Sunshine Bears is located at Oatlands, just next to the entrance of Oaty & Joey’s and offers a completely unique experience for children in Guernsey. From the moment you step into store you are struck by the choice of bears for children to make, the vast array of clothes and accessories on offer and most of all, kids are drawn to Karaoke Oaky, the singing tree!!
Sunshine Bears offers a full make-a-bear experience for children where they can make an 8” bear or a 16” bear. Whichever bear is chosen, the process of making it is the same and the following steps are followed;
1. Choose a teddy
There are a whole host of 8” bears and 16” bears for children to choose from. The 8” plush are £15 and the 16” plush are £21. When my girls visited Sunshine Bears choosing a plush was the longest part and what I thought would be a 2-minute job, was anything but!
2. Choose an outfit
The clothes are an additional cost, at £9.50 for an 8” outfit and £12 for 16” outfits and again you are spoilt for choice, from dressing gowns to full on outfits. They also stock shoes and accessories like sleeping bags. I liked the fact that the staff do not try and up-sell, so if you just want to buy a teddy then you can, you won’t feel pressured to have to spend more on clothes and accessories.
3. Stuff your teddy
The Sunshine Bears staff member helps to stuff the bears by operating the stuffing machine, but children have to put their foot on the pedal so they control the speed of the stuffing process. My girls were fascinated watching their teddies take shape.
Next is the really cute part. They get to choose a heart to go inside the teddy and some magic sparkles!
4. Add Sound
For an additional cost, there are a selection of sounds that can be added inside the bear, from a dog barking to the Happy Birthday song!
5. Make a Wish
Once the heart and sprinkles (and sound if selected) have been put inside the teddy, before the staff member hands over the teddy, children are asked if they would like to make a wish. They could think of something themselves, or they could read the Sunshine Bear wish about caring for and loving their Sunshine Bear. Both my girls read the Sunshine Bear wish and took it very seriously!
6. Outfit time
Before my girls’ visit to Sunshine Bears I popped into the shop beforehand and I saw that they can print personalised t-shirts for the bears so I ordered a t-shirt for each of my girls with their name on (£3 each), and they loved them.
7. Making it official
Once outfits have been chosen, children are shown to the far end of the shop where they are given a choice of 2 birth certificates that they can pick from and complete for their teddies.
8. Photo time
There is a lovely photo backdrop at the back of the store, so children can have a photo with their finished bear.
9. Home time
After photo time, the bear-making process is complete. However, there are still lots more things to look at in store, from new baby gifts, Guernsey gifts and a large range of helium balloons and party supplies, and of course the amazing talking tree!
Loyalty Card
When you pay you are given a loyalty card, buy 5 Sunshine Bears and you get your 6th for FREE!
CLICK HERE to read our blog about our experience at Sunshine Bears, with lots more info and photos.
Sunshine Bears Party
If you’re looking for a birthday poarty with a differende for your child, how about a Sunshine Bears birthday party? Sunshine Bears have teamed up with Oaty & Joey’s to offer the ultimate party experience for children of all ages. Here are the details;
- Parties can cater for between 6 and 20 children
- Party lasts 2.5hrs
- Children will spend 1hr in the Oaty & Joey’s playframe, 45 minutes making a bear at Sunshine Bears, followed by hot food in an exclusive party room upstairs in Oatys.
- The birthday child will receive a 16” Sunshine Bear and personalised t-shirt for their bear
- From £26 per child.
- CLICK HERE for more information
Address: Oatlands Village, Les Gigands, St Sampson, Guernsey, GY2 4YT
Telephone Number: 01481 243134
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11:15am to 5:30pm
Booking: You don’t need to book, just turn up!
Facebook page: CLICK HERE.
