5 Best Moving Video Games for Moving Day

Discover how moving video games can transform relocation chaos into family fun. These 5 games turn moving day stress into laughter while helping kids cope with big changes.

8 min read

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Key takeaways

• Moving video games can transform relocation stress into fun, helping children see moving as an adventure rather than a disruption, as demonstrated by games like "Moving Out."
• Online multiplayer games like "Moving Out 2" enable children to maintain friendships despite physical distance, easing one of the most difficult emotional aspects of moving.
• Games that aren't explicitly about moving, such as Overcooked!, can still develop crucial skills families need during relocation—like communication, teamwork, and adapting to evolving situations.
• The right games can help analytical or anxious children process complex emotions and gain a sense of control during the unpredictability of moving.
• A balanced approach combining digital games with physical activities works best, with intentional scheduling that includes tech breaks and screen-free zones.
• Pre-planning digital entertainment (downloading games, investing in headphones, establishing clear boundaries) is essential for successfully integrating moving video games into the relocation process.

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Ever found yourself in the middle of moving chaos, surrounded by half-packed boxes and cranky kids? Moving with children feels like trying to herd cats while juggling—nearly impossible and guaranteed to leave someone in tears (often the parents!).

But what if your child's gaming habit might actually be your secret weapon during relocation? While physical activities are crucial during a move, there are inevitable downtime periods—those long car rides, waiting for movers, or the exhausting first night when you're surrounded by mystery boxes. During these sanity-testing moments, why not give one of the following brilliant moving-themed video games a go? You never know, these family-friendly moving games might become your family's saving grace during a time of mess and uncertainty, giving you perhaps even some laughter as a family.

Why moving video games can actually save your sanity during a relocation

If you're feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming move, check out our guide on Moving With Kids - 15 Top Tips For a Smooth Move With Children for additional strategies beyond gaming.

Let's bust a myth right away: screen time isn't always the villain. During the extraordinary upheaval of moving house, digital games about moving and relocation can be surprisingly powerful allies by: 

• Magically transforming anxiety into laughter when the stress monster threatens to overwhelm your little ones
• Creating learning opportunities about the moving process through play
• Preserving precious friendships with buddies from the old neighbourhood through interactive moving experiences
• Offering comforting islands of normalcy when everything else feels upside-down
• Giving you those desperately needed moments to handle moving details without interruptions

Our top 5 picks for moving video games during your move

1. Moving Out

Have you ever wished you could somehow make your stressed-out kids see the humor in your family's moving mayhem? The Davidson family stumbled upon the perfect solution when preparing for their move from Tasmania to Queensland.

"Charlie was driving us absolutely bonkers with his constant worrying," confesses mother Hannah. "Then we discovered this hilariously chaotic game where you play as ridiculously clumsy furniture removalists. Suddenly, our actual move transformed into this ongoing family joke—whenever something inevitably went wrong, Charlie would giggle and say 'that's just like level three!' It completely flipped his perspective from anxiety to adventure."

Game Details:

• Released: April 28, 2020
• Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
• Objective: Frantically move furniture and belongings from quirky houses to your moving truck within tight time limits
• FindAMover Score Rating: ★★★★★ 4.8/5
• FindAMover Game Review: "This moving simulation game brilliantly transforms the stress of moving into laugh-out-loud fun. The physics-based challenges mirror real moving dilemmas in an exaggerated way that helps kids understand why moving can be both difficult and rewarding. What makes Moving Out absolutely magical is how it transforms what could be a traumatic experience into comedy gold. The ridiculous physics and over-the-top obstacles help kids see moving as a wild adventure rather than a scary disruption."

2. Moving Out 2

Remember when moving meant cutting ties with old friends? Those days are blissfully over, as the Rodriguez family discovered during their Melbourne to Sydney relocation.

"The original game was already our family's obsession," shares father Miguel Rodriguez, "but the sequel's online play was nothing short of miraculous. Imagine our shock when our normally inconsolable 9-year-old didn't burst into tears about leaving her best friend—because they'd already made plans to 'meet up' in Moving Out 2 every Saturday morning!"

Game Details:

• Released: August 15, 2023
• Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
• Objective: Work together as the hilariously accident-prone Smooth Moves moving company through increasingly outlandish scenarios
• FindAMover Score Rating: ★★★★½ 4.7/5
• FindAMover Game Review: "The addition of online multiplayer is a game-changer for relocating families, allowing kids to maintain friendships despite physical distance. This is one of the best games about moving house for helping children cope with moving anxiety."

Mother Sophia couldn't believe how well the game bridged the age gap in her family: "Our stubborn 6-year-old just giggled at the silly physics and wacky characters, while our ultra-competitive 11-year-old dove deep into strategizing. Finding something that keeps siblings from World War III during a stressful move? That's priceless!" For more insights on the emotional challenges of moving, see our article on The Psychology of Moving: Understanding and Managing the Emotional Impact.

3. Overcooked! & Overcooked! 2

   

Is your family communication during stressful times more "headless chicken" than "synchronised swimming team"? The Ferguson family discovered that the frantic cooking chaos of Overcooked! games surprisingly transformed their family dynamics during their Adelaide to Perth relocation.

"The panic of trying to cook a virtual burger while your kitchen splits in half eerily resembles the madness of moving day?" laughs father Andrew. "Both need crystal-clear communication, lightning-quick thinking, and adapting to constantly evolving disasters."

Game Details:

• Released: Overcooked! (August 3, 2016), Overcooked! 2 (August 7, 2018)
• Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
• Objective: Frantically work as a team of chefs to prepare meals within brutal time limits
• FindAMover Score Rating: ★★★★½ 4.5/5
• FindAMover Game Review: "Though not explicitly about moving, these games develop exactly the skills families need during relocation. The chaotic, time-pressured environments mirror how to move in a day perfectly and help with moving preparation through teamwork like how to label moving boxes."

