If I let my daughter and her friend loose in Build-A-Bear Workshop, without spending every second saying no, how much would it cost me roughly?

[AcrylicPlexiglass]

Hi. My daughter is rising 4 and loves her dolls and soft toys and spends lots of time dressing and undressing them (mostly in her own clothes! Kermit is currently attired in a massively over-sized purple dungaree dress!). I think she would really like the experience of making her own bear/animal in the shop and choosing an outfit for it so was thinking of taking her and her best friend there for her 4th birthday to do just that. Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost? Obviously I'll put some boundaries in place about what they can and can't have but I'd like to be a real treat without too many "no, no, sorry, no, absolutely not, those shoes cost a fortune!" moments, if I can afford it. I can't find much info on the website about what the total cost would be and wondered if mumsnetters could advise. I could probably run to £30 per bear (so £60 total) at a pinch but much more and I'd have to give up the idea of taking her friend, which would be a shame as I think they'd really enjoy doing it together and then playing with their bears/animals afterwards. Would they be able to get something good for that price or would that only be enough for a basic model, no frills?

If it is expensive, is it worth it for the experience or are some children quite "meh" about the whole thing? Is 4 a good age for it? Like all parents I want a sure fire winner for her birthday!

Many thanks in advance.

[mikkii]

My DD1 just had a BABW birthday party last month. I set a budget of £20 per child, although DH then gave DD1 £10 extra and DS/DD2 £5 extra each.

The bears start at £9.50 each for simple ones and go up to about £20. There are plenty in the middle of the range. One of the guests chose a £9.50 bear and also got a school shirt/shirt/tie. If the kids chose a bear for about £15 they could still get a t-shirt or similar accessory.

£30 each seems like a great budget for them, personally I'd steer them away from the most expensive bears towards the mid priced ones as they will go mad for the accessories. It is a good exercise for them in prioritising! You will need to say no lots of times, but they won't remember that when they leave with their bears.

[AintNobodyHereButUsKittens]

30 is a great budget, will get them an animal, dress, shoes and accessories, as long as they don't go for special branded tie in outfits (Darth Vader, Chelsea kits etc).

[AintNobodyHereButUsKittens]

30 is a great budget, will get them an animal, dress, shoes and accessories, as long as they don't go for special branded tie in outfits (Darth Vader, Chelsea kits etc).

[AcrylicPlexiglass]

Thank you both so much. That's really helpful. :):):):):):):):)

Hope your daughter loved her party, mikkii.

[Ra88]

I took my dd to build a bear in Telford today and I got £20 off ! was supposed to cost £32, for the bear,beating heart, dress and shoes and I only paid £12!!

codes were :

498414 (£15 off)
498413 (£5 off)

now I'm not sure if the member of staff was actually supposed to take off both voucher codes but she happily did ! and I was very happy!

[queenebay]

You can sometimes get vouchers on ebay too

[AcrylicPlexiglass]

ooo, vouchers/codes are a good idea. I will keep an eye out.:)

[ihearsounds]

Google the reviews first. Quality is not that great for what you are paying. My ds had one for Easter. He only takes it to bed with him, well did.. Fed up with constantly having to stitch the thing back up. Same with the other dc's that went with him.

[AintNobodyHereButUsKittens]

If you sign your DD up online for BAB club or membership or whatever then they'll send you a regular leaflet / emails with quite worthwhile discounts.

[Startail]

Along with Playmobil they are the most played with toys in the house. DDs have several and heaps of clothes.

Quality wise the clothes are great, but we have one rabbit that was very badly made and is always in 'hospital'.

I don't mind, l quite like sewing, but do check them if your DCs are small.

[SoggySummer]

They re sell well - in a few years time.

DD2 (almost 12) kept her bears but last month asked me to sell all the outfits for her. She got alot of £££ and they sold within 5 minutes of me putting them on a local buy and sell website. I was fighting people off. I still get emails (3 weeks on) asking if I have any left.

Hope your DD has a lovely birthday. I have to say I am glad my days stood in BABW are over!!

[AcrylicPlexiglass]

Thanks, SoggySummer..:)

Great idea re newsletter, Ain'tNobody.

I hear the quality comments ihearsounds and startail but think I'm going to go for it nonetheless (plenty of time to change my mind as the birthday's not till August!) as I think she will be enthralled at the experience, especially if her little mate is with her.:)

[MultipleMama]

DS made one for his 4th. He picked his bear. Mid priced one. Shorts, hoodie, shoes and then came back a few month later and got guitar also.

I loved that the staff were great with him; including him in everything from; picking a heart, making a wish, choosing the softness and pressing the stuffing pedal. He had so much fun
He still has the bear and passport which now has a few stamps.

Well worth it. £30 is a good budget.

[MultipleMama]

Oh and he named his Smudge lol