Build a Bear opened their first Irish store in Blanchardstown Centre in August 2010. Since then, they have been creating happy memories for kids of all ages. Originally it was a place for kids to create a teddy to bring home. With a step-by-step interactive day with their guide. This was all based around the now iconic Heart Ceremony.
Last year Build a Bear turned 25, but they still continue to put their heart into the store and experience for everybody who walks in their store. No matter if you find your way to Blanchardstown centre or to the Dundrum store know that the team always have the same mission; To add a little more heart to life!
You and your family can have the time of your life at the bear workshop in the Blanchardstown Shopping centre. Mere minutes from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown the Build a Bear Workshop allows you to create your dream teddy bear.
Our hotel is ideal for family breaks in Ireland, centrally located but not in the hustle and bustle of the city centre. With super-fast Wi-Fi and comfy King Koil beds, you’ll come back rested and refreshed from your family holiday in Dublin.
What happens in Build a bear workshop
You’re in for great fun at one of the workshops. There are 5 steps that happen in each store as the magic of creating a teddy bear comes to life.
- Choose Your Animal
- Choose Your Sound
- Stuff Your Animal
- Dress Your Animal
- Register Your Animal
Choosing your teddy
While the name, Build a Bear, would suggest that all the teddys are bears. There is a large selection of animals to choose from In the Blanchardstown or Dundrum store. Choose from their classic bears to limited editions like Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and much much more.
The choice on the day holds a lot of options and it is a fun moment seeing children’s eyes light up with delight when they find their pals. However, if you want to view some of the bears available, you can check out the Blanchardstown store here.
Choose a sound for your animal
After choosing your bear or animal, you can have a sound put into them. If you opt for no sound, you can have a beating heat put inside. There are an incredible range of sounds that start from €5, with the possibility for your own voice recording to be placed inside your animal. This is a very cute choice for kids as a keepsake when they grow older.
If you don’t choose a sound, the team will give you a heart to place into your animal. This is where the heart ceremony happens! You can find out about the special ceremony below!
Fill it with Stuffing
Next off you go to the coolest machine in the world. The staff help you attach the bear to the stuffing machine. Before they start filling, they ask whether you would like a firm or soft bear. Then you can push down on the peddle and fill the stuffing.
This is very fun for everybody as it involves your child greatly in the process, giving them control over their new teddy bear. The helper will stitch up the bear and give it to the child to go to the grooming station. This is a cute time where you dry the bear and comb their hair! After the grooming station, the bear is brought to life, but you will need to get some accessories.
Dressing your teddy bear
There are endless options to choose from in the Blanchardstown store, so take your time and wander around each outfit. The options can range from store to store, and there are also more outfits available on their website. Of course, each outfit is priced individually so this part is one you must watch.
The upside is that there are 100s of treats to buy throughout the year for birthdays, Christmas, and monthly surprises! One thing to note is that these outfits might not be very comfortable for your child to cuddle in to, so maybe get an idea of some before leaving the store.
Naming the Teddy Bear
Once you have dressed your new furry friend, it’s time to name your bear. This is a very fun part as you see the bear “Brought to Life” with its own birth certificate, box and name.
The Heart Ceremony at Build a Bear
The Build-A-Bear guide says a short poem for the heart ceremony, and your child must promise to care for the bear and make a wish to the heart—sealing it with a kiss. Along with some other fun games such as putting a beat into it. Each store has a different story, and each guide delivers this ceremony much differently.
The little ritual brings the teddy bears to life in such a beautiful personal way. It really helps to inspire the care of the bear with children.
Have a Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown
If you go down in the woods today, You’re sure of a big surprise.
Surprise your loved ones, with an incredible stay at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown. Stay overnight in our family room, wake up to a fresh full Irish breakfast in our restaurant.
Crowne Plaza is the perfect hotel for a family staycation. Our spacious Family rooms, ideally furnished with two double beds are perfect for two adults and two children sharing.
From your room in our hotel to the Build a Bear store is only a four-minute walk!
Family Break Package Includes:
- Early check-in from 9am
- Overnight Accommodation in a Family Room with two double beds
- Breakfast & Dinner for two adults & two children (under 12’s eat breakfast & dinner off the kid’s menu for FREE)
- Chromecast available in all rooms
- Complimentary car parking for the duration of your stay
Pay your age at Build a Bear
For your child’s birthday month, you only pay your child’s age to get the Birthday Treat Bear. If your child is 4 years old, you pay €4 for the base bear. Ensure to bring something like a passport to prove your child’s age.
Build a Bear Locations
There are three locations in Ireland.
Blanchardstown
Unit 145, Blanchardstown Rd S, Blanchardstown, Dublin
(01) 811 1181
Dundrum
Unit 3, Level 3 Dundrum Town Centre, 16 Sandyford Rd, Dublin, D16 R261
(01) 216 6825
Belfast
Unit 16A, 16A Victoria Square, Belfast BT1 4QG, United Kingdom
+44 028 9019 0043
The Wrap Up
With such a perfect location, your family break in Dublin is sure to be action-packed or laid back if that’s how you like it. Creating your own teddy is a cute indoor activity for a rainy afternoon. Maybe you prefer more of an outdoor family activity. Either way, when you stay at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown, we’ve got something on our doorstep for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions about Build a Bear
Build a Bear is a perfect family activity in Blanchardstown, and we have rounded up some questions our guests have asked us about it over the years.
How Long Does it take?
While there is no set time for an experience, it is advisable to leave one hour in your schedule.
Do I need to book?
No, you can just walk in and join a workshop. There may be a wait before an available slot.
Can I get there by Public Transport?
Yes, the Blanchardstown centre is well serviced by public transport.
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