What To Pack As Part of A Moving Day Survival Kit

Planning a house move soon and trying to put together a moving day survival kit?

Moving day is rarely calm. Between coordinating movers, handling last-minute checks, and keeping everyone fed, hydrated, and sane, it’s easy to forget the basics.

That’s where a moving day survival kit comes in; in fact, it is an absolute must for anyone attempting a house move.

A carefully prepared box or bag containing all the essentials you’ll need during the move itself and for the first night in your new home will pay dividends and save you from having to rummage through dozens of sealed boxes at the other end.

Many people underestimate how useful a survival kit can be until they find themselves searching for phone chargers, toilet roll, or medication after a long day of lifting and travelling.

Packing these essentials separately saves time, reduces stress, and helps the day run far more smoothly.

Whether you’re moving locally or relocating further afield, having the right items close at hand ensures you can focus on settling in, not scrambling for necessities.

Below is a practical breakdown of what to include in your moving day survival kit, and why each category matters.

Important Documents and Valuables

Keep critical paperwork like passports and house deeds, along with valuable electronics and jewellery, separate from the main removal load for safety and peace of mind.

Your survival kit should always include essential paperwork and valuables that you wouldn’t want loaded onto the removals van.

This includes passports, driving licences, house sale documents, insurance papers, tenancy agreements, and any correspondence related to your move.

Keeping these items with you at all times reduces the risk of loss or delays during handover.

It’s also wise to include valuable items such as jewellery, laptops, tablets, and external hard drives.

These are best transported personally rather than packed away.

Having documents easily accessible can be invaluable if you need to confirm details with estate agents, solicitors, or removals teams on the day.

Tip: Store everything in a clearly labelled folder or small lockable bag and keep it with you, not in the moving van.

Toiletries, Medication, and First-Aid Essentials

Pack a dedicated bag with daily toiletries, any necessary prescription meds, and a basic first-aid kit to handle minor scrapes or headaches on the big day.

After a long day of moving, the last thing you want is to hunt through boxes for a toothbrush,  painkillers and your child’s favourite toy, the one that prevents them from sleeping!

Your survival kit should also include basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wipes, hand soap, and toilet paper.

Any prescription medication should also be packed here, along with a small first-aid kit containing plasters, antiseptic wipes, and pain relief.

Moving day often involves lifting, awkward manoeuvres, and minor knocks, so having first-aid supplies to hand is practical rather than excessive.

If you wear contact lenses or glasses, include spares where possible.

Bottom line: Pack for comfort, treat moving day like an overnight stay away from home.

Clothing and Personal Comfort Items

Include a change of clothes, pyjamas, and comfortable shoes for everyone in the family to ensure you can freshen up and relax after a long day of moving.

Pack at least one full change of clothes for each person in your household, plus sleepwear and underwear.

Moving day can be physically demanding, and clothing often becomes dusty or uncomfortable by evening.

Fresh clothing can make a huge difference to how you feel at the end of the day.

Comfortable footwear is essential, particularly if you’ll be walking between properties or standing for long periods.

Depending on the weather, you may also want a jumper, coat, or rainwear, all of which should be easily accessible.

Personal comfort items such as glasses, moisturiser, lip balm, or even a small towel can also be surprisingly useful.

Pro tip: Rolling clothing rather than folding saves space and keeps things organised.

Phone Chargers, Power Banks, and Electronics

Stay connected by packing chargers and power banks in your survival kit—you don’t want a dead battery when trying to coordinate with your removal team.

Your phone is your lifeline on moving day. From coordinating with movers to checking emails, directions, or contacts, a dead battery can cause unnecessary stress.

Include phone chargers, power banks, and extension leads in your survival kit so devices stay powered throughout the day.

If you rely on laptops or tablets for work or communication, pack their chargers too.

New homes often have limited accessible sockets until furniture is arranged, so extension leads are especially useful.

Having electronics easily accessible ensures you’re never cut off when you need information most.

Don’t forget: Car chargers are handy for a quick battery boost if you’re travelling between locations.

Snacks, Drinks, and Kitchen Basics

Keep morale high with easy-to-eat snacks, bottled water, and the all-important kettle and mugs for that first cup of tea in your new home.

Moving is hard work, and proper fuel matters.

Pack a selection of snacks that are easy to eat on the go, such as cereal bars, fruit, crisps, or sandwiches.

Bottled water is essential, particularly if utilities aren’t connected immediately at your new home.

Tea bags, coffee, sugar, mugs, and a kettle (if accessible) can make a huge difference to morale. Even a quick hot drink can provide a much-needed pause during a hectic day.

Including a bin bag, paper towels, and antibacterial wipes helps keep the space clean as you go.

Simple win: Keep food and drinks separate from everything else so they’re easy to grab.

Basic Tools and Cleaning Supplies

A small toolkit with screwdrivers and tape, plus basic cleaning supplies, allows you to reassemble essential furniture and spruce up key areas immediately.

A small tool kit can be invaluable on moving day. Include items such as screwdrivers, Allen keys, scissors, a box cutter, and tape.

These are often needed for dismantling or reassembling furniture, opening boxes, or making quick adjustments.

Basic cleaning supplies, such as multi-surface spray, cloths, and disinfectant wipes, are also useful for quick cleanups or final checks before handing over the keys.

Even if the property has been cleaned, a quick wipe of high-use areas can make settling in feel more comfortable.

Tip: Pack tools in a clearly marked pouch so they’re not buried under other items.

Essentials for Children and Pets

Minimise stress for younger family members and pets by keeping their favourite toys, food, bedding, and comfort items easily accessible throughout the move.

If you’re moving with young children or pets, your survival kit should include their immediate needs.

For children, this may include snacks, drinks, favourite toys, books, comfort items, and spare clothes. Familiar items help keep routines intact during a disruptive day and the first night in a new home.

For pets, pack food, bowls, leads, litter trays, medication, and bedding.

Moving day can be stressful for animals, so keeping their essentials nearby helps reduce anxiety.

Planning ahead for dependants makes the entire move calmer for everyone involved.

Have a look at our blog, “16 Remarkable Tips for Moving Home with Kids,” for more helpful guidance on moving home with young children.

Why a Moving Day Survival Kit Makes All the Difference

A moving day survival kit might seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on how smoothly your move unfolds.

By keeping essential items accessible, you reduce stress, save time, and avoid unnecessary frustration during an already busy day.

Pairing good preparation with professional removals support helps ensure moving day runs as efficiently as possible.

With proper planning and support, you can focus on settling into your new home rather than searching for essentials.

Make Moving Day Easier with White & Company

A well-prepared survival kit can make moving day far more manageable; however, you will need more than that.

Having the right removals company makes the biggest difference of all.

With over 150 years of experience and full membership of the British Association of Removers, White & Company provides professional, reliable removals services designed to take the pressure off your move.

From careful planning and expert packing to seamless moving day coordination, our experienced teams handle every detail with care and precision.

We tailor each move to suit your individual requirements, whether you’re relocating locally, nationally, or internationally.

To find out more about our removals services or to arrange a free, no-obligation home survey, contact our team today or complete our enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch shortly.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.