Parents Beware: Build-A-Bear Announces Massive Recall Of Popular Stuffed Animals

Kids of all ages are drawn to the hands-on experience of building their own plush toy at the aptly named Build-A-Bear franchise.

But a new recall indicates that tens of thousands of those stuffed animals contain an element that could be dangerous to their young owners.

As NBC News reported:

Roughly 36,000 Heartwarming Hugs Bears, including about 520 sold in Canada, a stuffed animal manufactured by Build-A-Bear, are being recalled due to a zipper detaching from the bear’s pouch.

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On Thursday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that the stuffed animals pose a serious risk of injury or death, as the detached zipper can present a choking hazard.

The recall number is 034464. The recall number can be found on the product label located on the back of one of the bear’s legs.

News of the recall soon began to spread in the form of social media advisories:

Build-A-Bear Workshop, a popular store where children can build their own teddy bears, is recalling 36,000 weighted plush bears over risk of choking in children. https://t.co/DhRa5xsQo5

— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) May 1, 2026

Build-A-Bear Workshop recalled about 36,000 units of this plush bear toy on April 30. Here's why. https://t.co/tMYPMOZPD1

— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) April 30, 2026

No injuries have been reported related to the Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear, according to the CPSC. https://t.co/sunOLKbG2u

— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) May 1, 2026

NewsNation added these details:

The bears contain a pouch with “2.5 pounds of ceramic beads which can be heated or cooled for comfort,” according to CPSC. No injuries have been reported in connection with the recalled product so far.

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

Customers who purchased the bears should stop using them immediately and return them to a Build-A-Bear Workshop store for a refund or gift card. For more information, head to www.buildabear.com/recalls or call 844-541-0144.

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CNBC recently devoted a segment to the retail chain and its ability to thrive despite the continued decline of brick-and-mortar retailers: