With three kids born within three and a half years, my kids have a lot of sharing to do, of toys and attention. We started a family tradition where on their birthdays, each child has a special day with just Mommy and Daddy; no siblings along, and complete, undivided attention for at least one day a year. This year we were stumped for what to do for our son's birthday as the children's museums didn't open until almost his nap time (his birthday was on a Sunday), and with food allergies, places like Chuck E. Cheese are out. A friend suggested Build-A-Bear Workshop and I thought that sounded like a great idea, so off we went.

~&~ The Basics ~&~

If you are totally unfamiliar with Build-A-Bear Workshop, the concept is simple (and oh how I wish I'd thought of it myself!): your child gets to "make" his or her own stuffed animal. There are six stations: Choose Me, Stuff Me, Fluff Me, Dress Me, Name Me, and Take Me Home. Or, as my husband would probably say, spend, spend, spend, spend, spend, and pay.

When you first enter Build-A-Bear Workshop, you will see a wall of stuffed animals with bins under them. Each stuffed animal on the wall has information about that animal, and then under them, you can find the corresponding "skin" (for want of a better word). Prices run from $10 to $20 depending on what animal you select. Buster, after much deliberation, selected the Spring 2004 Limited Edition Chick which was $16.

From there, you get in line. First stop is the Sound Station where you can choose a sound for your friend. Samples of each sound can be heard by pressing a button, and once you have made your selection, drawers above have the sound mechanisms organized by numbers corresponding to the samples. There were 10 single sounds to choose from, including animal sounds and music (each costing $3), one selection that has six phrases including "take me home" (for $5), and one where you can record your own message ($10). My son chose the sound with six phrases.

After choosing your sound (or no sound, as you prefer), your next stop is the Stuff Me station. There, a Build-A-Bear employee invites the next "guest" to come up to have their new friend stuffed. Your child gets to select which leg (or paw) to have the sound mechanism installed in, selects a heart which is placed inside, and then gets to "help" stuff the animal using a foot pedal. There is a little ceremony where your child "warms" the heart, makes a wish, gives it a kiss, and tucks it inside. This is also where a bar code is placed into your stuffed animal so that if your child's lovey is ever lost, it can be sent back to Build-A-Bear, where they can open the animal, scan the barcode, and return lovey to you.

Once your animal has been stuffed and sewn up, the next stop is the Fluff Me station, where a pedal operates air jets that will "fluff" the fur. Brushes are also available to fluff up the fur into just the style you want. Next to the Fluff Me station is a book at the Name Me station where you can search for just the right name for your new buddy if you don't have one already chosen.

After selecting your name, you proceed to Dress Me, where you can choose from dozens of outfits and accessories. You can dress your new friend in anything from a ballerina outfit to a superhero outfit, with accompanying accessories available for most outfits.

After dressing your new friend, you go to Take Me Home (checkout) after stopping at the computers to register your stuffed animal. You enter the other half of the barcode, your personal information, and add your new friend's name. If your friend is ever lost, this information is accessible at any Build-A-Bear Workshop location to help get your lovey back to you. When you leave, your new buddy has his or her own little cardboard home, much like a pet carrier, and either a birth certificate or story (you decide which when you enter the information in the computer).

Build-A-Bear also offers birthday parties, where you set the price range, and each child at the party gets to take home their own Build-A-Bear friend.

~&~ Parents Perspective ~&~

I'll be the first to admit that there is a heft dose of schmaltz involved with the Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear process, but I'm also the first to suck it right up. Our trip to Build-A-Bear was for my son's second birthday; we let each child pick an outing alone with us, and this was his birthday trip.

My son chose a limited edition Easter chick he christened "Duck" and chose a fireman outfit for him, which came with suspendered pants, jacket, helmet, and flashlight (batteries not included). We were able to escape spending less than $40.00, but have no fear; we've spent more since.

The good and bad thing about Build-A-Bear is that there are always new outfits and new animals to choose from, many limited editions. Once your child has gone in, they will want to go in each time, either to find a new friend or get new outfits or accessories for an existing friend. Then again, it's nice that people can always shop for gifts there; when my son had PE tubes placed in his ears recently, he came home to find Duck dressed in a new Buzz Lightyear outfit and was thrilled. Duck has also gotten a superhero outfit complete with mask and cape.

Best of all, Duck really has some staying power. He sleeps with my son every night, has been dragged out more than once, and still looks great. His fur doesn't look matted, and his stuffing hasn't flattened out, which is more than I can say for some other stuffed animals. He's also welcome to go back and visit Build-A-Bear any time to be re-fluffed and visit.

~&~ Kid Value ~&~

Ha! This section just writes itself. What child wouldn't love to create their very own best friend? Not a night has gone by since my son's birthday that he hasn't brought Duck to bed with him, and when he had to reduce the number of loveys that go with him to daycare for nap time, Duck made the cut.

Working the foot pedal for stuffing Duck and putting in the heart were some of the cutest things I've ever seen, and since my son got to do this for a special occasion, it was a wonderful way to create memories as well as a new friend.

~&~ Overall ~&~

If you can tolerate the schmaltz, then Build-A-Bear is an experience that can't be duplicated, often right in your local mall. If you can't visit, you can also shop online at http://www.buildabear.com, or visit the site to take a virtual tour.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 38
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Whole Family