Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a unique promotional program called "Pay Your Age," also known as "Count Your Candles," which allows customers to purchase a special Birthday Treat Bear for a price equal to the age of the individual celebrating their birthday, up to a maximum of $14. This offer is available at Build-A-Bear Workshop and outlet locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The promotion is not available for online purchases; it must be redeemed in-store. The special bear, which is only offered through this promotion, retails for $14 and does not include any clothing or accessories. The price is determined by the age of the person whose birthday is being celebrated; for example, a three-year-old would pay $3, and a ten-year-old would pay $10. There is no age limit to participate in the Pay Your Age offer, but the source notes that if the individual is over 14, the price of $14 is the same as the retail price of the bear, so no savings are realized. The promotion is valid any day during the celebrant's birthday month, not only on the actual birthday date.
To participate, the customer must be a member of the Build-A-Bear Bonus Club, which is free to join. Membership is required to access the offer, but the customer does not need to add the child's birthday or information to the Bonus Club account prior to visiting the store. Proof of age is not required at the store, but membership verification is necessary. In addition to the bear, some locations may offer optional extras such as a special birthday-themed heart, a birthday heart ceremony, a birthday party hat, birthday cake photo props, and the opportunity to ring the birthday bell for the workshop. Availability of these extras is not guaranteed at all locations, so customers are advised to call their local store beforehand to confirm. The Build-A-Bear Bonus Club also provides members with coupons, such as a $10 off $30 coupon sent via email during the birthday month, which can be used in-store or online for additional purchases like accessories.
The source data also mentions a past online event held on August 12, 2020, where customers could purchase two sale-priced items, including the Birthday Treat Bear or other characters, for the price of the child's age. However, the primary and ongoing offer is exclusively in-store. For customers interested in a more elaborate celebration, Build-A-Bear offers birthday party packages for a minimum of five guests, starting at $14 per guest. These packages include a party leader, one stuffed animal per guest, a special heart ceremony, a plush light-up keepsake for the guest of honor, party games, name tag stickers, paper party hats, a photo prop, and free invitations and thank you notes. Special parties are also available for Girl Scouts and service projects.
For U.S. consumers seeking birthday freebies, Build-A-Bear is one of several brands offering promotions. Other notable birthday freebies mentioned in the source data include a free ice cream cone from Carvel, a complimentary birthday sundae from The Cheesecake Factory, a birthday reward from Chick-fil-A's One program, a free dessert from Chili's rewards program, a free pretzel from Auntie Anne's, a birthday reward from Club Baja (Baja Fresh), a free 4-ounce scoop from Baskin-Robbins, a $30 birthday certificate from Benihana's Chef's Table, a special birthday gift from Bertucci's Dough Nation, $10 to spend from Bob's Stores rewards program, and six free wings from Buffalo Wild Wings' Blazin' Rewards. Additional birthday offers include free admission for the birthday person at Adventure Aquarium in Camden (with proof of age), a large popcorn and fountain drink from AMC Stubs, a HBD coupon from American Eagle's Real Rewards, 20% off during the birthday month from Anthropologie's AnthroPerks, and birthday cash from Ace Hardware's Ace Rewards.
The Build-A-Bear Pay Your Age program provides a cost-effective way to celebrate a child's birthday with a personalized stuffed animal, especially for younger children where the savings are most significant. The requirement to be a Bonus Club member and to visit a physical store are key considerations for participants. The program's structure, including the in-store-only redemption, the specific bear offered, and the optional extras, is designed to create a memorable experience while offering savings compared to regular Build-A-Bear purchases, which can average around $70 with accessories. For consumers, understanding the eligibility rules, such as the birthday month validity and the lack of an age limit, is essential for planning a visit. The offer is particularly beneficial for parents of young children, as it turns a birthday outing into an affordable event. The source data emphasizes that no additional savings are gained for those over 14, as the maximum price matches the bear's retail value. The program's integration with the Bonus Club also provides ongoing savings through coupons, enhancing its value for regular customers.
Build-A-Bear Pay Your Age: Program Details and Eligibility
The Build-A-Bear Pay Your Age promotion, formally referred to as the Count Your Candles offer, is a structured birthday promotion available at physical Build-A-Bear Workshop locations. The core mechanic is straightforward: the price of the special Birthday Treat Bear is set to the age of the birthday celebrant, capped at $14. This bear is distinct from regular Build-A-Bear animals and is exclusively available through this promotion. The source data clarifies that the bear does not include any clothing or accessories, which are available for additional purchase. The promotion's scope is defined by geography and channel; it is available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, but only in-store. Online redemption is not supported, with the exception of a single-day online event in August 2020, which is not part of the current ongoing program.
