We were very pleased to be invited to experience a morning at Build-a-Bear Workshop at The Trafford Centre. I’d seen the stores and always past by. I was aware of friends with older children who had built-a-bear. I’d seen ads on TV but had never been inside a store. In my head it was something which Lil’ H (3.5yrs) was probably approaching the zone for but Baby G (13mths) I thought would be too young – I was really very wrong with that assumption. Both my two thoroughly enjoyed the experience and each chose the bears they built and we had a really great morning.
We went to Build-a-Bear at The Trafford Centre in Manchester. It is a big place so if you are heading there parking at The Orient or Debenhams areas and you will reach the store easily. We met up with Amy (@and1moremeans5) with the youngest three of her brood which is always great fun, having allowed an unnecessary amount of extra time for the snow I had time to browse the Disney store, which is opposite Build-A-Bear, to see what grabbed Lil H and Baby G’s attention for a return solo Christmas shopping trip.
The Build-a-Bear Workshop is teddy-tastic you name it there is a teddy and/or an outfit, with coordinating shoes, natch! Cats, dogs, reindeer, frogs and bears, of course, pink ones, blues, black ones, sparkly ones, curly ones I was creating a long list and trying to narrow it down in my head thinking future heirloom (hold on to that heirloom thought!) I forgot I wasn’t actually building-a-bear, Lil’ H and Baby G were, but really I’d be doing G’s right? Wrong! I picked up a traditional brown teddy bear to discover Baby G clutching a bunny rabbit she’d chosen, aw bunny was sweet, of course she could build a bunny.
Lil’ H was still standing near the door pointing “I want this one mummy” I was speechless, I did not know bears like this one existed. I cannot bring myself to show it to you yet, brace yourself though! Amy hadn’t arrived yet so I thought I’d have time to *ahem* work on this decision. I tried. However this bear was THE ONE. Jackie was great with the littlies having chosen their teddies, off to choose a sound for them to make, again G picked hers out herself, she listened to about three and got all giddy for the laughing one – aw a bunny that giggles, so cute. H absolutely adamant on his choice of sound too *sigh* the theme tune to star wars, why? I ask you, why?!
Then its off to give these bears a good stuffing! All the children were involved in stepping on the pedal, choosing their hearts, warming their hearts, whispering wishes – they are totally engaged in the process of bringing these guys to life and off for a brush and a pamper before its time to get dressed. What a choice – I wish I had that many options that would all fit me, Baby G’s with a little bit of help picked out some Hello Kitty knickers (who knew bears wore knickers?) but no bear leaves the store without its undies, a Hello Kitty T-shirt, denim skirt teamed with Ugg boots. Oh and some ear bows, natch! Her name is Bo and she’s cute, yes?
H finished his freaky eclectic teddy bear, I may have screamed just a little bit when I saw the fully dressed teddy. Its didn’t stop there, when H was creating the birth certificate for his Teddy Amy and I could not contain ourselves … I mean this ain’t no HEIRLOOM! What would you call a bear that plays the theme tune to Star Wars and looks like this?
So a little competition, just for fun, can you guess what my Lil’ H named his bear? Answers in the comments box below, I’ll pop back next Sunday night & reveal if its not been guessed by then.
Build-a-bear, in summary, it was so much better than I imagined, not just a shop we had a genuine experience there. Baby G really got a lot out of it at just 1 year old and Lil’ H at 3.5years adored everything about it. I will definitely be gifting the gift vouchers this Christmas and for Birthday’s next year and will be buying Lil H a new outfit for his bear – come January that outfit is going to be so 2010! I have no doubt a birthday party there would be a whole lot of fun too.
A big thank you to Build-a-Bear Workshop and to Helen and especially Jackie for looking after us so well. The new additions to our family, they will be very well cared for.
These bears are HILARIOUS! Boys seem to go for the mad look! I have NO idea what H would have called him, apart from my suggestion of Steve, I’m going to go with….*thinking far too hard*…. Troy!? (I want to say a girls name for some reason, but I won’t!!)
I can’t wait for the result!!
X
Aww, love him! It’s so much fun isn’t it? Dylan chose the star wars theme too, freaks me out everytime i accidently squish Max the Monkey!
I have no idea what H’s bear might be called though… All Terrain Santa?
Action Santa Bear?! Glad you had a good time. Looking forward to getting there one day… x
Oh no our bear have no knickers!!!!!
As for a name knowing your H I’m guessing Woody?
I’ve jsut bought one of these plus outfits as part of the eBay Mummy Blogger challenge! Love yours – very….individual!
BTW congrats on the Wikio listing. Very well deserved. x
Wow. I have no clue what that funky bear could be called. Going to show my H tomorrow and see if he can decide! Looks fun!! x
I guess again, I say Jessie?
Ooh Bec, close but no cigar, you are the “warmest” so far! Xx
Harry says the bear is called MearBear. I’m thinking that’s probably not it…..he also says he’s seen one of those before, which I’m finding hard to believe! x
I guess a 3rd time and I say Barbie?
Looks a brilliant thing to do – I absolutely MUST take mine!