CPSC · Consumer Product · Recalled April 30, 2026

Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Heartwarming Hugs Bears Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking Hazard to Children

Hazard: The zipper slider on the side pouch can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from choking hazard to children.

What to do: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Heartwarming Hugs Bear and return it to a local Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive a refund in the form of original payment or a gift card for the original purchase price redeemable toward any available Make-Your-Own furry friend and any other available merchandise. If a consumer is unable to return their Heartwarming Hugs Bear to a local store, they can visit www.buildabear.com/recalls for more information or call Build-A-Bear to receive a free return shipping label to return the recalled bear and to receive a refund check in the form of original payment or in the form of a digital gift card to use on the firm's website.

Read the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notice ↗

Official recall ID: 26457
Brand: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Units affected: About 36,000 (In addition 520 were sold in Canada)
Consumer contact: Build-A-Bear at 844-541-0144 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday or by email at ProductHotline@buildabear.com, or online at https://www.buildabear.com/recalls or https://www.buildabear.com and click on "Recall" at the bottom of the page for more information.

Description

This recall involves the Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear with model number 034464. It has a side pouch containing a heart filled with 2.5 pounds of ceramic beads, which can be heated or cooled for comfort. The pouch is secured with a zipper. The product is graded 3 years+ and carries a cautionary statement advising adult supervision due to the heated/cooled element. The model number is located on the label sewn into the back side of one bear leg.

Affected products

Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears

Companies & origin

Importer(s): Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., of St Louis, Missouri
Sold by / retailer(s): Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at www.buildabear.com from January 2026 through March 2026 for about $48.
Manufactured in: China

Reported incidents & injuries

There has been one consumer report in the United Kingdom of the zipper slider detaching while in use, and no reports in the United States. No injuries have been reported.

Identifying details (verbatim from the notice)

Remedy type: Refund, Replace
Notice last updated: May 1, 2026

Recalled product photos

Side view of the pouch on the recalled Heartwarming Hugs Bear (zipper is located on the side)

Recalled Heartwarming Hugs Bear showing the heart shaped bead bag

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This page mirrors the official public-domain record verbatim; the linked government source is authoritative. Source last checked July 23, 2026 at 11:04 PM UTC.

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