Build-A-Bear’s 2026 Advent Calendar has dropped from $39 to $29 on buildabear.com. For that price you get 25 pieces, including 6 mini plush, to open over the first 25 days of December. Our math: that’s about $1.16 a door, down from $1.56 at full price.
What’s in the Build-A-Bear Advent Calendar 2026?
Build-A-Bear’s product page says the calendar includes:
- 6 mini plush
- 19 mini clothing and accessory items for those plush
- A Build-A-Bear Birth Certificate for the 6 mini plush
- An activity sheet on the back of the box
Build-A-Bear doesn’t list the individual plush characters, so the surprise is part of the deal: you find out which mini plush and outfits you get as the doors open, from December 1 to December 25.
Source: Build-A-Bear.
The Math
- Per door: $29 for 25 pieces is $1.16 each (it was $1.56 at $39)
- Per plush: if you only count the 6 mini plush, that’s about $4.83 each, with the 19 accessories thrown in
- Discount: $10 off, or about 26% (our math)
Build-A-Bear’s site calls it an “Advent Calendar Sale!” but doesn’t give an end date, so the $29 price could change at any time.
The Hanukkah Version
Build-A-Bear also sells 8 Nights of Hanukkah Surprises, an online exclusive with 8 pieces, at $27 when we checked. That’s about $3.38 a night (our math). Build-A-Bear’s site says to order by Saturday, November 21 for Hanukkah delivery.
Shipping Deadlines
For the Advent Calendar, the deadline that matters is earlier than Christmas: the doors start on December 1, so you want it delivered by the end of November. Build-A-Bear’s site lists December 14 as the last day to order for Christmas delivery, which is too late for an advent calendar.
How It Compares to Other 2026 Calendars
At $1.16 a door, Build-A-Bear is now one of the cheapest character calendars for kids this year. The Feastables MrBeast Lab calendar costs $39.99 for 24 doors, and the Funko advent calendars are built around collectible vinyl figures. For a grown-up calendar, see the Pandora advent calendars, or the Doughlicious cookie dough calendar for a food option.
Our Take
At $29, this is an easy pick for Build-A-Bear fans: six plush plus 19 outfits and accessories is plenty of play value, and the pieces work as a small collection after December. The only risk is that the contents are a surprise. We haven’t opened this calendar.
Best for: kids who already love Build-A-Bear and families with a small budget. Skip it if: your child wants full-size bears; these are minis.
Price and Availability: The Essentials
- Price: $29, reduced from $39 (buildabear.com, checked November 14, 2026)
- Contents: 25 pieces: 6 mini plush and 19 mini clothing and accessory items, plus a Birth Certificate and an activity sheet
- Doors: December 1 to 25
- Sale end date: not listed
- Hanukkah option: 8 Nights of Hanukkah Surprises, $27, online exclusive
Source: Build-A-Bear Advent Calendar product page, checked November 14, 2026.
