What is Build-a-Bear?

To understand exactly what Build-a-Bear stands for in Europe, it is first important to look at the concept behind Build-a-Bear Workshop. This is an American chain that offers customers the chance to create their own soft toys and teddy bears. In the physical shops, customers go through an interactive process in which they put together their teddy bear, complete with scents, sounds, looks and outfits.

This is how they create fully personalised soft toys that are put together and ‘born’ by the customers themselves. Build-a-Bear Workshop is the largest chain offering this unique concept and operates in various countries around the world. Although the chain is mainly found in countries where English is the main language, there are also a few shops in Europe, for example in Denmark.

Build-a-Bear Workshops introduced the concept of making your own teddy bear to shopping streets across the US. The idea quickly caught on, and soon there was a huge demand from people who wanted to make their own soft toy but didn’t live near a shop.

This led other companies, such as Teddymountain in the US and BeMyBear in the UK, to take up the idea of bringing the concept of making your own teddy bear into people’s homes. They offered kits that could be put together online and which customers could then assemble at home.

During her holiday, Fran, the girl who started Make a Bear, came across the idea of making your own soft toy. When people were forced to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic, Fran had the idea of bringing this concept to those who were struggling. She thought that soft toys could offer comfort to people who were feeling lonely or sad. What’s more, making a soft toy is a fun activity to do together.

Others soon followed her example. Today, Build-A-Bear is a popular concept in Europe, where you can order a kit online via MakeaBear.eu to make a soft toy at home. The kit comes with a soft toy where only the head and, in some cases, the legs are already stuffed. You have to stuff the body yourself. The kit comes with a bag of wool and a wish heart insert. With the wish heart, you can put a special wish and lots of love into your teddy bear. In addition, each kit contains a birth certificate, allowing you to officially adopt your soft toy.

You can further personalise your package with accessories, such as a scent or sound module, and outfits to dress your soft toy exactly as you like. That way, you can bring the full Build-A-Bear experience into your home!