Everything old is new again – and on school playgrounds, that means the return of Pokemon cards.
Last year, Pokemon was the No. 1 toy brand globally, generating $2.5 billion in the U.S. alone. revenue (approx. PLN 9.15 billion) – by 87 percent more than in 2024, according to a report by the research company Circana.
At the end of last year, collectible card games were also the most purchased second-hand product category by America's Gen Z generation on eBay, the e-commerce company said.
Most kids' hobbies don't involve products costing as much as a Rolex, so parents often have to understand how to navigate this complex market.
If the parent is a collector themselves, this may help. However, many parents start completely “from scratch”, having no idea of the difference between Charizard and Charmander, or between Elite Trainer Box (more on that later) and Booster Bundle.
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— You're probably wondering: what is my child getting into and how can I make him approach it in a healthy and responsible way? – says Matthew Winkelried, owner of the collectors store and event space Bleecker Trading, which has two locations in Manhattan, in an interview with Business Insider. “You can feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information,” he adds.
Although you may be surprised by how much your eight-year-old child learns at school, noIt won't hurt to educate yourself a little in a hobby that can be expensive – or very profitable.
Here are three things to consider before diving into your child's Pokemon obsession.
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Understand your budget
— My first question is: what's your budget? says Winkelried.
Pokemon products have a very wide range of prices. One card measuring approximately 6 by 9 cm may cost $1 (approx. PLN 3.7)and another – which to an uninitiated parent may look identical – even several hundred thousand dollars.
“You can feel overwhelmed by so much information,” says Matthew Winkelried, owner of Bleecker Trading
| Bleecker Trading
That's why it's crucial to have a clear idea of how much you want to spend from the beginning.
If your child did well in school and you want to reward him, you can choose Tin (Tin) for $15 (approx. PLN 55)which contains two sets of 10 cards. If it's a big birthday, you can splurge and buy the Elite Trainer Box (ETB) with nine packs of cards, a promotional card, card sleeves, toploaders and energy cards. In the Bleecker Trading store, such ETB sets cost approx. $125 (approx. PLN 460).*
*For the uninitiated: Pokemon cards are sold in packs. Part of the excitement is that you buy a pack to see if you get a card that's very valuable – either in terms of rarity or market value.
Packs with hidden cards
| Erman Gunes / Shutterstock
It's easy to spend a lot of money on this hobbybut there are options for every budget, so set your limit before you start shopping.
Booster Bundle
| Belen Sanma / Shutterstock
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Understand what your child likes to collect
Most kids view Pokemon cards more as collectibles than as a game, Winkelried said. And as with any collection, people have different interests.
Some people collect specific characters, others want to have a complete set (the so-called master set), and still others simply like opening packs of cards.
Knowing exactly what your child is looking for will help you decide what to buy – so you don't spend your entire birthday budget on something they have no interest in.
Children's ability to recognize real cards from fakes should also not be underestimated. Of course, you can buy many cards on Amazon for a fraction of the price from a reputable store, but buyers need to be careful.
– Go to a verified card store – advises our interlocutor.
Understand the market
It's not just about how much you're willing to spend, but also about spending your money wisely.
– Every card has some value – whether this 50 cents (approx. PLN 1.8 – ed.)Whether $500 (approx. PLN 1,830 – ed.) – notes Winkelried.
Before purchasing a second-hand card, it's a good idea to check its value to make sure the price is fair. As with stock exchanges, there are sites that track the market value of cardssuch as Card Ladder, which collects data from eBay and monitors specific transactions, and TCGplayer, a large marketplace showing current market prices.
If your child gets a valuable card, there are some good practices to know.
Winkelried suggests teaching kids how to store cards — put them in plastic sleeves and toploaders — and how to make fair trades. Don't swap Mew worth $500. (approx. PLN 1,830) on Snorlax worth $50. (approx. PLN 183) just because you like the color better. And if you're the one with Snorlax, don't take advantage of someone on the schoolyard who doesn't know how much his Mew is worth.
And if you have any doubts, talk to one of the many experts – not necessarily children.
-Go to your local store. Without seeing it with your own eyes, you have no idea what you're getting into, he emphasizes. “Bonus points if you get involved,” he adds.
The above article is a translation from American edition of Business Insider
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
