Build-A-Bear - The Ultimate Stuffed Experience!
Written: Aug 01 '03 (Updated Aug 03 '03)
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Pros: Excellent Assortment, Personal Selection, Quality, Unique Experience
Cons: Accessories can add a lot of $$$ to the total.
The Bottom Line: Build-A-Bear workshop offers a stuffed animal adventure like no other! I highly recommend these animals.
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear |
If your child likes stuffed animals, and you are searching for a unique experience, I highly recommend a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop. This is an adventure, which ends with a completed stuffed animal that is personalized. The Stuffed Bear is one of many animals that your child can choose from. The animals range in price from $10.00 to approximately $25.00, and vary in measurement: approximately 14" to 18". Children adore the entire process of choosing a bear or other animal, assisting with the stuffing process, filling it with love, bathing it, selecting clothing, naming it, registering it, and selecting either a birth certificate or story to go along with it.
Because your child takes part in the stuffing process, they select how firm they want the animal to be. The outer materials of the animals are soft, and the facial features are detailed. Whether the preference is a traditional style bear, floppy bear, specialty color, or an entire different animal, Build-A-Bear has an animal for everyone! If clothing for the stuffed animal is preferred, you will be amazed by the selection. Sports themes, music, dance, beach, casual, dressy, modern…. the choices are immense.
To date the bear and other animals are every bit enjoyed as the day my girls took ownership. Also, the stuffed animals, apparel and accessories have proven to be durable. Not only are the products durable, but the EXPERIENCE is grand. Granted the animals are nice, but I feel that for my girls the workshop created memories, and the result was an unique stuffed animal that is truly their OWN.
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DETAILED JOURNEY
Choices, Choices, Choices
STEP 1
Your first step at Build-A-Bear is to select an animal. These animals are in barrels and bins, unstuffed, awaiting a good home. Of course Build-A-Bear sells bears, and we were originally introduced to Build-A-Bear when my oldest daughters received a Classic Brown Stuffed Teddy Bear. She received this bear from a friend who was moving out-of-state. What a wonderful gift this proved to be and to date my daughter and her friend continue to be pen pals.
During a recent Build-A-Bear workshop excursion, my oldest chose a Marvelous Monkey and my youngest picked out a Floppy Kitty.
Besides offering a wide assortment of teddy bears, some of the choices included:
Floppy Pony | Pudgie Pig | Kuddly Koala® | Curly Bunny | Turtle | Panda | Fluffy Puppy | Bunny Big Ears | Beary Limited Edition Leopard | Golden Retriever | Floppy Kitty | Floppy Elephant | Floppy Dalmatian | Floppy Monkey
Sing? Roar? Speak?
Step 2
If you prefer, there are lots of sound options that can be put into the stuffed animal. These sounds vary from typical animal (such as a roar or meow), to giggles, songs or a Build-A-Sound feature. And, of course, you can allow your animal to be sound-free.
My youngest had the 'meow' sound put into her kitty. It was put in the arm. The unit does add a 'hard' spot to the animal. The noise is easy to activate, sometimes not intentionally. Personally I think that the 'meow' is loud, just ask the passengers that shared the plane ride home from Vegas.
Stuffin' Fun!
Step 3
Next your child waits in line for the stuffing process. The stores that we have been in have two stuffing machines. When your child's turn arrives, they step up next to the Build-A-Bear workshop employee. All of the employees that I have met are friendly and act as though they enjoy their jobs. The Build-A-Bear workshop employee puts the open of the stuffed animal over a nozzle that extends from the stuffing machine. Your child uses a foot pedal to activate the filling process. Upon completion your child is asked to pick a heart. The employee made this a fun and magical process. She had my youngest daughter put the heart to her forehead, close her eyes, make a wish, twirl three times, kiss the heart and then sit the heart into the stuffing access hole. This is referred to as the heart and beary special wishes process. At this point the employee took a portion of the purchase tag off and put it into the stuffing access hole, explaining that if ever lost and turned in, the animal could make its way home. This is referred to as the Find-A-Bear® ID System. What a neat feature! At this point the animal was stitched up and it was time to go to the next station.
I credit a portion of the fun during this process to the wonderful staff person that was helping. Both of my girls's enjoyed this process, although my 12-year-old didn't openly admit it.
Puffin' and Brushin'
Step 4
Next stop was at the cleaning station. This station included a large, whimsical looking bathtub with what looked like a shower nozzle hanging down, and a pedal on the floor. Your child will lay the animal down and when pushing the pedal, the animal is blown with air. There are also brushes in this area that your child can use. They are shaped like a paw, and new ones are available for purchase.
What To Wear!
Step 5
At this point it is time – if desired – to pick out an outfit. There are so many choices! Prices range from approximately $3.00 and up. Your child can choose from separates or outfits, and there are some designer items – Limited TOO. There are various colors and designs of panties, briefs and undiebears. All of the apparel is 'tail' appropriate, with a stitched opening for the tail to fit through. Also, there are lots of accessories and shoes to pick from. There are changing tables, allowing your child to clothe the animal.
As I am sure you can imagine, this can be a tedious process. My oldest knew from the start that she wanted her Monkey to be 'as is' or I suppose some would say naked. However my youngest went from one area to the next, attempting to decide. She, and several other competition girls, decided to get a pair of shorts with the word 'dance' on the buns, and a T-shirt with the word 'dance'. She also picked out panties, a pair of socks, SKECHERS® Shoes, and a medallion. There were so many other outfits that she would have liked to choose. I made a mental list of what she liked; thinking the items would be great stocking stuffers.
All in The Name
Step 6
What would a beloved stuffed animal be without a name? There are several computers, at which your child proceeds through the naming process. At this point your child will need to decide if they want a birth certificate or storybook with his/her animal. The computer screen prompts your child through this process, and there are plenty of friendly employees ready to assist.
Both girls enjoyed this process.
VISA, Cash or Check?
Step 7
This is your part… pay up! At the cash register you will pay for the animal and all of its apparel & accessories. The clerk will put the animal and the completed birth certificate or story into a Cub Condo®. This Condo is a cardboard carrying case with window cutouts and plenty of design, allowing it to depict a true home appearance.
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Care
Build-A-Bear offers the following products to assist you with grooming and displaying your stuffed animal:
Bear Stuff Cleaner
Paw Brush
Bear Stand
The animals can be surfaced washed and air-dried.
Locations
For the location nearest you please visit:
http://www.buildabear.com/guestServices/locations/index.cfm
Or you can shop the online store:
buildabear.com
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CLOSING SENTIMENT
I am exceptionally pleased with the Build-A-Bear experience, and as mentioned earlier, highly recommend it. This can be a lengthy process so be sure to allot time for the visit. Also, some locations are crowded, making the wait longer. However I feel that the staff does a remarkable job of assisting the kids, and the children really like the personalized process. My girls continue to like their animals and I know that Santa plans on putting some Build-A-Bear goodies in their stockings this season.
Thank you for reading and Happy Playing!
© 2003 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 18.00/46.00
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
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Lisa_J
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
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