Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Detail) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
NUMERATOR:
Net earnings (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities (in Dollars)	$ (4,252)	$ 854	$ (12,820)	$ (8,073)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities (in Dollars)		67
Net earnings (loss) after allocation of earnings to participating securities (in Dollars)	$ (4,252)	$ 787	$ (12,820)	$ (8,073)
DENOMINATOR:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	16,473,114	17,378,486	16,323,630	17,781,943
Dilutive effect of share-based awards:		17,658
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive	16,473,114	17,396,144	16,323,630	17,781,943
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders: (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.45)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.45)

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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