"We created 'Overcooked Evenings' during our moving nightmare," explains mother Laura. "After days of endless packing and cranky children, it was important for us to gather for 30 minutes of chaotic game time. It became our family's pressure-release valve where we could laugh hysterically together amid the stress."

4. Totally Reliable Delivery Service

Let's face it—no matter how meticulously you plan your move, something will go spectacularly sideways. The Mitchell family discovered the perfect antidote to moving day disasters in this ridiculously chaotic delivery game.

"Try maintaining a straight face when professional movers accidentally deliver someone else's antique grandfather clock to your living room?" chuckles mother Olivia. "This gloriously absurd game taught our entire family to find humour in the inevitable mishaps."

Game Details:

• Released: April 1, 2020 (appropriately on April Fool's Day!)
• Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and mobile devices
• Objective: Somehow manage to deliver packages using wobbly characters with jelly arms
• FindAMover Score Rating: ★★★★¼ 4.3/5
• FindAMover Game Review: "This game's genius lies in its ability to transform frustration into fun. When things inevitably go wrong – as they sometimes do during real moves – children learn to laugh rather than stress. It also comes in a portable version, making it one of the best moving day games for families on the go."

5. Human Fall Flat

Do you have that one child who processes everything deeply and struggles with the emotional uncertainty of big changes? The Bennett family stumbled upon an unexpected solution during their marathon Brisbane to Perth relocation.

"Our daughter Amelia, is our analytical child—always watching from the sidelines and you can see her brain just processing and wanting to ask a million questions," explains mother Stephanie. "Something about the game's wobbly characters navigating physical challenges with multiple possible solutions resonated deeply with her overthinking brain. It gave her this beautiful sense of control during a time when everything else felt terrifyingly unpredictable."

Game Details:

• Released: July 22, 2016 (PC), with console and mobile versions following later
• Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and mobile devices
• Objective: Guide your awkward character through open-ended levels by solving physics-based puzzles
• FindAMover Score Rating: ★★★★½ 4.6/5
• FindAMover Game Review: "Perfect for older children processing the complexities of moving. The open-ended nature, with multiple solutions to each challenge, mirrors the problem-solving needed during relocation. It's an excellent game about moving house that helps with moving anxiety in a subtle, engaging way."

Juggling digital and physical play

Let's be real—nobody wants their kids glued to screens 24/7, even during a move. The most successful approach combines both moving video games and physical activities in a balanced approach for family transition.

Need inspiration? How about a schedule with the following rostered activities:

• Morning: Mix of physical packing games, earned digital time with moving-themed video games, and outdoor breaks
• Afternoon travel: Alternating audiobooks, classic travel games, and digital moving simulator games
• Evening arrival: "Explorer's Mission" to discover cool features of new home

Let each of your children have a "Transition Backpack" containing:

• New and familiar toys
• A comfort item from their old room
• A tablet with pre-downloaded moving simulation games
• Strategic snacks
• A disposable camera for documenting their journey
• A special journal for recording thoughts or drawings about their relocation experience

These backpacks can give kids the power to choose what they needed in each moment—sometimes comfort, sometimes distraction through interactive moving experiences, sometimes creative expression.

Screen time sanity

The thoughtful Robinson family tackled the screen time dilemma during their interstate move with three children aged 6, 9, and 11.

"Trying to maintain our normal rigid limits during the moving chaos felt like attempting to enforce a formal dress code during a tsunami," admits mother Catherine. "Instead, we created special 'Moving Screen Time Rules' with more wiggle room but still maintained important boundaries."

Their system for managing moving video games included:

• Tech Check-ins: Brief pauses during digital play to prevent the glazed-over zombie state
• Physical/Digital Balance: Required physical activities before earning additional digital time with games about moving
• Connection Priority: Games that maintained social connections received priority
• Tech-Free Zones: Certain spaces and times remained completely technology-free

Quick tips from moving veterans for family-friendly moving games

Want more comprehensive guidance for your move? Download our Ultimate Moving House Checklist - Printable PDF to stay organised throughout the process.

• Pre-download everything! Don't count on reliable internet during your move.
• Invest in headphones for each child to preserve parental sanity.
• Prioritise games with short play sessions that fit between moving activities.
• Consider age gaps when selecting multiplayer moving simulator games.
• Create physical challenges related to digital games to bridge virtual and real worlds.
• Establish clear expectations about when gaming sessions will end.
• Model balanced technology use yourself, to reinforce family values.

The Last Level

Let's be brutally honest—moving with kids is never going to be a picture-perfect Instagram moment. It's messy, chaotic, and occasionally tears-inducing. But with thoughtfully selected digital games about relocation as part of your parental arsenal, those inevitable tough moments become more manageable, and sometimes even memorable for the right reasons.

Moving video games during a relocation isn't just about distraction—though let's not undervalue the miracle of 30 uninterrupted minutes to pack fragile items! The right family-friendly moving games help children process complex emotions, maintain important social connections, develop resilience skills, and even find humour in the unpredictable nature of relocating.

Remember: flexibility matters more than perfection, connection trumps screen time minutes, and sometimes the most valuable parenting tool is the one that brings laughter during chaos. Your perfectly packed China might not make it unscathed, but your family relationships can emerge even stronger on the other side.

Looking for ways to get your kids physically active during the moving process? Check out our companion article 5 Physical Games to Keep Kids Entertained During Moving Day for screen-free alternatives to moving video games. If you're also considering introducing children to movies about moving, our article Top 10 Moving Movies That Help Your Kids offers excellent suggestions. And when you're ready to make your actual move as smooth as possible, you can book local and trusted Australian removalists on Find a Mover who understand the unique challenges of moving with children.