This is one of those nights where I’m like, “Okay, we’re just gonna open a couple packs, keep it chill, get a few hits maybe.” Then my son Tanner turns it into a full-on WWE match with cardboard. Somehow, every single time we open Pokémon cards together, he pulls the hits. I’m sitting there like, “Bro, how are you doing this? What deal did you make with the Pokémon gods? And why am I the only one who never gets the Bubble Mew?”
This was a fun one because we opened two different sets. We did the Paldean Fates triple pack sticker collection, which is the one with the Mew chase. The Bubble Mew specifically. The one everybody wants. Then we had the Morpeko V-Union special collection, which gives you a mix of Fusion Strike and Brilliant Stars. The energy in the room was basically “Tanner gets the hit, I get roasted.” That’s exactly what happened, again.
What We Opened (The Setup)
The plan was simple. We start with Morpeko because it’s the more expensive set. Then we save Paldean Fates for last because of the Bubble Mew chase. If you’ve ever opened with a kid, you already know the vibe. There’s half actual strategy and half random chaos. Tanner is all about it. He’s like “subscribe to our channel or you’re losers.” I’m not gonna defend him. He said it. It’s out there. I just laughed and kept ripping packs.
Inside the Morpeko box we had two Fusion Strike and two Brilliant Stars. That’s where the night started. If I’m being honest, that first stretch was rough. Nothing. No hits. A couple cool commons. Some cards we like. But no real pop. Then you can feel the kid energy shift. Tanner is like “I’m collecting red and you’re collecting blue,” and he’s setting up his own rules. I’m just sitting there thinking, “This kid is a natural negotiator and he’s gonna run circles around me when he’s older.”
That Stretch Where We Got Nothing (And Still Had Fun)
One of the things I love about opening packs with your kid is the little micro moments. These are the kinds of moments that make single fatherhood worth it. He gets hype about a Vulpix. I’m hyped because he’s hyped. We’re laughing about random commons. It’s not just about the hits. It’s about the fact that we’re sitting there together and he’s in his element. I’m in mine. This is the kind of stuff he’s going to remember. I’m not trying to get all sentimental but I am. The older he gets, the more I realize how fast these nights fly by.
Also, let’s be real. In the middle of opening packs, the trash talk is elite. Tanner is over here calling me bro every two seconds and telling me I’m not getting the good card. He’s not wrong. The kid has the luck. I don’t. It’s been this way for a while, which is both hilarious and mildly offensive.
Paldean Fates, Bubble Mew, And The “We Both Get It” Deal
We crack the Paldean Fates, which is the main event. We’re both chasing the Bubble Mew. Tanner starts negotiating. Like if he pulls it tomorrow I have to take him wherever he wants. I’m like, “Bro, we’re already going to the zoo.” He’s like, “No no, after the zoo. The whole day.” I’m like, “Okay fine.” If he pulls it I’m happy anyway. That’s the deal. Whoever pulls it wins. Honestly I’m fine with him winning because I love seeing him win, even if it means I never pull the card.
We start flipping. We get a Clive. That’s a nice little hit. Then we get another hit. The energy starts shifting. Now there’s actually some momentum. Tanner is locked in. He’s like “that’s how I beat.” I’m sitting there thinking, “This kid has the confidence of a 30-year-old who just landed his first startup.” It’s hilarious. Also kind of inspiring.
The Hits (And How Tanner Kept Taking Them)
We ended up with some solid pulls. A shiny Ralts (and yes, shiny counts as a hit for us), a Forretress EX, a Clive, and then the big moment when Tanner pulls the Jellicent EX and loses his mind. I’m right there like “how you always getting the hits, bro?” It’s true. He always gets the hits. I’m just sitting there living vicariously through his pulls.
I know some people are like “it’s just cardboard.” But if you have kids, you know it’s not. It’s the shared excitement. The little inside jokes. The fact that he’s excited to be here with me. I’m excited to be here with him. I’m not trying to be overly sentimental but I am. These are the moments I actually care about.
Why I Love Doing This With Tanner (Even When I Lose)
This is the part I want to land on. It’s easy to say “we opened packs” and move on. But what really matters is the relationship behind it. It’s not about the money we spend on cards. It’s about the time. Life gets busy. I’m running businesses. I’m building apps. I’ve got a million things going on. When Tanner and I sit down to do something like this, it’s like the world slows down for a second. I remember why I’m doing all the other stuff in the first place.
