Mom reveals 4 tips to avoid ‘insanely expensive’ shopping at Build-A-Bear – and ‘restuffing’ is crucial

A MOM has revealed the best ways to make a Build-A-Bear Workshop trip with your kids more affordable.

The money-saving advice will ensure the little one gets what they want without such a hit to the wallet.

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Build-A-Bear has already offered some opportunities for parents to take advantage of during the year for deals, as noted in a recent post by mother-of-two and blogger Toddlin’ Around Tidewater.

This includes Pay Your Age Day, which has been available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom in the past.

It’s as it seems — customers paid the current age of their child in dollars for a new furry friend.

So instead of $40 for a new stuffed animal, if their child is four years old, parents would pay just $4.

The promotion was quite the discount and resulted in significantly long lines and frequent sell-outs at Build-A-Bear locations.

In 2018, it was scrapped because of this side effect, per USA Today.

Instead, it’s now included on a child’s birthday, otherwise known as the Count Your Candles offer, with a specific Birthday Treat Bear costing the age that the little one is turning that year up to 14.

That’s the fastest way to save money initially if you time it right.

Build-A-Bear also offers birthday parties for five or more guests as a way to save, per Toddlin’ Around Tidewater.

A base-level package is just $18 per guest and includes a bear and a t-shirt.

With a group of five that would be around $90 pre-tax.

The most expensive is $45 each ($225 for five), which includes a more premium bear offering, a sound add-on for that bear, a clothing item, shoes, and a backpack.

According to the mom, another way to cut costs is to sign up for a Build-A-Bear account before heading in-store.

She noted that the store frequently notifies account holders of sales and sends coupons — even an additional free voucher for a Pay Your Age bear.

New Arrivals at Build-A-Bear

Several brand-new items are currently available for customers on Build-A-Bear’s website and in stores.

• Lucky Ladybug Stuffed Animal: $26 – buy here
• Cuddly Cow Stuffed Animal: $26 – buy here
• Fuzzy Pink Pig Stuffed Animal: $26 – buy here
• Jennifur Cat Plush “Hug Me For Luck” St. Patrick’s Day Gift Set: $42.20 – buy here
• Playful Pup Stuffed Animal “Hug Me for Luck” St. Patrick’s Day Gift Set: $43.50 – buy here
• Spring Green Frog Stuffed Animal “Hug Me for Luck” St. Patrick’s Day Gift Set: $49.50 – buy here

FREE FAVORITES

Bears that your child already has that have lost their fluff can even be fluffed again for free.

All consumers have to do is bring it to their local Build-A-Bear.

Build-A-Bear currently has 320 stores in the United States, all of which are mall-based.

Additionally, the mom noted that Build-A-Bear offers several free online games for kids.

Ahead of going in-store to get a bear, or even if you aren’t able to afford a bear at that time, online games would be a great way to still have your child interact with Build-A-Bear.

GROWTH UNDERWAY

Build-A-Bear is also seemingly in the midst of expansion plans.

CEO Sharon Price John noted in a December 2023 conversation with Bloomberg Talks that the brand was “actively pursuing additional franchises and international partners.”

“The Build-A-Bears that we operate in the UK are part of our owned and operated portion of our company as well as in Canada,” John explained.

“But from Australia to China, to South Africa, to Chile those are franchises and partner-operated.”

“We noted on our [earnings] call that we just opened our first store in some time in continental Europe in Milan with Hamleys,” she added.

“We’re looking forward to rolling out across continental Europe.”

Build-A-Bear was also recently forced to drop a Halloween collection after a massive product leak.

The U.S. Sun also has all the details on the history of the beloved retailer.