Birthday giftcard that will cost me (buildabear)

[Poetryinaction]

My son has been given a £10 build a bear gift card. He is ridiculously excited and talks about it all the time. His sisters are now really excited too.
I never intended to go into one of those shops, assuming it would be overpriced, and not really into that kind of thing as a family.
Now he is asking to go at half term as we live 30 miles from the nearest one. That means taking all 3 kids.
From what I can gather he is going to want a bear (£15?) plus a tshirt (£5?) as a minimum. That's £60 plus the cost of gojng there plus lunch etc...
Is there any way around this? Maybe I can get his dad to take him at the weekend, but I can't imagine leaving his sister out of it... unless maybe they bring her back a small consolation prize?
This was bought by a friend who has a lot more disposable income than us!

I would ride out the disappointment from the 4yo, personally and just take DS if you're going to go. Check out eBay for secondhand clothes.

Or, what does your DS know? Could you take the voucher to regift and 'order' a build a bear for DS to arrive 'direct from the workshop'. You could then get something cheaper, avoid all the stuff in the shop and potentially get one for the 4yo too?

The shop wasn't the best experience but luckily DS was too little to care that DD was getting one. We were careful not to overspend but DH went full on outfit with the clothes when I suggested just a t-shirt. Anyway, watch the shoes (we had to find ours when it fell off in the car park lift!). DD loved the shop though and watching her bear get the stuffing put in. It was like IKEA on a bank holiday weekend (take gin!).

Years ago we had a voucher and got a Toothless in the sale, so shirts, shoes etc weren't necessary. Maybe steer him towards a character that doesn't need extra accessories?

They don’t actually check when their birthday is! Do the count your candles bear and say no to optional extras! You don’t have to take your other dc. It’s a birthday treat just for him!

I took my dc, it wasn’t expensive to make the birthday bear and they get the whole shop to sing happy birthday. She was made up!!