Build-A-Bear: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

September 25, 2008

When it comes to stuffing bears, bunnies, and all the other plush toys ready for the making at Build-A-Bear workshops, parents seem to have strong opinions. They either are all for introducing the creative process to their kids or they won't even step foot in the store. We can tell where Tom and Suri Cruise stand on the issue, so which camp do you fall into?
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49 Comments

milosmommy 4 years 34 weeks

I love it. My son is too small now, but I think he'd have fun. Boy oh boy as it is now he has so many stuffed animals that he's not all that interested in. So maybe he won't like it who knows. But I know I want another one. :)

Greggie 4 years 34 weeks

We take my son a few times a year for new animals, a little more often to get a new hat or shirt for one of his existing animals. It's about $25 each time we go. I think it may not be "original" but for those of us who can't sew, it creates a very personal animal for the child. It's much better (and cheaper) than buying a regular stuffed animals and trying to find baby clothes that fit it. Especially with the costumes or sports uniforms, you can't find those often in bear-sizes.

Greggie 4 years 34 weeks

Mykie7 4 years 34 weeks

Cherry, my son has 3 of them. The first one he got in Disneyland, and the other two were gifts for different things. But yeah, to just go "just because", well, I guess Tom Cruise can afford that but I think the average family does it on special occasions only. LOL

cherrygirl143 4 years 34 weeks

My son loves his Snow Leopard and takes it everywhere. He calls it SuperCat. I admit, I was hesitant at first since I have all boys and assumed this was a girl thing. But my youngest son liked stuffed animals so I took him and he loved it. I wouldn't go more than once though...too expensive!

cherrygirl143 4 years 34 weeks

My son loves his Snow Leopard and takes it everywhere. He calls it SuperCat.I admit, I was hesitant at first since I have all boys and assumed this was a girl thing. But my youngest son liked stuffed animals so I took him and he loved it.I wouldn't go more than once though...too expensive!

Mykie7 4 years 34 weeks

Jessie, we're looking for the people that said "I wouldn't set foot in a build-a-bear" and haven't found one, or is that you? LOL I can see people not CARING about it one way or another, that makes sense, but I think the comment about "Wouldn't step foot in one" is off base. I think more likely than not it's people like Jessie who just don't get the hype.

jessie 4 years 34 weeks

wow....i'm odd lady out i guess...:rotfl:.....just don't see the hype about it at all...but hey...if it floats your boat..go for it! :)

Mykie7 4 years 34 weeks

LiL, that's how my Mom was with us kids. Now, we didn't HAVE Build a bear back then, but I still have all the stuffed babies my Mom made because they have sentimental value. I do agree that the build a bears, while cute and personalized, aren't original. I would keep the ones Mom made, but I can see myself selling off build a bears if I ever needed to for some reason.

LiLRuck44 4 years 34 weeks

I've never heard of anyone not liking it, but I'm personally in the middle... I think it's cute, and a great idea, but I wouldn't get one for my kids because they're so mass produced and unoriginal. It probably helps that I can sew and they LOVE watching their items be created from literally nothing. They can pick out specific buttons for eyes, they rummage through my fabric scraps for clothing to make for them, and they sit on my lap and help push all the buttons, which makes them feel like they're really making it. Plus they get to stuff it. So yeah... I'm neither :) If my kids went to a birthday party there or something I'm sure they'd have a blast and love what they made. Oh and the pacifier idea is just too great for words!!!

LiLRuck44 4 years 34 weeks

I've never heard of anyone not liking it, but I'm personally in the middle...I think it's cute, and a great idea, but I wouldn't get one for my kids because they're so mass produced and unoriginal. It probably helps that I can sew and they LOVE watching their items be created from literally nothing. They can pick out specific buttons for eyes, they rummage through my fabric scraps for clothing to make for them, and they sit on my lap and help push all the buttons, which makes them feel like they're really making it. Plus they get to stuff it.So yeah... I'm neither :) If my kids went to a birthday party there or something I'm sure they'd have a blast and love what they made. Oh and the pacifier idea is just too great for words!!!

