This Pokemon birthday party is the CUTEST! Fun ideas for Pokemon themed games, decorations, food, and party favors! A little Pokemon lover’s dream come true! (This post contains a few affiliate links. That means that I get a small credit for referring you to a product that I used and love, but it doesn’t cost you any extra.)
I am so excited to finally share my son’s Pokemon birthday party with you today! It was a ton of work, but my little man was SO excited about how it all turned out. Just look at that cute face . . .
Part of the reason that he was so proud of himself is that he was involved in almost all of the preparations. I have made it no secret that I struggle with mental illness, or that it has been INSANELY bad since my miscarriage last summer. (No pun intended, but it’s appropriate.) Crippling postpartum depression can happen after a miscarriage . . . who knew? Ugh. Anyway . . . I knew I WANTED to do a Pokemon birthday party for him, but as it got closer and closer I still hadn’t planned a thing. I was/am in survival mode, so I was doing the bare minimum in life and definitely didn’t have the energy or motivation to do a detail-heavy fabulous kid party. However, my little guy was PUMPED about his Pokemon birthday party and asking me about it every day. Finally, I told him that if he wanted it to happen I was going to need help. Well, he was by my side every step of the way. He helped me wrap tape on ping pong balls, put up the decorations, and choose the games. He sat by me as I made printables, helped me put together the party favors, and he even made the Pikachu Peeps himself! He is a creative soul, so he loved every second of it, and having him by my side made me so much more motivated to give it my all and enjoy the process. In the midst of an extremely gloomy year, he patiently kept me going and gave my energy and mood a big boost. It felt like a MAJOR “Mom Win” to throw this Pokemon birthday party, but it wouldn’t have happened without my little buddy helping me along. He’s a gem. 🙂 (By the way, if you want an Ash Ketchum hat for your kiddo I found it HERE.)
Enough about that, let’s take a look at the party!
I always like to start my parties with a coloring activity sheet at the table to keep all the kids in one spot and relatively calm as we wait for everyone to arrive. I found this fabulous printable activity sheet in the Frog Prince Paperie Etsy shop HERE.
Once all of the rowdy little guys arrived we got busy playing games! The boys each got a belt on which to attach Pokeballs that they earned, which is where the Pokemon trainers keep their Pokemon after they capture them in the show. They earned a new Pokeball after completing each game/activity.
These belts were a HUGE hit!! The balls were quite a bit of work to create, so be forewarned about that! We took ping pong balls and wrapped half of them in masking tape. Next I spray painted each one with red spray paint. This took several rounds since I had to wait for them to dry, roll them over, and spray the next side. Once dry, the kids helped me peel off the masking tape. We added a thin strip of black electrical tape at this point, along with a round velcro dot. The “belts” were really velcro straps that I found at Walmart. They weren’t even all the same because I wasn’t willing to go to more than one store and they didn’t have enough of either kind. Ha! The kids didn’t notice. You can see what I mean in the pictures below.
The first game that we played was an outdoor Pokemon hunt. After all, you’ve “GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL!” 🙂 My boy helped me choose which Pokemon character to use for the hunt and I made printables for the hunt. My husband hung pictures of the characters all over the yard and the kids each took a homemade paper Pokedex with them to check off the characters that they found as they were hunting. (In the show Ash, the main character, has a small electronic machine that scans the Pokemon creatures and tells him what they are called and their powers.)
Of all of the games, this was the favorite. It also took the longest to play and didn’t require micromanaging by mom and dad. Jackpot!
If you would like to play this game, use the following free printables that I prepared!
POKEMON HUNT – CHARACTERS TO HIDE
Another game that we played was “Pin the Pokeball on Charizard.” I bought it HERE.
Another game that we played was “Pokemon Races.” This was perfect because it was outside, high energy, and it required ZERO prep. In a nutshell: they took turns choosing Pokemon creatures and then raced moving like that particular Pokemon. Never gets old.
Let’s take a look at the decorations and food now. I love how everything came together. Bright colors make me smile. (Banner available HERE, dangling streamers available HERE, and napkins available HERE.)
Luckily this party was in March, so Peeps were readily available. We grabbed a box of them, some fun straws, and some edible markers and I let him go to town. His Pikachu Peeps may not be perfect, but he had a blast drawing on them, and I think they are really cute!
I found these darling FREE printable soda or water bottle wrappers HERE.
