Build-A-Bear Workshop:  A great time for both Grandparents and grandkids!
as reported by Megan Ziegler & Diana Empoliti

Megan Ziegler Reports: 

"Build a Bear Workshop is a wonderful experience for the whole family!" reports Megan one of our mom testers.  "It is like no other toy store we have ever been in before. You chose, create, bring to life, dress, and name your new friend - this allows your child to bond with this toy in a very different and unique way. I felt like my children had a sense of responsibility and love for their new animals - I have never seen them truly bond with a stuffed animal!"

When you are enthusiastically greeted at the door, the journey of picking your new friend begins. "My four year old daughter chose Hello Kitty and my three year old daughter fell in love with the snow leopard. They were then taken to the station where they can chose sound for their animal --- you could pick a giggle or a roar, and in our case the sound of magic and a Cat's meow. Then off to stuff! The kids pick a small fabric heart to place in their friend before the stuffing process begins. They have the kids do a little dance a few jumps and a wish for their animal before they place the heart inside. This whole process is fun to watch and the kids love it! Next is the air bath; they are told to brush and clean their new friend ... they step on a foot petal and air streams out of a shower head. The girls loved this step and took it very seriously. Then they were off to dress Hello Kitty and the snow leopard. The choices are endless, and they loved many of the different things there were to pick. My 3 year old didn't move past the Disney princess section - so her leopard was dressed as Cinderella. My 4 year old went straight to the whole Hello Kitty section, where she picked a stunning tank top and skirt, trimmed in silver - her very own hand bag and shoes, and last but not least she chose a pair of pink Hello Kitty underwear. My 3 year old also added a pair of floral underpants to her leopard when she discovered that was available! Then off to name them on the computer and pick up their birth certificates! They are gently placed in their animal carrier (which is a beautiful cardboard box house that they loved coloring when we got home!)

I think one of the greatest aspects of the "create your own animal" idea is simply that --- it would be very difficult to buy a snow leopard in a blue dress that made a magical wand sound when you squeeze its paw ... my daughter wanted all of these things in one toy -- and she got it! That is why this concept is brilliant!!

I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with Build A Bear! It is a wonderful concept and a great time to share with your children or grandchildren. The staff was also exceptional; they were silly, friendly and helpful. I feel this added so much to the girls'
experience.

If price is a concern, and it can add up since each item is individually priced, set a price limit before going to Build A Bear - or allow the child to pick an animal and one accessory. It is truly worth the experience! Try to help the younger children pick accessories that are not hard to use. For example my 3 year old daughter originally wanted her leopard to be Ariel the mermaid and she could not get the red wig to stay in place -- which caused her frustration! She then decided on Cinderella; it was a great choice - she loves the dress, and it is easy for her to put on the animal.

Diana Empolitti reports:

"That was FUN!" is what my five year old son exclaimed after visiting Build-A-Bear, and he is not even that much of a stuffed animal fan!" reports Diana.  "Not only did he love creating his own bear, but now the bear sits next to him for every meal, sleeps on his pillow at night and travels with him in the car. He has already announced that he can't wait for his bear's birthday so he can go back to the workshop to get a party hat and birthday cake."

The Build-A-Bear experience is very fun -- you get to choose your own bear, help stuff and clean him, then choose from a huge assortment of outfits before tucking him into his own carry-home cardboard house that you can color at home. It was pretty busy when we were at the store but the staff were incredibly helpful and great with the kids. They helped my son choose a fisherman outfit (complete with pole, fish and wading boots) and I am already looking forward to buying him an NFL football uniform for his upcoming birthday.

This is a GREAT activity for a child to share with his grandparents, not only because it is incredibly fun but also because they can bring the bear back to the workshop together whenever they want to give him a bath or just to look at the new outfits they come out with every month.

 

What Our Grandmother Reviewer Had To Say:

"I love the concept!" reports one grandmother.  "I love that it's a complete journey from choosing your animal, filling it up with life by choosing a heart - and then choosing clothes! It allowed my granddaughters to build a friend with their own imagination and creativity."

"My granddaughters new friends never left their side all day - it has brought them much joy and a smile to their grandmothers face! This is an experience I will repeat!"

Click here to find a Build-A-Bear Workshop Near You!

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