Your Kid Discovered Dora the Explorer: Here's What You Need to Know

My kids are tweens and I still sing "We did it, we did it, we did it, hooray!" when they finish a tough task. And I've been known to sing the Backpack song out of the blue. Dora the Explorer stuck with me and I'm sure it taught my kids some important lessons along the way (even if they cringe now when I burst into her songs).

Launched in 2000, the character and her many spinoffs are now 25. Kids who grew up with Dora are starting to have kids of their own. Whether you remember the show or your toddler has discovered it and it's totally new to you, here's what you need to know about Dora and the newest iteration of the show.

Who is Dora?

Dora is both beloved by viewers and often mocked for her simple drawing style and overly enthusiastic manner. But generally speaking, kids love her and you'll soon discover why.

The animated, bilingual (she speaks English and Spanish) seven-year-old is the star of Dora the Explorer. In the spinoff Dora and Friends, she was around 10, and in the feature film, Dora was 16.

In the original show, the enthusiastic explorer takes viewers on interactive adventures. She invites kids to repeat after her to learn numbers, shapes and Spanish vocabulary. Kids are also encouraged to call out when they see certain items or characters on the screen. While this question-and-answer format often resulted in what some would consider dead air, it had a specific and effective purpose: it bonded kids to the character.

This bond is described perfectly in an article by marketing agency TRIAD. "She’s engaging. It’s what you don’t see that is making the biggest impact. She has asked a question and then stands still while her audience responds. She’s giving them a moment to interact and therefore creates a bond. They are now part of the show rather than a passive bystander. They’re captivated. They want to watch because they are part of something."

The origins of Dora

Dora the Explorer was created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes, and Eric Weiner, who aimed to fill a gap in preschool programming by creating an educational show that celebrated Latino culture and introduced basic Spanish.

The show's research team worked throughout the show's run to see how kids and families reacted and made changes accordingly. As Amber Levinson of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center says in this article, "They also found that Hispanic-Latino parents were increasingly using Dora to infuse Spanish language and Latino culture at home, and that English-speaking families were becoming interested in doing the same, even if they had no Hispanic-Latino heritage.

Extensive research and child testing informed the show's development. Its interactive format and educational content were met with immediate positive reception.

The show's distinctive, simple animation style, particularly in early seasons, was intentionally designed to make it easy to understand and engaging for preschoolers.

The show has received numerous awards, including Peabody and NAACP Image Awards, recognizing its cultural impact and educational value.

Dora the Explorer characters

• Dora: She's the heart of the show—an energetic, optimistic, and problem-solving seven-year-old Latina explorer. With her signature pink shirt and orange shorts, she leads every adventure, encouraging viewers to participate and think critically.

• Boots: Dora's best friend, a sweet and loyal blue monkey. He's always by her side, adding a dose of playful enthusiasm to their journeys.

• Swiper: The mischievous fox whose catchphrase, "Swiper, no swiping!" is a key part of the show's interactive element. He serves as a gentle antagonist, teaching kids about consequences and the importance of respecting others' belongings.

• Backpack: Dora's trusty purple backpack, filled with all the tools she needs for her adventures. It's a key element in problem-solving, providing necessary items at crucial moments.

• Map: The helpful, singing map that guides Dora and Boots on their quests. He breaks down the journey into simple steps, teaching kids about directions and navigation.

• Other recurring characters: Dora's world is populated by a variety of friendly creatures, including Isa the Iguana, Tico the Squirrel, Benny the Bull, and the musical Fiesta Trio, all of whom add to the show's vibrant and diverse landscape.

What kids learn from Dora

While cute, fun and entertaining, Dora was designed to be educational. First and foremost, both Dora the Explorer and Dora: Say Hola to Adventure! teach problem-solving by walking kids step-by-step through her adventures. That could mean helping a teddy bear find the Lost City of Toys or rescuing friends captured by Swiper the fox.

Along the way, Dora must face obstacles like crossing a crocodile-infested river. She and her viewers ask Backpack for a rope to help them swing across. Kids count the logs in the river with Dora and choose the rope from a selection of items Backpack offers. Kids who watch Dora will also learn colours and shapes as Dora solves puzzles to help save her friends.

Another key part of any Dora show is teaching kids Spanish vocabulary and celebrating Latino culture. Kids are encouraged to repeat Spanish words, and the family gatherings and celebrations often include traditional foods like tamales and Latin music.

A 14-year-old reviewer on Common Sense Media says, "This show completes my childhood. It teaches Spanish, it's interactive, and you're never too old to watch it!"

Dora shows and spinoffs

• The original Dora the Explorer, which launched in 2000, featured simple, graphic animations and lots of pauses for audience participation. It's a format that is often mocked in memes, but it works for preschoolers.
• Dora and Friends: Into the City! showed a 10-year-old Dora living in a big city. It ran from 2014 to 2017 and featured a new cast of friends. Map was replaced by an app.

• Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a live-action movie which premiered in 2019. It poked fun at many of the original show's tropes with Dora speaking directly to the viewer and stopping mid-adventure to check out her animated map or ask her backpack questions.

•  In Dora: Say Hola to Adventure!, the character is seven again, and the lessons and format are similar to the Explorer series. This show features updated animations and Dora has a more modern, softer look.

Where to watch Dora now

Streaming services

• Paramount Plus
• StackTV (in Canada)
• Amazon Prime (may require additional subscription)
• AppleTV (for purchase)

YouTube

The official Dora YouTube channel offers full episodes, one-hour videos, and snippets from a selection of Dora shows.

DVDs

Want to go old school? You can still find Dora DVDs on Amazon and eBay.

Is Dora right for your kid?

Parents on Common Sense Media say that Dora the Explorer is appropriate for kids three and up. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that kids five and under get about an hour of screen time each day. Screen time isn't recommended for kids under two.

Want to make Dora time even more engaging? While singing, talking to Backpack and calling "Swiper no swiping!" at the screen may become tedious for grown-ups, watching and getting interactive along with your kid is not only great for bonding but it will help them learn.

Want to bring the lessons learned from Dora into everyday activities? Practice your new Spanish vocabulary and sing the "We did it" song to celebrate big and small achievements.