SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 4, 2025 – Fans of Hello Kitty®, cuddly plush and over-the-top mall adventures are getting a new reason to smile: the immersive Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop experience is going national. After a hugely successful debut in Los Angeles, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Sanrio® are opening two new themed Workshops at American Dream in New Jersey and Mall of America in Minnesota in early 2026.
From LA hit to nationwide fan destination
The first Build-A-Bear & Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop quickly became a must-visit spot in Los Angeles, drawing collectors, families and longtime Sanrio fans who wanted more than just another store visit. It proved there’s something uniquely powerful about choosing a character, stuffing it yourself and sealing it with the signature Heart Ceremony in a world filled with bows, pastel colors and iconic faces.
Now, that experience is heading to two of the biggest visitor magnets in the United States. American Dream, just outside New York City, and Mall of America, one of the most-visited shopping and entertainment hubs in North America, offer exactly the kind of “make a day of it” setting where this hands-on Workshop can shine. For traveling families and Hello Kitty devotees, it turns an already big day out into a memory-making event.
Inside the Hello Kitty & Friends Workshop experience
Each Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop is designed to feel like stepping into Hello Kitty’s universe with Build-A-Bear’s signature heart. Guests are greeted by details from both brands: pink shopping bags and aprons, custom Cub Condos, and a space that feels as Instagrammable as it is kid-friendly.
You start by choosing a favorite character inspired by Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll™, Kuromi™, My Melody™ and more. From there, it’s all about personalization: taking part in the iconic stuffing experience, making a wish during the Heart Ceremony, then adding themed outfits, scents, sounds and accessories that reflect your style or your child’s personality. It’s as much about the ritual as the finished plush – which is exactly why so many fans keep coming back.
“From the moment we opened in Los Angeles, it was obvious that fans connected with this experience in a meaningful way,” says Chris Hurt, Chief Operating Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop. Bringing the concept to American Dream and Mall of America, he notes, means welcoming guests from around the world who already travel to these destinations throughout the year.
For Sanrio, the collaboration offers a particularly vivid way to bring its characters to life. “This partnership with Build-A-Bear brings our characters to life in a way only the Workshop experience can,” says Jill Koch, SVP of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio, Inc. The hands-on, heart-focused process gives fans a chance to build their own connection to the characters they’ve loved for years.
Mini FAQ: Planning your Hello Kitty & Friends Workshop visit
When are the new Workshops opening?
Both the American Dream (East Rutherford, New Jersey) and Mall of America (Bloomington, Minnesota) locations are set to open in early 2026.
Is this just for kids?
Not at all. While Build-A-Bear has always been a family favorite, the Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop is also a big draw for adult collectors and lifelong Sanrio fans who want a nostalgic, hands-on experience.
What can I customize?
Guests can choose characters, outfits, scents, sounds and accessories, and also take part in the Heart Ceremony and naming their new friend, making each creation one-of-a-kind.
Do I need to travel to a Workshop to get Hello Kitty & Friends items?
If you can’t make it to these destinations, you can still explore the Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty & Friends collection online and bring some of the magic home.
Where nostalgia meets new memories
For many visitors, this collaboration is a sweet overlap of childhood favorites: Build-A-Bear’s “add a little more heart to life” mission and Sanrio’s “small gift, big smile” philosophy. Parents who remember discovering Hello Kitty in their own youth can now share that world with their children in a way that’s tactile, emotional and deeply personal.
With the new locations at American Dream and Mall of America, the Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop turns two of America’s most famous malls into even bigger feel-good destinations. Whether it’s a birthday, a vacation highlight or just a treat-yourself day, it’s a place where fans of all ages can slow down, build something special and walk away hugging a piece of their favorite character universe.
To explore the current Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty & Friends collection, visit https://www.buildabear.com.