Eligibility for the Pay Your Age offer requires membership in the Build-A-Bear Bonus Club, a free loyalty program. A critical point from the source is that membership does not require pre-registration of the child's birthday or personal information in the Bonus Club account. A practical example is provided where a parent forgot to add a child's information before visiting but still successfully obtained the bear for the child's age. No proof of age is requested at the store, but membership verification is necessary. The offer is valid throughout the birthday month, providing flexibility beyond the actual birthday date. There is no stated age limit for participation, but the source notes that the financial benefit is most apparent for individuals 14 years old or younger, as the bear's retail price is $14. For those older than 14, the price equals the retail value, resulting in no savings.
Optional extras associated with the promotion vary by location. These may include a special birthday-themed heart, a birthday heart ceremony, a birthday party hat, birthday cake photo props, and the opportunity to ring the birthday bell in the workshop. The availability of these items is not universal, and customers are advised to contact their local store to confirm which extras are offered. The Bonus Club membership also provides additional benefits, such as receiving targeted coupons. For instance, during a child's birthday month, members may receive a $10 off $30 coupon via email, applicable to in-store or online purchases, which can be used for accessories or other items.
Beyond the Bear: Build-A-Bear Birthday Party Packages
For consumers seeking a more comprehensive birthday celebration, Build-A-Bear offers structured party packages. These packages require a minimum of five guests and are priced starting at $14 per guest. The packages are designed to include all necessary elements for a party, with the cost covering one stuffed animal per guest. The specific animal included depends on the package selected, and higher-tier packages may include accessories, sounds, and scents. Every party package includes a party leader for groups of five or more, a special heart ceremony, a plush light-up keepsake for the birthday guest of honor, party games and activities, name tag stickers, paper party hats shaped like bear ears, a photo prop, and complimentary invitations and thank-you notes. Build-A-Bear also offers specialized parties for Girl Scouts and service projects, though the specific details of these are not elaborated upon in the source data. The party packages provide a structured, all-inclusive option for birthdays, contrasting with the individual Pay Your Age bear purchase.
Related Birthday Freebies in the U.S. Market
The source data provides a list of other birthday freebies and promotions available from various U.S. brands across different categories. These offers typically require joining a rewards program or club. Notable examples include:
Food & Beverage: Carvel offers a free ice cream cone; The Cheesecake Factory provides a complimentary birthday sundae; Chick-fil-A's One program gives a birthday reward valid for 30 days; Chili's rewards program offers a free dessert; Auntie Anne's gives a free pretzel on your birthday; Baja Fresh's Club Baja loads a birthday reward into the account seven days before the birthday; Baskin-Robbins' Birthday Club provides a coupon for a free 4-ounce scoop via their mobile app; Benihana's Chef's Table offers a $30 birthday certificate for the birthday month; Burger King's Royal Perks plan allows earning double crowns during the birthday month and may include free upsizes and challenges.
Retail & Entertainment: Ace Hardware's Ace Rewards program gives birthday cash; Adventure Aquarium in Camden offers free admission on your birthday (proof of age required); AMC Stubs provides a large popcorn and large fountain drink for your birthday; American Eagle's Real Rewards program gives a HBD coupon; Anthropologie's AnthroPerks offer 20% off during the birthday month; Bob's Stores rewards program gives $10 to spend; Buffalo Wild Wings' Blazin' Rewards provides six free wings during the birthday month.
Other: Bertucci's Dough Nation offers a special birthday gift and an anniversary gift. This list demonstrates that birthday promotions are a common marketing strategy across numerous industries, with Build-A-Bear's offer being a distinctive example in the toy and experience category due to its age-based pricing model and in-store requirement.
Conclusion
The Build-A-Bear Pay Your Age program is a targeted birthday promotion that allows consumers to purchase a special Birthday Treat Bear for a price equal to the age of the celebrant, up to $14. The offer is exclusively available in-store at Build-A-Bear Workshop locations in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and requires free membership in the Build-A-Bear Bonus Club. The promotion is valid any day during the birthday month, does not require proof of age, and is most cost-effective for individuals 14 years old or younger. Optional extras, such as a birthday ceremony or photo props, may be available at some locations, but customers should call ahead to confirm. For a more elaborate celebration, Build-A-Bear offers birthday party packages starting at $14 per guest. The source data also highlights a broader landscape of birthday freebies from other U.S. brands in the food, retail, and entertainment sectors, all of which typically require joining a rewards program. Consumers interested in the Build-A-Bear offer should ensure they are a Bonus Club member and plan an in-store visit during the birthday month to take advantage of the promotion.