Pokemon Mom

Getting Started: A guide to starting Pokémon without losing your mind

Erica
2–3 minutes

So your kid is suddenly speaking fluent Pokémon and you’re wondering how you got here. Don’t worry — every parent goes through this. Think of this page as your onboarding guide to the Pokémon multiverse — minus the chaos and credit card regret.

Step 1: Gather the Basic Supplies

If your child is even remotely into Pokémon, you’ll want to have a few key supplies ready before the cards start multiplying like Gremlins after midnight.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. A Binder (with sleeves) – Keeps cards organized and off the kitchen table.
    • Simple binder with non-rigid sleeves (great starter): Amazon Link
    • Binder with top loaders (stiffer sleeves for better protection): Amazon Link
  2. Top Loaders & Card Protectors – These keep cards from bending, drooling, or “accidental” trades at recess. Amazon Link
  3. A Safe Storage Spot – The floor is not an option. Find a shoebox, a drawer, or a closet. Label it “Mom’s sanity” if needed.

Step 2: Start with Fake or Practice Cards (Yes, Really)

Here’s my official recommendation: start with fake cards.
Yes, you read that right.

Kids love the look and feel of “gold cards” (they’re shiny and sparkly), and parents love not panicking when one gets left on the playground. They’re inexpensive, look impressive, and let your kid trade, sort, and collect without financial heartburn.

Pro Tip: Stay in the “fake and fun” phase as long as you can. These are cheap, plentiful, and durable — and they’ll give your kid the same sense of excitement as opening a real booster pack (without the $50 lesson in card value).

Step 3: When You’re Ready for Real Cards

Eventually, your little collector will want “real” cards — the kind you’ll find in booster packs, tins, Elite Trainer Boxes, and EX boxes.

Here’s a quick translation guide for parents:

  • Booster Pack: 10 random cards. Great for quick surprises or rewards.
  • Tin: Comes with a few packs and a collectible metal tin (kids LOVE these for storing everything from cards to mystery crumbs).
  • EX / Illustration Boxes: Include promo cards and bigger display cards. Great for birthdays or “wow” gifts.
  • Elite Trainer Box (ETB): The deluxe option — multiple packs, card sleeves, dice, and more. Great if your child’s interest is growing.
  • Ultra Premium Collection: The Rolls Royce of sets, which includes a mound of packs, special promo cards and a play mat.

When opening real cards, show your kid how to look for “good” ones:
✨ Shiny or holographic cards are usually more special.
⭐ Look at the bottom corner for a star symbol — that means it’s rare.
💎 Full art cards (the image covers the whole card) are usually the most exciting pulls.

💬 Final Mom Tip

Pokémon can be a wholesome obsession — it teaches kids sorting, trading, and collecting skills (plus a surprising amount of reading). Just set some boundaries early — both for your wallet and your living room floor.

Stay in the fun zone as long as you can, and when it’s time to level up, I’ve got you covered with new boxes and real packs here on the site.

Trending