If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got a kid who is absolutely, positively obsessed with Pokémon. You know the drill: you’re suddenly an expert on the difference between Charizard and Charmander, you’ve stepped on more tiny Pikachu figurines than you care to admit, and the phrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” echoes through your house like a mantra.
I’ve been there. My living room currently resembles a Pokéstop that exploded. But instead of fighting it, I decided to lean in. Hard.
Pokémon isn’t just a time-suck; it’s actually a fantastic launching pad for creativity and play. So, I’ve compiled a list of 15 awesome Pokémon activities that will pull your kids away from the screen and get them doing something active, crafty, or just plain fun. These are perfect for rainy afternoons, playdates, or when you just need to hear something other than the game music for the fifth hour in a row. :/
Ready to become the very best, like no one ever was? Let’s go!
1. Design Your Own Pokémon
This is one of my absolute favorite activities because the results are always hilarious. The official Pokédex has nearly a thousand creatures now, but I guarantee your kid can come up with something even weirder.
What You’ll Need
- Plain paper or a blank notebook
- Pencils, markers, crayons, or paint
- A vivid imagination
How to Play
Challenge your child to create a brand-new Pokémon. It needs a name, a type (Water, Fire, Grass, or something totally new like “Candy” or “Fart”?), and a special attack. What are its powers? Where does it live? What does it evolve into?
My personal take: My son once created “Burrito Dragon,” a Dragon/Food type that used a “Sour Cream Spray” attack. I’m still waiting for Nintendo to call us. The weirder, the better. This activity encourages storytelling and artistic skills without them even realizing it.
2. Pokémon Scavenger Hunt (Real-World PokéStop)
Forget staring at a phone screen trying to catch a Pidgey. Let’s bring the hunt into your house or backyard! It’s the perfect way to burn off some of that endless kid energy.
Setting It Up
- Hide the Creatures: Grab a bunch of your kid’s Pokémon figures or plushes and hide them around the house or yard.
- Create a “Pokédex” List: Make a simple list or chart on a clipboard with pictures or names of the hidden Pokémon.
- The Mission: Give your kid the list and send them off to find them all. When they find a Squirtle, they check it off!
Pro-Tip: For older kids, write riddles for each hiding spot. “I have a screen, but I’m not a TV. I show you the time, for everyone to see.” (Answer: A clock). It adds an extra layer of challenge and makes them feel like a real Pokémon Trainer solving puzzles.
3. Poké Ball Parachute Game
Got a spare tablecloth or a bedsheet? Perfect. You’ve just created the world’s greatest Poké Ball.
How It Works
Grab a bunch of lightweight Pokémon plushes or even just soft balls. Place them in the center of the sheet. Everyone holds the edge of the sheet and, on the count of three, they all lift their arms to launch the “Pokémon” into the air. The goal? To catch them all in the sheet as they come down.
This is fantastic for younger kids. It teaches teamwork and coordination, and the shrieks of laughter when a Pikachu goes flying are totally worth it. It’s a guaranteed hit for playdates.
4. Make Edible Poké Balls
Let’s be honest, food is always a winner. These are stupidly easy to make and look super cute. They’re great for a Pokémon-themed birthday party or just a fun weekend snack.
The Recipe (if you can call it that)
- Ingredients: One box of cake pop mix (or make your own cake and crumble it), some red and white candy melts, and lollipop sticks.
- The Process:
- Form the cake mixture into perfect little balls.
- Dip the tip of a lollipop stick in melted candy and insert it into the ball. This helps it stay on.
- Dip the whole ball into the white candy melt. Let it set.
- Dip half of the white ball into the red candy melt to create the classic Poké Ball top.
- Use black icing or a food-safe marker to add the center button.
FYI: These are a little messy to make, but that’s half the fun. I won’t tell if you eat a few of the “mistakes.”
5. Battle with Paper Airplanes
Turns out, those folded pieces of paper can be more than just a distraction in class. They can be battling Pokémon!
The Activity
Help your kid fold a few different paper airplanes, each representing a different Pokémon type. A fast, dart-like plane could be Pidgey (Flying type), while a wide, gliding plane might be Dratini (Dragon type). Decorate them with markers to match.
Then, head outside and have “battles.” Whose plane flies the farthest? Whose does the coolest trick? Whose can stay in the air the longest? It’s simple physics wrapped in Pokémon fun.
6. Pokémon Yoga (Pikachu Pose!)
Stretch time! Get the wiggles out and practice mindfulness by pretending to be different Pokémon. It’s a hilarious way to introduce yoga to kids.
- Pikachu Pose: Start in a forward fold, grab your ankles, and tuck your head in. It looks just like Pikachu’s little round body with a tail! You can add little “pika pika” squeaks.
- Charmander Pose: Downward-facing dog, but lift one leg high in the air and wag it like a tail with a fiery tip.
- Snorlax Pose: Simply lie on your back in Savasana (corpse pose) and pretend to be asleep. This one is their favorite, and secretly, maybe yours too.
7. Create a Pokémon Stop Motion Film
If your kids love their figures and have a bit of patience (or can be bribed with the promise of screen time), this is an incredible activity.
