Kids TV Shows: Dora the Explorer

Dora the Explorer (weekdays at 9 a.m. Eastern) has enjoyed a long run on Nickelodeon since it debuted in 2000. While Dora has some flaws, it still ranks as one of the most enjoyable kids TV shows.

Dora is a 7-year-old girl who enjoys adventures with her friend Boots the Monkey. Often, they are on a quest to help someone (like reuniting a baby fox with his mommy) or to retrieve a lost item (usually one of Boots’ toys).

To get to their destination, Dora and Boots enlist the help of their friend, Map. After Map sings about himself (“I’m the Map, I’m the Map…”), Map talks about the three places Dora and Boots must visit to complete their task. Dora and Boots consult Map throughout the show to check their progress, singing about where they must go in their “Come On, Vamonos” song (for example, “river, bridge, Tall Mountain”).

Dora and Boots need to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles to complete each of the three legs of the task. Dora often speaks directly to the children, which keeps them involved. However, Dora often asks kids to say things “Again! Louder!”

Dora and Boots also get help from friends in their animated world to get over a few hurdles. This group includes Backpack (who also sings a repetitive song), Isa the Iguana, Benny the Bull and Tico the Squirrel (who speaks exclusively Spanish).

Dora also collects explorer stars, who fly around near the beginning of some episodes. Once the kids at home help Dora gather the stars into Backpack’s star pocket, the stars can help by using their unique skills (Noisy Star, Glowy Star, Tool Star, etc.)

A fox named Swiper is the nemesis of Dora and Boots. He ranks as the most hapless villain in television history. Most of the time, Dora and Boots are able to stop him by simply leading the kids at home in a chant of “Swiper, no swiping!”