We took my daughter here for her birthday the other day, the "pay your age" deal is awesome! It just applies to the bear itself, all other items are full prices, but still. So fun! It was my daughter's first time at build a bear and she loved it. She liked picking her bear and see it being made for her. And loved adding a heart inside. The staff is so helpful and kind. Made the experience that much better. I love the touch with the birth certificate. Shout out to Brad for helping us so much and bravo with suggesting a name! We were lucky enough to get a gift card from a friend for the shopping trip and ended up going home with 6 outfits and three pairs of shoes for this bear. Excellent location. read more

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Our bear builder at the navy pier BAB shop was an awesome guy , he's great with the kids and really helped our daughter , she'd been suffering with a lil anxiety as of late and he helped us record a little message of our voices to put in her bear , he talked us through everything and made her laugh and I would like to thank him for his kind words to her ....highly recommend giving this a try read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

While visiting for my daughter's 24th birthday we stopped in here and it is no longer the big store but it is more of a big kiosk. But they still have a great selection and the customer service was excellent. And yes, my daughter may be 24 but you're never too old for a build a bear. And my dog Brutus was with us and he jumped right in the lap of the lady who does all the stuffing of the Bears. She was a real sweetheart and a big fan of Cleveland Brown the show. I think having the smaller store is probably a little better and more affordable for the company. And it leaves a smaller footprint on our environment. I highly recommend going here read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Small shop but amazing fun staff. I came here and got my Hello kitty restuffed that was from 2006. I left happy and with a smile. Also bought her a new outfit since the stuffing was free and I had such a great time. read more

What an incredible experience!! The staff at this place were fantastic! We watched as they helped two young people getting their bears built and how lovely! My son got a bear for himself and his girlfriend and the person who helped him was so wonderful, she even opened the bear up and added more stuffing, after she'd sewn him shut. Highly recommended! read more

I just had a horrible experience here would recommend going to the Michigan Ave location instead. Manager Erika was extremely rude and dismissive. I asked for a specific item that was sold out and she said she would not sell the display. I asked the price and she said I don't know. I proceeded to beg her to look it up for me in which she said fine. Then I asked her how much the tax would be since I'm visiting out of town she said 10%. I said okay can you order it online for me I would love it. She said you can do it yourself. I said oh well my phones about to die and I would like your help, I said do you typically order for people? She said yes but she had such an attitude she just wanted to sit around and talk to her coworkers. Even the cashier said she had a bad attitude too, like if people that work around you say that, I don't think you should be in leadership. The cashier was very kind and helpful, she simply said I can't do anything since she's the manager but I'm sorry she treated you that way, so not her fault. It sucks that customer service is so bad here, I bet business would be a lot better with new leadership. read more

Had to go in and get a bear for a friend. Staff was incredibly helpful and kind. It's not a full store, more of a kiosk however. Located right inside Navy Pier behind the Children's Museum. read more

This was the VERY first Build A Bear shop I've been to and seen. ( There wasn't one in Texas or in New York at that time - this was circa 1999 ) I came here with this girl that I knew. She build a bear for her then boyfriend and I swear a 5 year old could have created something better than what she constructed! The bear looked deformed in the worst possible way! And besides why in the hell would you get a stupid bear for your bf when you know your ass ain't creative! She's unthoughtful person...no wonder I don't talk to her ass anymore! read more

This is no longer an actual shop! It's a very small set up and maybe had 8 kinds to pick from. The employees were really nice however and my daughter was happy. I was told they got Pokémon in stock and we specifically drove there to get it and they then told us they weren't allowed to sell them to us until September. I get store policies but don't tell us they are in stock and to come there if you can't sell them. Save yourself the trouble of going to this location. Sad because we were expecting an Awesome one. Lame! read more

