Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Heartwarming Hugs Bears Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking Hazard to Children
Reviewed and published by MPB Safety Desk
Hazard
The zipper slider on the side pouch can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from choking hazard to children.
What parents need to know
Build-A-Bear Workshop is recalling its Heartwarming Hugs bears. These plush bears have a side pouch that contains a heart filled with ceramic beads, designed for comfort when heated or cooled.
The zipper slider on the side pouch of these bears can detach. This poses a choking hazard to children, which could lead to serious injury or death. 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.
If you have a Heartwarming Hugs bear, stop using it immediately and keep it away from your child. Build-A-Bear is offering a refund when the bear is returned; the official recall notice has the full return instructions.
Recall details
From the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission record
- Recall number
- #26457
- Recall date
- Units affected
- About 36,000 (In addition 520 were sold in Canada)
- Remedy
- 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.
- Product 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.
- Products and models
- Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears
- Sold at
- Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at www.buildabear.com from January 2026 through March 2026 for about $48.
- 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 [email protected], 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.
Recall details are summarized from official government sources and reviewed by our editors before publishing. Information can change after publication — always confirm the current status, affected models, and remedy instructions in the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notice before acting.