Note 10 - Computation Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 27,345	$ 14,362	$ (2,112)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	520	439
Net income (loss)	$ 26,825	$ 13,923	$ (2,112)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	16,642,269	16,908,001	16,465,138
Dilutive effect of share-based awards: (in shares)	225,087	225,810
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive (in shares)	16,867,356	17,133,811	16,465,138
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.61	$ 0.82	$ (0.13)
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.59	$ 0.81	$ (0.13)