Key Points
- Build-A-Bear Workshop recalled its Heartwarming Hugs Bears due to a choking hazard.
- About 36,000 bears in the U.S. and 560 in Canada are affected. No injuries have been reported.
- Consumers should stop using the toy immediately and return it for a full refund or gift card.
Build-A-Bear Workshop is recalling about 36,000 bears in the U.S. and roughly 520 in Canada due to a choking hazard. Known for its customizable plush toys, the company has been a favorite for nearly 30 years. Keep reading to learn which toy was affected and what to do if you have one at home.
What is being recalled?
On April 30, Build-A-Bear Workshop issued a voluntary recall of thousands of its Heartwarming Hugs Bears with the model number 034464, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The toy was sold at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at buildabear.com from January to March 2026. The model number is on the label sewn into the back of the bear’s leg.
The Heartwarming Hugs Bear is a weighted plushie with a side pouch containing a “heart” accessed by a zipper, filled with 2.5 pounds of ceramic beads that can be heated or cooled for a comforting effect. It was graded for ages 3+ with a cautionary statement advising adult supervision due to the heating and cooling element.
The bear retailed for about $48.
What is the exact reason for the recall?
The toy is being recalled because the zipper slider on the side pouch that encloses the “heart” can detach, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a choking hazard to children, according to Build-A-Bear Workshop.
The company says there has been one report from the U.K. of the zipper slider detaching while in use. At this time, no injuries have been reported.
What should I do if I have this toy at home?
If your child owns the Heartwarming Hugs Bear, they should stop using it immediately.
You can return the toy to your local Build-A-Bear store or call the company at 844-541-0144 to request a free return shipping label. Build-A-Bear is issuing refunds in the form of your original payment or a gift card for the original purchase price.
Juliana (she/her) is the deputy digital editor at Good Housekeeping, where she leads the lifestyle team and oversees coverage across entertainment, health, home, holidays, food, and travel. She brings more than a decade of experience to the role, including time as deputy features editor at HGTV Magazine and Food Network Magazine. Her bylines have appeared in Reader’s Digest, Elle Decor, Editorialist, Best Life, Bloomberg News, and more.
