Originally conceived as a place for children to create their own special teddy bear with a step-by-step process including our now iconic Heart Ceremony, Build-A-Bear is now a multi-generational, multi-dimensional global brand appealing to diverse consumer demographics.

Maxine envisioned an interactive retail destination where kids could make personalized “furry friends.” She ultimately created something that is now called “experiential retail” which has fundamentally helped to change the way we think about shopping.

Maxine ClarkBuild-A-Bear Workshop / Founder Maxine Clark – Founder Build-A-Bear Workshop. Maxine Clark is one of the true innovators in the retail industry.

Build-A-Bear teddy bears and animals from The Build-A-Bear Workshop generally average around 15" to 18" in size, (although this can differ as new ranges are released) so if in doubt a measuring tape can come in handy!

Also, each of our animals is made with a unique bar code that is placed inside of it when it's made. We also give each animal a "birth certificate" with that number so it is tied to the purchaser. Found animals can be returned to the store where we can contact the person who lost it.

All of our products are produced from high-quality materials. Our stuffing is made from a high-grade polyester fiber.

Given their dependence on large natural areas, brown bears are important management indicators for a number of other wildlife species. Brown bears also play important roles as predators who keep other animal populations in check. Additionally, they act as seed dispersers, helping to sustain their own environment.

UNITED STATES UNITED STATES - Build-A-Bear Workshop, Where Best Friends Are Made®, was founded in October 1997 in St. Louis, MO and is an interactive entertainment, mall-based retail experience that invites customers to make their own personalized stuffed animals.

Our furry friends all have a base cost and the total cost to Build-A-Bear depends on the clothing and accessories you choose or don't choose to add to your stuffed animal.

between 15" and 18" As long as your Build-A-Bear from head to toe measures between 15" and 18" and the Build-A-Bear character is one that stands on two legs, then 99% of the time our Be My Bear clothing range will fit these characters perfectly.

It's true that our furry friends appeal to kids of all ages. But please note that our stuffed animals are appropriate for kids ages 2 and up. Our clothing and accessories are appropriate for children ages 3 and up. You may check our product packaging as a guide for product safety and age-play appropriateness.

Louis-based company is seeing a strong post-pandemic resurgence in demand for its create-your-own soft plush toys, and Build-A-Bear Workshop attributes that to shoppers 13 and older.