This weekend we were invited to an exclusive preview of the newly digital enhanced Build-a-Bear Workshop pop-up display store here in NYC. During the preview families were able to learn how the partnership between Build-A-Bear Workshop and Infusion technology have reinvent the bear-making process, making the experience fun and personalized every time.

Note: I was invited as media to this event and received a bear so I could experience the digitally interactive Build-A-Bear Workshop stations. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

These new digitally interactive Build-A-Bear Workshops have already opened outside the New York City area, but plans are in the works to bring the fun to more stores including those in New York City. What can families expect? How different will it be from the original Build-A-Bear Workshop stores? Will parents know what to do while using all that technology?! My son and I found out for you!

The new digital enhanced Build-A-Bear Workshop wants to merges hands-on bear-making with a digital experience but using stations. At each station the child (and parents) follow interactive cues to "build" and personalize their bear in a new way.


The Love Me station is where kids can customize their bear (or other furry friend) with special personality attributes displayed as emoticons. The interactive table uses Samsung's SUR40 with Microsoft® PixelSense™ technology. Check out my quick video demo of using the Love Me station




The Hear Me station is where kids can pick from an assortment of sounds to be inserted into their stuffed animals. Kids can also select and load popular hits from current music, sounds onto a chip, or record their own voice to a Build-A-Sound

The Stuff Me station is where kids can add SCENTiments. An assortment of scents available include: bubble gum, strawberry, cotton candy, and chocolate chip. The scents offered will change by season and holiday. But here the stuffed animals closed after a Bear Builder associate inserts a barcode, which can be used for lost and found and getting a unique code so kids can play online at www.Bearville.com. Sorry we didn't get photo here, it was a bit crowded.


The Fluff Me station, is where kids can interact with their bear at a digital bath tub that also uses Samsung's SUR40 with Microsoft® PixelSense™ technology. The tub recognizes items placed on it's surface and shows virtual soap and bubbles and duck "feet". My son LOVED this station.


The Dress Me station is organized by theme, such as dress up and super heroes, so kids can coordinate items. This uses Match Me technology, so you can see what is new in the clothing area and receive suggestions on related items for outfits.


The final station is the Name Me station, where you can use a viewfinder or "bear-o-scope" to reveals the special attributes and personality that was added to your furry friend from the start of the process. At the Name Me station you create a personalized one-of-a-kind birth certificate that now includes a photo of your new furry friend. This was my favorite station and I had fun "seeing" what my son had built his bear with.

As you can see there's lots of interactive fun with the new digital station. Parents and their kids will find using the stations easy. The stations have visual and audio prompts that help the building process flow nicely.  Kids like my son who are use to touch screen technology will have no problem adjust to the new way to build a furry friend. Kids love being able to touch and interactive with their bear!

I think families will like these new interactive Build-A-Bear Workshop. Keep your eyes open to see when one will open in your area!

To learn more about Build-A-Bear Workshop, visit - www.buildabear.com

To learn more about Infusion, visit - www.infusion.com