You Too Can Explore Our Dora Birthday Party Ideas...

Turn every kid into an explorer with a Dora birthday party.

Whether you're already thinking about explorer-themed party games or putting together that Dora-themed birthday cake, a houseful of laughing kids isn't too far away from becoming a reality.

Invites

There are many styles of invitations available for purchase online however try this for something a little different:

Send out your basic store bought or homemade Dora birthday party invitations but fill in the location with "map to follow". You can try this wording sample:

“[child’s name] invites you to come exploring and celebrate her [Xth] birthday party in style!
Be ready for snacks, drinks, party games, and even a few Dora the Explorer prizes!
You can find home base at (map to Follow) at [time and date].
To RSVP, call [your phone number].”

Several days later, send out some "Dora birthday party backpacks" complete with map and small treats. Here's how to make them:

• Buy some colored paper lunch bags (pink, purple) from your local department store - they're fairly inexpensive.


• Cut them in half and then draw "Backpack's" face using markers and pencil crayons.


• Make the backpack straps by cutting 2 strips out of the remaining unused paper bag. You'll also need 2 rectangles for the side pockets and one large rectangle for the top flap.


• Tape all the pieces on, leaving room in one of the side pockets for the MAP. You'll be able to create 10 or so backpacks in about 30 minutes.


• Finally, use your computer to make "The Map" (Important - Put a large picture of "MAP" in the top left corner). You can use clipart from the Internet to come up with your own adventure. Use things like Cupcake Mountain, Birthday Present Forest & then [your child's name]'s Party. On the back of the MAP, put the real driving directions for the parents.
  Once completed, roll up the MAP making sure that the face of "MAP" is facing out, then tie a ribbon around it. Place it into the side pocket of the "backpack".


• You can finish it off by stuffing tissue paper inside which will help hold it's shape and a few pieces of candy.

And there you have it! The kids will simply love opening the package & getting their very own "backpack's, just like Dora's".

See more Dora Birthday Invitations Ideas here!

Decorations

To round out the Dora birthday party theme, purchase Dora tableware online and be sure to include plates, napkins, cups, cutlery etc.

Then add these ideas:

• Purchase some foamboard from any department store. Print some enlarged pictures of different Dora characters, glue them to the foamboard and then cut them out using a box cutter to make toddler sized standups.


• Using posterboard from any craft supply or department store, draw the map. Don’t forget to add the obstacles like on the TV show.


• Hang a Dora pinata somewhere in the room. It will serve as a decoration as well as a game later during the party.


• Use pink, purple, orange and yellow balloons and streamers, along with cut outs of stars that can be hung from the ceiling.

See more Dora the Explorer birthday decoration ideas here!

Crafts / Activities

Crafts make for an excellent way to pass some time at a Dora birthday party. Little girls especially love to make neat little items that they can take home to show their family.

Try some of these ideas at your next party:

• Make Dora's bracelet by simply using some elastic string and some yellow beads. Thread the string through the beads and be sure to add a larger but single blue flower bead to finish it up.


• Make Dora binoculars by taping together (side by side) two empty toilet paper rolls. Let the kdis decorate them with gel pens, glitter glue, markers and any other crafts supplies you might have laying around.


• Color. You can't go wrong with coloring activities. You can print free Dora coloring pages on line right from your own computer.

So use your imagination,, search the Internet or check out our visitor ideas. Whatever you decide, crafts are a great idea for any Dora birthday party.

See more Dora Birthday Craft ideas here!

Games

It's time to go exploring!

[your childs name) the Explorer - Have the kids parents help them find their way to the "hidden treasure".

Before your Dora birthday party, draw a map of where the hidden treasure would be found whether indoors or outside. Plan to use items in your home or outdoors as challenge stations or obstacles.
Using the Dora music sing along CD, play the "I'm the Map" song to get things started. Then, just like on TV, go over the map in detail. Play the "Backpack Song" while handing out a backpack to each child with their name on it.

When the kids get to their first obstacle, they’ll have to find 3 different shaped objects with their name on it and put them into their backpacks. (an example could be an empty toy box filled with plastic balls and the items buried somewhere inside).
Use construction paper to make 3 different shapes (a triangle, a square, and a circle) and attach them to some inexpensive toys that you've purchased (yo-yos, bouncy balls, bracelets, etc.). When the first challenge is completed, they can take the map out again to find their next destination (obstacle #2).

Sing the "Grumpy Old Troll” song and have them solve the "Grumpy Old Troll's" riddle. Here's a sample; "Solve my riddle and you can't be wrong, do you know the Happy Birthday song?" They'll need to sing the song before beginning the second obstacle. As each child goes through the obstacle (try a mini obstacle course using a play structure slides, climbing walls, etc.) give them wrapped coloring books to put into their backpacks.

The final destination will be where the hidden treasure is found. Mark the spot with an “X” somewhere out of sight. Wrap a small gift (Dora stickers, Backpack bubbles, Dora wristbands/bracelets) for each child, label them each with a child's name and place them at the "X".
In order to get to the hidden treasure, have everyone start from a marked starting point (could be simply a sign stating "Start Here"). Call out signals from the map such as "take 3 steps back, 8 steps forward, 5 steps to the right, etc." until they finally reached the hidden treasure.

See more Dora the Explorer birthday games ideas here!

Costumes / Props

Probably one of the easiest to dress up for is the Dora birthday party....simply have the children come dressed in shorts and t-shirts consisting of the Dora colors.

When combined with other props being handed out throughout the party (backpacks, maps, etc), everyone will be fully costumed and ready to play.

See more Dora costume ideas here!

Food and Drink

After an afternoon of exploring and adventuring, the children will be ready for snacks and drinks.

Serve up simple items such as:

• Any type of fruit punch juice.
• Nachos or tortilla chips with mild salsa dip.
• Star shaped cookies and/or goldfish crackers

Of course, try to keep things sugar-free; there'll be plenty of sugar in the cake!

See more Dora the Explorer food ideas here!

Cake

Your local Dairy Queen can make up a nice Dora birthday party ice-cream cake or you can pay a visit to your local baker to purchase a ready made cake with dora on it.

If you feel really ambitious you can buy a dora shaped pan online and make the cake yourself. The decorating will be quite basic and should be easy for anyone to do.

See more Dora Birthday Cakes Ideas here!

Party Favors / Loot Bags

Finish off your Dora birthday party by sending your little explorers off with a final package to put into their backpacks.

Include things like small plastic binoculars, flashlights, magnifying glasses, stickers, "Backpack" bubbles, Dora wristbands/bracelets (just like the one Dora wears), Dora The Explorer Whistles. The list goes on and most can be found online and shipped to you within a few days.

See more Dora the Explorer favor ideas here!