Beary Beary good (Build a Bear)

Member Name: jazzypinkpuppet

Product:	Build a Bear
Date:	23/08/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A fantastic experience, so much fun.

Disadvantages: can be expensive

Build a bear is exactly as the name suggests, a place where you can make a teddy bear and customise it to make a unique and special furry friend.

I am basing my review on the experience I have had in the Bluewater branch of Build a bear. Bluewater is a giant shopping centre in Kent.

The concept of build a bear is very simple yet the experience of making a bear from a childs point of view is complex and magical.
Our first experience of build a bear was when my little girl received a gift voucher as a 6th birthday gift, I didn't know too much about it and although I passed the store everyday on my way to work I always thought of it as a bit gimmicky and almost a tourist attraction. But after our visit my daughter and I were hooked and have been ever since.
Here is a typical build a bear visit based on my many experiences.

Arrival- When you arrive at Build a bear there is usually a member of staff waiting by the door greeting all the customers. They tend to be holding several cuddly creatures that are normally dressed head to foot in clothes, shoes and accessories.
Once inside you are shown to the 'skins' these are the animals without stuffing, there are so many to chose from to suit all budgets and tastes. From a normal old fashioned teddy bear to a Fluffy furry Reindeer, they have dogs, cats, cows, monkeys, tigers, bunny's and several different style bears. They also have special edition bears that are released for a limited time such as Hannah Montana bear or Valentines day bear. Prices start at £8 for a basic bear but can be as high as £24 for the limited edition bears. This price include the stuffing and sewing of the skin.
Once you have chosen your bear you proceed to the .....

Making your bear - This is a really fun and special part for children, there is a big stuffing machine where a member of staff will sit down with your child and ask them to bring the bear to 'life'. They ask the child to pick a heart out of a selection of little coloured padded hearts and they have to kiss it and make a wish. Once they have down that, they place the heart inside the bear along with a barcode, this barcode is unique to your bear and once you have registered it, if it ever gets lost anywhere in the world it can be returned to you. The bear is then attached to the stuffing machine and your child will get to press the pedal to make the stuffing come out and into their bear. You can make them as soft or as firm as you like.
When it is filled the staff member will sew it up and it is ready for cuddles. There are bear baths in the store where you can groom the bear with pretend showers and little brushes, it is so cute.
After the making and grooming its time to .......

Dress and accessorize your bear - This is where it is easy to get carried away, there are absolutely so many amazing outfits to chose from for both boys and girls. There are little trousers, jeans, skirts, T-shirts and shirts sold indivisually these range from £3.50-£8.00, then there are complete outfits and dresses these cost between £6-£12.00. There are also fancy dress outfits such as fireman, wedding party, school children, chefs and even Disney characters such as little mermaid outfits these cost between £10 - £15. There are pajamas and knickers, socks and little dressing gowns for night time, they have hats, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, ipods and even wigs for the bears. There really is so much stuff to choose from and with prices starting at £1 going up to about £20 there really is something for everyone.
When its dressed to the nines its now time to

Register and pay - There are computers in the store, this is where you register the bear and create the stuffed animals birth certificate. They are easy to use, you just follow the on screen instructions or if you need help there are plenty of staff to ask.
When you have finished on the computer you go to the till where your birth certificate will be waiting, the animal is put in a pet carrier and it is yours to keep forever.

Overall experience - I think the whole journey of making the bear is fantastic, the staff are ultra enthusiastic and try to make the children have lots of fun. The cost can be reasonable but it is very easy to go over the top and cost can be huge. An average bear with an outfit including shoes would set you back about £25. It is good to bear in mind that you are not only paying for the bear but you are paying for the experience.
Fabulous choice for special treats.

Summary: A brilliant way to make and take a toy.