I made the Pokemon card pennant banners (tutorial to come) using a similar technique to the one I used to make the Dr. Seuss Book Page Pennant Banners. I bought the Pokemon cards to use HERE on Amazon. The reviews said there were repeat cards in the bundle, and some said they weren’t “real,” but I didn’t care about any of them, so I grabbed several orders of them and went to town. In addition to using these Pokemon card pennant banners for this Pokemon birthday party, I also used them to transform his Dr. Seuss bedroom into a Pokemon bedroom as a birthday surprise, including Pokemon wall art that also used these cards. These cards were also used as party favors. They are definitely the best deal I’ve seen anywhere on bulk Pokemon cards!
Cake decorating is NOT my strength, so I made a simple cake like the one that I spotted HERE and printed out a cake topper from her Etsy shop, Frog Paper Paperie. (The same place that I got the activity sheet.)
On their way out the door each kid got to gather up the Pokemon Badges that they earned, along with a bag of ten Pokemon cards. I found the printable badges and badge cases FREE to print on the blog Merry Printable HERE. I made the giant, customized “Callum Pokemon Card” for decor FREE on MyPokeCard.com. (I also used it in his new Pokemon bedroom!)
A great time was had by all at this Pokemon birthday party, and my boy was just radiating glee through the whole thing. SOO worth the effort! POKEMON . . . I CHOOSE YOU!!!!
If you enjoyed this Pokemon birthday party then be sure to check out all of my other parties, along with the awesome parties from my contributors, in my PARTY ARCHIVE. Here are a few of my favorites:
How to Train Your Dragon Birthday Party from Yours Truly
Star Wars Lego Party from my contributor Angela
Wild Kratts Birthday Party from Yours Truly
Superhero Party from my contributor Emily
A Disney Adventure Birthday Party from Yours Truly
Latest posts by Sarah Westover McKenna (see all)
- Harry Potter Birthday Party - March 22, 2019
- Christmas Caramels - December 14, 2018
- Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe - December 12, 2018
Amazing job!! So many fabulous details and the kids look like they are having so much fun!!
How cute! It makes me want to make my own Pokémon party! Everything looks so much fun and the kids seem like they’re having a blast! Awesome ideas, great job!! Keep it up! 🙂
We must have boys around the same ages; I clicked to read all about your Pokemon party (we had one a few years ago) and saw that you also have had How to Train Your Dragon (which we just did this past Sept) and Star Wars. I love the Pikachu peeps! What a great idea. The games look so fun too; my son’s party was in January so we needed indoor games.
Ha! That’s awesome. We’re just two super awesome families I guess. 🙂
Looks like a well planned out party! I love the peeps too, what a great idea!
What a fun party – it’s neat to see Pokemon again! Thanks for sharing on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Great ideas, thank you for the inspiration, I will use some of them for my son’s Pokemon party!
These birthday parties are amazing! I will be using then next year for sure! Our birthdays just passed last week. Wish I had thought to come here first. I love the belt idea!
Thanks! They just about did me in, but I threw them in the end! Whew!
Awesome Ideas! Thanks. Do you have a tutorial posted for the Pokemon Card Banner?
Not yet. It will be live within the month. Sorry!
Hi, I love your pokemon party ideas! I have been desperately trying to print out some of your free pokemon hunt printables ( specifically the small characters and pokedex link) and I can’t seem to get it to work. Can you help me? (it just shows a blank paper)
I will email them to you. 🙂
They work for me – I don’t know what to tell you! It takes a minute for them to upload . . . Here are the links again:
https://app.box.com/s/umpu9hmt9k649m8p1j9pwel1yrrfx3f0
https://app.box.com/s/2nsypxrohlyfnjuqq8obt9seu5gc45c1
https://app.box.com/s/987r6qh7jnihxq70n7lon3joh09pgd6u
If this still doesn’t work email me at bombshellbling@gmail.com to let me know and I will email you the files directly. It may take a few days – my health has been poor so I’m way behind on work. Sorry!
Hi, I am planning a very similar pokemon party for my son’s 9th birthday. As one commenter mentioned, I’m having trouble downloading the pokedex and pokemon printables. Would you mind sharing them?
Thank you so much! My boys are poke-crazy over here. After all of this party planning, I have to admit, they ARE fun…
Thanks again!
They work for me – I don’t know what to tell you! It takes a minute for them to upload . . . Here are the links again:
https://app.box.com/s/umpu9hmt9k649m8p1j9pwel1yrrfx3f0
https://app.box.com/s/2nsypxrohlyfnjuqq8obt9seu5gc45c1
https://app.box.com/s/987r6qh7jnihxq70n7lon3joh09pgd6u
If this still doesn’t work email me at bombshellbling@gmail.com to let me know and I will email you the files directly. It may take a few days – my health has been poor so I’m way behind on work. Sorry!
