Press Release

ST. LOUIS, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2005--Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) (NYSE:BBW):

According to a nationwide survey(a) of over 1,500 children and their parents, children and teenagers are strong advocates for community service. In fact children younger than the age of seven are volunteering their time and making a difference in their communities. According to the parents surveyed, two-thirds of their children started volunteering at age 10 or younger, with almost one-third of them (31.4%) volunteering even younger than seven.

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) is honoring children and teens who are making extraordinary contributions to their communities through the Huggable Heroes(SM) program. Nomination forms are available at any Build-A-Bear Workshop store or online at http://huggableheroes.buildabear.com. Anyone may nominate a child 18 years old of younger that is making an impact on their community.

The survey found that youth are volunteering in many of ways. They are making significant contributions by:

• conducting food drives for food pantries,
• working in animal shelters,
• raising money to help find cures for diseases such as cancer and juvenile diabetes,
• cleaning up neighborhoods and beautifying community parks,
• visiting the elderly,
• supporting many national children's charities.

"It is humbling to see all the creative things children and teens are doing each day to make this a better world. We want to recognize, encourage and reward them for their efforts and achievements," said Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop(R). "There are so many kids with inspiring stories and we look forward to recognizing all of them," said Clark.

In fact, about two-thirds of parents surveyed (65.7%) feel that kids need and appreciate receiving tangible recognition for their volunteering efforts. It is a wonderful way to continue to empower kids to give back to their communities.

When asked why they volunteer, kids overwhelmingly cited the encouragement of their parents and school. Allowed to give more than one answer, 67.8% of the kids stated that they volunteer because their parents encourage it and 43.7% stated they volunteer because their school encourages them to volunteer. Other reasons kids cited for giving their time included wanting to get involved in a particular cause or charity that they really cared about (36.9%), doing it together with friends (36.1%) and doing it together with family (34.1%). It also appears that many kids are following in their parents footsteps, as 90.2% of the parents surveyed also spend time volunteering.

When kids were asked how often they volunteer, 51.8% said they volunteer once a month, while 33.9% volunteer once a week or more often. The frequency of volunteering among children and teens increases with the age of the volunteer.

The kids surveyed expressed very positive feelings associated with their volunteer efforts. Children and teens feel that when they volunteer, they are doing something valuable, and it makes them feel good about themselves (65.8%), they have fun volunteering (60.8%), they have helped somebody (55.7%), they have made a difference (42.7%), they meet nice people (42.6%) and believe that volunteering is the right thing to do (33.9%).

When asked why they continue to volunteer once they have started giving their time, 76.8% of the kids said it makes them feel good to help others. Twenty-two percent also said they volunteer for a cause that has touched them personally.

Children and teens offer a fresh perspective on volunteering with high energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to give back to their communities. Volunteering can provide kids with an opportunity to learn and to build social, organizational and leadership skills. The Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) 2005 Huggable Heroes(SM) program seeks to honor, recognize and encourage so many kids whose volunteer efforts truly make a difference in the world today.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) is the leading and only national company providing a make-your-own stuffed animal interactive entertainment retail experience. The first store opened in St. Louis in 1997 and as of January 2005 the company operated 170 stores in 40 states and Canada. With the opening of its international store in Sheffield, England in the fall of 2003 and the addition of international stores in Japan, Denmark and Australia in 2004, Build-A-Bear Workshop has become the global leader in the teddy bear business. Over 25 million stuffed animals have been sold world wide since 1997. In November 2004, the company also opened two friends 2B made(R) stores, the newest concept launch from Build-A-Bear Workshop. For more information about the company and its products call (888) 560-BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning website at www.buildabear.com.

(a) This research project was conducted by Impulse Research Corporation to understand volunteering among children. It was conducted with a random sample of 1,552 parents in the U.S. and their 1,552 children who volunteer. Research was conducted in February 2005.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=4833858

CONTACT: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Shawn Bertani, 314-423-8000 x5366
314-452-6391
shawnb@buildabear.com
or
Samantha Leavitt, 314-995-3939 x103
314-520-4669
samanthal@blickandstaff.com

SOURCE: Build-A-Bear Workshop