I often discover trading card collections when I help families organize their homes. Children amass them to trade with their friends, and parents frequently roll their eyes at these messy piles of cards. However, there are benefits to card collections. Gaming cards can boost reading skills and memory retention and help children learn the art of negotiation as they trade with other players.1 Learning to organize Pokémon cards teaches children to categorize, prioritize, and plan. These are all essential in the development of executive functioning.
Honour the Kid and the Collection
As I mentioned, parents often don’t value their child’s collection. It’s essential to appreciate the child’s enthusiasm and interest. Suggest working together to organize Pokémon cards and have the child explain more about the game and their trading philosophy. Depending on the child’s age, it might take a long time to go through the stockpile, so break it down into smaller segments, such as 15-30 minutes after dinner each evening. It will be easier for both of you.
Use the C.L.E.A.R. Process
Out of Chaos’ C.L.E.A.R. process is ideal for teaching organizing skills. It’s an acronym we apply to most decluttering and organizing situations. Here is the outline to help you with gaming cards.
Categorize
If the child has played Pokémon for some time, they will likely have categories in mind. Players often classify cards by Energy (colours) or by Series and Set. Collectors may choose to categorize their cards by trading value or rarity. Other ways of sorting cards include by number (each card has a number that denotes where it falls within each set.) or alphabetically by name. These latter methods work well but may make finding your cards more time-consuming.
Sorting alphabetically by name might work better for sports cards, specifically if you have multiple cards of a specific player who was on more than one team. For example, you might have several Wayne Gretzky cards (a rookie card, several Edmonton Oilers cards, and some L.A. Kings cards).
Limit
Generally, kids will want to keep all their cards. But they may not need multiples of the same card. Keep the best and place the rest in a labelled “to trade or give away” pile.
Evaluate
To determine the best organizational system, evaluate how the child uses the cards. Do they play with the cards, are they only collectables, or are there some of each? Does the child want to increase the number of playing or collectible cards (or both)? If so, you’ll want to look at a system that grows along with the collection.
Allocate
The next step is to allocate a place in the home and specific containers to house your card collection. Ideally, store the cards where the child will use them most often, perhaps in a family room or bedroom. You can allocate a different location to store unique or high-value cards to keep them separate from playing and trading cards. Whichever location you and your child choose, commit to using it consistently. Encourage your child to return the cards to their “home” after playing.
Remove
Finally, it’s time to let go of unwanted cards. Help your child sort through them and list the ones to sell or trade. Grouping them into labelled zipper-seal bags helps to quickly find what you need. For less valuable cards, arrange an exchange party with fellow gamers. Look through our Where to Sell or Donate resources to find locations to give away cards or sell valuable or vintage cards.
Trading Card Organizing Systems
There are several ways to organize Pokémon cards. The most popular method is to use trading card sheets in a zippered binder. Or you can buy a ready-made cardholder system. Zippered binders are great for taking cards to and from gaming parties, and they trap any cards that might slip out of their pockets.
Some people store their cards in rigid plastic holders (also called toploaders) and place them in a storage box. This is ideal for collectors with valuable or vintage cards not used for playing.
There are also dozens of other storage options, such as this double-decker box with drawers and this 12-drawer shelf-storage unit that looks like a small library card catalogue.
Ultimately, the best way to organize Pokémon cards (and other trading cards) depends on the size of the card collection and your budget. Choose what works best for you and your family, and you’ll be able to enjoy your cards for years to come.
Remember, if you need home organizing help or advice on managing your collection, contact the Out of Chaos team.
Featured image courtesy of Out of Chaos staff member Melissa Johnson.
References
- Writers, Staff. “6 Benefits of Collecting Trading Cards.” You Are Mom, Mcontigo, 15 Oct. 2019, https://youaremom.com/play-time/activities-and-games-for-kids/collecting-trading-cards/.
