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"A Fur-bulous Experience"
Macy (aged 4 and a bit) and her best friend Ruby (aged nearly 4), went along to Build-a-Bear Workshop to “Build a Bear†in Churchill Square shopping centre in Brighton. There was an air of high excitement and expectation, mixed with a little nervous anticipation. The girls were met by a smiley and friendly “Hayley†who calmly led them through the whole process of making their bears.
Step one was to choose the type of bear. Macy opted for a pink one with a white heart on its tummy and Ruby chose a pink and white one. Both were extremely soft and cuddly and the girls were instantly in love with them. They had to choose a message to go inside, a mixture of sound bytes, some in a rather irritating Barbiesque voice, but Macy and Ruby didn’t seem to mind that. Clutching them tightly, they were taken over to the stuffing machine. Hayley popped the empty bears onto a pipe and asked Macy and then Ruby to put their foot on the peddle. Very quickly both bears were filled out and assumed a more respectable bear shape.
They were then told to pick a heart, a little fabric one to be placed inside the bear. Once kissed (“to fill it with loveâ€) and rubbed (“to get it startedâ€) it was popped inside and Haley sewed up the back. Macy and Ruby then took their bears over to the cleaning table where they were each given a brush and gently instructed to, “make them all clean and lovelyâ€.
Now for outfits and what a huge choice! To help them decide, the girls were met by a huge rabbit called “Paulettaâ€. The sight of a giant bunny made them a bit anxious to start with but they were soon giving and receiving big hugs. There were a vast array of teddy outfits. Some would have given Paris Hilton a run for her money. Unsurprisingly, a pink and purple fairy costume and a shiny Princess outfit were picked to adorn the newly named “Emilysâ€.
Over to the computers, where each “Emily†bear had to be given a birth certificate. Although only four, both girls were able to hit the right keys and fill in all the relevant details as the programme and keyboard had been simplified to the right level. Certificates printed, the bears were then put in a “going-home box†and backpacks, with a few more goodies, were given to a very contented Macy and Ruby.
For a special treat, this is a great experience for children aged 3-6, especially little girls. Excellent, simple instruction, delivered in a calm and patient way. Good quality products, although perhaps a little extravagant, as more than one outfit plus accessories would get pricey and potentially cost more than you’d spend on your kids clothes! The whole process took about 30 minutes, which was just long enough to hold their attention. The staff were great. I know of several other children, aged 5 and 6, who have been there for birthday parties and all seemed to have enjoyed it too.
I know that Macy and Emily and Ruby and Emily are all going to have a lovely time
together.
Sarah Taylor- November 2006
Brighton
Member review by Sarah - Working mum of two girls aged 4 and 6.
- review date 28th November 2006
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