Build-A-Bear Workshop (Review & Giveaway)

When I was a little girl, I had an incredible collection of stuffed animals, and they were all very special to me. Two or three of them were constantly paling around with me- everywhere! I loved to pretend to give them food and drink, dress and groom them, teach things to them, and tuck them into bed at night. I was encouraged by my parents to use my imagination, when playing with my furry friends- so we traveled the world and went on incredibly exciting journeys together, through pretend play! I still have many of these special stuffed friends, and now that I'm a parent, I love to give my son furry friends of his own to play with. We learn a lot about animals this way- what they are, what sounds they make, different things each one can do, etc.

Nowadays, thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshops, stuffed animals and imaginative play have been taken to a whole new level! Where else can you go, and literally make your own stuffed animal? I've seen a lot about Build-a-Bear Workshops, and passed by many of them while out shopping, through the years, but I never had a reason to step foot inside one, until last weekend. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a wonderful new line of animals coming out, May 4th, and we were lucky enough to receive one in advance to review!

The Farmers' Market Collection from Build-a-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop's newest collection of furry pals is their Farmers' Market Collection, featuring a pig, cow, horse and sheep! Balian was sent the adorable and extremely loveable pig, who has been named 'Mr. Oinkers.' This pink, fluffy piggy came to Balian- ready to be loved and played with! We received a Build-a-Bear Workshop house with our piggy, which we're going to have lots of fun coloring together!

Fun little house for Mr. Oinkers!

Meet Balian's newest pal!

Balian took to Mr. Oinkers from the moment he laid eyes on him. I let Balian discover his new friend, and take him out of the box. The first thing he did was to drag Mr. Oinkers to the couch, sit with him for a minute, and then proceed to give him a big hug. My husband and I are fond of this cute pig, and it's sort of special for Balian to have received the pig- because his daddy had a stuffed piggy, when he was a little boy, too! My husband commented, though, that Mr. Oinkers came to us naked- and we couldn't have a naked Build-A-Bear Workshop friend. I was thrilled to hear this, because it meant that we would get to visit our local Build-a-Bear Workshop, which is in Concord, NC, and really get the entire Build-A-Bear Workshop experience.

Balian loves watching Elmo with Mr. Oinkers!

Big hugs!

We headed out for a day of shopping last weekend, and we did end up at the Build-A-Bear Workshop! It was a busy place- filled with children, parents, employees, and some pretty goofy grown-ups, who were making their own furry friend (just so happened to be a cat, wearing a tutu, and skates on all four paws, being pulled around on a leash!). The store was a lot of fun, though! Balian loved seeing all of the stuffed animals, and I had fun browsing through all of the clothing and accessory options. We didn't find what we were hoping to come across at our store (some overalls), but we'll look online or go back to the local Build-A-Bear Workshop after the new Farmers' Market Collection is available.

The stuffing station at Build-a-Bear Workshop in Concord

Having fun with B at Build-a-Bear Workshop...

I can only imagine the fun that's yet to be had by Balian and Mr. Oinkers! I can't wait to go back to our local Build-a-Bear Workshop and take Balian and Mr. Oinkers on a shopping spree! They have so many fun outfits for just about every sport, occasion and theme you can think of! I saw some pretty snazzy cowboy boots, and I think Mr. Oinkers would look great in them!

Want It? Buy It!

The new Farmers' Market Collection from Build-a-Bear Workshop will be available in stores on May 4th! Bet you can't wait to take your little ones to the nearest workshop to pick out and make their new friend! This new collection also features two Smallfrys- a pig and a cow! There will also be two new friends, offered exclusively online- a llama and a billy goat. Starting May 4, Guests who make a purchase of $20 or more will receive a FREE Farmers’ Market reusable tote.

Be sure to follow Build-A-Bear Workshop on Pinterest for great ideas on kids crafts, kids food and gifts for all occasions! Like Build-A-Bear Workshop on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news and promotions, and follow them on Twitter! Have an iPhone? Get Build-A-Bear Workshop updates on your phone by downloading their FREE app!

Want It? Win It!

One lucky reader will win a new stuffed animal from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Farmers' Market Collection! Just use our rafflecopter entry form below to enter for your chance to win! Animal will be chosen and sent by Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Good luck to all who enter to win!

~Ondria~

Special thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshop for allowing us to have a cuddly new friend, and for offering this wonderful giveaway to our readers!

Disclosure: Other than the above mentioned stuffed animal, which I received free of charge from Build-A-Bear, for review purposes, I was not monetarily compensated for facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own. Your experience may differ.

a Rafflecopter giveaway