Babies & Kids Blog

If you have a pre-school aged child, chances are they LOVE Dora! Dora is a big hit at our house.

Airing in 2000 as one of the first cross-cultural animated children’s programs, Dora the Explorer became a phenomenal hit, entertaining children and introducing young Americans to the Hispanic culture. Formally aired on the CBS television network, and now a prominent series on Nickelodeon and sister channel, Noggin, the extremely successful Dora the Explorer franchise has created a recognizable house hold name and hosts products ranging from videos to toys and children’s clothing.

In the series, Dora is an adventurous, bilingual, Latina heroine who lives inside a computer. Determined, positive, helpful and caring, Dora is always ready for adventure. Children learn by watching Dora journey through her world, gathering objects and clues to ultimately help a person in need or perform a good deed with her faithful Backpack, Map and her best friend Boots.

Not only is the popular program entertaining but the interactive aspects allow children to develop reasoning, problem solving and communication skills when the curious little explorer asks her audience at home questions to help her along her way.

Here are 3 cool Dora toys that would make great holiday gifts!

Fisher-Price Dora Lil Quad $76.25

The Dora Lil Quad from Fisher Price Power Wheels is a cute and sporty battery powered piece of equipment. The Dora Lil Quad from Power Wheels is a 4 wheeler with a cargo rack on the back which helps make it the perfect vehicle for real driving adventure.

One of the great features on the Dora Lil Quad from Fisher Price Power Wheels is the design of the buttons. The large push button on the handlebar is great because it allows little hands to use it with ease. The Power Wheels is also fantastic because it provides an exciting, but safe speed for baby as it goes about 2 mph on hard surfaces.

Product Features:

• Dora Lil Quad is for ages 12 to 36 months
• Power Wheels has a maximum weight of 40 lbs.
• 4 Wheeler with cargo rack
• Designed with toddler friendly features
• Large push button handlebar for simple stop-and-go operation
• Built-in footrests on the Power Wheels
• Drives an exciting, but safe, 2 mph on hard surfaces
• Dora Lil Quad includes a 6 volt battery and charger

Fisher-Price - Dora the Explorer’s Let’s Get Ready Vanity Play Set $66.99

It’s time to get ready for a fiesta! Choose which party you want to go to and then get ready together with Dora using the Let’s Get Ready Vanity Play Set. With over ten accessories for you and Dora, you’ll be able to brush Dora’s long hair or pretend to style it with the crimper, curling iron and hairdryer. The vanity knows which styling tool you are using. To add to the fun, there are songs and over 100 interactive phrases!

Dora the Explorer 3-Wheeled Scooter $39.75

• For riders ages 3 and up; fun scooter includes a Dora the Explorer backpack
• Durable steel frame will hold up to 150 pounds
• Measures 10 inches long by 4-1/2 inches wide by 12-1/4 inches tall
• Three wheels makes it perfect for new riders to stay balanced
• Adorned with Dora graphics on the frame and bright purple accenting

Shop through a variety of Dora the Explorer toys at Smarter.com.

Little girls and growing up seem to be a hot topic lately. Sure we all want to keep our little girls… well, just that: little. But for how long will we be able to with the media and mainstream always pushing for something sexier, seems to be an ever evolving question. The other day my little niece, who is 3-years-old, asked me why “Dora was no longer an explorer”? I had no idea what she was talking about until my sister-in-law showed me a picture of the new Dora on the internet, a tween version that will be released by Mattel and Nickelodeon this Fall (although the cartoon version is to stay the same). The new Dora is geared towards children ages 8 and up, and interestingly enough, mother’s are outraged by the older version and feel that it sends the wrong message to little girls.

I personally don’t see anything wrong with Dora growing up, and feel as though it was inevitable. Ultimately, it is a “rite of passage” is it not?  From a marketing perspective, it is pretty ingenious as well, you’ll have to admit; Mattel was smart to have the character grow with her fan base since the doll currently has such a strong following and will continue to maintain a built-in audience this way.

Apparently many mother’s feel it sends the wrong message, however. According to Yahoo! News, the blog on Mattel’s website has been blown up by mother’s claiming the new look is “trampy” and too “sexed up” for children…boy, I never thought we’d see the day that Dora would be considered a poor icon! It almost makes me sad that people will not embrace the new Dora (or even their own children, subconsciously) turning into a tween and growing up before our very eyes. I, personally, would like to also see a grown up version of Boots, The Map, and Swiper as well. Then tweens can have the complete set, not to mention the incremental income it would make for Mattel (hint, hint, wink)!

What do you think? Is this something to get upset over? Let us know if you feel the new Dora is indicative of a “sex pot” and sends an unfit message to your children.

Source:  Yahoo News, Reuters, Huffington Post

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for Dora the Explorer toys.

Remember, that funny Barbie Styling Head where you could pretend you are in “beauty school” do Barbie’s hair & plastic make up?  They’ve made “upgraded” the heads since I had one & even made heads out of the other non-Caucasian Barbie “characters” & other styles of heads like the “My Scene: Bling Bling Styling Head Barbie”

Fisher-Price recently came out with one for Dora the Explorer.

Suds & Surpirse Dora: $27.29

You can style Dora’s hair just like the Barbie head, but she can be used in the bath tub!  The decals on her face & decorations on her swimsuit change in warm water.  The base of this toy has suction cups so your child can play with her securely in the tub.

Shop for more Dora the Explorer toys here.

Now that the weather is nice & not freezing…it’s time to get the kiddies out for some exercise!  Here are some great sports & outdoor toys on sale:

Little Tikes: Dora & Diego Sand & Water Adventure:

$59.99 Now: $52.99

Big Driver Golf Club Set:

$139.99 Now: $107.76

Playhut 3-in-1 Sports Arcade: $25.00 Now: $19.97

Nursery Folding Trampoline: $135.99 Now: $79.95

Disney Princess: Magic Hideaway Playhut Tent:

$25.00 Now: $19.97

Little Tikes: Whirly Bounce Rider: $79.99 Now: $71.99

Megaland Playhut Tent: $70.00 Now: $49.97

For more sports & outdoor toys click here.

Still have no idea what your child will be for Halloween?  Check out these last minute Halloween costume deals: 

Sensational Beginnings: 

FREE SHIPPING on all costume orders.  You must submit your order by 3PM EST today  in order to ensure deliver by October 30th.  Just enter coupon code FREESHIP at check out.

10% off $75 or more for new costumers:  WIZ6

$5 off $40 or more: GOBLIN

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Blowout Clearance - Save up to 90% off on costumes, accessories & party supplies.

5% off $40 or more: clearsave5

5% of $65 or more:  FRANKEN5

Costume Super Center:

Clearance Sale + Free Shipping on $70 or more.

Celebrate Express:

Clearance Sale - Up to 80% off Halloween costumes & accessories

Oriental Trading Company:

Save 60% on hundreds of overstock items.

All Aboard Toys:

Clearance Sale - Save 50% off all Halloween costumes.

Click here for Smarter.com’s selection of babies’ & kids’ Halloween costumes.