What Happened When Our Family Played Pokémon Go

I will be completely honest. My eyes rolled when I first heard about Pokémon Go. My lack of enthusiasm was primarily because my kids (in 1st and 3rd grade respectively) are OBSESSED with Pokémon, even without the app. They have both spent hours organizing, memorizing and trading their Pokémon cards, staging battles with their Pokémon figures, and pouring over their Pokémon Handbooks to the point where the books have just fallen apart… seriously, we are currently on our 3rd copy!

So MORE Pokémon was not something I was going to be quick to advertise in my household. My husband and I spoke about it in hushed voices and shook our heads at the news headlines about people wandering into traffic, dangerous situations, or inappropriate locations. While we loved the idea of a game that got everyone up and moving, we weren’t sure how user-friendly it would be, and how involved the kids would want to get in the hunt for virtual Pokémon. Then my daughter mentioned that her babysitter has the game on her phone… and the conversation began.

We decided to give it a shot as a family, and see what all the hype was about. What happened next… was magical.

Our first night hunting Pokémon both kids went on the longest bike ride EVER. So much farther than they have gone before. I was in charge of carrying the phone and I let them know every time it buzzed with a Pokémon nearby. They would jump off their bikes, and run over to flick Pokéballs until they caught them. Then back on the bikes. My husband and I were both impressed.

(this guy was waiting for us on the driveway!)

Our second night hunting Pokémon we went on foot and handed the technology directly to the kids. We had a delightful walk after dinner, hunting Pokémon, exploring the neighborhood (we even found a Pokéstop within walking distance!), and having fun out of the house as a family. We walked much farther than they were used to, and not ONCE did I hear that they couldn’t go any farther, they had to sit down because they were so tired, their legs hurt…. many of the things I often hear on our (very short) walk to school.

We are just at the beginning of our Pokémon GO family adventure, but so far (except for the periodic app crashing) I would recommend giving it a try! 

FYI- If you are a terrible shot when it comes to flicking Pokéballs like I am, keep in mind that you can, and will, run out! You can reload at Pokéstops around town, or you can purchase additional Pokéballs and other accessories.

Has your family tried Pokémon Go? You can download it for Free on iTunes or GooglePlay.