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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
4yo DS has never been to build a bear. At the mall today, he said he wanted a build a bear. I said he could have one for his bday and he said he wanted his bday party there. I asked if he wanted a bounce house party with a lot of friends or build a bear with a few friends and he chose the smaller party.
Has anyone attended or thrown a party at build a bear?
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Posted 10/2/13 9:39 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MrsSteflily
I love chocolate
Member since 4/06 2047 total posts
Name:
Stef
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Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
I've been to 2 parties there. It's cute. They choose a bear (based on a level you choose when setting up the party), stuff it, add the hearts, "clean it", and dress it if you want to include it in the party. They are really flexible on the extra's based on how much you want to spend. For examply, my sister had one for my neice for her 4th birthday and for 6 kids it was $80. That was for the bears and an outfit for the birthday girls bear (the others got their choice of ribbon).
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| Posted 10/2/13 10:01 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
I think it works well as a small party. We attended one with over 20 kids and it was a bit of a mess. They don't close the store and the store only has two machines so lots of kids just had to stand around and wait for a while. To be honest, my kids got just a bear and the free ribbons and did not love it. The host did not get clothing for anyone except their own kids. Which then basically forced all of the parents to buy something for their own kids. So, I am not sure of your budget, but I am not sure I would do just a bear. I would get a shirt or underwear as that is inexpensive relative to the rest of the store. We have not been back to the store since the party.
Message edited 10/3/2013 8:56:20 AM.
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| Posted 10/3/13 8:54 AM |
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angnick
Life is So Wonderful!
Member since 8/06 6663 total posts
Name:
Angela
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
I inquired about one last year- They do not serve food, so that was a deal breaker for me.
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| Posted 10/3/13 9:14 AM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
Posted by angnick
I inquired about one last year- They do not serve food, so that was a deal breaker for me.
Ditto.
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| Posted 10/3/13 9:57 AM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
Been to a small one for a friend so it was perfect. About 8 kids so it was perfect. We were all close friends so fun for us to hang out and the kids played some small games with a worker their to keep them occupied while others made their bear. They give you a choice of a few that I'm guessing the parent chose beforehand. My DS was 3 at the time and LOVES his build a bear. Sleeps with his bunny every night and even says now a year later he got it at Sara's bday party.
After we all went to a restaurant in the mall and just split the bill.
For a big class party or something I wouldn't suggest it. There's other people in the store at the time so it can get out of hand. Maybe a weekday is easier. Weekends are crazy
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| Posted 10/3/13 10:13 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
Posted by LSP2005
I think it works well as a small party. We attended one with over 20 kids and it was a bit of a mess. They don't close the store and the store only has two machines so lots of kids just had to stand around and wait for a while. To be honest, my kids got just a bear and the free ribbons and did not love it. The host did not get clothing for anyone except their own kids. Which then basically forced all of the parents to buy something for their own kids. So, I am not sure of your budget, but I am not sure I would do just a bear. I would get a shirt or underwear as that is inexpensive relative to the rest of the store. We have not been back to the store since the party.
I would never make our guests pay for the clothes! I haven't thought deeply about it but I would probably tell parents to stay under $25 and some go over a bit, I would be ok with it.
I have 3 location options and they all have a restaurant close by. I would not do the food court. Cheesecake Factory would probably be where we go. Not sure if the party would be too long with the build a bear workshop and then a sit down meal.
Headcount should be ok if it weren't for siblings. Everyone we know has a sibling though. I can't tell friends that only their 4-5yo can participate and not their 2-3yo sibling. Less concerned about price but about wait time for stuffing bears.
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| Posted 10/3/13 10:59 AM |
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mrsboss
my little love
Member since 12/09 5054 total posts
Name:
Me
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Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
I went to a 3rd bday party there in July. Ehhhh I wasn't impressed. The whole idea and theme of store is cute of course, but the party was just all over the place. It was 10 kids, sitting on the floor, the regular public (not part of the party) were weaving in and around the kids on the floor. There was really no separation and it just seemed disorganized to me, I dunno. Then we trekked upstairs to food court for pizza and cake. It was just a lot of 3-5 yr old kids running around, wanting to explore the mall. It personally wasn't for me.
Message edited 10/3/2013 11:06:55 AM.
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| Posted 10/3/13 11:06 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
Posted by mrsboss
I went to a 3rd bday party there in July. Ehhhh I wasn't impressed. The whole idea and theme of store is cute of course, but the party was just all over the place. It was 10 kids, sitting on the floor, the regular public (not part of the party) were weaving in and around the kids on the floor. There was really no separation and it just seemed disorganized to me, I dunno. Then we trekked upstairs to food court for pizza and cake. It was just a lot of 3-5 yr old kids running around, wanting to explore the mall. It personally wasn't for me.
That sounds awful. It will also be difficult for us to have a low headcount without hurting feelings.
I think I will pass on build a bear. Maybe I will just take my two sons (bdays are 1 day apart) and let them go to town in the store.
DS will most likely get a bounce house party where everyone and their siblings are invited.
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| Posted 10/3/13 11:15 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
Posted by EricaAlt
Been to a small one for a friend so it was perfect. About 8 kids so it was perfect. We were all close friends so fun for us to hang out and the kids played some small games with a worker their to keep them occupied while others made their bear. They give you a choice of a few that I'm guessing the parent chose beforehand. My DS was 3 at the time and LOVES his build a bear. Sleeps with his bunny every night and even says now a year later he got it at Sara's bday party.
After we all went to a restaurant in the mall and just split the bill.
For a big class party or something I wouldn't suggest it. There's other people in the store at the time so it can get out of hand. Maybe a weekday is easier. Weekends are crazy
Splitting a bill at a kid bday party doesn't sound right.
Maybe I will invite a handful of kids so we can make the 6 kid minimum on a weeknight. We could stuff bears and go out to dinner after.
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| Posted 10/3/13 11:29 AM |
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BabyFever
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 1050 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXXX
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
I have been to one and thought it was a bit boring and a mess. It goes on in the middle of the s tore while people are shopping and the host didn't include any clothes so us parents were stuck buying clothes. I understand it can be expensive and don' expect the host to include anything but when some parents started buying clothes then the rest of the kids wanted them. And besides building the bear there wasn't much else to do besides the pizza in the food court. the kids were getting antsy and wanted to run around. I feel at that age a bouncy party is better.
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| Posted 10/3/13 12:18 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Has anyone thrown or attended a build a bear party?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by EricaAlt
Been to a small one for a friend so it was perfect. About 8 kids so it was perfect. We were all close friends so fun for us to hang out and the kids played some small games with a worker their to keep them occupied while others made their bear. They give you a choice of a few that I'm guessing the parent chose beforehand. My DS was 3 at the time and LOVES his build a bear. Sleeps with his bunny every night and even says now a year later he got it at Sara's bday party.
After we all went to a restaurant in the mall and just split the bill.
For a big class party or something I wouldn't suggest it. There's other people in the store at the time so it can get out of hand. Maybe a weekday is easier. Weekends are crazy
Splitting a bill at a kid bday party doesn't sound right.
Maybe I will invite a handful of kids so we can make the 6 kid minimum on a weeknight. We could stuff bears and go out to dinner after.
Sorry, should've been more clear. After the party a few close friends (4 families) decided to go out to eat on our own. Build a Bear doesn't provide food so we just chose to keep the party and get together longer. We all split it and besides the bear she also gave out bday cupcakes.
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| Posted 10/3/13 12:28 PM |
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