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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Build a bear parties, worth it?

28 replies

madpulse29 · 18/05/2019 09:41

AIBU?

They sound extremely expensive and I hear food isn’t allowed,dd has been asking for one for her birthday. Due to cost I’ve not agreed yet.

OP posts:
XiCi · 18/05/2019 09:44

My dd went to one a few years ago and loved it. The bear became her favourite and she still sleeps with it every night. I think they are quite reasonable given that they all get a bear. Not sure about the food. If I remember correctly the mum just took them all to somewhere like McDonald's afterwards.

LittleCandle · 18/05/2019 09:46

You can set the budget you want, therefore only a bear and not clothes for each bear and the least expensive bear. They don't allow food because the parties are held in the shop. It is not cheap, but the kids seem to enjoy it. The party leader will make it fun for the kids.

Collectorofcookbooks · 18/05/2019 09:51

My DT’s wanted a Build a Bear party this year. But they also wanted to have quite a few friends.

We found some DIY kits online and offered them a choice, they could go to the shop and take one friend each, or have it at home and have three friends each.

They went for the at home version and the kits were super! Everyone had a great time and the teddies are absolutely great quality.

Let me know if you want details.

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 18/05/2019 09:58

Usually located close to a MacDonalds or other convenient cheap food place, and good value for money if you set a fixed price, some of my kid's best parties have been at Build A Bear, so would definitely recommend.

Also, for convenience, would recommend a build your own pizza party at Pizza Express.

Both options are great if you're happy to just let the company get on with it, and are so much less work than having a party at home (or a hall) and booking an entertainer and catering.

TeenTimesTwo · 18/05/2019 10:06

My idea of hell.
It seems to be commercialism dressed up as a party to me.

livingthegoodlife · 18/05/2019 10:08

I think they look great. I think I'll do one for my DD at some point.

Picnic in the park for the party tea?

Starlight39 · 18/05/2019 10:09

I did the diy kits (just found some online) for DS’s 6th birthday and they were brilliant! It was really fun and I bought them a white t shirt for each teddy (we had tigers) with some fabric pens to decorate. The rest of the party was cheap as we had it at home. I think I did a pass the parcel with an outfit in it too.

HomeMadeMadness · 18/05/2019 10:11

My DD had one and enjoyed it. It was expensive especially if you'll need to go on somewhere else for food. You also need to be careful about which package you buy - it can be awkward if there are price limits which the kids will try to bargain against or will be too young to understand. If you can afford it though it works quite well kids all leave happy and not tidying up or entertaining for the parents!

AnneElliott · 18/05/2019 10:13

DS went to one and I thought it was awful. Not really a party in any sense of the word.

Blueeyesdarkhair · 18/05/2019 10:13

We've used the home kits which were fine - we did a craft type party at home.
If your DD really wants build a bear though I’d take just a couple of friends and come home for a pizza tea or McDonald’s happy meal.

Andonandonan · 18/05/2019 10:14

Can someone recommend a diy kit? Dd was keen on build a bear but wants her party at home, wondering if I can combine the 2 :)

Thurmanmurman · 18/05/2019 10:14

Another vote for DIY kits. I did this a few years back for my DD at home and the kids loved it. The kits I got also make with little t-shirts and fabric pens so they could decorate a t-shirt for the bears.

Thurmanmurman · 18/05/2019 10:16

www.myforeverbear.co.uk

I used these ones. Sorry not sure how to do a link you can click on!

JurassicGirl · 18/05/2019 10:18

I'm in Cornwall so the closest Build a Bear is Plymouth (70 miles) but there's a Bear Factory which is pretty similar & my dd had her birthday party there one year.

It cost £16 per person & they all got to choose a large bear & got a plain t-shirt. So £128 for 8 kids.

The t-shirts were designed with fabric pens as part of the party along with a few other activities & the kids all loved it!

We took our own party food (this is allowed!)

Brilliant party!

HomeMadeMadness · 18/05/2019 10:20

Come to think of it DS also went to a make shift one at someone's house which he also enjoyed - I think it would be less appealing to an older child though as they seem to like the big machine for stuffing bears and the main stream star wars bears etc.

Original poster
madpulse29 · 18/05/2019 10:22

Thanks, sounds like the children really enjoy it!

Would i be able to get away with just the build a bear party or will everyone expect food/drinks afterwards?

I think the budget will stretch to a basic build a bear package.

OP posts:
Thurmanmurman · 18/05/2019 10:25

www.myforeverbear.co.uk

I used these ones. Sorry not sure how to do a link you can click on!

Dieu · 18/05/2019 10:33

Sorry, but I think it would be poor form not to feed the kids. Couldn't you just do a picnic in the park? Or at least some juice and birthday cake.

Blueeyesdarkhair · 18/05/2019 10:35

Yes I do think you need to offer some food, whether it’s out or back at your own house.

stucknoue · 18/05/2019 10:37

Most build-a-bear places are in shopping centres, just do happy meals at McDonald's. Limit the number of kids to stick to budget

reluctantbrit · 18/05/2019 10:42

DD went to three if I remember it correctly.

In all cases it was just the bear, no clothing. One family took the whole lot to McD afterwards which was nice but I didn’t expect anything as I knew how much they are.

The other two gave out cupcakes or a slice of cake (pre cut by the parent at home) to each child afterwards.

We recently had a family event at work and I got DIY kits for the children to do. Very nice quality and the children loved stuffing the bear, we adults just had to check and help a bit. There are several companies on the market, I think if DD would be younger I would do it at home with pizza for food and some typical party games.

Bigbopboo · 18/05/2019 11:05

Look at bemybear.com. Good value and reasonable quality

CrisisMummy · 18/05/2019 11:49

I, too, know a Friend who used the do-at-home kits, and it went very well. FWIW, my idea of Hell but both my DDs have loved being invited to parties there and, as a PP said there are different price brackets.

reluctantbrit · 18/05/2019 12:21

Bigbopboo - We had the Bemybear kits, I got the snow leopards to suit boys and girls.

I agree, they are really nicely done.

mammmamia · 18/05/2019 15:16

We had one with a few kids and took them to McDonald’s afterwards. It was lovely. I do think you need to provide food at a party, poor form not to.