Parents' Guide to

Pokémon Playhouse

By Mieke VanderBorght, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Simple games initiate kids to hook 'em while they're young.

App iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire Free Entertainment
Pokémon Playhouse Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Pokemon Playhouse App: Screenshot #1
  • Pokemon Playhouse App: Screenshot #2
  • Pokemon Playhouse App: Screenshot #3
  • Pokemon Playhouse App: Screenshot #4

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What’s It About?

Enter POKÉMON PLAYHOUSE to meet and interact with Pokémon characters. In each of four locations, kids play mini-games with randomly generated characters. Tap the right Pokémon to play a tune, connect the dots to see a Pokémon in the stars, feed the characters their preferred berries, or choose a story to read, for example. The more games kids complete, the farther they get in hatching Pokémon eggs to add more characters to their collection.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

Cutesy characters abound in this easily accessible game that introduces Pokémon to the wee ones, but simplistic games could have more depth. A friendly guide welcomes kids aboard to explore, meet Pokémon, and "make friends." The guide then accompanies kids wherever they go to offer lots of explanation on how to play. Kids who get how to play the game and have trouble being patient may find it frustrating to be stalled listening to the guide at every turn. Gameplay is appropriate for small kids (there are no Pokémon battles here) but is repetitive and not very imaginative. And some -- like the puzzle game -- are so simple that they miss a chance to offer kids a bit of a challenge. Don't be fooled by the free content: The games aren't anything particularly special, but they are a great way to set kids up to be future Pokémon consumers. That makes Pokémon Playhouse most appealing for Pokémon-obsessed parents who want to share their interest with their young kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about and explore the Pokémon Playhouse and Pokémon franchise together. Parents who want to share their own fun with Pokémon can make the game into an opportunity for family bonding.

  • Expand on some of the learning themes lightly introduced in the mini-games. Talk about melodies and other musical terms, put together puzzles offscreen, read plenty of books, learn about constellations, and take frequent trips to the playground.

  • Parents may want to explain to kids that "freebies" are often ways to get kids interested in buying something later on, pointing out all the marketing for Pokémon and the different things that playing it may make them want to purchase.

App Details

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