It’s also cool because he’s learning little stuff without even realizing it. Like negotiation. Like patience. Like the idea that sometimes you don’t get the big hit and you still have fun. That’s a life skill, not a Pokémon skill. I want him to have that. Real life doesn’t always give you the Bubble Mew.
Quick Tips If You’re Doing Pack Openings With Your Kids
- Let them set some of the rules. It makes them feel like they own the moment.
- Don’t over-focus on value. Focus on the experience. The cards are the excuse, not the point.
- Celebrate commons they like, not just the expensive pulls.
- Record the reactions. You’ll want those memories later.
The point isn’t to turn your kid into a Pokémon investor. The point is to have a shared moment that they actually remember. If you can do that, you’re winning, even if you never pull the chase card.
Why We Still Chase Cards (Even When We Don’t Hit)
People ask why keep buying packs if you don’t always pull the chase card. My honest answer is because the chase is part of the fun. There’s something about the ritual. The “last pack magic.” The little superstitions Tanner makes up. The way he hovers over the last card and goes “this is the one.” Then we both laugh when it’s not. That’s the memory. Not the card itself.
Also, it’s a tiny lesson in delayed gratification and expectation management. You can do everything “right” and still not pull what you want. That’s real life. I’m not turning this into some deep parenting lecture. I’m just saying it’s kind of cool that a pack opening can sneak in a life lesson without you sitting there giving a speech.
How We Pick The Sets (And Why Paldean Fates Was The Move)
We usually pick sets based on whatever Tanner is hyped about and whatever I can justify without selling a kidney. Paldean Fates made sense because it’s got a chase we both care about and it’s fun to open. Plus the artwork is just clean. The Morpeko V-Union box was a good way to mix in Fusion Strike and Brilliant Stars for variety. Opening the same thing over and over gets boring fast with kids. You gotta keep the energy up.
If you’re doing this with your kid, mixing sets is actually a good strategy because it keeps them engaged. It keeps you from feeling like you’re stuck in the same pack opening loop, which can happen real quick. A little variety goes a long way.
The Low-Key Parenting Win In All Of This
I know this is just a Pokémon opening. But as a dad you take wins where you can get them. This is one of those small wins that actually matters. I get to be fully present with him. No phone. No work. Just us. Those moments build a relationship. I’m not gonna pretend that’s not important. It is. Especially when life is chaotic and you’re juggling a million responsibilities.
Look, I’m not perfect. I’m not a Pinterest dad. I’m a normal dude trying to do right by my kid. If a few packs of cards gives us a shared ritual where we laugh, trash talk, and actually connect, that’s a win. That’s why we keep doing it, even if I never pull the Bubble Mew.
If You’re New To Pokémon Cards, Start Simple
If you’re a parent reading this and you’ve never opened Pokémon cards before, don’t overthink it. Grab a couple packs. Pick a set with artwork you actually like. Just treat it like a little event. The kids don’t care about PSA grades. They care about the moment. If you want to keep it budget friendly, set a limit before you open anything. It’s easy to get carried away when the chase card starts calling your name. Then suddenly you’ve got a $200 receipt and no Bubble Mew. That’s not fun.
Also, pro tip: keep a small binder and let your kid organize their favorites. That little ritual makes the cards feel more real to them. It gives them a place to put the stuff they actually care about, not just the “valuable” ones. It turns the whole thing into a hobby instead of a one-off pack rip, which is way more satisfying for them and honestly for you too.
Key Takeaways
- Tanner pulled the hits, I got roasted, and it was perfect.
- We opened Morpeko V-Union (Fusion Strike + Brilliant Stars) and Paldean Fates.
- We didn’t pull Bubble Mew, but we got a few solid hits and a ton of laughs.
- These openings are about time together more than the cards.
FAQ: Father-Son Pokémon Openings
What packs were you opening?
Morpeko V-Union special collection (Fusion Strike and Brilliant Stars) and Paldean Fates for the Bubble Mew chase.
Did you pull the Bubble Mew?
No, not this time. But Tanner did pull the Jellicent EX and we got a shiny and a couple other hits. I’ll take it.
Is it worth opening packs with your kids?
100%. Not because of the value, but because you get a shared moment and they light up. That’s the whole point.
Closing Thoughts
Another night where Tanner pulls the big hits and I sit there pretending I’m not jealous. But honestly I wouldn’t trade it. The cards are cool and all, but the real win is just getting to hang out and hear him talk and watch him get hyped about something he loves. If you’re a parent, you know those moments are the ones that stick. If you’ve got a kid and a couple packs sitting around, open them. Even if you never pull the chase, it’s still worth it.