Stuff it, squeeze it and take it home with love

Jrue, 2 years old, with stuffed teddies at Brimbank Shopping Centre

A teddy bear can become a life-long treasure, and that is exactly what Brimbank Shopping Centre is hoping to create this week.

The centre will have a “make your own” teddy bear workshop running until Friday, with the interactive Stufflers toy making experience taking up residence.

The experience allows kids to stuff their own toy, and take an active role in creating their own teddy.

Stufflers managing director John Newton said the workshops were a chance for children to feel more a part of their own unique teddy.

“Kids get to choose their own skin they want to have, and put some love into it,” Mr Newton said.

“They will put a love item inside, fill it with as much fluff as they would like, and then there’s a promise ceremony where they promise to love it forever, and then they get a birth certificate to name the bear.

“The kids are invested in the activity and get to create their own toy instead of just buying one off the shelf. Families love it and it’s always very popular wherever we take it.”

Brimbank Shopping Centre manager Linda Vella said the chance to offer the Stuffler experience to shoppers during the school holidays was exciting.

“We are really excited to welcome the popular Stufflers event to Brimbank Shopping Centre for the first time as a fun and unique activity to keep the kids entertained these school holidays,” Ms Vella said.

“We are sure that they will love being able to create their very own cuddly friend for life to take home with them.”

The Stuffler workshop will be at the centre until October 6, with bears costing $7 to make.