About this idea

The elf has transformed the living room into an official Pokémon Gym! Using printed Gym Badge certificates (cut from paper), spread Pokémon cards across the floor as 'wild Pokémon'. The elf sits on a throne made of stacked books wearing a paper 'Gym Leader' badge and a tiny handmade cape. A sign reads: 'Defeat my 3 holiday challenges to earn the FROST BADGE!' with challenges listed on sticky notes (e.g., do 10 jumping jacks, name 5 Pokémon, beat a sibling at rock-paper-scissors). A Pikachu toy or printed Pikachu guards the entrance. Parents who grew up in the 90s will lose their minds over this — they remember grinding for Gym Badges on their Game Boy!

How to set it up

Cut out the Gym Badge certificates from the printed paper and prepare three holiday challenge sticky notes (e.g., do 10 jumping jacks, name 5 Pokémon, beat a sibling at rock-paper-scissors).

Spread Pokémon cards across the floor to create 'wild Pokémon' and place the Pikachu toy or printed Pikachu image at the entrance as a guard.

Stack books to create a small throne, place the elf on top, and dress the elf in a handmade paper cape. Attach the 'Gym Leader' badge to the elf's cape.

Create a sign that reads: 'Defeat my 3 holiday challenges to earn the FROST BADGE!' and place the sign prominently with the challenge sticky notes nearby.

Tips & variations

Let your children help create the paper cape and badge to make the activity more interactive and fun for them.

For added challenge variety, change the tasks to match your child's interests or holiday themes, such as 'draw a Pokémon', 'recite a Pokémon fact', or 'find all the hidden Pokémon cards around the house.'

If you don’t have Pokémon cards, you can use printed Pokémon images or even create your own simple Pokémon drawings for the kids to find.

Elf opens the North Pole Pokémon Gym

About this idea

What you'll need

How to set it up

Tips & variations

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