Here’s the Deal:
Download a free stop-motion animation app on your tablet or phone. Set up a simple background with some paper or LEGOs. Then, let your kids move their Pokémon figures inch-by-inch, taking a photo with each tiny movement.
When you play it back, the Pokémon come to life! They can act out a scene from the show or create their own adventure. It’s a fantastic intro to filmmaking and storytelling, and the sense of pride they feel when they show you their finished movie is priceless.
8. Guess That Pokémon (Sound Game)
This one requires zero prep and is perfect for car rides or waiting at the doctor’s office. You just need your voice and a knowledge of Pokémon.
How to Play:
One person makes the sound or says the catchphrase of a Pokémon. The others have to guess who it is. “Pika pika!” is easy. But can you do a convincing “Char… Char…?” or a good Snorlax snore? It gets silly fast, and IMO, the sillier the better.
9. Pin the Tail on the Eevee
It’s a classic party game with a Pokémon twist. Way better than the original donkey, if you ask me.
Craft Time
- Draw or print a large picture of an Eevee (or any Pokémon, really) without its iconic fluffy tail.
- Draw and cut out several tails from construction paper, putting a piece of rolled tape on the back of each.
- Blindfold the player, spin them around gently, and let them try to stick the tail in the right spot.
The results are always hilarious, and it’s a great activity for a group of kids. Plus, it hones those spatial awareness skills.
10. Evolution Obstacle Course
This is pure, chaotic energy and I am here for it. The idea is to act out the evolution of a Pokémon by completing physical challenges.
Let’s Use Magikarp (the most useless fish) evolving into Gyarados (the giant sea serpent):
- Stage 1 (Magikarp): The kid has to flop around on the floor like a fish to get to the first station.
- Station 1 (Gain Experience): They have to do 10 jumping jacks (the battle!).
- Stage 2 (Gyarados Evolution): Now they can run, roaring like a sea monster, to the final station.
- Station 2 (Victory!): They ring a bell or grab a flag.
You can do this for any Pokémon. Pichu to Pikachu to Raichu? Start small and crouched, then get a little taller, and finally reach for the sky! It’s a brilliant way to get their hearts pumping.
11. Sensory Bin for Little Trainers
If you have a toddler or preschooler who loves Pokémon, a sensory bin is a must. It keeps them occupied for ages, which is a parenting win in my book.
How to Build It
Grab a plastic bin and fill it with a base like:
- Blue-dyed rice (for water types)
- Green-dyed pasta (for grass types)
- Kinetic sand (for ground types)
Toss in some small, durable Pokémon figures (the 1-2 inch ones are perfect), some plastic cups for scooping, and maybe some little rocks or fake leaves. Then just let them explore and create their own little Pokémon world. They will scoop, pour, bury, and “discover” Pokémon for at least an hour. Trust me on this.
12. Pokémon Typing Race
This is a fantastic way to pass the time and secretly teach your kids some critical thinking and categorization skills.
Here’s the Game:
You call out a Pokémon type, like Water. The kids then have to race to name as many Water-type Pokémon as they can. Squirtle, Psyduck, Magikarp, Vaporeon, etc.
You can make it competitive by having them go back and forth, or collaborative by trying to reach a certain number together. Stuck on a type? That’s a great excuse to look it up in the Pokédex later.
13. Build a Pokémon Habitat with LEGOs
Got LEGOs? Got Pokémon figures? This is a match made in heaven. Challenge your kids to build the perfect environment for their favorite Pokémon.
- For Charmander: A fiery volcano lair with lava slides.
- For Squirtle: An awesome ocean base with a waterslide.
- For Pikachu: A forest clearing with a lightning rod for powering up.
This combines the endless creativity of LEGOs with the imaginative world of Pokémon. It’s architecture, storytelling, and play all rolled into one.
14. Who’s That Pokémon? (Shadow Edition)
Remember that little segment in the old Pokémon cartoon? Time to recreate it.
What to Do
- Using your phone, shine a light on a blank wall.
- Hold a Pokémon figure between the light and the wall to cast a clear shadow.
- See if your kid can guess the Pokémon just from its silhouette.
It’s deceptively tricky and a great way for them to practice paying attention to details. The shadow of Pikachu’s ears is iconic, but what about a Jigglypuff?
15. Pokémon Card Tournament (House Rules Edition)
If your house is anything like mine, you have a shoebox (or five) full of Pokémon cards. Sometimes just looking at them isn’t enough. But the actual card game can be a bit complicated for younger kids.
Our Solution: Make up your own rules!
- Each player picks three Pokémon cards.
- They take turns flipping a coin. Heads = their Pokémon attacks the other’s. Tails = the attack misses.
- The first one to make all three of the other player’s Pokémon “faint” wins.
It’s simple, it’s fast, and it lets them use their cards without having to memorize a 20-page rulebook. Plus, it teaches a little bit about sportsmanship and probability.
So, there you have it. Fifteen ways to channel that Pokémon obsession into something creative, active, and fun. The next time your kid is glued to a screen, just casually suggest building a habitat for their favorite figure or challenge them to a paper airplane battle.
You might just find yourself having as much fun as they are. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go help my daughter finish her drawing of “Ice Cream Cone Dragon.” Gotta catch ‘em all, right?
What are your favorite Pokémon activities? I’m always looking for new ideas, so drop them in the comments below!
