Build a Bear Workshop

I am sure you have heard of Build a Bear Workshop. Most people with kids have heard of them! Its not just a store where you go to buy a stuffed animal and dress it either, that's what I had thought. We had our first Build a Bear Workshop experience this summer while we were on holidays in Alberta. Kristina has saved up her money for months and wanted a Build a Bear Workshop. She had been talking about it for months. Most of her friends already had a Build a Bear but her. That's just devastating when your 7. The closest store though is an hour and a half away so we don't go often.

I didn't really know what to expect when we went in. I thought we would be a few minutes picking something out and be on our way. We ended up being there for about 45 minutes. So as long as you are expecting it you can plan for it. We had a great time.

First you pick out your animal. There were so many to choose from and they even do cute ones for holidays. For this review Kristina was sent a heart Dalmatian that she named Jewel, it was a special Valentines dog! Then you take it over to the stuffing machine. One of the workers gives you a little heart and you rub it on your heart and tell it what traits you want your animal to have like caring, generosity, and love. You can also add some other things into your animal if you want. Kristina put a real beating heart into her bear we got in Alberta and they sent her Dalmatian with a barking piece in its foot.

Once you have everything in it they stuff it all up for you and you get to take it over to the spa. There is a giant bathtub (without water) and there are all sorts of scrub brushes for you to clean it all up. Now you get to wander around and check out all of the adorable clothes and accessories available for your newest family member. They have everything you can imagine. The usual clothes, dresses, pants, shirts, Harley Davidson stuff, ballgowns, jewelry, and so much more!

Once you have everything you need you get to go over to the computers and go online to name your newest baby! A birth certificate prints out and you are good to go. You can even go online when you get home and play with your new friend in a virtual world. On another note you can also do birthday parties at Build a Bear Workshop. I have seen them happening when in there and they really look like a lot of fun, especially if you have a birthday in the winter when its yucky outside!

Check out this great program Build a Bear Workshop is putting on:

Today, more than ever, young people are stepping up to make a difference in communities near and far. Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the innovator and leader of the make-your-own stuffed animal concept for mall-based retailing, has taken a leading role in recognizing efforts of young people to help those in need through its Huggable Heroes® program — a North American-wide recognition program that recognizes, honours and rewards kids who demonstrate extraordinary service in their communities and around the world. The seventh annual search for these special people, ranging in age from eight to 18, is now on!

Build-A-Bear Workshop is now searching for more incredible Canadian children to be named the 2010 Huggable Heroes. Now through February 26, 2010, anyone can nominate a candidate (and kids can nominate themselves) by visiting buildabear.com/huggableheroes or by picking up an entry form at any Build-A-Bear Workshop store across Canada.

This year, Build-A-Bear Workshop will recognize 10 Huggable Heroes, two will be selected from Canada, by an independent judging panel. Each will receive a prize worth $10,000 ($7,500 in the form of an educational scholarship from Build-A-Bear Workshop and $2,500 from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation to be donated to the charity of the hero’s choice). In addition, the Huggable Heroes will win a trip for themselves and a parent to St. Louis, the home of Build-A-Bear Workshop World Bearquarters. During their visit, the 2010 Huggable Heroes will meet each other, be honoured for their good deeds, and participate in a photo shoot for the 2011 Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes Calendar.