The Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears was recalled in 2026 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) over the zipper slider on the side pouch can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from choking hazard to children.. If you own this product, you may be entitled to a free repair, replacement, or refund — here's exactly what to do.
What was recalled
- Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears — Units: About 36,000 (In addition 520 were sold in Canada)
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 hazard
The CPSC flagged the following risk:
- 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 if you own this product
The recall 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.
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.
Official CPSC recall notice: Read the full recall on CPSC.gov.
Keep your proof of purchase — most recall remedies require it. If you can't find your receipt, here's how to handle a claim without one.
How to check your other products for recalls
Recalls are announced constantly, and most people never hear about the ones affecting products they already own. The fastest way to stay covered is to keep a list of what you own and check it against the CPSC database automatically.
See our guide on how to check any product for a recall, or let CoverKeep do it for you — it scans everything you own against the CPSC database every day and alerts you the moment there's a match.
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CoverKeep checks your products against the CPSC recall database every day and alerts you instantly. Free on the App Store.
Download CoverKeep FreeFrequently asked questions
How do I know if my Build-A-Bear Workshop Heartwarming Hugs Bears is part of the recall?
Check the model number and purchase date against the affected units listed above, and confirm on the official CPSC notice. If it matches, you're covered by the remedy.
Does a recall mean a free replacement?
Often yes. Recall remedies are typically a free repair, replacement, or refund — you generally don't pay, even if the product is out of warranty. Recall rights are separate from the manufacturer's warranty.
What if I already got rid of the receipt?
Many recall remedies still work with a photo of the product, the model/serial number, or a card statement. Here's how to prove a purchase without the original receipt.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CoverKeep is not affiliated with the CPSC or any manufacturer. Always confirm details on the official recall notice.