Keeping a Build a Bear party "cheap"?

[disneyandme]

Is there any way to keep the cost down for a Build-a-Bear party? Are there coupons out there that can be used for a party? I figured we'd stick with the $10-12 animal choices and maybe a tshirt. Please help.

 

[eeyorefan74]

We did a Build a Bear party for DD two years ago. We used a coupon from a brochure we had gotten in the store. You might check the website for a coupon, too. The kids all got $10-12 animals. Afterwards we went to the food court for cookie cake and gifts. The cookie store in the mall was able to do a Build a Bear cookie cake. DD had a great time and it didn't turn out to be as expensive as I thought. Have fun!

 

[Kae]

When I started looking at have a party, I went to the web site & I upped my price & DD was free, plus I got Build a bear bucks for I had spent & later got DS his own animal for no cost. So play around on the web site.

Also we started at out house did gifts & cupcakes & ice cream, then went to Build a bear had the parents pick up the kids there it was the easiest party I ever did & one of the cheapest.

Kae

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I think a $10-12 animal and a T-shirt is a good idea. About $15.00 a kid.

I would sooner spend more money and invite less kids than spend less money and invite more kids. Most kids expect some type of outfit or at least a shirt for their bear. My kids have been invited to a couple build a bear parties and received a bear and no clothes, then my kids are asking me to buy them an outfit. Yea, I could say no. But part of the experience of build a bear IMOP is getting clothes for the animal too.

I hate when my kids get invited to a birthday party and it ends up costing me money.

 

[adisneymama]

We are having Ds 3rd bday party there next month. I'm not doing a "party" though. There is a coupon out right now for 20% off. It expires just before his birthday so what I am going to do is go buy the animals now (I'm getting the same one for each child) and bring them back to the store the day of the party for the kids to stuff. I am providing the bear only and we will be coming back to my house to do cake, ice cream and pizza. I talked to all the parents coming and none of them have a problem with it being the bear only. I am only inviting close friends though. Not like kids from a class that we don't know. G/L!

 

[DW2010]

My sister just had my nephew's party at Build a Bear. She chose the $10-12 bears and did NOT opt to pay for any outfits for the bears. She did give out coupons for free accessory of choice up to $5 in value. I believe a friend of hers emailed her the coupon.

 

[missycj96]

This months Feb (purple cover) Good Housekeeping has a build a bear coupon for 20% off a scheduled Build-A-Party. The offer is valid through February 28, 2010 on a scheduled Build-A-Party of 6 or more. The party must be held by December 31, 2010. The other side of the coupon is for $5 off an animal of $10 more more. So you can book now for all of 2010. That's what I plan to do. Combine this with the other suggestions and you should be fine.

 

[Kies99]

We saved by just doing the bit at the store. Let the kids get an animal and an outfit. We did not go through Build-a-Bear for the cake or food (they had an option for pizza from Sbarro's).

We had the party right as the mall opened (10am on Sat.). We got there early and we brought our own food/cake and craft/games. We snagged some tables in the food court, set up the stuff and then went to the store. When done at the store we went up to the food court and continued the party with no issues.

 

[summerrluvv]

There is a 15% off coupon in the KidStuff coupon books...I can send you mine if you want.

My friend just had a party there and it was really cheap. She only did the $10,12 bears with no clothes. No one seemed to mind. I did buy a princess t-shirt though.

She had it on a friday from like 10:30 -12:30 and she had set up tables in the food court with ballooons and paper goods, and ordered pizza from Sbarro's. We did that after the BAB.

Also there was some sort of GC promo, you could buy GC's and get a certain amount free, so she did that. I'm not sure if that was just a holiday promo though.

 

[grumpeeduck]

We did this when dd turned 7, and though it was a fun party, I had 3 kids cry/beg for the more expensive bears. I set the limit to be fair, and two of the moms offered to pay the difference, and the one dad of the other girl told me that his daughter "deserved" the more expensive bear and he stuck me with the difference. I was appalled at the rudeness at my dd's party! My dd's have always been thrilled to be invited to a Build a Bear party and would never have asked for anything more. At the time we were in a different region of the country and their manners are just NOT there. Good luck.

 

[iluvdiscruises]

during the birthday month, any purchases get a 50% bonus...it adds up quickly and this is a free program. Also, if you can find a bunch of the $5 off $10 coupons, go in a few times and pre-buy the $10 or $12 animals...you will save a bundle...also, look around for sale items...you can set those aside for your party (they will keep in a bag for you) and have those mixed in with the clothes to pick...we found some great items last year for less than the cost of a t-shirt.

 

[MylilTink]

I'm having my dd's 3rd bday party there this weekend, I'm expecting to pay around $120 for 9 kids + tax. I would love to receive any promo codes or coupons

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

Just had my sons there this Sunday. I set a limit of 16 dollars.... cheap bear with shirt or another type of animal up to 16. Only 3 got the bear and t-shirt. The birthday boy got alvin with sound..... some parents did get extras for their kids their choice... 11 kids was 180 with tax.....

I will check and see if there is an online booking code I have the GH coupon at home Check coupon cabin they may have online code for 20%

 

[cmrules]

I have a 20% off coupon you can have. I'd be happy to mail it to you.. There is a coupon # to refer to when booking your party, I'll PM it to you. It must be for 6 or more kids, booked by Feb 28 and party before 12/31/10.

 

[RooRach0906]

This months Feb (purple cover) Good Housekeeping has a build a bear coupon for 20% off a scheduled Build-A-Party. The offer is valid through February 28, 2010 on a scheduled Build-A-Party of 6 or more. The party must be held by December 31, 2010. The other side of the coupon is for $5 off an animal of $10 more more. So you can book now for all of 2010. That's what I plan to do. Combine this with the other suggestions and you should be fine.

Does that coupon have a code or do you have to take it in??? My sister has a Daisy Troop and wants to do a party for giving the girls there cookie bagdes when the cookie sale is over. She was gonna get each girl a $10-$12 bear and Daisy vest.... I gave her the idea to take them from the thread so thanks!!! She was thrilled bc she remember they have the daisy vest.

 

[Schachteles]

Is anyone else has the 20% off coupon or can let me know where to get one, that would be VERY appreciated. We are doing a BABW party for my DDs 5th birthday and I set the per kid limit to $40 so that 20% off would really help!

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

IMO I think it's weird just doing the bear. The whole point of the place is clothes and accessories.

I like the idea of going to the food court and saving tables and bringing in your own food and cake.

 

[littlele]

IMO I think it's weird just doing the bear. The whole point of the place is clothes and accessories.

I like the idea of going to the food court and saving tables and bringing in your own food and cake.

I agree. If you're going to do a BaB party, you should do it 'right' and include at least something. Maybe invite less kids, and then add enough for at least an outfit.

 

[mjkacmom]

I agree. If you're going to do a BaB party, you should do it 'right' and include at least something. Maybe invite less kids, and then add enough for at least an outfit.

Glad I'm also not alone in thinking the same thing! You need to clothe the bear!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

IMO I think it's weird just doing the bear. The whole point of the place is clothes and accessories.

I like the idea of going to the food court and saving tables and bringing in your own food and cake.

I agree. The whole point is to build the bear and dress it.