I came to the navy pier build a bear store near the end of January. i wanted to get the voice recording of my son who had passed away in a birthday bear for my daughter, his little sister. as you can imagine this was hard, nearly impossible for me to do. however the employee helping me, was so compassionate . she wanted to do something kind for me, and just the thoughtfulness brought me to tears. she even hugged me. I will never forget that, ever! the rest of the employees were also so very kind. I wish I could of captured their kindness on video so the world can see. read more

This store has always scared me. Yes, I know kids love it. They do a great job too, but the idea of seeing the skins of teddies, my little ponies and dragons just wigs me out a bit. They have all manner of stuffables here, you can even choose some awesome outfits for them at a good price. Don't forget to record a message and tuck it inside! read more

Note: this is for the new Build A Bear location at Navy Pier - a much smaller footprint and with that - the worst customer,Er service I have ever experienced at all the Build A Bears I have visited in the US. I asked corporate for a district or regional manager to contact me back in July 2018 -never did. Here is my review from July 2018's Navy Pier visit "Good evening Build A Bear. I have never been so disgusted after visiting one of your workshops. I went on 7/19/18 to redeem the $15 coupon on Sunset Shimmer. Wasn't greeted. Got the plush. Had to ask Jessica to stuff it. Jessica did not seem enthusiastic that an old guy like me was getting a doll. She did not offer to perform the heart ceremony. Had to ask for a birth certificate from Vanira since this location lacks the PC. Got home & the plush were it was sewn has come apart. I am not going back to this location. I do not have transportation to head back into downtown Chicago." Go to the Gurnee or Oakbrook location - fantastic customer service! AVOID NAVY PIER BUILD A BEAR read more

Kudos, Build-A-Bear. You managed to get me to make an additional side trip to Navy Pier, and among some other light shopping, use my free 'mini tee vouchers' for my four mini BABW bears I got from McD's 2 months back. Not only that, but after being treated well and not pushed about actually buying anything, your super friendly employees and enticing displays got me to BUY SOMETHING. Entering with the intention of spending not a dime, I left with Alonzo, my stuffed dachshund, outfitted with a hot dog costume. All about $30. Should've known I what I was getting myself into... Just a tip for you attached boys out there: Got a girl who's a kid at heart? Take her here for a date. Make a stuffed animal together (Kiss the heart together before they sew it up. Yes, I said that. Just do it.). Anytime you're away, she's still got a bit of you to snuggle. Sounds cheesy as the blazes and it's the best! read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Alonzo - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Build-A-Bear is one of the few worthwhile reasons for a city resident to brave the tourist herds down at Navy Pier. Kids will go just nuts over the idea of building and dressing their own stuffed animal - adults might find it a bit hokey, but it's still a worthwhile destination for any grown-up who is looking for a charming "special occasion" gift. My one and only semi-complaint with the Build-A-Bear experience is that I found the selection of animals & outfits - though pretty extensive for your average bear builder I'm sure - to be overall pretty innocent and predictable. I always leave feeling a little regret that I did not have an opportunity to build myself a really freaky bear. If someone was to come up with a more "adult" version of this concept - something like Rotofugi meets Build-A-Bear - they might have a real gold mine on their hands. read more

This is from my first visit to this store last fall. Your dad needs emegerncy heart surgery, you don't think you will be able to travel to another state to make it, to be there with him, what do you send him? I decided build-a-bear. I went to the store and picked out a simple brown bear. I dressed it up in a chicago tshirt, and made it hold a flower that said get well. They have you pik out a heart rub in on your tummy so the bear doesn't get hungry, rub it on your nose, so he isn't nosey, rub it on your head so they never have a bad hair day. then you close your eyes and make a wish kiss the heart and put it in the bear. I also made my own sound, that said I love you daddy. You then name the bear. It was so nice, my dad cried, but cried even more that I made it to be with him. Thank you build-a-bear! read more

