My boys have always loved their special stuffed animal friends. From the giant duck my middle child found at a second-hand shop to the tiny husky puppy my oldest has had since he was a baby, their stuffies have been there through the years to cuddle them when they’re sad, talk to them when they’re angry and help them feel secure when they’re scared.
But there’s no stuffed animal friend quite as special as one that you make yourself. And that’s why Build-a-Bear Workshop has long been a favourite destination for children of all ages in search of an extra special new best friend.
Despite my boys’ love of plush toys, neither one had ever been to a Build-a-Bear Workshop before. So, when the company invited them to come create their own special Build-a-Bear, they were ecstatic. We headed to the Build-a-Bear Workshop in the Midtown Plaza in Saskatoon to see just what it was like to create a bear.
The Build-a-Bear experience starts with choosing an animal, because the store has far more than just bears available. Cats, dogs, and even Pokémon characters are all available to become best friends to lucky boys and girls. Both my boys chose classic bears; Zackary picked a fuzzy brown bear and Benjamin chose a green camouflage one.
Next, they added sound effects. They were able to use a computer to listen to available sounds and choose their favourites, then add that sound to a special squeeze-activated cube. My animal-loving eight-year-old chose a barking puppy dog for his bear when Jenn, our bear assistant, reminded him there were no rules when it came to making his bear. My oldest had spotted a Blue Jays jersey that had given him an idea of his bear’s overall look, so he chose the Charge sports anthem.
Then came the fun part…filling up the bears to bring them to life! Benjamin was bouncing with excitement as he chose a heart for his bear and made a wish before putting it safely inside his bear. He loved being able to hug his newly stuffed friend to test the softness, and both boys also added an adorable pressure-activated heart that simulated a real beating heart when the bear was squeezed.
Jenn then sewed up each bear tightly and the boys fluffed and brushed their bears to perfection. With their new friends brought to life, it was time to find the perfect outfits. And Build-a-Bear Workshop had hundreds to choose from!
Zackary had already decided on the Blue Jays outfit for his bear. He also added a baseball glove, bat and ball, sports shoes and an adorable pair of sunglasses. He noticed the jersey number on the back, a one, and immediately announced that he’d come up with the perfect name.
Benjamin, on the other hand, wasn’t quite sure how he wanted to dress his bear. He looked briefly at the camouflage soldier’s outfit, but decided that wasn’t what he wanted for his bear. Instead, he chose the cute explorer’s t-shirt and cargo pants. He added black combat boots, a camouflage jacket and a matching camouflage hat. Finally, he added a football for some outdoor fun!
With that, all the boys had to do was name their bears! Benjamin had named his “Camo” as soon as he picked up the unstuffed bear, and Zackary decided his bear would be “Raffy Lopez,” the Blue Jays player that currently wears a number one! They filled out their bears’ information, collected the birth certificates, recited the Bear Promise and gave a big “thank you” to Jenn for all her help. Both have been inseparable with their bears ever since!
Our Build-a-Bear Workshop trip was so magical for my boys, and Build-a-Bear wants every child to be able to experience that same magic. So, the company is hosting an incredible promotion in honour of National Teddy Bear Day that you won’t want to miss! On Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, kids can create their own limited-edition National Teddy Bear Day bear for just $5.50!
This cuddly bear is perfect for dressing up in a special outfit and even has a special National Teddy Bear Day patch on his foot. Visit the Build-a-Bear website to learn more, and don’t forget to share your favourite Build-a-Bear memories on social media using the #NationalTeddyBearDay hashtag too!
Even better, Build-a-Bear Workshop is celebrating the promotion with an amazing giveaway! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader will win a $50 Build-a-Bear Workshop gift card to create their own perfect best friend! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about your favourite teddy bear or stuffed animal memory from your childhood.
Seeing my boys with their bears is something that’s brought a smile to my face again and again. Benjamin loves dressing and undressing his bear, and will carefully fold Camo’s clothing when he takes it off. My husband has jokingly noted that’s something our son doesn’t even do with his own clothes!
And Zackary has shown off Raffy Lopez (more often called Blue Jay Bear), to all his friends. According to our oldest, they delightedly exclaimed, “I didn’t know Build-a-Bear had Blue Jays jerseys! I didn’t know Build-a-Bear had sunglasses! I didn’t know Build-a-Bear had sports gear!” Listening to my boys’ excitement about their bears really made me appreciate the difference that Build-a-Bear Workshop’s personalized touch makes to a child.
Whether you’re new to Build-a-Bear Workshop like we were or your child has been before, make sure to mark your calendar to take advantage of the National Teddy Bear Day deal on September 8 and 9. It’s an amazing way to let your child create a new best friend that will be loved for a lifetime!
Allie f says
I’m an adult and have a teddy bear I still keep on my bed as it is meaningful. A dear friend gave it to me at the depths of my battles with anorexia. Thanks!
Jonnie says
As a child I had a stuffed monkey that I loved. It was one with a plastic head and a banana in it’s hand that you could put in his mouth. I took him everywhere I went.
Dianne G. says
When I was young I got Chicken Pox and my dad brought home a big panda bear that was as big as me. I loved that bear and took it everywhere.
Josh s says
I received a handmade stuffed animal as a child. It was my favourite!