Hi there! This is so cute! I’m going to link to this blog on my company’s FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/AllieLoganDesigns12/
We have two (2) adorable, personalized Pokemon invitations for sale in our Etsy shop. We would love to partner with you on some other fun parties!
These are fabulous ideas for a Pokemon birthday party! Those belts are absolutely a stroke of genius! Thanks so much for sharing this. My son would love this for his next party!
Thank you!! 🙂
How perfect! My son is obsessed with Pokemon too, and his birthday is coming up in December. He would love this!
These are such good ideas! I love how you framed him in a Pokemon card. My 8 year old is Pokemon obsessed and would love a birthday just like this. Thanks for joining the Family Joy Link Party.
Hi, I am trying to print off the small character and the cover for the Pokemon hunt and it won’t let me print them? Can you email them to me? Thanks Julie
Sure thing.
I love all of your party ideas. I have a Pokemon party to plan as well! You have given me some great ideas. The scavenger hunt is amazing. My son is so excited about this activity. I am having a little trouble downloading larger characters that I would hang around the yard. Is there anyway you could e-mail me that file?
Thank you so much for sharing your hard work with us!
I sent them your way! Have fun! 🙂
Love your ideas! How did you make the personalized Pokemon card for your son?
Here: http://www.mypokecard.com/en/
Hi! Love your wonderful party ideas! I would love to do the scavenger hunt for my little guy. I can’t figure out how to download the files for the characters to hide and the inside and cover of the booklet. Would you mind emailing it to me? I would really appreciate it! Thank you so much!
Done! They have been sent. Enjoy, and thank you for the kind words! 🙂
I cannot print the small character and the pokemon cover, can you send them to me. Many thanks: )
Done – They have been emailed! Enjoy! 🙂
I am having the same problem, Was wondering if you could also email to me?
Thanks!
Done!
Thank you SO much for this!!! Your free printables saved this mama a lot of time and headache, and everything looks so great, loved your ideas. YAY for “sharing is caring”. THANK YOU!!!
You are so welcome! I’m so thrilled they helped your party!!
HI,
I’m having trouble printing the Pokemon hunt printables too. Would you mind emailing them? Thank you so much!
Done!
I am so excited to use the hunt as pat of my sons party. Those belts are genius. I have one question…….how did the kids earn the badges that go in the badge case?
HI,
I’m having trouble printing the Pokemon hunt printables too. Would you mind emailing them? Thank you so much! My son is very excited for his party and I was very excited when I found your party ideas! Love them!
Done!
I’m also having trouble printing out the scavenger hunt documents. Would you be willing to email them to me? It’s such a cute idea that my daughter would love!
Done!
THANK YOU so so much for all the ideas!!
Like others, I cannot print out the characters for inside the pokedex, nor the cover. It appears that these two files are missing the “printable” version. The large characters have that choice….Maybe that is why so many of us are having problems? Regardless, could you please please please email me those files?? Thank you!!!
sent. enjoy!
Hi
I am having trouble printing the small characters for the pokedex and the cover. Could you please email it to me. I love this idea for my son’s party in a couple of weeks.
Thanks
I just emailed them to you. Enjoy!
Could you also email the printables to me as well. Thanks you!
Done. Enjoy! 🙂
Hi there! You have a lot of amazing ideas here! So many practical, fun ideas. I can’t wait to try them out, and my son is so excited for his party! I had some trouble downloading the pokedex and scavenger hunt pictures. Could you please send them my way?
Thanks so much!!!
I just emailed them your way. Enjoy!
How did you make the belts. I love that idea
Thanks! They were definitely a hit with the kids. The instructions are in the post midway down. There are step by step pictures, which should be helpful, and here is the paragraph copied and pasted from the blog post explaining what I did for the process:
“These belts were a HUGE hit!! The balls were quite a bit of work to create, so be forewarned about that! We took ping pong balls and wrapped half of them in masking tape. Next I spray painted each one with red spray paint. This took several rounds since I had to wait for them to dry, roll them over, and spray the next side. Once dry, the kids helped me peel off the masking tape. We added a thin strip of black electrical tape at this point, along with a round velcro dot. The “belts” were really velcro straps that I found at Walmart.
Hi Sarah!
Could you email the Pokémon hunt printables please? I can’t access them from the links.
My son will love that for his party!
Thanks, Chris from Scotland.
Woaw ! That’s some really good work, I’m impressed !
I also prepared a Pokemon theme party for my boy, but I was far from the work you did !
This may be a silly question but how did they use the pokeballs and belts? I want to make those because they are SO cute but did they earn the pokeballs during the game where they found the characters? I guess I’m not enough aware of how all of that should work. Also, you mentioned giving out badges? Can you elaborate how you did all that too?
