ABC and 123: A Learning Collaborative: Counting Bunnies Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Counting Bunnies Review and Giveaway

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This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered!

This week's sponsor for the Summer Prize Picnic is Counting Bunnies, who specialize in creating wonderful products that foster imaginative play! Imaginative play is crucial for children as it gives them an outlet for exploring their world and practicing situations that they might see their parents and other adults engage in. It helps them practice and learn skills that they can then take and use in real world situations.

Play builds social and emotional skills through turn taking, sharing responsibility, being a leader, and problem solving all of which leads to the development of empathy for others. Language skills are enhanced through play as children recreate stories and practice using words and phases he or she has heard in their environment and from you, one reason we all need to be careful about what we say around little ears!

Play also provides children with opportunities to think up complex stories and devise solutions all the while using cognitive skills that will be needed for the rest of their life. Being able to use a block for many different purposes like a phone, bridge, or car all help ready your child for other high level thinking skills such as making the connection between numbers and quantities and that the letters of the alphabet make up words you can say and read.

We are so excited to share the wonderful products Counting Bunnies has developed for your child. Many will provide hours of open ended play, enhance imaginative play for your child, and help foster parent child interaction.
One of Counting Bunnies best sellers at craft shows are their fabulous doorway puppet theaters. When I got this in the mail my neighbor and I were literally speechless when I took it out of the box. If you know either one of us, you know that's quite a feat.
It is a gorgeous puppet theater and so completely perfect for my daughter. The color choices and fabric are spot on. If I'd custom created one, this is what I'd have wanted. Sue was already quite aware that we have a little princess in training over here so I'm sure that influenced the design.
The puppet theater is made primarily of eco friendly felt, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. There is extra large rick rack detailing at the top, bottom, and on the curtain holders. Pink fringe is along the top of the theater window. The curtains themselves are made out of pink glittery fabric for the backdrop and princess themed fabric for the stage curtains. All of the colors, textures, and patterns work well together for a very pleasing design ascetic. Each theater is approximately 30" wide and 58" long and is completely lined. It's very sturdy and well made. Sue has even added a convenient storage pocket in the back for your puppets. A wooden dowel is at the base of the stage area for support and this keeps the stage nice and flat, no gaps or sags in fabric. Hook and loop fasteners easily open or close the stage curtains. It all hangs on an included adjustable tension rod, and will fit any sized doorway, 26-48 inches. No tools are required to put it up or down and installation takes only a few seconds. When you're done playing you can take it down and roll up the whole thing for storage. We kept the box it was shipped in and it tucks away very nicely in the closet. Since getting the doorway puppet theater, ER and Daddy have discovered a new favorite past time. They just love putting on puppet shows with and for each other. We really love our puppet theater and have already gotten hours of play out of it. We highly recommend one to any family looking for more fun, interactive, unplugged activities to enjoy together. Another great product at Counting Bunnies are her Busy Bags. Sue's affordable Busy Bags come complete with a full set of crayons and coloring book already tucked inside. That's such a nice touch, and one many similar products do not come with. What a perfect gift to send to a little friend, and when it's opened it's ready to use immediately. No having to wait and go to the store before getting to color.


When I wanted to place my order there weren't any Busy Bags made out of girly fabrics. I sent Sue a message and she had a few choices for me to look at the same day. ER picked the bright and colorful frog bag and kept asking about it everyday until it arrived, which was very quick and only a few days.
Our Busy Bag has quickly become a staple in our car activity tote. It's come in handy at restaurants, when we visit friends whose kids aren't near ER's in age and do not have things on hand for her to do, or when traveling and we put her tray on her car seat. It's provided hours of quiet entertainment and it's portable size means that ER can carry it around herself. I think every family needs one of these for each kid, and they are priced right so you can afford them. I can't tell you how helpful it's been, and it keeps everything neat and together too. It's even big enough for a few extra playthings like a car or small doll. Crayon Caddies that roll up and hold a set of crayons are also available.
Sue at Counting Bunnies also makes delightful dress up costumes, like this pirate set. Super hero capes and princess sets are also available.
Isn't this child's tool apron something a little helper would love to tie on? They are also available in Daddy and son sets of two. These would be fun to wear while playing at a toy workbench or when helping out Daddy around the house.
Make meal time and the table setting chore fun with this How to Set the Table Placemat. Your young child will enjoy being independent and able to help get ready for a meal with this fun teaching tool. Simply match and lay the coordinating tableware on top of where it's depicted on the mat.
Another fun meal time product, that was added in time for the upcoming school year, are these fun reusable sandwich bags. Now you can be green and help protect the environment by using less plastic and leaving less waste! Begin teaching your children the importance of leaving less of a footprint on our beautiful planet by exploring reusable containers like these on a daily basis.

