Build-A-Bear Workshop

My girls love a trip here. I think if I imagine it through their eyes I can definitely see the magic in it. The employees at this location are great with the kids and really seem to enjoy their job. Yes it’s pricey, but it’s an experience not just a bear/​dog/​elephant.
We attended a birthday party here last weekend and I thought it was well done. All of the little girls got to make an animal and were sent home with a snack box. They played games throughout the store. My only thing was there is really no where for the parents to sit or be. I understand though they are limited on space. Our hostess was a lot of fun. The girls liked her and she had lots of energy. They sang happy birthday and somehow she kept all of the little girls focused, together and on task. I think it was a great alternative to the other traditional birthday party choices. All of the girls had fun and were excited about it.

I finally got my booty into a Build-​A-​Bear, and boy, it was good times!
Yes, I’m nearly 23 years old, and yes, my best friend who came with me is almost 29, but we had a blast! Basically, Build-​A-​Bear (BAB) is a great place for kids and adults alike to celebrate their childhood.
So, as some of you may know, I have an «unhealthy» obsession with Hello Kitty– well, guess what, all you HK fans?! You can stuff your own Hello Kitty plushie, as well as dress her up in adorable HK clothes (pyjamas, shirts, skirts, slippers… even panties)! Of course, there are tonnes of other animals: dogs, kitties, elephants, frogs, bunnies… even koalas! I chose the latter to be made for my dear friend who came with me, since her name rhymes with «koala»! :D (Of course, my friend made me a Hello Kitty plushie!)
There are tonnes of accessories to choose from to dress your plushie– jeans, shorts, skirts, skorts (half-​shorts, half-​skirt), shirts, bathing suits, slippers, socks, military costumes, ballerina tutus, all sorts of sandals (even Crocs!) and shoes, purses, rollerskates/​ice skates, headbands, masks, and a multitude of limited time/​seasonal things.
So what happens when you go? There are bins of «un-​stuffed» soft fuzzy plushies that you choose from. Once you’ve chosen your new friend, you go to the «fluff machine,» where a BAB worker will stuff your buddy to your preferred firmness. Then, before they sew the plush up, you pick a small, soft heart for your stuffed animal out of a basket… and follow the BAB worker’s directions! ;) Then, they speedily lace up your new snuggly friend, and send you to the «fluffing table,» where you use air vents/​brushes to clean off any leftover fluff.
Next, you go over to their computer lab, where you name your stuffy and print out their birth certificate! After that, you can peruse the rest of the store for their outfit and other accessories. When you’re about to leave, you pay for your new bud (there’s a basic fee + the cost of any item you buy to dress them up), a BAB worker puts them in their own little house-​shaped cardboard box, and you’re good to go!
The employees were very nice, even stopping to pose for photos. They seemed to really enjoy their job and even though the lady who stuffed our «bears» was really sleepy, she never stopped smiling. It made our experience that much more enjoyable.
One downfall is the price– it’s not cheap, that’s for sure. One stuffed animal can range from ~40−50 $ (and maybe more if you buy lots of outfits + accessories). If it’s a once in awhile sort of outing, though, it’s worth it if you go with a friend (s)!
Also, they host parties at BAB. Check out the website listed here for different caterers around the mall that work with BAB for parties. I think there are reduced prices for parties at BAB, as well. Also, they have scheduled events and other fun stuff, to be found at the BAB website. :)
So yep, that about says it all: Good times if you have a little chunk o’ change saved up and a good buddy to go with you. Definitely a more «kid friendly» place to spend a half-​hour, but adults are welcome, too! Plus, you can go shopping for your OWN outfits afterwards (since it’s located in the mall)!