Hi Kristin! As I mentioned in the post, the pokeballs were given out throughout the party. They each got a belt at the beginning, and they earned a ball after each game. After the hunt they got one, after the races they got another, and so on and so forth. The badges were more of a party favor. I’m not even sure how they use badges in the cartoon, but my son thought it was the best ever. It was so long ago that I don’t remember EXACTLY what he said they were, but I got them here: http://merryprintables.blogspot.com/2015/09/pokemon-badge-case-printables.html
Can I bug you to give me a bit more info about the velcro belts? I feel dumb asking, but where did you find them in the store? And do you remember how much they were? Thanks, your Pokemon genius is saving my sons party.
I believe they were in the office supply section? Or perhaps crafts? You could probably find them on Amazon or elsewhere online. There is a picture of them on the post: https://www.bombshellbling.com/pokemon-birthday-party/pokemon-party-5/ I hope that helps. I don’t have a clue what they cost, sorry. This party was years ago. I’m so glad my ideas are working well for you! 🙂
Love your ideas! I am definitely inspired. How did you decide which kids got which pokebadges?
Thanks! Honestly? I can’t remember. I believe they each got one of each badge. It wasn’t a big deal, that much I do know.
Sarah,
Just saw this post on your son’s party and it looks great! Threw my daughter a Pokemon party years ago and wish I had included some of these ideas. The Pokémon hunt was a great idea I wished I had had. 🙁
My husband and I made a piñata and for an activity I made Pokémon stamps from craft foam and wood blocks. The kids stamped their goodie bags and put their gifts in them. Inexpensive and little mess.
I am very sorry for your loss. As someone who also deals with Depression I understand the “bare minimum to get by” phase and wish that I could turn back the clock and get the time with my daughter again. Hopefully things will get better for you.
Maureen
Thank you for your kind words, Maureen! Your Pokemon stamps for the party are such a great idea!
What an amazing job you do! Thank you for the inspiration and your little boy is just adorable! 🙂
I used your Pokémon Hunt printable for my son’s 6th birthday party this past weekend and that game was a RAGING success. Thank you so much for sharing!!
You’re welcome!! This makes me so happy to hear! 🙂
Hi Sarah,
I know this party was a few years ago, but your ideas are my favorite for a cute pokemon party! My son is having his pokemon party in a few days and I’m hoping to use your printables for a hunt. I’m having some difficulty printing the larger characters (to hide around the park). Anyway you could point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words! Here is where you can download the printable: https://app.box.com/s/987r6qh7jnihxq70n7lon3joh09pgd6u I tried printing it just now and it worked, so I’m not sure how much more help I can be. Have a great party! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your creative ideas. I’m excited to try to pull this off for my son’s 8th birthday! What color is the Rust-Oleum paint? I see it on Amazon in Paprika but just wanted to make sure that’s the right shade of red. Also, for the velcro belts, can I just buy a roll of velcro and cut it to fit the boys’ waists?
Thanks very much
Jessica
I’m sorry, but I have no clue what color of red spray paint I used. This party was several years ago. Any red should be fine. I can’t promise your velcro plan will work since I haven’t tried it, but it sounds reasonable! Have a great party! 🙂
The pokedex printable was awesome! I already had my characters picked and printed but it was great to have these! The kids loved them and had a blast searching and then helping each other ? my son also made the pikachu peeps by himself (he 2as so proud
Yay!! I’m so glad my printables helped you have a great party!
Thanks so much for all the work and sharing you did with the scavenger hunt printable items in particular. You hard work has brought joy to our little guy’s birthday!
You are so welcome! This makes me so happy to hear!
Thank you for sharing your struggles and the amazing things you accomplish. It is a gift to other mothers to hear real life stories about challenges and how you continue to meet the needs of your son despite them. Thank you for the emotional (and creative) inspiration!
Thanks for the wonderful ideas and especially all the Pokemon printables!
these are great ideas! i just have a question for the pokemon hunt, u just print one for each picture and hide them and if they see them they will just cross/check them out in their pokedex?
Yep! That’s how I did it.
I appreciate your post so much! I have been searching for this pokemon scavenger hunt, was even willing to pay a couple dollars for it, but all the posts I found discussing it, they never had links! Your links are so so greatly appreciated! This is my sons first real birthday party in 3 years, he’s so excited, and I think this will be such a fun addition! Thanks again for not only sharing your ideas, but the links as well!
I have the links because I created them! 🙂 I wish the other sites had linked to my original post. That’s unfortunate. I’m glad you found the original source and were able to get the printables for your son’s party! YAY! Have fun!!!