<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>53</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>140</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>9</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000 - Disclosure - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>001 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>002 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet_Parentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>003 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/ConsolidatedIncomeStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/ConsolidatedCashFlow</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>005 - Disclosure - Note 1 - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note1BasisofPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 1 - Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>006 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note2PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>007 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note3PropertyandEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Property and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>008 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Accrued Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note4AccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Accrued Expenses</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>009 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note5StockbasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Loss per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note6LossperShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Loss per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note7IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>012 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note8ComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>013 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note9SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>014 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note10Contingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>015 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Subsequent Event</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note11SubsequentEvent</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Subsequent Event</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>016 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note2PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>017 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Accrued Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note4AccruedExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Accrued Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>018 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note5StockbasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>019 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Loss per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note6LossperShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Loss per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note9SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>021 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/PrepaidExpensesandOtherCurrentAssetsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>022 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note3PropertyandEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>023 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Accrued Expenses (Details) - Accrued expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/AccruedexpensesTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Accrued Expenses (Details) - Accrued expenses</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>024 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note5StockbasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>025 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Restricted Stock and Stock Options</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/RestrictedStockandStockOptionsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Stock-based Compensation (Details) - Restricted Stock and Stock Options</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>026 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Loss per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note6LossperShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Loss per Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>027 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Loss per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/BasicandDilutedEarningsPerShareTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Loss per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>028 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note7IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>029 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note8ComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note9SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Segment Information (Details) - Financial Information by Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/FinancialInformationbySegmentsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Segment Information (Details) - Financial Information by Segments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>032 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Segment Information (Details) - Sales to External Customers and Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/SalestoExternalCustomersandLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicAreaTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Segment Information (Details) - Sales to External Customers and Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>033 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note10ContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>034 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Subsequent Event (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.buildabear.com/role/Note11SubsequentEventDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Subsequent Event (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 001 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 002 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 003 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>bbw-20130928.xml</File>
    <File>bbw-20130928.xsd</File>
    <File>bbw-20130928_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bbw-20130928_def.xml</File>
    <File>bbw-20130928_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bbw-20130928_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
