So, I started making a list (you’ll see the list later)–and on this list I came up with the idea to have a Pokemon Go date. I had to expand on it because I think the idea is SO perfect for Caregivers/Littles and the more I thought about it the bigger it grew with more ideas on how to make it fun. I absolutely loved this idea and I hope you guys do too.
How to have a Pokemon Go date as a Caregiver/Little!
Preparation for the date…
Set up a CRAFT date before the event. This step is so cool, because you can literally make this as fun and as simple or complex as you want. Basically, you’re prepping your SQUAD! The cool thing about this is that once you make all this stuff, you won’t have to do it again, because it’ll be good to use for the rest of your Pokemon Go dates!
At places like Wal-Mart, Target, Michael’s or any other craft store, typically they sell plain things like blank hats/blank jackets/blank shirts/blank canvas shoes. You could even make matching bracelets. Pick a color–any color you guys agree on–and whatever you get, match with your Caregiver/little. Make sure it’s all comfortable enough to walk around/be outside in.
Get stuff to decorate them with, then decorate together! Get glitter/sparkles, fake bugs, glow in the dark paint–whatever you want, and decorate the apparel you got with these things, or make the bracelets.
As you decorate with your Caregiver/little, make your own Caregiver/Little Pokemon team together! Really put some thought into it! Come up with a Gym or Team name–regardless of whether you’re Flare/Mystic/Instinct! Coordinate the Pokemon you guys will use for your walking buddy and make up a team motto you can shout whenever you catch something!
Caregivers/Big Siblings: You can set up cool games with rules that you play every time you have a Pokemon Go date. Some examples:
EVERY time your little hatches an egg or gets items from a PokeStop, they have to say a specific phrase or perform an action, like patting their head, hopping on one foot, etc.
Make a scavenger hunt for them.
Examples: Find a Pink Pokemon with brown tipped ears (Clefairy/Clefable)…Catch a Pokemon over 100/500/1000CP…Screenshot a PokeStop with an active lure…Get 5+ Items at a PokeStop, etc.
In order to get the best out of your Pokemon hunts, you may wanna do additional research on local nests/popular PokeStops in the area using a website like The Silph Road . It uses your location to list off where people have reported certain Pokemon–I also know people commonly use Facebook groups to record local outbreaks and such.
Phone battery packs or charging hookups - Make sure your phones aren’t dying on the go.
Blankets/Portable Chairs - In case you find a fruitful area, or some PokeStop clusters at a park you want to stay at, for a while.
Hand fans or umbrellas - To keep cool and stay shaded.
Sunscreen - Apply before and remember to reapply every two hours–especially if you’ve been sweating.
Water bottles, snacks or small candies–even if you’re going to stop and eat - Mind your blood sugar and always stay hydrated.
Hand Sanitizer - I like to get the ones I attach to my belt so I don’t have to carry it, but any will do. You never know if you’ll touch something gross.
Set an alarm or do something to remind you guys to check and make sure you’re self-aware. I set an alarm on my phone for every two hours to remind myself to reapply sunscreen and self-check. Are you hungry/thirsty/tired/sweating a lot or too much/feet hurt/check if your skin is dry or clammy, remind yourself to hydrate/snack, etc. Having lots of fun can make you forget sometimes.
Make a Pokemon Go music playlist! Whether it’s your favorite tunes or whatever, get ready to listen while you go!
Make a map or a list of all the places you wanna go/take your little for the day. Plan on how long you’ll be out, etc. This is where it’s cool, because you can always change how long, where you’ll go, if you’ll go lots of places or to just one park/area, etc. It always changes.
Decide when/where you’re gonna eat. Whether you want to eat at a place that has a PokeStop in it, if you wanna take a cooler/picnic basket, or if you wanna risk winging it. Regardless, you should still plan what time you’ll do that (eat/hunt/end, hunt/eat/end, hunt/eat/hunt/end, etc.) because it’ll help structure the day to let you get the most out of your hunt.
Take a stuffie or five along for the ride!
Remember Your Safety Tips:
Look around, note where you are at all times.
Note the amount of people/lack of people around.
Don’t stray too far from each other. I know the Cubone is just over there, but don’t ever lose sight of your Caregiver/little.
If other players are out, it’s cool to be friendly with a “Hey! Catch anything good?” “Yeah, we saw some Pikachu that way!”–but mind when people get too friendly. Don’t let anyone “see your phone”, don’t let them take you to “exclusive spots” for Pokemon, watch them very carefully if they wanna walk with you. Not worth it.
Don’t go alone. You could, but…why? It’s not worth it to me, I know some people don’t care, but…idk. Better safe than sorry. You could even do all this with a regular friend so unless it’s walking to your local gas station that’s under a mile’s distance, I just wouldn’t.