Greggie 4 years 34 weeks

I don't think they're overpriced either. I think it can be if you go with clothes, shoes, dresser, stroller, hats, roller skates, etc, all on one visit. But buying a bear and an outfit is reasonable, considering how personalized it is. If I went to an Angel game and bought an Angel bear in a uniform, it would cost the same but the clothes wouldn't come off. With a Build a Bear, new clothes come often. :)I had planned to put off getting my daughter one, but then I saw the Amethyst bear, which is her birthstone. I couldn't resist. I didn't get any clothes, though. Much as I wanted to get a tiara.

Greggie 4 years 34 weeks

I don't think they're overpriced either. I think it can be if you go with clothes, shoes, dresser, stroller, hats, roller skates, etc, all on one visit. But buying a bear and an outfit is reasonable, considering how personalized it is. If I went to an Angel game and bought an Angel bear in a uniform, it would cost the same but the clothes wouldn't come off. With a Build a Bear, new clothes come often. :) I had planned to put off getting my daughter one, but then I saw the Amethyst bear, which is her birthstone. I couldn't resist. I didn't get any clothes, though. Much as I wanted to get a tiara.

skigurl 4 years 34 weeks

by the way, Suri is sooooo cute

skigurl 4 years 34 weeks

what's not to like?

skigurl 4 years 34 weeks

what's not to like?

SaRaH 22 4 years 34 weeks

i ♥ this place me and my bf made bears for each other one valentines day it was fun! My little sister (12 years younger than me) when she was little LOVED that place.And off topic kinda...that picture of suri above is too cute!

SaRaH 22 4 years 34 weeks

i ♥ this place me and my bf made bears for each other one valentines day it was fun! My little sister (12 years younger than me) when she was little LOVED that place. And off topic kinda...that picture of suri above is too cute!

Mykie7 4 years 34 weeks

I think Pop must be in the wrong demographic to find people that don't like it, because I'm with everyone else on here. LOVE that place! AND I LOVE the idea about the pacifier MASONSMAMA! Thanks for the hint! One of my friends is struggling with this herself right now, and I'm giving her this idea! THANKS!

Roarman 4 years 34 weeks

My daughter loves build a bear. She has about 12 bears and also does the interactive think online. Very cute. My daughter also made a bear for her little brother. And it is not terribly expensive. I mean you can get a bear for $10.

Mommy of Three 4 years 34 weeks

I love Build a Bear, all three of my kids have at least 2 of them. I also like the cute outfits they have for the bears. When my daughter was born my sons went and made a bear for her as a gift. It was their own idea and they loved making it just for her.

vmruby 4 years 34 weeks

I looooooove Build A Bear.....I can't imagine anyone not liking it.I've even gone there alone to stuff them as gifts for my nieces and nephews.I own 2 of them myself and my daughter has 22 bears.I bought her her first one when she was 6 months old.It's such a fun place for kids.I just had a birthday party for my daughter there this past March for 8 of her girlfriends.The price was very reasonable and I had just as much fun as the girls did.

vmruby 4 years 34 weeks

I looooooove Build A Bear.....I can't imagine anyone not liking it.I've even gone there alone to stuff them as gifts for my nieces and nephews.I own 2 of them myself and my daughter has 22 bears.I bought her her first one when she was 6 months old. It's such a fun place for kids.I just had a birthday party for my daughter there this past March for 8 of her girlfriends.The price was very reasonable and I had just as much fun as the girls did.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 34 weeks

I love that place, and I dont think they are overpriced at all! I have one myself and i am 34.

schnappycat 4 years 34 weeks

Wow, how can anyone not like a store filled with adorable fuzzy animals? I used to go in there all of the time before I had my son just for me! And I always wanted one, but never felt I could justify it for no reason. I'm definitely taking him when he's old enough to get it.

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