You can see more of Sue's reusable sandwich bag designs at her other store Two Friends Stitching, my personal favorite is the light blue tree reusable sandwich bag design but there are also several fun designs like the lemon design that older students and adults would find very stylish and chic for their lunches.


Need some imagination inspiration? Visit Counting Bunnies at Etsy and explore their selection of merchandise designed to enhance imaginative play!

Win It!
Sue at Counting Bunnies is generously giving one of ABC & 123's reader a Busy Bag of their choice!

To Enter:
For your first and mandatory entry, visit Counting Bunnies and then come back and let us know which Busy Bag design you'd pick if you won. You have until July 13 midnight EST to enter, contest open to US and Canadian residents. Winner announced July 14h.

Additional Entries: Add a SEPARATE COMMENT for each additional entry method! Follow our blog ABC & 123
Add ABC & 123 to your blogroll
Post our link button on your blog
Blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to the post
Follow us on Twitter, tweet about the giveaway, and then leave us a link to your tweet
Tell us which item that Sue carries in Counting Bunnies, is your favorite and why. Be specific.
Leave a suggestion for a fabric choice or product that you'd like to see Counting Bunnies add to their store.

Disclaimer: We received our puppet theater review product from Counting Bunnies, free of charge in return for writing a review of their products and hosting a giveaway on our blog. We want to stress that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made to influence them by the company. The Busy Bag reviewed and featured in this post was purchased from Counting Bunnies.

137 comments:

  1. I would pick the Floral Dots. Very cute!

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  2. My favorite product is the Mocha Floral Doorway Puppet Theater. I love the fabric choice and I know my girls would have tons of fun playing with this. I also like how easy it is to take down and put up.

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  3. My son would go crazy over the Monkey pattern Busy Bag! Anything to do with monkeys, giraffes, etc.. he's in love with it.

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  4. Wow, such fun stuff! My daughter would love the Cupcake print.

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  5. The doorway puppet theater is such a cute idea!

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  6. As far as fabrics, I would suggest some cute vintage designs and Japanese and European fabrics. They have some really cute ones.

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  7. Too cute!! I love the crayons bag!!

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  8. For fabric choices I would love to see more dots! And more animals are always great!

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  9. If I won I would get the all sports coloring tote as Aidman would LOVE it!

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  10. I have your link back button on my blog.

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  11. My favorite item on Sues site is the Hydranga doorway puppet stage. It is beautiful and has good colors for my boy and girl. These puppet stages are so cool looking and I think my kiddos would just love them.

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  12. I would like to see a puppet stage in pink and dark brown as those colrs are just beautiful together, plus they are good for both boys and girls.

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  13. I would choose the dinosaur theme coloring tote.

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  14. I think the doorway puppet theatres look great, the stars themed one is my fave!

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  15. I'd love to see a zoo print fabric for the totes, and it would be nice to see some fabric busy books for younger kids.

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  16. I like the Frog Pink and the Monkeys!

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  17. I really like the Puppet Theaters, too. I think my daughters would love that!

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  18. I love the cupcakes!! I would also have to get one for my son too!!

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  19. I have your button on my blog!!

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  20. My son would love the Money Busy Bag!!

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  21. I follow your blog in my reader!

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  22. I would pick the Busy Bag Coloring Tote - Floral Dots. This is so cute!

    sekacamam@gmail.com

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  23. I follow your blog!

    sekacamam@gmail.com

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  24. I would pick Busy Bag with Green Sea Creatures - so cute!

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  25. how cute! i would like to have the TRAINS busy bag for my gage!

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  26. i am a follower, have a button on my blog too!

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  27. I LOVE that puppet theater you tried out with ER, Katie! It looks like so much fun; my boys would have lots of fun with it. I am REALLY considering buying one!!

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  28. I visited the website & would choose the crayon busy bag.

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  29. You guys always have the best reviews. The doorway theater is so cute.

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  30. Forgot to add the link to the giveaway.
    http://abcand123learning.blogspot.com/2009/07/counting-bunnies-review-and-giveaway.html

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  31. As far as which Counting Bunnies product is my favorite, that's a hard choice. I really like the Busy Bags & the crayon caddy (can you have two favorites?).

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  32. As far as what I would like to see on Counting Bunnies, more gender neutral fabrics would be nice. That way they could last through multiple children (except everyone would probably want their own anyway, right?! I would!).

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  33. cupcake coloring tote all the way! so cute! and i might just have to purchase one of their puppet theaters- they are WAY too cute!!!

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  34. suggestions for counting bunnies- it would be great to see you incorporate small felt or magnetic boards into your bag (i am thinking quiet activities for church.) if you do decide to do this, let me know!

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  35. I would pick the butterfly bag, so adorable!