Holly MacRitchie says
I never did have a favourite teddy bear or stuffed animal. I did have Barbies that I did carry around with me though!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I remember vividly the first doll I became from my parents. It was a doll that my mum made for us, one for my twin and another for me. It had a porcelain black head and body, arms and legs made of material that had been stuffed. I loved that doll fiercely. 🙂
l p says
a small blue teddy bear. thanks
HEIDI C. says
I had a classic teddy bear that was given to me after I was born. I still have it :).
ivy pluchinsky says
I had this adorable bear that I took with me everywhere, it had a nurses uniform on and I loved it. I always used to pretend that it was an actual nurse and could help people
Karen Propes says
I had a Cindy Bear and my sister had Yogi Bear. I took my Cindy every where I went. I would have put her in the tub if I could. Taking her outside to play, Mom did have to give her a bath alot. I miss Cindy Bear I wish I had kept up with her as I was growing up.
Victoria Ess says
I had a favourite stuffed monkey when I was a child. I still have it!
Angela says
I had a little teddy bear when I was little.
Carol Denny says
I didn’t have a favorite bear but I had a baby doll that I loved.
Irene Eichler says
I had a stuffed dog when I was little . I took it everywhere with me ! I think it is still packed away in a box somewhere !
Lee-Ann S says
My favourite teddy bear from my childhood is the one my great aunt made me when I was a baby. He’s packed away now.
kathy downey says
I had a stuffed clown that sang when his nose was wind up!
Josie Tusa says
I had a stuffed monkey that I love and it went with me everywhere.
409cope says
I had a small pink rabbit that I always slept with as a kid.
tammy ta says
My mom and aunt always told the story of me seeing my Charlie going around and round in the dryer at the laundry mat-and me standing there crying saying Charlie, Charlie over and over.
Anu Chopra says
I had a blue teddy bear that I loved to play and sleep with … yes, it was blue!
Judy Cowan says
I had a stuffed Pooh bear that I got when I was a baby and I carried it around with me until it literally fell apart.
Sab Edwards says
I didn’t have any teddy bears (I was a doll person, so my first one that I remember was a boy doll named eddy and I remember it cus it actually had its “parts”)
I love BAB, I ALWAYS go into the store when I get to go to the downtown mall (Drives my daughter crazy)
Elva Roberts says
I don’t remember Teddy Bears but Santa brought me dolls that I loved and cared for. I do love Teddy Bears and bought them for all our grandbabies.
Lucy says
I had a big teddy bear I loved all through my childhood.
nicky says
I had a little yellow stuffed bear that I loved and carried everywhere!
SweetPanda says
I have a teddy bear that I bought when I was 15. It cost me a lot of money at that time (like all the money that I had way back then) but I really love it. Then I saved money and bought another one and I made them brothers. I still have them and I still love them
meilssa m says
I still have my favourite stuffed animal. He is a cute brown bear.
Jennifer P. says
I don’t really have a favourite teddy bear memory from my childhood – my “lovey” was a blanket, not a bear. Although I did have a special edition Paddington Bear that my dad brought me back from a business trip to England – I never played with it, it sat on display in my room, and now it sits on display in my daughter’s room too. My kids love their teddy bears (they each have 2 special ones they’ve had since they were babies), and they would love $50 to spend at Build a Bear. We went out for a back to school lunch this week and 2 little girls beside our table had adorable stuffies that my daughters loved, and when we asked about them they said they were from Build a Bear.
jan says
I have retained only the bear (no name given) that I received when I had my tonsils taken out. It was always my fave.
kristen visser says
I honestly never had a favorite teddy bear! I had a blanket I called boon that I took everywhere with me and a Cricket doll lol
Pam R. says
My favorite was a stuffed blue cat named “Boo Boo”; I have no idea what ever happened to him!
Fan R says
I spent my childhood with Teddy bear, we were together all the time. We played, traveled, and even were sitting at the dinner table together every day.
Travelbuds says
I have a Raggedy Ann doll which I received from my Aunt when I was 3. She made it for me and it is so precious.
Ira says
My bear was big white and flat. I loved that I could brush it without tearing the fir out.
Stephanie says
One of my favourite memories was when I got my first Build A Bear. It was purple and I paid for it with my own money!
Gillian Morgan says
When I was little i had a small kitten stuffed animal. One day a dog picked it up off the grass and I cried. Out of no where, my cat showed up and scared the dog. He ran off and dropped my kitten.
Marla P says
I still have my childhood stuffy, a polarbeat
Maritess says
My favourite is Chewbacca. At last a huggable character for a Star Wars fan.
Sarah Hayes says
my favorite was a big blue bear I had. he was huge
loriag says
I still have stuffed bears my husband and I got each other when we dated 26 years ago.
Debbie White Beattie says
When I was a kid I didn’t have a favorite bear because I had a favorite platypus, that’s right a platypus. I got him from a family friend and he was soft and plush and I loved him.
Tara Betterley says
My favorite memory is when I took my kids to the Build A Bear in the T-Rex Restaurant in Disney. They had a blast building their dinosaur Build a Bears. You could wipe their smiles off their faces. The best was when we were flying home – border control in the airport asked for their passports! (Which they had..) lol
lori butler says
I have a couple things, a yellow stuffy bunny holding a baby bunny, holly hobby easy bake oven and archie bunkers grandson doll. All of which I still have. lol
Sab Edwards says
today and tomorrow are the limited $5 bears..hope to make it to the city for this
Sunshine G says
I had a bear named Charlie (because he was brown) and a cat named Snoopy (to go with the bear).
DebH says
No memories as of yet with Build a Bear but hoping to create some with my granddaughter!
Janet M says
I had a wonderful stuffed dog when I was little that I adored.
Jeannie says
I have had a white teddy bear since I was 6 and I still have it now. My kids call him uncle bear and it’s so amazing to see my kids play with a stuffie that was so precious to me back when i was their age.
Linda says
I had a stuffed elephant that used to come with me to the dentist.
Marlene J says
My padding bear & losing it on the street car – got another one after & still have it to this day
Haven’t been to Build A Bear yet but would like to