So I feel a bit torn about Build-A-Bear. I remember when Build-A-Bear was a new concept back in the 90s when I was a kid, and I have memories of it feeling really fun and kind of magical to walk through, pick out a bear, stuff it, dress it, and take it home. Of course, as a child, I wasn't paying for my bear and had no understanding of the process, so from a 90's 8 year old perspective, this place was great. Flash forward to 2024 and I took my daughter here on her fourth birthday as a special morning outing for us. I found Build-A-Bear much as I had left it in the late 90s. It was clean, but the format was the same, the footprint at Oak Park Mall the same, and it felt similar to what I remembered from childhood. I let my kiddo pick out a "bear" (hers was a Chase dog from Paw Patrol) and we started our journey. I guess the first thing that was sort of a let down for me, is how fast the whole experience was. I feel like for Build-A-Bear to be around for nearly 30 years, it would have seen some innovation to stay competitive with other entertainment options for children. I was dismayed that for a whopping $72 we were in there for maybe 30 minutes, and that is honestly being generous. With such a fun concept, and such an insane price point, I was hoping for something more immersive, and more magical. It felt like we were kind of just moving through a production line. Aside from the obnoxious price point here, my other major quip was with how they upsell children on items for their bear. Asking a four year old if she wants sound for her bear, or a scent, or whatever the extras are - that all cost more money - is insane and unethical. There should be a better system. Sure is an extra 12 dollars going to hurt me? Probably not, but it's gross to me to propose these things to kids that are going to say yes, because they don't understand the concept of money. Ultimately, for the price point I think they should invest in making this a more special experience for children and parents. Think you walk into an actual workshop, there are sounds, you can't see the mall, and as you go through all steps it's a new room with a new environment. Something has to change here to make this a worthwhile destination. I could honestly also see an option where parents and kids pick out what extras they want up front so there is no asking and it's all on your barcode as you move through. The bottom line is that your kid will enjoy it, they are getting a fun new toy! But is the experience of building the bear fun or worth the extra price? Not really. There is a ton of room for improvement here. read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Toy Stores Near Me - Overland Park, Kansas

Sheltered us as a tornado passed nearby after we got locked out of Coach. Amazing team, so grateful.

I've decided the more a parent dreads going someplace the more a child will want to go there. Build-A-Bear is never high on my list, but my daughter would do anything to stop by. This makes it an excellent bribe. All parents need a list of good bribes. Add this place to your list. You'll be surprised what your kids will be willing to do if it means a trip to BAB. This location has been very busy lately. The staff is still adorable and friendly even though they probably go home each night picking stuffing out if their hair. They'll help your offspring pick out a critter to stuff and then lead them on the magical (expensive) journey of making the stuffed toy special. They have everything you could think of to accessorize these toys. Clothing, jewelry, furniture, cars, even little pairs of roller skates and underpants. You could easily kill an hour in here. My daughter spends an insane amount of time picking out the outfits for her newest creation. I don't think we've ever left here in under 30 minutes or without spending at least 30 dollars. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ We have a small collection of BABs. All of them have held up well, so I guess they are worth the higher price tag. Plus you're paying for the experience, so I get it. Sign up for their emails and you'll be alerted to sales. You can also buy the "skins" (yes, they call the unstuffed critters "skins") online and bring them into the store to be stuffed. They run deals online that they don't run in the store, so advance planning can save you some cash. I will say that adding some chairs for parents to slowly die on while waiting on their children to finally decide on a glittery tutu would be a great addition. Perhaps a BAB mixologist too? Hey, a mom can dream, right? :D read more

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I spent over $70 on a pretty basic bear with no clothes or anything. It was expensive because I had four voice recordings put into it. However, the recordings are so quiet you have to hold the bears paws to your ear even in a completely silent room. I wouldn't have paid for it if I knew we weren't going to be able to hear it even when we left the mall. read more

