Build A-Bear Workshop

Build a bear is a fantastic concept for gift and kids entertainment!
It can get a little costly depending on which bear or animal you select and what you add to it, but with that said it can also be affordable!
I’ve come in to make numerous gifts for friends throughout the years and have even been there while one was being made for me.
It’s a really cute experience, kind of childish but if you’re a big kid like me you’ll like it. First you pick your unstuffed bear, then you bring it over to the stuffing machine and get to press your foot on the petal so it’s like you’re contributing to the stuffing. You can then put a heart into the bear, they make you hold it tight and rub it on different parts of your body to bring the bear all sorts of luck and you put it in. They have the standard red heart which is free, and a charity one and beating one that are more costly.
Then you get to «wash your bear» in the tub which is just pressing on a petal and air comes out of the tap so it’s as if you’re washing your bear. Then you pick an outfit. I’ve found some things are reasonable and some outfits cost more than the bear! You can also put a recorded voice chip in the bear before stuffing which I like to do, it costs about $ 10 to do this.
Finally you get to make the bear a gift certificate where you name it and write who it’s for and who it’s from.
If I have any advice especially to any big kids like me it is as follows: GO ON A WEEK DAY!!! I got mine made on a Saturday afternoon and it was definitely a regret. We were in line for everything needed for this bear and the whole thing took about an hour. Go on a weekday and you’ll be out in less than 10 minutes, and won’t be surrounded by 100 snotty children ;)
I’m sure I’ll be back in the future for more gifts. I love how they have superhero bears now, and Star Wars!

Everything in here is pretty expensive, especially for what it is, but the do have a discount rack.
I have to come in here for a laugh because they really seem to have it all covered when it comes to accessories of these bears. The bears themselves are expensive to begin with, and you just can’t walk out with a naked bear. Just where is your bear gonna sleep, hang its clothes, what’s is gonna drive? Worth coming just for kicks, but don’t bring the kids or you’ll either be broke, or have a screaming kid on your hands.

The stuffed toys are kind of cute… I secretly got one for myself for the inner child in me.
I love the clothes, the accessories and those cute shoes! :)
It is for sure great fun to dress up your own stuffed animal… your little furry friend! :)
Mine even has a pair of bunny slippers!

Three because it’s expensive.
Three because it’s fun.
This is a good place to blow your money. I took my niece and nephew and ended up paying $ 80 for a couple of stuff toys. This is a good experience for kids — an expensive good experience. Here’s how it goes.
1. You choose an unstuffed bear/​toy
2. You bring it to the staff that will stuff the toy for you. You choose the softness level. You go through a ritual — you jump, turn around and promise that you’ll take care of your «friend»
3. Pick a heart to give your friend a life
4. You pick clothes for your friend
5. Pick shoes for your friend
6. Pick accessories for your friend
7. Name your friend (through an online birth registry)
8. Pay at least $ 40 for each toy
It may not sound much but this can be addictive for kids. Like crack for adults. I have bought about four toys already for my niece and nephew so far.
Each bear is roughly $ 20, clothes averaging $ 12, shoes averaging $ 10 and accessories roughly around $ 20.
This can be a good gift for your kids but be prepared to spend money!