Build a bear parties......

[npg1]

Has anyone had a build a bear party for their children? The one in our town doesnt do food so im wondering how I can get around that one, maybe not do food and just have the hour party but how would I do the cake etc?

My dd went to one and they didn't do food. I think it was 1.5 hours as the host took along pass the parcel which they did and they took a cake and sang happy birthday and cut it (weren't allowed candles!). They did it at something like 10am so it wasn't a food type time which got round the problem. The children didn't seem to mind either (they were 4).

Depending on the age of your children one thing I'd say is - at the one dd went to they were given a certain amount to spend which meant they could have a cheaper bear and a tshirt or a more expensive bear. DD chose the more expensive bear and didn't understand why she didn't get a tshirt although thankfully she just accepted it there(I didn't stay but she asked me afterwards, and I forked out for a tshirt !!). I think for this age, I would say a small bear and a tshirt - not the either/or.

It was good though all in all !

Hi, an alternative is to have the bear kits delivered to you to make at home so you can choose how much you spend before the children come and all you need to supply is cake and food. Blackberriebears also supply a free party box if you order over 10 which includes all you need to host a party for 2 hours and have offers too you can find them on the web and they deliver all round the country.

I did a build a bear style party at home for DD1. Got bear skins etc from here.

It was a huge success. DD1 and her friends loved it. We had teddy bear shape cakes, sandwiches and pom bear crisps plus i made teddy shape biscuits and they all decorated one.

We did this at home. We got our bear kits from www.bearfactoryparties.co.uk
Dd was tuning 6, we invited 5 friends from her class (all girls)
I bought 6 bearskins, 6 white bear sized t-shirts, a packet of fabric markers and 6 bear duffle coats.
The guests arrived (we held an after-school party) so we all had juice and cake.
Then we stuffed the bears.
Then we played pass the parcel - each child had a sweetie and a white t-shirt in their layer. We also played pin the bow-tie on the bear (which I had handdrawn, so a cheap option )
Then the girls decorated the t-shirts (and promptly dressed their bear)
Then I put the party tea in the oven and dh and my friend guided the girls on a treasure hunt around the house. Lots of bear-related clues. The 'treasure' was a lovingly wrapped basket of bear duffle coats. One for each bear. The girls dressed their bears and we took photos.
Then they had a party tea, jelly and ice cream for pudding and went home.
The most fun (and mosth chaotic) 2.5 hours ever - but dd loved it and even now her friends talk about the party!

Tortoise, snap

We had scamp with the glow in the dark heart. DD1's 6th birthday too!
I am sure DD2 will want the same party at some point.

Oh we also played 'Musical bears' instead of musical chairs. I found pics of bears, printed them and laminated them. When the music stopped they had to stand on a bear. They loved it!

We had sparkle

I run bear making parties in Oxfordshire - so would defnitely recommend doing it at home or hiring a hall rather than forking out for Build a Bear as you can then play games, organise your own food etc.

I am happy to answer any questions about running bear making parties if you contact me.

My dd had a build a bear party and it was really good, we went to TGI's afterwards for food and cake.

Same here, we have a build a bear parties at the store. Start at 10ish, take a cake with you (no candles) sing happy birthday, have pics then go to nearest eatery for lunch. Simple and very enjoyable (if expensive). Just be prepared to spend waaaaaaaay too much at a later date for all the clothes!

I have always thought the idea of having a party in a shop was a little strange - I am sure it works for some people but the idea of being in charge of other people's children in a shop in a mall gives me the heebie-geebies - it would be so easy to lose someone. Bear parties at home sound a much more viable idea (hooray - a future idea for DD which does not involve flipping princesses )

Hello everyone,
I have recently treated my daughter to a 'Create a Bear Party' at home from www.createabearparty.co.uk. My daughter and her friends had a wonderful time, the people who run the website gave a really personal and efficient service. The bears were really cute and lovely quality. The free downloadables kept the children occupied for hours!! it was a fun day for everyone. I would certainly recommend the webiste to others..... and much cheaper then having a Build a Bear party.