Take this bear and STUFF IT!
Written: Aug 16 '00 (Updated Jul 01 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: unique, fun, adorable toys
Cons: the wardrobe can cost you
The Bottom Line: Lots of fun, a creation to cherish.
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| jenb123's Full Review: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear |
UPDATE 6/30/05 (originally published 8/16/00 ) Teddibar is STILL Emily's favorite toy. The bear is in excellent shape, not quite as fluffy as it used to be, but surprisingly cuddly as ever. No toy has lasted this long in my house!
UPDATE 5/24/02 (originally published 8/16/00 ) I am happy to report that my nearly 4 year old daughter STILL loves her bear and it is her favorite toy. Considering how long ago we got the bear, I'm impressed.
This review of Build-A-Bear Workshop is part of a "shop-stuff-fluff-dress-and-then-WRITE-off" with fellow Kids and Family Advisor KaraHoo. Don’t forget to check out her review as well.
Dateline Schaumburg, Illinois... It is 90 degrees, my A/C is on the fritz and the cool Woodfield Mall sounds better and better by the minute. I invited fellow mommy and Epinions member Kara (KaraHoo) to join my daughters and me for an evening at the mall.
After watching our toddlers, who are weeks apart in age, run around with my five year old we headed to the upper level of the mall. The plan was to check out The Disney Store, maybe Gymboree...Instead I mentioned Build-A-Bear Workshop. My niece’s Brownie troop took a field trip there and loved it. Kara said she wanted to check the place out as well... We rounded up our rugrats and headed over to the shop.
Upon entering the store we were immediately greeted by an employee who eagerly explained how Build-A-Bear Workshop works. Customers choose a bear or other plush animal to stuff, fluff, dress and take home. I’m not sure who was more excited, we moms or the girls. Kara’s daughter Riley and my little Emily seemed more concerned with escaping from their strollers than in selecting their bears. My five year old, Amanda, was bursting with enthusiasm and chose hers after carefully looking at all the selections.
Pick a bear, any bear!
Bears ranged in size from 10” to 21” inches tall. Prices started at 10.00 for a Lil Cub to 25.00 for a huge Polar Bear. Other choices included a 15” Curly Bunny for 15.00, a 17” Floppy Frog for 18.00 and several others. Riley and Emily each chose 10” brown teddy bears (Lil Cub) and Amanda chose a 12” white teddy with a pink nose. After the kids were done choosing, we headed to the next step.
Take this bear and STUFF IT!
The “stuffing station” was our next stop where our girls each selected a heart for their furry friends and brought their bear to the stuffing machine. The girl running the machine enlisted Amanda’s help stepping on a pedal that controlled the machine. After adding stuffing, each child was invited to hug their bear (to check the stuffing and huggability levels) and to make a wish. Finally, the girls were instructed to kiss their bear’s heart, which was then sewn inside the bear’s chest. We were then told there was a code in the bear so that if it ever was lost and returned to Build-A-Bear it would be sent back to it’s owner. I’m not anxious to test this feature, but it is neat nonetheless.
An optional feature was to add a sound piece that made an animal noise, said a phrase or even played your own recorded message. This option was not terribly expensive (5.00 and up I believe..) but as experienced moms, we decided against adding the noise factor to an otherwise nifty toy.
Rub-a-dub-dub, let’s fluff up the cub!
Now that the bears were stuffed and not yet dressed they needed a “fluffing” before we selected a wardrobe. A little bathtub showered the bears with air, a foot pedal “activated” the shower. We were nearly done and the tots were losing interest. Amanda was still having a ball while Kara and I chased after our own “cubs.”
Typin’ time!
Our next stop was a row of computers where we registered our new furry friends. We scanned a barcode on each bear’s tag and entered the bears’ names, our children’s names and other information. A birth certificate was created and would be available when we checked out. The computer could also create a story about your bear, but we chose the birth certificate and headed over to choose outfits and accessories.
Bear Wear, Bear Gear...Underwear?
The selection of clothing and other items to personalize the bears was quite extensive. There were pinafores, khakis, T-shirts and costumes. Tiny spectacles, slippers, hats and umbrellas, even jewelry. There were boxer shorts, panties, neckties and bikinis. We saw an Elvis Bear, a Biker Bear...Even a Bride Bear. Prices ranged from 3.00 up to about 15.00, for example:
BAB 500 Racer 2 piece outfit
$12.00
Bikini
$10.00
3 piece Cheerleader outfit
$8.00
Fisherman Outfit
$8.00
T-Shirt
$4.00
Panties
$3.00
Rock Star Outfit with Wig
$15.00
Box ‘em up in a Bamboo Bear Bungalow
Now that Riley, Emily and Amanda had dressed their bears it was time to check out. At the registers the girls received bear tattoos, their bear’s birth certificate, a bow, a Beary-Newsworthy Newsletter and a “cub condo” to carry their bears in. The sturdy cardboard box even has windows and can be colored to look like a little house. We were even issued a punch card to earn a 10.00 discount once it was filled up.
With their new friends, we left Build-A-Bear Workshop with some unique toys created by our children (with a little help from us). The bears are adorable, the experience was unique and the staff was very friendly.
A “beary” nice evening...
We were there towards the end of the evening when the mall was nearly ready to close. While some stores might rush you and employees might be busy preparing to close that was not the case here. The employees were young and very good with the children helping to make the experience fun. The many choices available to personalize the toys were impressive and the concept itself was whimsical.
If you build it, they will smile...
Build-A-Bear Workshop seems to be designed for kids but there were couples creating “Anniversary Bears.” There are bear t-shirts to create a new baby gift, a birthday present and even a souvenir (there were “Chicago” t-shirts) bear. Parties can be scheduled for birthdays or organizations and party guests can receive a free gift.
You can visit Build-A-Bear Workshop if you are fortunate enough to live near one (they are only a handful of workshops in 15 states so far). If there is no location near you, never fear because you can also create your own custom bear online at www.buildabear.com. The website can also list all current and some future locations.
Build-A-Bear Workshop was fun and different. My girls are now thrilled with their cuddly creations and Amanda thanked me the whole drive home. While most families need another stuffed toy like a hole in the head, it isn’t every day you can choose, stuff and fluff your very own plush toy. Toddlers might grow a bit impatient, but for preschool aged children and older, this is a must try.
Now, if only there was a Build-A-Man Workshop....(Just kidding dear!)
Recommended:
Yes
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jenb123
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Location: IL
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