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Dora will go on epic adventures in a magical rainforest where anything can happen –- and usually does, including sneaky interferences from the rainforest’s cheekiest fox, Swiper! But you don’t have to travel as far as Dora to find an action-packed and entertaining day out to stimulate curious little minds. And while it may seem like there are no rainforests that are reachable with a Travelcard, London has plenty of tropical escapes, outdoor quests and wildlife adventures. Here’s a selection to explore together.
he world’s greatest little kid explorer is back in DORA,
a brand new Nickelodeon series, streaming now on Paramount+. Alongside her best friend Boots the Monkey,
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Ten incredible family
adventures to have in
Stream the brand new Nickelodeon series, DORA, on Paramount+
Sometimes it’s nice to live your adventures vicariously from the comfort of your sofa! Nickelodeon’s brand new series DORA is the perfect, fun-filled way to fire up your young one’s adventurous spirit and spark their curiosity. Join Dora and her friends on Paramount+ as they work together to overcome exciting challenges, try new things and learn that they don’t need to be the best, only to do their best. So what are you waiting for? Adventure awaits! Grab your backpack and let’s go. ¡Vámonos!
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Play pirates and seafarers at this fantastical Peter Pan-inspired adventure playground nestled in a secret(ish) corner of Kensington Gardens. Young explorers can channel their adventurous Dora spirit, having a blast on its legendary centrepiece: a huge pirate ship that Dora and Boots the Monkey would be raring to explore. Climb aboard and imagine exploring the high seas. Vamos!
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Outside it’s the South Bank; inside it’s the banks of the Amazon! Follow in Dora’s intrepid footsteps by venturing into a lush forest at London Aquarium’s incredible Rainforest Adventure. DORA is all about discovery and exploration, so now’s the time to find a whole unexpected world below the surface of the world’s greatest river. It’s the perfect outing for any budding explorer, with colourful critters, deadly creepy-crawlies and razor-toothed piranhas awaiting… out of reach, happily.
Take a rainforest adventure at London Aquarium
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Strap on your backpack, gather up a few pals and head for London Zoo and its rainforest habitat to step into Dora’s shoes and learn about the creatures that live under its vast canopy. There are no sneaky red red foxes like Swiper here, but you will find red-faced spider monkeys (maybe some distant relatives of Boots?) and red titi monkeys, as well as baby sloths, golden-headed lion tamarins and flying foxes. It’s the trip to South America you can make without leaving Zone 1. Dora also loves to help others, especially friendly rainforest critters – so if you’re able to, why not take a leaf out of her book by also donating to London Zoo’s conservation efforts. ¡Súper bien!
Meet some jungle critters at London Zoo
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Whether it’s swinging on vines, scaling a cliffside, or crossing a crystal clear river, Dora’s can-do approach means she has limitless adventures at her fingertips. Whilst your little one’s adventures might not need to be quite as ambitious, they can still enjoy their own fearless explorations – they just need a little imagination. There are loads of brilliant play areas to climb on, and explore in London, but few of them are as thrilling and fun as the spectacular play kingdom at Olympic Park. Little ones will have a blast navigating the aerial walkways as if they’re treetop platforms, turning rope bridges into jungle pathways, and zip wires into sturdy vines to swing on, whilst also splashing through rock pools. Forget Hyde Park, this is most perfecto park in the city.
Head for the heights at Tumbling Bay Playground, Olympic Park
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At ground level, Kew Gardens is pretty magical – for instance, there’s a tree that dates back to the age of the dinosaurs – but head for the Treetop Walkway, 18 metres up, and it’s a breathtaking adventure, as well as a bird’s eye view of trees brimming with birds, bugs and lichen. Also, those not keen or able to make the 118-step climb up need not be put off - a glass panoramic lift can whizz you up, ensuring that in true DORA style, no one is left behind. London doesn’t have its own rainforest, but this is the next best thing.
Brave the Treetop Walkway at Kew Gardens
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Clip on, grab a handhold and borrow some of Dora’s critical thinking skills to plot the best course to clamber up a wall at Wandsworth’s brilliant indoor climbing centre. Brave explorers can test their skills in a safe and collaborative environment which friends, old and new, can explore together. Today Wandsworth, tomorrow the Andes!
Become a Mini Mountaineer at Clip N Climb
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Never one to give up, we’ll borrow some of Dora’s persistence and resilience, and won’t let a spot of bad weather get in the way of fantástico family days out – so when rain washes out outdoor adventure, head for one of London’s most unusual family-friendly spots instead. Once it was an old church, now there’s a Hullabaloo soft play beneath its old stained glass windows and it’s filled with spots to explore, slides to race down and ball pits to dive into, and even pretend you’re escaping quicksand in the jungle! And grown-ups stock up on provisions at the Sanctuary Café a few yards away. ¡Muy blen!
Dive into the soft play at The Sherriff Centre
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A brilliant way for young adventurers to sample new experiences – magical music, taste-bud-expanding food and lots of fun – Battersea Park’s sun-kissed festival. For young explorers, Kids Tipiland is an interactive area full of games, make-and-play stations and the chance for little ones to take control of their own day out, away from the grown-ups. You’ll have to wait a little bit for this one as the event takes place in August - but great adventures are worth waiting for! Plus, you can book your tickets now to secure a spot at this unmissable day out.
Head for Kids Tipiland at Battersea Park in Concert
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If Dora visited London, she’d make a beeline for the wild and wonderful nature reserve (one of Europe’s largest!) of Walthamstow Wetlands. She’d love exploring this huge, 211-hectare paradise for rare birds – grey herons, tufted ducks and little egrets – that’s full of tangled vegetation and incredible views of the city.
Splash down at Walthamstow Wetlands
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Stream the brand new Nickelodeon series DORA on Paramount+ now
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Discover amazing activities and curious creatures
this spring, thanks to this guide inspired by the brand new Nickelodeon series, DORA, on Paramount+
Photo: London Aquarium
Photo: London Zoo
Photo: Christian Sinibaldi
Photo: RBG Kew
Photo: Laurence Crossman-Emms
Photo: Battersea Park in Concert
Photo: Ann Playford
Photo: The Royal Parks
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Watch the trailer for DORA here!
Go on a seafaring adventure at the Diana Memorial Playground
Photo: Magpie-Eye Photography
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Written by
Time Out
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: London Aquarium
Photo: Magpie-Eye Photography