Build-A-Bear Workshop is now at the Marion Chester Read Service & Resource Center!

Visit us to make your own Girl Scout furry friend!

You’ll choose a furry friend, stuff it with the help of our staff, and then bring it to life with the iconic Build-A-Bear’s Heart Ceremony with a Girl Scout touch! Then, have fun dressing your new furry friend in trendy Girl Scout styles and accessories to make your Build-A-Bear as unique as you are.

Walk-ins available for individuals and/or groups of three or less.

Walk-in hours:

Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (first and third Saturday of each month)

Build-A-Bear Parties

Girls from Daisies to Ambassadors can host a party in our shop! Get ready for tons of fun and special memories!

START PLANNING

Build-A-Bear Party FAQs

Who can book a Build-A-Bear party? toggle arrow

Everyone is welcome! Girl Scout membership is not required to book a Build-A-Bear party or experience.

We currently offer two booking options:

Birthday Party Bookings: Available to both members and non-members.
Troop Bookings: Designed specifically for registered Girl Scout troops.

Each booking type offers two pricing packages, allowing you to choose the experience that best fits your group's needs.

How much are price packages? What's included? toggle arrow

Basic Bear Price Package: $16 per guest/Girl Scout with bear, plus an additional $45 base charge for space rental.

Includes for every guest/Girl Scout: one bear of host/troop’s choosing (options include Lil Pudding Bear and Lil Brownie Bear and one bear birth certificate
2.5-3.5 hours of fun, including a unique, Girl Scout-themed activity

Girl Scout Cookie Bear Price Package: $28 per guest/Girl Scout with bear, plus an additional $45 base charge for space rental.

Includes for every guest/Girl Scout: one bear of host/troop’s choosing (options include Thin Mints Bear, Coconut Caramel Bear, and Trefoil Bear) and one bear birth certificate
2.5-3.5 hours of fun, including a unique, Girl Scout-themed activity

For an additional $11 per girl, you can elect to include a vest.

Bear choice is universal. For example, if a troop chooses the Girl Scout Cookie Bear Package, with the Thin Mints Bear, every Girl Scout in the booking will be receiving a Thin Mints Bear. Bear makers cannot mix and match. For example, one Girl Scout in the booking cannot receive a Thin Mints Bear, while another receives a Coconut Caramel Bear.

Accessories are not included in the base price. Vests can be added during the booking process.

How do I book? toggle arrow

Follow our step-by-step guide to book your party!

Can I bring food, cake, or party supplies/decor? toggle arrow

Yes, you are welcome to bring cake, snacks, and decorations for birthday parties, but latex balloons, loose confetti, or other loose sparkles/silly string are not permitted. For troop bookings, you are welcome to bring snacks. We have a designated table in our Build-A-Bear room for cake and space in our overflow room as well.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast is not responsible for supplying any food/supplies (plates, napkins, etc.)/decorations at these bookings. All groups bringing food or decorations into the space are responsible for all clean-up related to these items.

How many people can make bears? toggle arrow

Currently, our maximum is 12 bear-makers, due to our Build-A-Bear room’s capacity restrictions. Our minimum number for booking is five bear-makers.

All girls included in the reservation must make a bear.

Will girls earn badges from the party? toggle arrow

Information on any badge requirement alignment with your booking’s activity will be available the day of the booking. The activities during our Build-A-Bear bookings do not constitute completing an entire badge but will allow girls to gain insight into the kinds of activities earning certain badges may entail and/or complete part of a badge’s requirements.

How many guests can attend? toggle arrow

Build-A-Bear bookings are designed for 5–12 participants. If you are interested in booking for more than 12 participants, please contact us to discuss options for your group.

A minimum of two adults per 12 participants is required.

How far in advance do I need to book? toggle arrow

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.

When do Build-A-Bear parties take place? toggle arrow

Current party times are:

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4:30–8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Can Girl Scouts use troop funds? How about PAC? toggle arrow

Yes. Troop funds may be used to pay for a Build-A-Bear troop booking.

PAC credits cannot be used for Build-A-Bear party bookings.

What happens if someone doesn't show up? toggle arrow

Payments are non-refundable if a participant does not attend. Extraordinary circumstances may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

I still have additional questions. Who do I contact? toggle arrow

View our full FAQ HERE!

If you have remaining questions, please reach out to customercare@gswise.org or 800-565-4475.

Workshop FAQs

Is the location a full-sized Build-A-Bear Workshop? toggle arrow

The Marion Chester Read Service Center location is not a full-sized Build-A-Bear Workshop. We are a smaller, specialized workshop featuring Girl Scout-themed bears and accessories.

Who can come and Build-A-Bear? toggle arrow

Anyone! You don't have to be a current Girl Scout to make a new furry friend. Bring a friend or sibling to join in the fun!

Can I participate without a booking/appointment? toggle arrow

Yes! We accept walk-ins of groups of three individuals or under. Walk-ins can take place anytime during our normal business hours.

Can I use a Build-A-Bear gift card at the Marion Chester Read location? toggle arrow

Unfortunately, we are not authorized to accept Build-A-Bear gift cards.

What ages can participate? toggle arrow

Guests of all ages are welcome to create a furry friend.

How much does it cost to make a bear? toggle arrow

Prices vary depending on the furry friend selected and any clothing and accessories. Guests can make a simple furry friend or customize their experience to fit their budget.

How long does the experience take? toggle arrow

Most individual visits take approximately 20-35 minutes, depending on the number of guests and customization options selected. Group visits and parties may take longer.

Can I use PAC toward any Build-A-Bear purchases? toggle arrow

Yes! Girl Scouts may use their Program Activity Credits (PAC) toward any purchase of Build-A-Bear items. The normal PAC expiration date still applies.

Does the location offer a Bear Hospital? toggle arrow

We do not offer a Bear Hospital and cannot perform any bear repairs.

How can I book a Build-A-Bear party? toggle arrow

Follow our step-by-step guide to book your party!

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Build-A-Bear Workshop at GSWISE

Build-A-Bear Workshop is now at the Marion Chester Read Service & Resource Center!

Build-A-Bear Party FAQs

Workshop FAQs