantled for a move?
Where it comes apart, yes. Dismantling larger toy furniture into its original panels makes it far easier to fit into the van and reduces the risk of a joint being stressed by an awkward whole-piece carry through doorways and staircases.
Sources and further reading
These are the official UK sources that set the rules for a job like this one. Each link goes straight to the source so you can check it yourself. Links open in a new tab.
- WRAP
WRAP's guidance on reuse and recycling, including what to do with packing materials and bulky items you no longer want.
- HSE — Manual handling at work: a brief guide (INDG143)
The Health and Safety Executive's guide to lifting and carrying heavy loads without injuring yourself.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, s.49 (reasonable care and skill)
Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015: a service you pay for must be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
The regulations covering what a trader must tell you before you book, and your right to cancel a service booked online or by phone.
All links checked on or after 1 August 2026.
Compiled by the Giant Van editorial team
Giant Van Ltd. Registered in England & Wales.