This past Sunday, my family and I had the pleasure of being invited to check out Build A Bear’s new interactive and technology enhanced store design. In an age where most children are extremely technologically savvy, this was an exciting and welcome upgrade to the already great Build A Bear experience.
My boys were immediately attracted to their innovative and modern design and ran ahead of us to try out some of the activities. The first station that caught their eye was the “Love Me” touch screen which allows children to choose a heart for their stuffed animal. They both loved choosing some of the characteristics that they wanted their bears to have.
Another station offered them the opportunity to create a customized sound chip containing some of their favorite tunes. Kids can choose from a variety of songs to upload to their sound chips and there are music options for children of all ages. My nine year old was pleasantly surprised to be able to upload a song by Bruno Mars and Taio Cruz!
The entire experience is very personalized and customizable including choosing a name for their stuffed animal and printing their birth certificate. All of this is accomplished due to the unique bar code that comes on the label of each individual Build A Bear. Lost stuffed animals can even be tracked and returned due to this system.
From an educator’s standpoint, I loved the fact that all of the different learning stations addressed the different modalities of all children. They were print rich and contained many vivid and colorful visual aids which help children with learning deficits to be successful at each section. In addition, many of the stations were handicapped accessible so that children with limited mobility could also participate in the fun.
To find a Build A Bear location near you, make sure you visit the Build A Bear Workshop online. It is definitely the place “Where Best Friends Are Made.”
Giveaway:
We are giving away one $25 gift card to Build A Bear Workshop to one reader of Tough Cookie Mommy!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Product Review/Giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for my opinion and for the purpose of writing this post. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I love the fact that Build a Bear is a participatory experience. It’s very hands on.
I entered your Purex Baby Detergent giveaway.
build a bear has been the stuffed animal of choice for both my kids since they were tiny. We are huge fans of the sanrio collection and continue to visit the store for clothes and baths for our bears
I have not been to build a bear yet but I know my daughter would love to try it out for her birthday next month! She will love that she gets to make decisions about her very own new friend 🙂
I love how much my kids love the experience. The personalized aspect of choosing everything they want is fabulous for all ages.
I love that kids can build their own bear the way they like it
entered your Purex giveaway
I love all the endless cute outfits they have that you can mix and match.
Never been but my little one has been asking to go -would love the technological and creative aspect of building a bear
the fact that my daughter can create her own personalized stuff animal… and the outfits and accessories are adorable!
entered Tree Hut spa pack giveaway
Wow, Build-A-Bear has come a long way since I made my last stuffed animal. Sounds awesome, I will have to take my kids there soon!
My kids would love to make their own stuffed animail, prolly a dino
I love the selection!
I love that my kids get to be creative!
The experience is fun and children enjoy it.
Love the creativity of Build A Bear
love the variety of cute animals and outfits
We love the selection of animals and that you can watch it get stuffed.
It’s something hands on for my daughter to do.
I think it’s such a fun experience for the kids!
LOVE Build a Bear! They are a great memory in the making, hope to take my daughter for the first time this May when she turns 5!
I love that you can build your own bear!!!
I love when they put the heart inside. thanks
The staff are always friendly and engaging with the kids.
I love surprising my daughter with a trip to Build a Bear. She gets so excited when they put the heart in
I love the wide selection of animals to chose from!
I love that Build A Bear gives my children the tools to build and customize their own friend.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
they can build their own bear
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the creativity and all the options! I still remember going to Build A Bear when I was younger and would love to continue the tradition with my son!
I love that you can build your own bear and it is fun for kids of all ages
i like that its good for all ages of kids.
I love that it taps into a child’s creative side as opposed to just a simple purchase of a stuffed animal.
I love the fun environment and so many outfit choices!
I like the selection and the fun for the kids!
I like it because my granddaughter can customize to her liking.
I like that my children have so much fun there and you can have birthday parties there
I love that you can customize your own bear (or other animal) with different clothing and sound chips.
That your child can really pick what he wants and can be so overjoyed with his new stuffed animal! i love the heart in the animal as well.
I love putting the little heart inside the bear.
i like that you can make your own bear and learn to care for it at build a bear thanks crystal allen
I love that the kids can make it themselves with whatever they want. Their imaginations are their only limitations.
Have to say I’ve never been inside one, but I know my grandson would love it! Thanks for the contest. [email protected]
i like they put a heart in the product but it can get a bit pricey
love dressing them up!
I love that your child can pick out & create a new friend 🙂