I am so glad I was able to take my two year old in today for her birthday so that I can boost the stars for this location. I also have a 15 year old and haven't been in a BABW in about six years. But outside of having a lot more options the feel is the same and quite frankly the price has not changed much at all. We had to wait a little bit and she was getting crabby but only one person was working and I am sure they assumed it would be a quiet day as it is the day after Valentine's Day. However there was plenty to entertain her with. The girl that helped us was sweet and chatted with us. She made us feel like we were all friends. Being a birthday surprise I was prepared to go all out and spend whatever my daughter wanted to spend. But I truly think you can make it out of the store for around $35 with a brand new animal and outfit. We stuffed the animal then opted to add a scent (new since the last time I was in), we chose lavender in case he became her new snuggle. Then we chose the heart that actually thumps simply because I am a sucker. She got to put a regular one in too after rubbing it on her head to make it smart and kissing it to give it love. Two sets of shoes, an outfit, a carrier and a leash later we were taking our new stuffed animal home all in about thirty minutes. I don't believe they do birth certificates anymore at the store and we didn't get a box for it so they either don't do that or we didn't get one because we purchased a carrier. I also didn't see that they offer bows for their ears like in the past. They have a huge selection of anything you could possibly want for your animal and quite a selection of sale items. My only suggestion to BABW is that they sell a four pack of shoes for the four legged animals with maybe a dollar less than buying two sets. read more

For now, they get two stars. I may change my rating; time will tell. My 8 & 9 yr olds got Twinkle the Unicorn and Stars the Bear on June 2nd, 2018 at 6 pm. By 3 pm June 3rd, BOTH Twinkle and Stars backs opened up and needed to be repaired. I called the store and they said "No problem, just bring them in and we will re-sew them." I'm startled the sewing didn't even last 24 hours, and all my kids did was sleep with them! We paid $25.50 per animal, and purchased NO outfits (prices for clothes ranged from $8 for shoes all the way up to $20 for a shirt/pant/shoe set). It was a fun experience and the kids LOVED making their own bears / unicorns with birth certificates...but get this. My 9 yr old son made a RIP sign for his bear after the seam opened up, he was so sad about it. Not cool. Pics attached. read more

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We recently had a bachelorette party at BAB and were helped by Kaitlyn, who really made our day special. Our bride really wanted to have a fun quirky bachelorette and Kaitlyn made that happen with her bright personality and sense of humor. Thank you for making our day!! read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Toy Stores Near Me - Overland Park, Kansas

A friend and I went to make build a bears for her 20th birthday. Even though we were older, the staff made us feel right at home. It was a very enjoyable experience and I really am happy with our experience! Look at our goofy fun bears! read more

Build-A-Bear Workshop - Toy Stores Near Me - Overland Park, Kansas

My daughter loved this place. She'd give it 45 rainbows for a rating. That only goes so far for me though. The store was clean and bright. All the employees where not only friendly but seemed to be great with kids. Mine's easily frightened by big machines and they did a sweet and humane job of trying to keep her calm. The process is sweet and fun for these kids. You make a little heart, imbue it with characteristics you want your new stuffed friend to have, and they have you put the heart inside the bear before they stitch it up, along with a little squeeze-triggered sound box if you like. My only complaints were the long lines, selection, and prices. There were only a few little overpriced accessories for the panda my kiddo chose, and they were all girl-oriented and bright pink. Total purchase price for one bear with an "I love you" squeeze trigger wearing a dress and some shoes with a little car to sit in: $90 dollars. Again, the kid loved this experience and I'm not saying I regret going. It's her birthday and she seemed to love the whole process. But this isn't the sort of place I could ever just take her on a whim, or repeatedly, as the cost is too prohibitive. read more

Won't visit this BABW again. Took my daughter there during a vacation to Kansas to browse and look around and the cashier was looking at me like "You going to buy a furry friend or what?" my daughter just browsed and decided to buy a little card that says "BAB" on it. The card was $5. Five whole dollars for a tiny little card you can't do anything with? Isn't that overboard or what? I went to pay and the cashier says "Is this all you bought?!" and I said "Yes" and she says "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM YOU NEED TO BUY MORE OR ELSE YOU ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS STORE YOU PSYCHO" and behind me my daughter gasped and I just walked off behind a rack hoping nobody saw me. My daughter followed me and tried to comfort me. I am always glad when she is here with me. Me and my daughter are the best of friends and have a EXTREMELY close relationship. There's nothing I can do without her. "That cashier is just rude and bratty she doesn't even know what's best for you only I do because we are best friends" she says and I appreciated that a lot. I gathered her in my arms and hugged her tightly. I did not like what the cashier had done to me. Other than that, this BABW was very small!! They didn't have outfits nor accessories for the BAB'S. I was very disappointed. And then my daughter said "I think I have a plan to scare the cashier out of the store" and I smiled and said "You do? Tell me because I think we can scare the cashier so bad she will run out of the store with damp pants" and she whispered to me the plan she had and unfortunately it didn't work so we left. Don't go here. read more