| Posted By |
Message |
Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
|
Build a bear parties
I'm going to one next week.. what are they like? Do kids get to pick a toy to fill or do they all get the same? Trying to know what to tell DS.
|
Posted 1/12/13 7:58 PM  |
| |
|
Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Build a bear parties
I think it depends on what the host picks. We had 4 choices. It was a bit disorganized. Some kids wanted ones they were offering then they got upset bc their parents said no, a few parents tried or did pick other ones then said they would pay the difference and then others got upset whsn another kid then got a different one. Then there was a lot of down time. DD was good about waiting and getting only what she was told but some others had problems with that. Parents didn't know what was included bc they were not good about announcing first. The one thing I did not care for was how the gave out the outfits. These were 3 yr olds. They gave out the outfits by holding them up (they were piled on a cart or table don't remember) and saying okay we only have one of each outfit so no fighting it goes to the first to raise their hands and if 2 want the outfit they have to decide between the kids who got it luckily everyone got what they wanted but several parents were concerned it had the potential to be an issue if several kids all want the same outfit. Just another warning. There were some breaks in between things with no entertainment and some parents were having problems that their kids were bored and wanted other outfits or pullibg things off racks. One or two parents had to leave bc their child melted down. I would try to prepare that there might only be one choice and that there might not be any outfits but to be surprised if there are any choices. This way they won't be disappointment. Also the outfits there were showing did not seem to be ones that were all out on the floor so not sure if they pull them for supplies in the back or what.
Etd to add...prepare for a longer wait for stuffing. Not only were the kids stuffing at this party but parents were getting additional bears for siblings not at the party. So put 20+ kids, one stuffer and some parents adding the line took about 30 mins to just stuff. Also there was some gaps with waiting around some parents pulled out their smart phones to occupy their child.
Message edited 1/12/2013 8:29:26 PM.
|
| Posted 1/12/13 8:25 PM |
| |
|
Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
|
Re: Build a bear parties
Oh crap. Sounds like fun lol!
These are a group of 6 year olds so I know it will be interesting. Thanks for the info!
|
| Posted 1/12/13 8:40 PM |
| |
|
LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
|
Re: Build a bear parties
We went to one and they only had two bear options. The host did not give out bear clothing, only underwear. After the party ended we went back to the store and got the bears clothing. If you have a kid stuff book there is a coupon.
|
| Posted 1/12/13 9:56 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Build a bear parties
Posted by Lillykat
Some kids wanted ones they were offering then they got upset bc their parents said no, a few parents tried or did pick other ones then said they would pay the difference and then others got upset whsn another kid then got a different one.
This was why I did not want to pick Build-A-Bear as a venue unless I, as the parent throwing the party, was willing to pay for a wide selection. I considered ordering for a home party and I still might use that idea. Then they are not surrounded by upgrades. DS happens to love making them but he would miss the stuffing machine if we did it at home.
Message edited 1/12/2013 10:08:02 PM.
|
| Posted 1/12/13 10:07 PM |
| |
|
Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Build a bear parties
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by Lillykat
Some kids wanted ones they were offering then they got upset bc their parents said no, a few parents tried or did pick other ones then said they would pay the difference and then others got upset whsn another kid then got a different one.
This was why I did not want to pick Build-A-Bear as a venue unless I, as the parent throwing the party, was willing to pay for a wide selection. I considered ordering for a home party and I still might use that idea. Then they are not surrounded by upgrades. DS happens to love making them but he would miss the stuffing machine if we did it at home.
See I felt bad for the host. Some were like go ahead and pick to their kids and were telling the girl "eh we will pay the difference." I don't think they did and she ended up with a big bill at he end. Honestly I don't care if mine makes a scene (I am lucky DD knows that when we shop we don't ask for things so she is good but instead she will get upset more by where she sits at a party than what she gets). I don't know but I couldn't imagine getting what I wanted and just saying oh I will pay the difference. If it is that important to your then come back later and buy it then. I think people took stuff then they had no idea who got what extra so they just handed her the bill and I don't think those parents spoke up. I don't recommend the place - it has potential but honestly trying to have any party in a store with reallly little ones is hard. Wish they had a private room for the party where they read to the kids, do some songs, games something. They had no entertainment between activities which means bored kids bored kids = potential for meltdowns, running around etc.
|
| Posted 1/12/13 11:00 PM |
| |
|
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
|
Build a bear parties
We have been to a build a bear party and it was nothing like the above. The host had one set animal we got that one. No kids were kicking or screaming for another kind. There were no clothing options, and all the kids were fine with that. The kids had fun. This was during the week though, and the store wasn't as crowded.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 9:23 AM |
| |
|
GirlyMommy
LIF Infant
Member since 7/12 71 total posts
Name:
|
Build a bear parties
my dc went to a birthday there. it was cute but a very long party. The kids all got the same bear and then had the choice of clothing. They had about 5 options for the boys and 5 options for the girls. They didn't only have one of each outfit so if all 20 kids wanted the same outfit it wasn't a problem.
There was ALOT of down time. The party had 2 hosts so one was stuffing and one was trying to play little games with the kids but they got a bit bored. They were in the store for about 2 hours. Between getting everyone settled, naming the bears, stuffing the bears, giving the bear a "bath" and picking clothes.
It's a cute party but i wish a private room was available!
Message edited 1/13/2013 12:44:50 PM.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 12:44 PM |
| |
|
Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Build a bear parties
Posted by BargainMama
We have been to a build a bear party and it was nothing like the above. The host had one set animal we got that one. No kids were kicking or screaming for another kind. There were no clothing options, and all the kids were fine with that. The kids had fun. This was during the week though, and the store wasn't as crowded.
This was this fault IMO of the staff/store for the most part. They opened the store like 10 mins late so there were quite a few standing around by the time they opened. They didn't start anything for about 15 mins after they opened leaving the kids and parents to just stand around the store waiting to do something. The party went like 50 mins longer than it was supposed to and so we were late in heading over to Sbarros. Didn't help that she had 2 employees promised and they only gave one. Many were young 3 yr old party but there were kids mainly 2 and just turned 3. They pretty much gave no guidence they didn't even have all the kids together when they told them which bears were included. So the girl told like 3 of us and left us to tell the other parents. Then she told some parents
the kids could pick clothes (overheard her) but didn't
say they were from what they brought out. Parents were asking each other what they could do. Host didn't seem to know other. It has the potential to be cute but unfortunately I have heard from several parents similar experiences. This was a weekend party Sunday if I remember correctly. Actually my DD had fun but the parents looked very stressed out afterwards. I think we were in the store for maybe 90 minsor so.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 1:47 PM |
| |
|
InShock
life is good
Member since 10/06 9258 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Build a bear parties
My DD just went to a party there yesterday. My DH took her (I was home sick!), but he said they got to pick any stuffed animal up to $16 and for the clothing they laid out a bunch of clothes and the kids got to pick. It wasn't a large party (maybe 10-12 kids) so I'm sure that helped minimize the waiting around issue stated above.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 2:13 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Build a bear parties
I think there are private rooms at some locations.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 3:48 PM |
| |
|
Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
|
Re: Build a bear parties
Thanks ladies! I'll let you know how it goes lol This location is in Jersey so we will see if it's different.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 4:47 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Build a bear parties
We had one for DD's last birthday at the Danbury, CT store. It went pretty well. I think I went with the cheaper bears but splurged on outfits (but still didn't get the most expensive) and there were some really cute choices. All the kids left happy. It was pretty well organized too.
|
| Posted 1/13/13 6:44 PM |
| |
|
