OT - Dora the Explorer party for my 3 year old

[katiesmom2]

Does anyone have any ideas to share? I know this is a popular theme.

I've looked at alot of online sites for some ideas, but I was hoping for some "tried and true" ideas.

Looking for a table centerpiece idea, decorating ideas, invitation suggestions, food ideas.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gabbysmom04]

we threw our DD1.5 a dora party for her birthday. We went with dora everything. I can't help much with food we had it catered. I did try to have some crafts that I thought were fun. We had the kids make their own bags for candy. We bought dora stickers and found dora candy to go along with it. I know they have cookies that have a picture of dora on it that comes with edible paint for the kids to color. There is also a party catalog that has great dora theme party supplies and different craft options I will look for it and post the website for you. I sure hope I helped a little.

 

[KerriMc]

Try www.birthdaypartyideas.com !! Click on the kids parties link and you will have a selection of all different themes. There is bound to be a Dora link as there is practically EVERYTHING on there!! It just gives you ideas as to what other people did.

Have fun ... we are in the process of planning a princess party for a soon to be 5 yr old!!

Kerri

 

[WeLubDeeDub]

We threw a Dora party for our DD's 2nd bday. We had the Dora cups, napkins, plates, hats, and centerpiece from the local party store (or DW ordered it online...now I can't remember). DW made a Backpack cake, I think she got the recipe from Nick Jr's website.

Our DD was so into Dora, my aunt even made her a Dora pinata. Can you imagine the horror - kids that loved Dora had to beat her with a stick!!

 

[sara74]

We did Dora for DD's 3rd as well and she LOVED it! I uploaded a few pictures to Shutterfly - haven't tried to share them before so PM me if it doesn't work...This is the link on the shutterfly site - share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8QYtGTFqyaP3A

For decorations and invitations I used Party Express. There was even a centerpiece. For food we had a taco bar. I kept the meat warm in a crockpot and had tons of toppings for the adults (and the few kids that wanted anything other than cheese!) It was so easy since everything was done ahead and I just had to unwrap the topping bowls when we were ready.

For activities I created my own Dora episode to get to the pinata. I drew a map on some foam core just like the map on TV. The kids went through the Cookie Forest. I put tons of green streamers in our hallway hanging down and hung Dora cookies (Wilton kit - cute but DD still talks about how she didn't like the way they tasted) in the forest so each kids took one as they went through. Then they went over a rainbow bridge made of cardstock pieces on the floor, to get to the room where the pinata was hidden. The other activity was Pin the Boots on Boots.

For the cake I made 2 9x13's and cut one in 1/2, put it on top of the other and frosted it green. I made a chocolate river down the center and trees with pretzel rods, chocolate leaves and banana runts and put figurines DD had from the Baby Jaguar/waterfall episode on the cake. I loved that cake! We had a great time - I don't think I can top it this year!

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

 

[PaulaSue]

LOVE the ideas!!! My youngest is a Dora and Diego fan so I bet her 3rd will be the same.

 

[holden]

We had a Dora party for DD when she turned 3. I bought invitations/supplies at Target, and I bought a Dora cake mold and icing colors at a craft store. We played "pin the tail on Boots" with a poster sized Boots picture I blew up and tails. Then we had a safari hunt. We used green balloons for the spooky forest (our living room) with green streamers hanging from them (tree trunks), and blue balloons for the rainforest (our hallway) with blue streamers. Then DH dressed as Swiper and swiped the birthday cake! The kids each had a map to find the cake and safari hats (party store). After they went through the rainforest, they had to make magic wands (kit from a craft store). With their wands they entered the spooky forest where they had to put Swiper in his fox hole (the old "clothespin in the can" game with a small plush Swiper doll and a large coffee can decorated like a fox hole). Each child stood on a chair and dropped Swiper into his hole. Believe it or not, this took a while. Then they arrived in the dining room where the cake was hidden to find the cake. The kids really loved the activities and had a great time. It was a 2hr. party (well...a little longer) - pizza, activities, free play, and cake.

Hope that helps!

 

[PaulaSue]

Holden, that sound so cute too!!! Do you do parties in PA? I think the cake would be the hardest for me.

 

[holden]

It's funny you should ask if I do parties in PA because I live in PA! I just did it for DD's birthday; I'm not a party planner. THe Dora cake was very time consuming to decorate. The instructions came with the cake mold, so it was easy to follow but took about 3hrs. to do. That time includes making the icing colors as well as the actual decorating. I think I bought the cake mold and colors at Michael's craft store. The games would have been better outside, but with a December birthday that's not possible. I think next year we'll have her party at the YMCA or something like that. I spent about the same amount of money on the home party that I would have spent to have it somewhere else.

 

[PaulaSue]

I know, I saw it in your post (section on Left) that you live in PA too. I live in south central PA near MD line.

WOW, 3 hours, no wonder I don't do cakes, just cupcakes myself. It sure it pretty! Maybe I will learn in time to do it for my GCs. (my DD are 2, 4, and 7 so I have some time)