Holiday Gift Guide #21: Build-A-Bear Workshop Review & Giveaway

A couple of years ago, I wrote about taking Kaelyn's pacifier away. Wanting to make sure that when we took it, she had something meaningful to have with her at night to take its place...we decided to go to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Kaelyn picked out an animal, put her pacifiers inside and now has a very special friend who she will cherish always. As I've mentioned before, it was at that point I realized just how much I love Build-A-Bear Workshop and the experience they give children (and even adults) to make their own stuffed animal. Whether it's something for yourself, or someone else...this is a great way to make a very personal and meaningful gift and friend. We have visited Build-A-Bear Workshop several times since then, and were thrilled to learn we were going to be sent a gift card to head back and check out the fun new friends they have around for the holidays.

We were sent a $35 Gift Card to use at Build-A-Bear Workshop and I couldn't wait to give Kaelyn and Kaden each the opportunity to make their own furry friend. When we arrived, the first stop was picking out a friend. They have a whole wall full of adorable choices....some holiday animals like Brittany, Alvin, Erik, Arctic Polar Bear and Winter Wonder Teddy...as well as cats, dogs, bears, monkeys, etc.
With winter just around the corner, Kaden went with the Winter Wonder Teddy and Kaelyn decided on the Colorful Hearts Bear.


Once the kids had their animal, it was time to stuff them to the perfect huggable size. They each got to pick out a heart, make a wish, kiss it and stick in their furry friend. By standing on the pedal they are filled with stuffing and then sewn up. Such a neat way to get the kids involved. They even got to hug them before they were sewn, just to make sure they were the perfect size for their little arms to hold. Love it!!

Next we headed over to the Fluff Me station where you give your new friend a shower (air that blows out of the shower head when a pedal is pushed) and brush them to fluff them up. Kaelyn and Kaden both really enjoyed this station...in fact, I think this is where they spent most of their time. Their bears came out clean and incredibly soft!
Picking out clothes is always a lot of fun too. There are SO many to choose from. With everything from adorable Pjs to dress and more, there's something for everyone. With Christmas just around the corner, both kids headed straight for the display that had Christmas outfits and picked out adorable outfits for their bears. The employees were very helpful and made a point to ask us how we were doing throughout our visit and even helped the kids dress their bears!

Of course, you can't leave Build-A-Bear Workshop without naming your new friend. My husband sat down with each of the kids and helped them name their bears. At checkout we got a birth certificate printed out with each of their names and of course, the adorable signature box as a house for each.

We all had a GREAT time, as always. The kids love their furry friends and it was so fun that they could be a part of making them every step of the way. It makes them extra special and is probably why neither one of them has wanted to put their bear down since getting home.


Build-A-Bear Workshop is such a fun and friendly place and a wonderful experience for children to create something special for themselves or someone else.With so many great choices, it would be the perfect opportunity to make a special child in your life a gift they would cherish always. If you're still looking for a great Christmas gift idea for a child on your list this year, I would definitely recommend checking out Build-A-Bear Workshop. While we were there, they had a fantastic deal going where you could get ANY animal + ANY outfit for $24.99. If you're looking for coupons and deals like this before heading there, be sure to sign up for their email list for the latest special offers and events.

You may also be interested in signing up for their Stuff Fur Stuff club. Signing up is free and you can either do it at the store or even online. You get a point for each $1 spent and after 100 points you get a $10 voucher to use on anything. Since the $10 vouchers are treated like cash, you can combine them with sales, coupons, other special offers, etc. Plus, you keep adding points, so if you save $10 on a purchase, you still get those points that you paid for and it just keeps going and going and going.
So, if you're still looking for a fun gift for the children on your list, I'd definitely suggestion Build-A-Bear Workshop. And, if you're not near one of their stores, Build-A-Bear Workshop has a great selection of cuddly friends and accessories right on their website, making it possible to purchase and make adorable gifts with the click of a button!
There are many great options to choose from at Build-A-Bear Workshop this holiday season. If you're looking for a unique and meaningful gift for a child on your list, or great stocking stuffers, Build-A-Bear Workshop would be perfect.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a $10 GC to Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Mandatory Entry - Visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop website and tell me a store near you.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Build-A-Bear Workshop on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Build-A-Bear Workshop on Twitter

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5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Build-A-Bear Workshop) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a $10 GC to @buildabear #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/syL6BY Ends 1/2

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11. Enter any of my other current giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end January 2nd and is open to US Only!

**I was provided a $35 GC to facilitate this review and paid for the extra out of my own pocket. One winner was also provided a $10 GC. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**