Building Katie
Written: Apr 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tons of fun to create your own stuffed toy!
Cons: The cost might be a little much for some.
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| JenN2kids's Full Review: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear |
Build-A-Bear Workshop is an unconventional toy store where kids of all ages can make their own stuffed toys. They offer 24 or so (new ones pop up here & there, especially for holidays) animals to choose from in sizes ranging from 10 inches to about 36 inches.
There is a display above each barrel showing what the toy will look like once stuffed. The animals in the barrels are fairly flat, just their faces are usually pre-stuffed. The back of the animal has an opening with loose stitching where the stuffing is later added.
These are the things you do once you choose your bear (or bunny, or cow, or frog, or monkey…):
~Hear me
~Stuff me
~Stitch me
~Fluff me
~Name me
~Dress me
~Take me home!
Let’s take a look at the various steps to building your own bear.
Hear me
This is one option that we didn’t use when we built our first bear. There are several different sound mechanisms that you can add to your animal’s innards. They say generic sounds or play songs, such as:
I love you!
Mooooo!
Ribbit!
I didn’t really check the songs out thoroughly, but I remember that there were at least two or three choices. There is also an option of recording your own saying to personalize your bear further.
Stuff me
After choosing your bear (and sound if you like), you take it to the “Stuff-It” machine and a bear builder assists you in stuffing your bear. The machines themselves are very cute, with clear sides, showing the stuffing flipping, flopping, twisting, and turning inside. The “Bear Builder” operating the machine places your bear on a post and you have the option of working the foot pedal to make the stuffing come out of the machine and into your bear. Once the bear is fully stuffed, the Bear Builder will ask you for its heart (a small heart shaped disk covered in solid or print red fabric) and places it inside your bear. They also tear off a portion of the bear’s bar code and place it inside. They explain that if you lose your bear and it is returned to a Build-A-Bear Workshop, they can locate you and return your bear to you.
Stitch me
The Bear Builder will then pull the loose stitching tightly closed and tie it off. I’m not sure how the original stitching is done, but it seems to be very secure. Once they have tied the bear shut, it’s difficult to find the difference in the seams.
Fluff me
This step is clearly geared towards younger Guest Bear Builders. There is an apparatus that somewhat resembles a bathtub, with two “shower heads” on it. It is also operated with a foot pedal, which pushes air through the heads to “fluff” your bear. Great fun for the little ones!
Name me
There are several computers set up which are very kid-friendly. The keyboards have oversized letters and color keys to help them follow the steps in naming (or creating a story) their bear. There are scanners attached to the computers to scan the bar code, telling the computer quickly which bear you have chosen. We created a birth certificate for our bear, which only requires giving it a name. The computer also asks for the owner’s name and address (to be used in locating, as mentioned above). The birth certificate lists the bear’s name, height, weight, birth date, color, eye color, and owner’s name. It is a very cute keepsake.
Dress me
This is one of the most fun parts of Build-A-Bear Workshop…selecting an outfit! There are so many choices as to how to dress your bear! My daughter chose to dress hers as a cheerleader. The outfit included pom-poms (with elastic bands to attach to the “hands”), ear bows (elastic bands again), and a cute little dress. The whole ensemble was $8. She also chose some little red “sneakers” to match, which cost $5. There are many outfits that are sold as ensembles, but also numerous separates. There are exercise outfits, swimsuits, raincoats, boxers, panties, hats… The list could go on and on, you name it, they most likely have it!
Take me home!
The last step in your Build-A-Bear experience. Our bear was $12, so the total cost was just over $26, with tax added. At the checkout, you also pick up your birth certificate or story. Your bear will be packaged in a box that is made to look like a house. It has cutout windows and a small door that opens. Over the window above the door are the words “I’m going home.” Also, the house box is white with blue print used to show all the little details. This is especially nice for kids because they can color it in as they choose later. The associate at the register also included a pair of bath slippers monogrammed “BABW” (Build-A-Bear Workshop), but I’m not sure if that is standard practice or not. The store also offers "Bear Bucks" in $5 and $10 denominations which can be used as stocking (or Easter basket) stuffers and the child won't miss out on the fun of creating.
We had a wonderful time creating my daughter’s little friend, Katie. The Bear Builders all seem to be well trained and extremely friendly and helpful. I know the price may seem a little high for a stuffed toy, but I believe the fun and experience of building it ourselves was well worth it. If there is a BABW near you, I suggest you go check it out (or just check out their Web site), just for fun. No need to buy, just go see all that this unique store has created!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
JenN2kids
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Member: Jenni
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Reviews written: 69
Trusted by: 64 members
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