Build-a-Bear Workshop, Manchester

Build-a-Bear was great. Your journey begins by selecting the teddy of your choice. I'd say there were about 20 different animals to choose from, some seemed rather basic, but try and think outside of the box; these are the best for dressing up. Once your animal is selected, for an extra couple of pound you could choose a sound to be placed inside your animal. We chose a barking noise for our doggy, but there were tons of different ones to choose from, including an option to record your own voice/message. From there our teddy got stuffed by a big build-a-bear machine. Your child is encouraged to press a foot pedal which releases the stuffing for the bear. We then chose a very special heart to go inside our doggy. The lovely lady stitched up his back and then we picked out a lovely chefs outfit and some fetching black boots. They were all popped into our very own box and then we went to register Cheffy Doggy's birth. We popped Cheffy Doggy's full name on the certificate and selected that he was especially made for Daddy. We were told his height and colour and lots of other important information. We were told that if Cheffy Doggy was lost and someone returned him to store they'd be able to get him back to us because he has a special code. We carried home Cheffy Doggy in a gorgeous little house box, printed in black and white so that Kidder could colour it in when we got home. I saw lots of people making the new Pudsey Bear teddies for Children in Need, pretty cool. Up to £14 from every teddy goes towards the cause, so worthwhile popping along for a fun way to raise money for the charity. I thoroughly recommend Build-a-Bear, especially for presents for Grandmas and Granddads. Their hearts will just melt when they get handed a personalised bear and a Birth Certificate. Not too expensive either. We would normally spend about £50 on Grandma and Granddad and you could get them a bear each for that!