Build a Bear

Families visiting a city with little kids can balance a day of sightseeing -- and create a souvenir-- by visiting a Build-A-Bear Workshop ®.

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Background

Build-A-Bear Workshop ® is at once an innovative retail company and a family-friendly entertainment venue: the stores are places where kids have fun creating customized furry friends.

What's it all about?The first Build-A-Bear Workshop ® store opened in Saint Louis in 1997: kids (of any age) enter a totally themed environment to make their own teddy bear or other stuffed animal. Already there are over 200 stores in the US and Canada, and many international locations as well.

The company has won awards for its innovative concept in retailing, and -- in its own words-- is "beary committed to supporting charitable causes that improve the lives of children, families and animals."Build-A-Bear Workshop® has a "Founder and Chief Executive Bear", Maxine Clark; and a 6' 4" tall mascot, Bearemy.

To Build-a-Bear:

To make their stuffed teddy bear or flamingo, or monkey - there are dozens of choices-- "guests" (i.e. kids of any age including anyone feeling young-at-heart) do a circuit of eight bear-making stations.

• Choose Me: guests choose the furry friend they're going to make.
• Hear Me: guests choose a pre-recorded sound that will be inserted in the stuffed animal; or they can make their own message (for about $8).

• Stuff Me and Heart Stuff: "master Bear Builders associates" (aka store staff) fill the teddy with stuffing. "Heart Stuff™" is a special step: each Guest chooses a satin heart, makes a wish, and puts it inside the stuffie.
• Stitch Me: before the stuffed animal gets its final stitch, the "master Bear Builder associate" inserts a barcode, so that if the stuffed animal gets lost, it can be returned to Build-A-Bear Workshop and its owner can be identified.

• Fluff Me: the guest brushes the animal at the bear spa
• Name Me: the Name Me computer asks guests questions about their new stuffed animal, and this info goes on a personalized birth certificate (English or Spanish).
• Dress Me: of course, there are fashions for all occasions. Pawsonal Shoppers assist.
• Take Me Home: guests get the customized birth certificate, and a Buy Stuff Club® card. The stuffed animal travels in a Cub Condo® carrying case.

Prices for your child's furry friend are reasonable -- $10 to $25-- as are prices for outfits.

Where to visit Build-a-Bear Workshops:

Most any major city has a Build-A-Bear Workshop ®, but some stores are specially positioned for tourist visits.

NYC has a flagship location on 5th Ave at 46th, with on-site "Eat With Your Bear Hands Cafe". Chicago has a location at Navy Pier; in San Francisco, young baseball fans can make a Lou Seal (mascot) at AT&T Park.

Creating a stuffed animal friend on a trip can make a nice souvenir, plus there's the trade-off benefit: "first we go to The Louvre, then to Build-A-Bear Workshop"®. Yes, there's one in Paris: also, London (in famous Hamley's toy store), and elsewhere in Europe, Australia, and round the world.

More For Family Travelers:

A visit to a Build-a-Bear Workshop ® can be a special treat for a child during a day of sightseeing, and a way to create a unique souvenir.

In addition, certain hotels offer Build-A-Bear packages: for ex., kids might find that the room has a Bear Bunk Trunk, that folds out into a bed for tired stuff animals, with Blanket and Pillow Set, etc.; or a bear-sized sleeping bag... Check Embassy Suites for multiple cities; Embassy Suites in NYC; or Hilton New York.

More about Build-a-Bear Workshop:

you can shop online for pre-made stuffed animals

parties at Build-a-Bear Workshop ® are a special focus, and several stores have private party rooms

Friends 2B Made is a sister company: guests create dolls with customized personalities; each outfit comes with two charms (for doll and owner) ; and price is right, with dolls starting at $12, accessories at $2 and complete outfits for $8.

^{*photo (c) Teresa Plowright}