My 3-year-old is obsessed with stuffed animals. (Honestly, name me a 3-year-old who isn’t; I’m listening.)
Her bed is basically a small zoo and it’s so overflowing that half the time I’m elbow-deep in blankets trying to find the exact “fairy unicorn” she must have. Every trip to a toy store inevitably ends the same way: with her clutching a new furry friend. And each night, she falls asleep wrapped around her stuffed animals as if they’re her only friends in the whole world.
Watching her devotion made me curious about stuffed animals in a whole new way, which naturally led me to Build-A-Bear. I remember walking by the store in the mall back in high school, but I didn’t really understand what made it so special. Now, I totally get it. Build-A-Bear isn’t just a store—it’s an iconic, interactive experience where people can create a one-of-a-kind stuffed animal that feels like it was made just for them.
While we haven’t been yet, shopping at Build-A-Bear is on my “fun holiday activities” list. I already know my daughter will love picking out her own stuffie and essentially bringing it to life. Here’s how that whole process works.
How the Build-A-Bear Experience Works
At Build-A-Bear, kids can kick off the adventure by picking out their own stuffed animal. There are tons of options, including classic teddy bears and puppies, plus more exotic choices like unicorns and popular franchise characters.
Then, once they’ve made their pick, it’s time to get hands-on. They participate in stuffing their new pal, turning a flat, floppy shell into a soft, cuddly companion. Some locations even let you add extras like a giggle sound, a thumping heartbeat, or a cozy scent. Watching a flat little shell turn into a real, huggable friend is surprisingly emotional—like, I did not expect to feel feelings at the stuffing machine, but here we are.
Next, one of the most iconic parts of the Build-A-Bear process is the heart ceremony. Kids place a tiny heart inside the animal, sometimes after making a wish or giving it a warm rub for love. It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly sweet and makes the whole process feel meaningful, like they’re genuinely welcoming a new friend into the family. Then, next up is the fashion show. There are outfits for every personality (tutus, holiday sweaters, tiny sneakers, character costumes, etc.) and the outfits kids choose help give the stuffed animal its own identity.
The grand finale is giving their new friend a name and printing out an official birth certificate. It feels important and ceremonial in the cutest way possible.
Stuff Your Sleigh with Savings
As if you needed another reason to stop by the store, there’s currently an amazing seasonal deal happening at Build-A-Bear that has officially pushed me over the edge into must-shop mode. Reindeer plushies are 2 for $25, an offer that’s available in stores and online through December 10, 2025. Whether you’re gifting a little one, building a collection, or treating your inner child, this deal is hard to pass up.
The plushies in the deal are characters from the ‘Glisten and the Merry Mission’ movie. They all have sweet blue eyes, antlers, and soft, fuzzy coats—basically they’re the perfect companion for kiddos. And like all plushies at Build-A-Bear, kids can personalize them with the outfits, sounds, scents, and accessories of their choice. There are some seriously cute options, including boots, capes, sunglasses, headphones, vests, and tons more.
After doing a little browsing, I can confirm that my personal favorite is Glisten, the enchanted snow deer. With her snowy white fur, glittery hooves, antlers, and her signature snowflake medallion, she’s pretty much iconic.
Why I’m Buying Them For My Daughter
Now that my daughter is three, this is the first holiday season where she actually understands what’s going on. Since Halloween, we’ve been talking nonstop about presents, baking cookies for Santa, and (of course) Santa’s reindeer crew. Bringing home a couple of plush reindeer feels like the perfect way to make all that holiday magic feel real to her. It’s something she can hug, name, and tuck into bed while she waits for the big night.
Plus, this promo makes shopping easy. These reindeer are usually around $32 each, but right now you can get two for $25, which is a great deal for something this adorable. Whoever you’re shopping for, Build-A-Bear makes holiday gifting feel special. Between the personalized experience, the keepsake factor, and the pure joy kids get from creating their own stuffed friends, it’s a tradition worth leaning into.
So if you’re ready to sprinkle a little extra wonder into the season, now’s the time to grab a couple of reindeer before they fly off the shelf.
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