 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dora's Big Birthday Adventure
- Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 2
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Preschool
Common Sense Media says
Variety and fun in perfect preschool adventure.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Dora's Big Birthday Adventure is a video game adaptation of the Dora TV show's 10th anniversary special. It follows the same plot as the show but adds in its own interactive aspects in the form of mini-games. We reviewed the DS version and this game is incredibly well geared toward preschool players and encourages them to use all aspects of the Nintendo DS including the touch-sensitive screen and the microphone. It also contains quite a bit of educational content masked within entertaining games.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn basic preschool skills, such as shape and color identification, pattern matching, and counting. Plus, Dora counts in English and Spanish and throws in a smattering of other Spanish words. Kids need to listen carefully to the spoken directions. Simple controls enable preschoolers to handle the game on their own. And the game gives great feedback, letting kids know where they may have gone off course and waiting for them to get a puzzle right before moving on. From the simple-but-solid lessons to the preschooler-friendly presentation, Dora's Big Birthday Adventure is a winner.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingfollowing directions, vocabulary
- Mathcounting, numbers, patterns
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communicationlistening, multiple forms of expression
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Directionself-reflection, set objectives, work to achieve goals
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
What's it about?
Dora's Big Birthday Adventure follows the same plot as the 10th anniversary Dora the Explorer TV special of the same name. Dora and Boots are helping the Wizzles in Wizzle World when they realize they're going to be late for Dora's birthday party. They need to rush to find the Wishing Wizzle, who can get them home magically. Ever the generous soul, Dora stops to help several characters in need as she makes her way to the Wishing Wizzle.
Is it any good?
Dora's Big Birthday Adventure may be far too simple of a game to keep anybody over five entertained, but for preschoolers, you don't get much better than this. Everything is explained verbally -- no reading required. The games and activities within are designed to prevent kids from failing or getting frustrated, but don't let kids move on without making the correct answers and choices. There's a ton of variety among those activities, too: Running and jumping, playing music, putting puzzles together, finding hiding places, matching shapes, shouting words, blowing on bubbles, and much more. And once the story is over and you've finally made it to Dora's birthday bash, you even get a handful of bonus party games to play.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the lessons learned in this game. What does each mini-game or activity teach you? How can you apply those lessons to real life?
Kids who've seen the anniversary special can talk about what it's like to play a video game adaptation of a TV show. Does it help if you've seen the show? Do you think you would have enjoyed the game more, less, or the same if you hadn't seen the show?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn basic preschool skills, such as shape and color identification, pattern matching, and counting. Plus, Dora counts in English and Spanish and throws in a smattering of other Spanish words. Kids need to listen carefully to the spoken directions. Simple controls enable preschoolers to handle the game on their own. And the game gives great feedback, letting kids know where they may have gone off course and waiting for them to get a puzzle right before moving on. From the simple-but-solid lessons to the preschooler-friendly presentation, Dora's Big Birthday Adventure is a winner.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: following directions, vocabulary
- Math: counting, numbers, patterns
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication: listening, multiple forms of expression
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction: self-reflection, set objectives, work to achieve goals
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning:
How kids will learn
As Dora and Boots make their way out of Wizzle world, they stop to help needy Wizzles, thereby engaging kids in mini-games where they count balloons, play songs by matching colors, or sometimes just scribble on the touchpad according to given directions. Listening and following instructions are a big part of the learning process. Game controls are super easy, and by listening to and interacting with Dora, kids feel they're actually taking part in the story.
How parents can help
- Watch the Dora the Explorer TV show upon which this game is based and then ask your kids about the lessons they've learned.
- Test kids on the Spanish words they've learned; introduce new vocabulary.
- Read them basic bilingual word books.
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Never
This game is absolutely horrible. Waste of your money. If you want to get a good game then buy a good game. Not something that took $6 to make in china.
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AGE
its fine for little or smaller kids but for older kids they willnget bored quicklyu\
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AGE
9-10
eh dora's cool
but i dont think a 5 year old can control a ds unless its memorise what to do
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Kid, 12 years old
August 11, 2010
AGE
should be eC but i think 2-4 is a toddler, not just a pre-k. i don't know why this game is rated E because Swiper says godd--n it in 1 part. Should be Rated T.
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AGE
should be eC but i think 2-4 is a toddler, not just a pre-k. i don't know why this game is rated E because Swiper says godd--n it in 1 part. Should be Rated T.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 11, 2010
AGE
should be eC but i think 2-4 is a toddler, not just a pre-k. i don't know why this game is rated E because Swiper says godd--n it in 1 part. Should be Rated T.
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AGE
adults only!!!!!!!!!
this game is sooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bad thats all im gonna say
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| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 2 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Preschool |
| Developer: | 2K Play |
| Release date: | August 5, 2010 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for (No Descriptors) |
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