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    New Innovative & Interactive Build-A-Bear Workshop Stores

    By 239 Comments

    Disclosure: I received bears and accessories for my kids in exchange for my honest opinion.

    build a bear workshop logo

    Last year Build-A-Bear updated six of its stores and this year a total of 25 locations will be opened featuring an innovative technology and a more interactive experience.  I got the chance to head to the Orland Park, IL Build-A-Bear store to check out how an innovative store is and I was definitely impressed.  Now don’t get me wrong, Build-A-Bear Workshop stores are fun and my kids love it, but the new stores technology definitely takes bear creating to a whole new level!

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    First off you pick your character just as you normally would, but from there pretty much everything is updated.  Some of the changes include:

    • An interactive storefront that is enabled by Microsoft’s Kinect technology and interactive touch elements. Guests can play games and view the latest product offerings as they enter the store.
    • The LoveMe station allows Guests to customize their furry friends with special personality attributes displayed as emoticons on an interactive table. Using Samsung’s SUR40 with Microsoft® PixelSense™ technology, Guests add unique traits – like brave, silly, and smart – to their red satin heart, which is added to their stuffed animal during the Stuff Me process.
    • The Hear Me station features an assortment of high quality sounds that can be added to stuffed animals. Using an interactive touch screen, Guests can select and load popular hits from current music, sounds, or their own voice onto a chip to further personalize their stuffed animal.
    • The Fluff Me station features a digital bath tub enabled by Samsung’s SUR40 with Microsoft® PixelSense™ technology. The tub magically recognizes the items as they are placed on it and reacts with sensory effects such as virtual bubbles that appear when play soap is placed on the “water surface.”
    • The Name Me station, where Guests use a viewfinder or “Bear-O-Scope” to reveal the special attributes they added to their stuffed animal. At Name Me, Guests also create a one-of-a-kind birth certificate that includes a photo of their new furry friend.

    First we have to pick a plush:

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    Notice how it says my son’s name “Gavin” on the screen – this is where he adds attributes he wants his bear to have:

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    Sounds to pick:

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    Modern songs for your bear:

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    Waiting to get stuffed:

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    Adorable clothes and accessories:

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    Stuffing!

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    Putting the heart in:

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    Scents you can add!  We got strawberry and it smells awesome!

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    Bathtime:

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    Look at the boat and the duck’s feet:

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    Of course my little one wants to try on the bear shoes:

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    Using the Bear-O-Scope to see whats inside her Pinkie Pony on the virtual screen:

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    The Bear-O-Meter shows on the computer what each attribute amount is in the bear:

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    Her first Build-A-Bear, I’m sure just one of many!

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    Overall we had a blast and ever since my boys have been asking when we are going back.  Being more interactive with computers and animation was definitely a good direction for Build-A-Bear Workshop to go.  I was worried it would take longer to build our bears but it flowed nicely and my kids actually didn’t want to leave!  Also, the store did seem smaller but I was assured everything was still there, it was just organized differently.  It appealed to my kids more than the last time we went when we stuffed bears the original way.  Yes my sons love it too, it is not just for girls, although my almost 2 year old daughter had a blast doing it.  I do want to add though that building a bear (or pony or other animal) whether at a new interactive store or a traditional store is fun either way – I believe it is an experience every child should have!

    Stay Connected with Build-A-Bear:

    BUY IT:  Head to your Build-A-Bear Workshop store to start building and you can also check out a store tour of a newly designed store.

    WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive a $25 Build-A-Bear Workshop Gift Card

    build a bear gift card

    Need help entering a giveaway?  Check out my blog post for some help!

    GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

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    Comments

    9. joanne dourado says

      My daughter loves the bears, the rainbow one in particular. She would live there if she could!

      Reply

    51. gen says

      my grandson will love the autism speaks bear because he has a autistic first cousin on both his mom and his dad side of the family

      Reply

    57. Amy S D says

      The 17 in. Leopard-Print Hello Kitty® by Sanrio®. She loves Hello Kitty. Thanks for the review and opportunity.

      Reply

    63. Jessica H. says

      My oldest daughter would love the 17 in. Horse. Thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway!

      girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

      Reply

    72. Sharon C says

      My granddaughter’s “other grandmother” took her to Build a bear and my granddaughter loved the My Little Pony. I believe she would also like the koala bear since she loves animals.

      Reply

    86. Mary Collins says

      My grandsons would love the “16 in. Bearemy’s Kennel Pals® Pug” plush since they have a pet Pug that is a member of their family! 😉

      Reply

    88. Sue Hull says

      My nieces would like the Smurfette. I love the Slumberin’ Smurfette. I’ve never been to Build-A-Bear even tho it’s only about 15 minutes from where I live. I definitely want to take my nieces there before school starts. It looks like you all had so much fun. Thank you 🙂

      Reply

    90. Terra Heck says

      My step-daughter would like the 18 in. Vanilla Cream Bunny. Thanks.
      partymix25(at)hotmail(Dot)com

      Reply

    104. jessica hager says

      I would get the 17 in. Paperback Pup, my daughter lost one similar to this one so it would make a nice replacement.

      Reply

    130. Kat Burns says

      My daughter would be ECSTATIC for ANY of the MY LITTLE PONY Plushies! Even MY eyes got wide with excitement when I saw them!! 8D

      Reply

    165. Wild Orchid says

      I think my son would also like the smart style paperback pup. Thanks for the chance to win!
      wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

      Reply

    183. Allison Fornal says

      I have always been a huge fan of Build A Bear Workshop. I love the idea of each child making their own decisions and to every child, these decisions are huge.

      Reply

    194. Steph says

      My daughter would also like the 16 inch RAINBOW DASH plush. This week I got her the same Pinkie Pie you guys got. It is very nice.

      Reply

    204. Lori says

      Great overview! I had heard that new and more interactive stores were opening, but your walk-through description really sold it. Thanks!

      Reply

    214. Brandie Booth says

      I was told that they plan on releasing another two My Little Pony stuffies soon, and so my daughter would pick another pony. My girls are HUGE fans of My Little Pony and were excited to see Build A Bear release a stuffy.

      Reply

    236. Veronica L. says

      My youngest son would have a blast doing one of these, especially since he loves stuffed animals. He would really love the 17″ Paperback Pup

      Reply

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