Planning a Dora the Explorer Party

Dora the Explorer's rise in popularity among young children has been speedy to say the least, and it seems as if this trend won't be slowing down any time soon. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then that Dora the Explorer-themed parties have become common choices among youngsters. Luckily for parents, unlike the controversial Bratz line, they can breathe easy knowing that Dora, Diego and her friends are proper role models. As such, throwing a Dora the Explorer party is an option equally popular among parents.

Planning any party can be quite the challenge, so it's quite possible you may not know where to start if you're a parent interested in throwing a Dora-themed party for your child. Luckily due to Dora's popularity, there is an abundance of Dora birthday and/or party favors available for sale which, when combined with a bit of creativity, can make the whole process a bit easier for you. You'll be able to throw an entertaining and memorable celebration with ease.

The first step to planning a Dora the Explorer party is, naturally, selecting some party favors that reflect the theme. Most sizable party supply stores should have a decent selection of paper plates, napkins and other dining assortments emblazoned with images of Dora and her friends. Sometimes you can even find these items in your local grocery store. Unlike most cartoons, Dora has become so popular that you shouldn't have much problems locating Dora the Explorer party favors, so keep your eyes open.

Of course eating utensils is all fine and well, but they hardly constitute a party. That's where items like balloons, piñatas and other Dora-themed party favors come in. Although you shouldn't have much difficulty finding these types of decorative accessories at a store, don't feel limited to what you can find for purchase. Here's where a bit of creative thinking can help you out.

Dora the Explorer is… as you may have guessed by her title… an adventurer. As such, consider purchasing or printing out theme-related images such as treasure maps, palm trees, sombreros and other similar images that relate either to adventuring or her Hispanic heritage. These types of decorations can be hung from walls and fences, or if you're feeling particularly adventurous can be pasted on cardboard or felt. Hang and/or place enough of these types of images and you can make your room or yard appear like a forest or jungle. Imagine the games and fun that young children can have in such a setting!

Games are the highlight of younger children's parties, and as such they will likely serve as the highlight of your Dora the Explorer party too. There is a wealth of games available, some which can be purchased and some which are old favorites that have served us well for generations. Two possibilities I'll propose are piñatas and trivia games that deal with basic Spanish words and phrases. Remember, she's a Hispanic character and she teaches children a bit of Spanish in each episodes, so these types of games will fit into any party perfectly.

Of course that leads to perhaps the most obvious of all gaming concepts: a Dora the Explorer treasure hunt! Hide some small party favors or miscellaneous items around your home or yard (I prefer party favors, because then the children can divide them and keep them when they are all found) and create a series of treasure maps to pass out to your youthful participants. The maps don't have to be terribly detailed or well-drawn (in fact, most pirate maps aren't much more than chicken scratch) – they are just props to help draw the children into an adventure. To really add some pizzazz to the adventure, you can even hide the party favors in small "treasure chests" – items like plastic index card holders can serve as cheap little chests.

If you mix and match an assortment of the above ideas, your Dora the Explorer party is sure to be the talk of the town among the younger guests.


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