Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Heartwarming Hugs Bears Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking Hazard to Children
Recall date: April 30, 2026.
Built by the Tribune's code from CPSC's official records. No AI wrote this page. Updated Nov. 5, 2026.
- What's recalled
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.
- The risk
The zipper slider on the side pouch can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from choking hazard to children. 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.
- Who's affected
Units: About 36,000 (In addition 520 were sold in Canada), according to CPSC. Sold at: Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at www.buildabear.com from January 2026 through March 2026 for about $48.
- Compared with
Build-A-Bear Workshop has 1 CPSC recall in 2026 so far, compared with 0 in all of 2025.
Counted by the Tribune from CPSC's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- Before this
No earlier CPSC recalls by Build-A-Bear Workshop in records since Nov. 1, 2016.
Counted by the Tribune from CPSC's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- What to do and when
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.
CPSC's notice, word for word
Contact, as CPSC's notice gives it: 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.
- Check it yourself
The record as CPSC published it
| CPSC recall number | 26457 |
|---|---|
| Recall date | April 30, 2026 |
| Company | Build-A-Bear Workshop |
| Products | Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears |
| Remedy offered | Refund, Replace |
| Importer | Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., of St Louis, Missouri |
| Manufactured in | China |
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records (public domain). CPSC's notice