What is it ...

A store where you can create your own bear from a large choice, helping to stuff the bear and choose an outfit. The bear comes with its own birth certificate

Why MumKnowsBest loves it...

We have recently had the opportunity to visit the Build a Bear Workshop in Chester, where both I and my eight year old daughter had a great time.

The Build a Bear Workshop is where you can create your own bear to take home. How to go about making the bear is a simple process, with clear instructions throughout the store and the staff were very helpful.

After (eventually!) choosing our bear Eleanor was thrilled to be able to help fill her bear, make a wish and make her bear live by putting the bear's heart in. Now the difficult part started when we had to choose the outfit. There was such a large choice of clothes to choose from, whole outfits, different themed outfits, special occasion outfits, we chose a nice top and shorts outfit, then felt the bear needed a night-time outfit too!

A member of staff then helped us to choose the name, then helped us with the computer where we needed to register our bear's birth, so that when we paid at the end we had a great box designed to be a home, a birth certificate and our very own bear.

On getting home your child can then play with a matching virtual bear at Buildabearville, where you can play games and earn virtual points (you can also earn points when spending in store).

All in all, this was a great experience for both of us, me to see Eleanor enjoying herself so much and for Eleanor to have the fun of making her own bear. There are a variety of animals you can choose from starting at very reasonable prices, and you can simply buy the bear if you choose, or add to the wardrobe as you wish.

For more details visit www.buildabear.co.uk