What is this thing anyway? Vox describes Pokémon Go this way:
“After a few years lying relatively low, Pokémon is making a bit of a comeback. The Nintendo-owned franchise, which exploded in popularity in the late 1990s, is again taking America by storm — this time through Pokémon Go, its biggest entry into the mobile space, now available for a free download on Android and iOS. It’s so popular that it’s on the verge of overtaking Twitter in terms of daily active users on Android.
In simple terms, Pokémon Go uses your phone’s GPS and clock to detect where and when you are in the game and make Pokémon ‘appear’ around you (on your phone screen) so you can go and catch them. As you move around, different and more types of Pokémon will appear depending on where you are and what time it is. The idea is to encourage you to travel around the real world to catch Pokémon in the game.”
The idea is to encourage you to travel around the real world to catch Pokémon in the game.
Families used to go for walks or bike rides in the evening and now spend time watching TV. Bring back the fun by downloading this app and joining a team with your whole family. Then go out and catch some Pokémon!
1. Make it a challenge. And give rewards.
Setup a family challenge to find 10 Pokémon. Maybe even divide up into teams to make the challenge more interesting. First one to meet the goal gets to pick the dessert. Make it fun to work as a team and achieve a goal. Not only will it make your kids better friends with each other, it will help you learn more about them and better connect with them.
2. Plan a day trip.
Large groups of Pokémon are often organized around parks, monuments, and landmarks. Take a day to visit a new city as a family. Take a picnic, and make a day of site-seeing and capturing Pokémon.
Many cities have blogs or online archives of kids activities that are available on any given day. Make sure you check those resources before you plan your activity. Who knows…maybe you’ll get lucky and find a free museum or another cool attraction in your town that ends up making your trip fun for the family and super cheap. It’s always good not to break the budget when planning family activities. If you’re in Greenville, SC, you can check http://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/ for deals on activities near you.
3. Expand the game by using real life activities while playing.
Teach your kids to count by having them count with you as you look for Pokémon or level up at a gym. Maybe have them draw pictures of their favorite Pokémon, and talk about what your kids imagine themselves doing with their Pokémon. Go to a craft store like Hobby Lobby and get some styrofoam balls to paint and make into Pokeballs.
In an age where our mobile devices keep us tuned out to the activities around us, parents can use Pokémon Go to capture their kids attention again and work together as a team. Enjoy their interests. Work together. Play together.
Looking for ways to keep you and your kids safe while playing Pokémon Go? Here’s 5 Must-read safety tips while playing Pokémon Go with your kids.
