During the Easter break, children in Smedby outside Kalmar, Sweden, participated in a treasure hunt combining movement and excitement with Pokémon cards as rewards. Collector Teodor Leijnse hid his own cards in three different areas in Smedby on Wednesday, totaling 1,006 cards. He said he had many duplicate cards and thought it could be a fun thing to do.
Several children were seen searching for the bundles of cards, with some having more luck than others during the hunt. On Wednesday, Smedby was filled with Pokémon lovers as Leijnse hid over a thousand Pokémon cards in the area and released digital maps to encourage people to join a communal treasure hunt. He expressed hope that many different children would find cards.
I had many duplicate cards and thought it could be a fun thing to do.
With thousands of Pokémon cards in his own collection, Leijnse got the idea to get rid of duplicates by giving them away in a treasure hunt, noting that the cards were starting to take up too much space. He hid cards at three different locations in Smedby and then released maps on his social media at twelve, three, and six o'clock. Leijnse collected Pokémon cards as a child and resumed the hobby as an adult.
His personal goal is to acquire 1,020 unique cards in his collection because that is how many Pokémon there are. He said he hopes it takes many years so he doesn't have to find a new hobby later. For those who did not find any cards this time, Leijnse gave reassuring news that there will be more treasure hunts, adding that he probably won't be able to stop because it's so fun.
I hope that many different children would find cards.
The cards were starting to take up too much space.
I hope it takes many years so I don't have to find a new hobby later.
I probably won't be able to stop because it's so fun.