Buying a Home with Young Children

How to Include Kids in the Process and Make Touring Homes Easier for Everyone

“Thank you also for helping include our kids in the process of finding our new home. You made each of us feel valued in our opinions of every home we toured (and there were many)!”

That testimonial came from a family with three young children who had recently moved into a larger home—one that better fit their growing family.

Their message perfectly captured what buying a new home with kids should feel like: a family experience where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected—even the youngest members.

That said, touring homes with young children can be challenging. The process often takes up a large portion of the day and can involve multiple showings, lots of getting in and out of the car, and unfamiliar spaces filled with things children are naturally curious about. Parents are focused on layouts, neighborhoods, and long-term needs, while children may be bored, hungry, tired, overwhelmed—often all of the above.

With thoughtful preparation, clear expectations, and intentional inclusion, buying a home with young children doesn’t have to feel chaotic or stressful. In fact, it can become a positive and even memorable experience for the whole family.

Come Prepared for a Long Day

Touring homes often takes several hours, and that alone can set children up for frustration if parents aren’t prepared. Planning ahead can make a significant difference.

Come ready with snacks and drinks for the car rides in between showings, activities for children to do in the car, and, when appropriate, a tablet or iPod where kids can quietly watch a show or play a game while parents walk through the home. Planning bathroom breaks into the day is also important—both for comfort and for minimizing stress.

Even small efforts to keep children comfortable and occupied can dramatically improve how the day feels for everyone.

Set Realistic Expectations Before You Walk in the Door

One of the most effective ways to avoid challenges during a showing is to set expectations before the day begins and to gently repeat them before walking into each home.

Have a brief conversation with your children about what they are expected to do while touring homes:

Stay with mom and dad at all times
No running around the house on their own
No touching personal belongings
Remember that this is someone else’s home

Young children benefit from reminders, so revisiting these expectations before each showing helps reinforce boundaries and keeps everyone on the same page.

Whenever possible, arranging childcare while touring homes is ideal and makes the process much easier for parents. When that’s not an option, working with an agent who is comfortable with children and understands how to navigate showings with families can make a huge difference.

Remember This Is Emotional for Children, Too

While adults may be excited or stressed about the logistics of moving to a new home, children are often focused on something much more personal: leaving the place where they feel safe and secure.

Even young children can sense change, and both younger and older children may worry about friends, schools, or routines. Talking openly about why the move is happening helps ease anxiety. Reassure children that while the house may change, the family does not.

Highlighting positive aspects of the move can also help children feel excited rather than unsettled—whether that’s a bigger backyard, a nearby park, or a bedroom they can make their own.

Include Children Without Letting Them Run the Show

Touring homes can be very boring for kids, and parents often struggle to pay attention to details while keeping a close eye on their children. One of the best ways to manage this is to include children in the process in age‑appropriate ways.

I like to involve the children of my clients by asking them simple questions during or after showings, such as:

What is your favorite part of this house?
Which house do you like best so far, and why?
Which bedroom would you choose?
How would you decorate your room here?
What is the strangest or funniest thing about the house we just saw?

These questions can be adjusted based on age, but younger children especially tend to enjoy being asked their opinions. This approach helps keep them engaged, gives them something to focus on, and makes them feel valued, while also reducing the likelihood that they will wander off or get into trouble.

Including children doesn’t mean they’re making the final decision. It simply helps them feel like part of a process that directly affects their lives.

A Family Experience—Done Right

Buying a home with young children comes with unique challenges, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With thoughtful preparation, clear expectations, and the right guidance from an agent who understands both real estate and family dynamics, the process can feel far more manageable. With a family‑focused approach, buying a new home can be more than just a move—it can be the start of an exciting next chapter for everyone involved.

For many families, buying a new home is just one part of the story. If selling is also on your horizon, you can read my companion article on selling a home with young children for practical tips and thoughtful ways to help your kids feel comfortable and supported throughout the process: Selling Your Home with Young Children: Making the Process Easier for the Entire Family

~Jennifer