Build-A-Bear Now Offering 'Pay Your Age' For Birthdays

Kids under 14 can now pay their age for a birthday Build-A-Bear

After the complete shitshow that was last week’s ‘Pay Your Age’ day at Build-A-Bear workshops nationwide, the store has come up with the perfect solution. Their new promo will benefit every single child and no one has to wait in a 5-hour, thousands-of-people deep line.

If you bring your child to the store anytime during their birthday month, they can pay their age for the Birthday Treat Bear, which normally costs $14. It’s all part of their “Count Your Candles” program — and just like with the initial “Pay Your Age” promo, customers must create a free Build-A-Bear Bonus Club member account online.

Here’s the Birthday Treat Bear in all its Birthday Treat Glory:

So your kids don’t get to build the stuffed animal character of their dreams — but they get the whole Build-A-Bear experience and a cute bear for their birthday. Children who wish to participate must be younger than 14, according to the site.

For any kiddo celebrating a birthday at Build-A-Bear, they get to partake in a special birthday heart ceremony, a birthday cake photo op, they get a special birthday sticker, party hat, and get to ring the “Birthday Bell.” Oh, and you’ll also be sung to. C’mon, you didn’t think you’d get out of that, did ya? IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN, DAMN IT.

When first realizing the whole “Pay Your Age” thing was, well, a thing, I anticipated crowds and lines. I remember thinking, “Why don’t they just do this for kids on their birthdays?” You know, spread the love a little bit? Instead of jam-packing that love by turning every suburban mall in the nation into a sardine can of screaming children, shushing parents, and strollers as far as the eye could see.

Well, now they do. Bless this Build-A-Bear mess.