'Pay Your Age' Thursday At Build-A-Bear In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — Looking for an affordable activity for Thursday that the kids will love? Look no further than The Mall in Columbia, where the Build-A-Bear Workshop is hosting a special event.

It's the company's first-ever "Pay Your Age" day. Children can make a bear, and will simply pay their age to bring it home.

"We have overwhelming data that indicates Build-A-Bear is synonymous with childhood, and nearly one-third of our sales are associated with birthdays," said Sharon Price John, president and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "We 'heart' birthdays at Build-A-Bear, so we're hosting the Pay Your Age Day..."

UPDATE: Huge Crowds Shut Down Build-A-Bear Promotion At Columbia Mall

Every Build-A-Bear Workshop store across the country will be offering this deal on Thursday, July 12: Any Make-Your-Own furry friend that's available in the store can be yours for the low, low price of your kid's age.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has more than 400 stores worldwide, including one at The Mall in Columbia.

Here's the catch for the July 12 deal:

To participate, adults, parents and guardians — who must be at least 18 — must enroll in the complimentary Build-A-Bear Bonus Club rewards program or provide an email address and name. The store recommends that adults enroll in the program before arriving in the store that day to save time at checkout.

Other caveats:

• You have the option to buy the toy unstuffed and come back to fill it at a later date.
• The deal is only available in stores on one Make-Your-Own animal. This means extras, including outfits, sounds, accessories and scents, are not included.
• The person who wants to pay their age must be there when the toy is bought.
• The deal cannot be combined with any other offers.

There is a limit of one bear per child on the day of the promotion.

See answers to more frequently asked questions about the Pay Your Age event.

The Build-A-Bear workshop in Columbia at The Mall in Columbia, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway. Hours at the store are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, which is the day of the event.

Nearby Build-A-Bear locations are at the White Marsh Mall and Towson Town Center. Find another location.

— By Patch editors Daniel Hampton and Elizabeth Janney

Photo credit: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Build-a-Bear.