Build A Bear “Connecting in the CyBear Century” Event (Day 2)

Okay so hopefully you read my Day 1 post of my Build A Bear Event post, if not you can check it out HERE.

Anyways so Friday morning we again arrived at Build A Bear nice and early and ready to go.  First we heard about Build A Bearville, which is an online community for kids to play games, go on quests, and talk to each other.  Now I personally haven’t played yet, but I have watched my 12 year old sister play and I think it is adorable.  What I love is that parents set safety levels and for example kids can only say certain phrases and some words are not even allowed.  You can play for free and you use receipt codes and key codes off birth certificates for add on bonuses.  There is even a zoo for kids to explore – I think I might sign up and play around with it!  I loved hearing from the employees just how much thought and care goes into protecting kids online and Build A Bear even offers their safety measures to other companies that need it for free!

Next we heard about some new products coming out, which is always fun to hear about before they are on the market!  Build A Bear is partnering with Baskin Robbins and will be featuring Limited Edition Ice Cream Bears with Baskin Robbins coupons!  These bears are so adorable and I just want to eat them!  Another partnership will be with Spirit Halloween store, which will expand the Build A Bear Halloween costumes and have coupons.  The next promotion is one of my favorites, Build A Bear will be offering Limited Edition (limited numbers) of a few more Sanrio characters including ChocoCat, Keroppi, and My Melody, in addition to Hello Kitty of course!

(These are adorable! They come just like this in the French Fry box and you can even buy clothes for them!)

Michelle and I both won Ice Cream Bears!

I think it is great that Build A Bear is doing what they can to stay with the trends and offer new and fun products.  They also are a company that doesn’t slap their name on just anything, but they put thought into each partnership and limit them.  Some other Build A Bear products are their video games, fruit snacks, craft kits, Christmas DVD and plush with Holly & Hal Moose, and their furniture collection for kids.

We heard from Maxine Clark more throughout the day and she really is a strong and passionate women.  She told us the story of how her best friend was 10 years old and they decided to make their own beanie babies since they were sold out everywhere, which is where the idea for Build A Bear came from.  She really does love children.  She compares teddy bears to safety, love, trust, happiness, and hugs.

(Maxine Clark, CEO)

Me, Maxine Clark, and Stephanie

Now I will say I have made only one Build A Bear in my life and it was a gift for my husband after he found out his teddy from when he was a baby was gone.  My sister has like ten of them (so far) and my 3-year-old received one as a gift when he was born, other than that I don’t have much Build A Bear experience or knowledge.  I think the idea is great and love that you get the whole experience rather than just buying a gift, but I thought it was for girls and pricey.  I was surprised to find out that there are bears for around $10 and even the clothes are reasonable.  You also have to look at like you are getting the ten minute or so experience of choosing, stuffing, fluffing, dressing, naming, and taking your bear home.  Some other ideas for bears are for moms where they can record their babies heartbeat and put it inside a bear or stuff a pacifier inside one to help your child get rid of theirs.  I will say that my total overall impression of Build A Bear has changed and now I know I will be just fine if my boys want to go make one for no reason at all (with some boundaries of course.)

Stay Tuned for more!

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure:  I received accommodations, travel reimbursement, meals, and some product goodies.  This review is 100% my opinion and I was not compensated to write this.