Went here with the GF to get each other a bear! This place has somewhat ghetto customers but aside from that, everything is great! The staff seems a little snobby and ghetto at first too but after exchanging a few kind words they become super nice (odd, but really nice). They have a good selection of clothing for the bears! I personally am in the Navy and was kind of upset at what little selections they had for Sailors! Anyway, the bear they stuffed for me and my significant other were a really good consistency. Firm but not too firm, and still made the bear cuddly and soft. It is inexpensive, and a great place to treat a lady if you guys are ever out at Navy Pier! read more

Oh the things I do for my niece. If she only knew that I braved Navy Pier. On a Saturday. For my niece's birthday I decided to get her a Build-a-Bear gift card. I've never been there but I know the concept involves stuffing a bear, buying it an outfit, and taking it home. I tried to survey the age of the kids in the store. I would say they were mostly ages 4-7 and yes, they were going nuts. I got a $30 gift card which the cashier informed me was enough to stuff a bear and buy it an outfit. And a gift card can be used at any Build-A-Bear Workshop. read more

I don't wanna grow up, I just wanna be a kid. I am now the proud mother of baby owl June 30, 2010. I can't remember the last time I was excited over a toy but since I had never been to Build A Bear, I felt it was only fair to give my only stuffed animal I owned at home a friend. So my friend and I joined in the process to making our own little bear well in this case an owl. We picked out clothes and made a birth certificate. I must say the experience was pretty rad even at my age. I'm sure that every child would see the excitement of being apart in creating something. read more

Wonderful, caring employees. Helpful, detail oriented and great with my daughter. Excellent 1st time experience at Build-A-Bear! read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Tubby time for Poppy! - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Busy day, great service! Happy staff and extra attentive! 100% would recommend this location! Shout out to Alex for going a nice an beyond to make sure our bears were taken care of! read more

This place is so awesome! You can totally customize your entire stuffed animal from the stuffing on the inside to the clothes on the outside! These make great gifts, it means so much more knowing how much thought was put into it! read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Big thank you to Michelle, the Manager and her excellent associate who assisted my adult granddaughter in making a stuffed kitty in memory of her baby. Our whole family was there to be supportive and share the experience. Good selection of stuffies here, as well as clothes and accessories. Most of all, we appreciated the kindness and understanding we received. read more

They really do a good job entertaining your little ones. My son always want to stop over this place when we visit Navy Pier. It isn't cheap, so set a budget before you go in. It doesn't get too busy unless a holiday weekend. I recommended as you will have fun. read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Staffed Animals. - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I just love Build a bear. I first came here without a child and then again with my child and I am never disappointed. The staff that works with the kids are so friendly and helpful. My kid just loves it (and of course so do I). I really appreciate the price range because for $30 you can get a bear and an outfit. I love the birth certificate as well as the little house box that you get to take your new friend home. I recommend this to anyone with children or who are a child at heart. read more

My son absolutely adored this store. He found a bear that looked exactly like the character in on of his favorite books. He loves animated toys, so we picked a sound box to place inside. He was able to stuff the bear by stepping on a little pump, pick a heart to place inside, and then take it to the bath station to clean off the excess fuzz. The next step was creating a birth certificate for his new found friend. He had alot of fun playing on their computer. They then provided a little cardboard house to place his bear in. He was disappointed that they didn't have any Frankenstein or Skeleton outfits, so we skipped buying any clothes. Really nice and friendly staff. Prices are reasonable, ours only cost $22. read more

