⚠ Stop Using This Bear Immediately. If you have a Build-A-Bear Heartwarming Hugs Bear (model 034464), keep it away from young children right now. The zipper slider on the bead pouch can break off and become a choking hazard. Return the bear for a full refund at buildabear.com/recalls.
Build-A-Bear Workshop issued a recall of its Heartwarming Hugs Bear after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identified a potential choking risk for young children. The bear is a weighted plush toy — it contains about 2.5 pounds of small ceramic beads that are meant to provide a calming, comforting feel when hugged.
The problem is with the zipper that seals the side pouch where the beads are stored. The zipper slider can detach from the zipper track. If a small child gets hold of the detached slider, they could put it in their mouth and choke.
About 36,000 bears were sold in the United States, plus about 520 in Canada. The bears were sold at Build-A-Bear Workshop retail stores and on the company’s website between January and March 2026, for about $48.
What Is a Heartwarming Hugs Bear?
The Heartwarming Hugs Bear is a weighted stuffed animal designed for comfort and stress relief. Unlike a regular plush toy, it has a hidden internal pouch containing small ceramic beads that add about 2.5 pounds of weight. The extra weight is marketed as calming — similar to a weighted blanket — and the bears have been popular gifts for children and adults.
The recalled bear carries the model number 034464. If you have a Build-A-Bear weighted bear at home, check the tag or packaging for this number to confirm whether yours is affected.
Not all Build-A-Bear products are affected. Only the Heartwarming Hugs Bear with model number 034464 is included in this recall. Other Build-A-Bear plush toys — including non-weighted bears — are not part of this recall.
What Is the Hazard?
The side pouch on the recalled bear is sealed with a zipper, and that zipper has a small metal or plastic slider that you use to open and close it. The CPSC and Build-A-Bear determined that this slider can separate from the zipper track and come completely off the bear.
The detached zipper slider is small enough that a young child could put it in their mouth. If it gets stuck in a child’s airway, it can cause choking. This type of hazard is taken especially seriously for children under 3, who are most likely to put small objects in their mouths.
As of the recall announcement, one incident involving this issue had been reported in the United Kingdom. No injuries had been reported in the United States. The recall was issued to prevent harm before it happened here.
What Should You Do?
- Take the bear away from children immediately, especially children under 3.
- Check the model number on the tag — look for 034464. If you’re not sure, it’s safest to stop using the bear until you can confirm.
- Do not try to repair the zipper yourself. Even if the slider appears intact, the bear should not continue to be used.
- Return the bear for a full refund. Visit buildabear.com/recalls for return instructions, or bring the bear to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store.
Was Your Child Injured?
If your child was injured by a detached zipper slider from this bear — or by the ceramic beads if the pouch opened — your family may have legal options. Product safety recalls do not automatically resolve all legal claims related to those products, and families of children who were hurt before a recall was issued may be able to seek help from a lawyer.
Using the form below is free and takes about 2 minutes. If your situation may qualify, someone from our team will reach out to you. Every case has a deadline, so don’t wait too long to check.