Is my daughter ridiculously spoiled? Probably. Does she love it? Absolutely. Is it going to stop anytime soon? Likely not. The family and I were at Navy Pier on a Saturday to pick up my husband's race packet for the Shamrock Shuffle. We were killing some time before it opened, and we passed this place while it was still closed. We have a tradition--our daughter gets to make one of these for her birthday, Easter, and Christmas if she wants to...let's just say she's never chosen not to. Her bed barely has enough room on it for HER because of all of her wonderful animals. So after we picked up the packet, we decided to let her build a bear from this location rather than the one in Woodfield Mall, which is closer to home. We have been to two other BABs in the past, and this one is by FAR the best. It has the best selection, it is like a well-oiled machine, and the staff is SO nice. They were super friendly to all of us. Not in the "fake friendly because I have to" sort of way, but in the genuine "I love my job" sort of a way. So my daughter had a great time picking out a really colorful bunny, stuffing it, grooming it, picking out its clothes, and making a birth certificate for it. She loves the experience of it! I also think it's really cool that they put a barcode in the animal so if she ever loses it, someone can bring it back to the store, and it can find its way back to its rightful owner! Super cool! I definitely like this location!! read more

What an amazing experience!!!! I think I wanna be a kid again just so I can make up a ton of reasons to go to build a bear! I took my god daughter because she graduated from 8th grade and now she is proud parents of a hello kitty and a peace bear named Kennedy and Kylie that plays the ICarly theme song! The staff seemed to be all into it and LOVED their job! Well at least that's what several told me as we walked through the bear making process. I cant wait to go back its an experience worth having young or old. read more

This is a really cool shop. You can choose the bear you want then dress it up and accessorize it any way you want. The store is layed out really well -- with a whole design station. And they also have pre-made bears too if you're not into the whole build-it-yourself thing. This makes an awesome gift. Its unique and memorable and everybody loves getting a personalized gift! read more

Fantastic service. Both employees were so nice to all the kids and teens who were buying bears. The store is a bit pricey, but other than that it was great. They even gave out free scratch off coupons, where you had the chance to win a fee shirt, heartbeat, or scent for your bear. read more

Have one of those friends who has everything? Try Build-A-Ber where you customize a stuffed animal for your friend - put in a special sound or even some phrase or saying that you two will get. You even get to kiss its heart before they put it inside of all that stuffing - dress it up or dress it down to fit your friend's particular need. Fun place to hit up and great last minute gift idea! read more

Build a bear is a great choice for the little ones. My nephew built his own bear and he was obsessed. The bears are individualized with your own choice of clothing and accessories. Its a great activity if you have the money, for the kids! read more

Friendly staff even though they were pretty busy. I wish asked about getting the bear shipped since I instantly regretted getting it so early in my day.. Had to carry it around and the thought of traveling with it is driving me to consider losing the box (that's part of the presentation though!! Sad face!). I think the products themselves are over priced so not an item I see myself getting too often. read more

My sister visited me last month and she loved this store. I thought this store was little kids stuff for her since she is 19 years old. She had to get a bear from here to take it back home. This place has it all down to science. You can pick a bear of your choice and fill the bear with lots of cotton by you stepping on a pump. Cool thing was you add a small heart in there with your name so in case you lost it; they can track your bear from all over the world. And please... don't forget all the outfits you can put on a bear. It's been a month and my sister calls wanting another outfit for her bear shipped because she gets lot of compliments from her friends. There are literally 100's different clothing you can try it on your bear and some are seasonal clothing!! Holy cow. I mean Bear! Why didn't I think of a place like this to open as a business? Nice touch is that you can create your bear's birth certificate. 5 Stars for coming up with cool idea! Bear wasn't that expensive either; got a bear made and one outfit for $30. read more

i am a grown woman and yet i have been to this place and made myself a bear. i felt like such a kid again. this place is perfect for any age if you ask me read more

I went here with a friend of mine who wanted to Build a Bear for her friend. It's a cute store, where you get to create your own type of bear and give it as a gift or keep it for yourself. The idea is a great one and has made the owner's pretty wealthy. read more

Despite the fact that they're all the way out on the Navy Pier, the in-person service is great. DON'T TRY AND CALL HOWEVER BECAUSE THEY'RE OF LITTLE HELP THAT WAY. They'll try and get off the phone fast, recommending that you purchase online instead. read more

Friendly staff and decent selection, just very pricey to outfit a bear...