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  36. I love the doorway puppet theaters and would say that was my favorite product they carry. They're adorable and are a great way to encourage imagination and a new form of playing.

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  37. they have a link for a princess set but nothing under it, I would like to see them put that up because I'm sure it would be adorable!

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  38. I would choose the train theme tote!

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  39. I have a link of my blog to your site

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  40. I would pick the butterfly fabric.

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  41. Oh I know my daughter's favorite would be How to set a table! she says she wants to be a cook, and she is only 4 lol

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  42. I have your button in my blog :)

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  43. I am a follower of your awesome blog :)

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  44. you are defenetly part of my blog roll :)

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  45. my favorite item is the cupcake busy bag tote, why? is sooooo cute, and the colors are lovely :)

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  46. as a suggestion, I would have to say an animal print for the busy bags to take to the zoo :)

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  47. Oh those are SO awesome!! We would totally get the train one...I have a train addict in the house :)

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  48. I follow the blog in my reader :)

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  49. Following you both on Twitter :) and retweeted :)
    twitter.com/nov05mama

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  50. I would choose the dinosaur themed Busy Bag.

    Susana
    customblog@gmail.com

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  51. I have both of your buttons_ABC & 123 and Summer Prize picnic in my sidebar.

    Susana
    customblog@gmail.com

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  52. My favorite products that are too tempting are the reusable snack bags, such a clever idea!!

    Susana
    customblog@gmail.com

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  53. Unless I overlooked this fabric--I'd like to see a transportation themed fabric or polka dots in a gender neutral color scheme.

    Susana
    customblog@gmail.com

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  54. I would pick the train theme busy bag. My son loves trains.

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  55. I follow your blog in Google Reader.

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  56. I really like the reusable sandwich bags. While I don't teach anymore, when I did I would bring my lunch and it would have been great to use those instead of plastic bags every day.

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  57. Keri I totally agree the cupcake one ROCKS but I have a boy so I'm goin for the train!

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  58. I'd have to get a different one for each of my kids! Trains, cupcakes, butterflies, and the sports ones. Those would be the four designs I would pick. That puppet theatre is GREAT!!

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  59. The Floral Dots bag is just too cute! Maddie would love it!

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  60. Oh - and you all are on my Homeschool Creations blogroll. :)

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  61. I like the blue elephant bag best.

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  62. Doorway Puppet Theater in Hydrangea is my favorite product though.

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  63. The picnic button is on our site too! derekannette.blogspot.com

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  64. She has some great stuff! I would pick the monkey busy bag, so cute.

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  65. I love the Crayon fabric!!!

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  66. I think a rainbow print would be great for the bags!

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  67. I like the all sports busy bag - sooo cute! I think we may NEEEEED one of the puppet theatres too! :)

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  68. I would pick the cupcake!!

    candyclc@gmail.com

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  70. I am a recent follower of your blog

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  71. I love the floral dots crayon holder ... beatiful bright colors

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  72. I would like to see fabrics with more dots and circles, as those are my favs

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  73. Oh the monkeys for sure ;)
    Carisa

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  74. Blogged about it:
    http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2009/07/treats-4-your-tot_09.html

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  75. I would add some more mature fabrics (like Amy Butler designs) to market to older girls... ;)

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  76. I'd choose the Cupcakes pattern.

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  77. I'd choose the monkey's bag! A good nutral one for both of my monkeys.

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  78. what beautiful fabrics!! I LOVE the floral dots!!

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  79. we love the pink frogs because we love frogs!

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  80. as for what fabrics i would say like high school musical, hannah montana, jonas

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  81. Very cute! I'd pick the train busy bag. =)

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  82. I would choose the dinosaur theme busy bag for my little guy!

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  83. I would get the all sports busy bag.

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  84. I would love to see a busy bag with a cars/trucks (transportation) theme!!!

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  85. I would pick the monkey busy bag for my son!

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  86. My favorite item carried is the doorway puppet theater. My kids are always putting on shows and that would be so helpful, especially in lieu of the living room curtains!

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  87. My fabric choices would be a funky frog print for the puppet theater or a gender neutral alphabet print. I have a boy & girl, so I love things that would work for both.

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  88. I like the coloring book tote bag.

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  89. We would pick the monkey print Busy Bag. Cute!

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  90. My favorite items are the reusable lunch bags. I've been wanting to get something like those as it is my goal to stop using plastic baggies. I would also consider ordering the superhero cape for my sons; they'd love it.

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  91. I'd like some basic, contemporary-style baggies for my husband and me to use. I do like the apple one a lot.

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  92. I would pick the green sea creatures busy bag.

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  93. Another item I like in the shop is the how to set the table placemat. What a fun idea1

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  94. I liked the Busy Bag Coloring Tote - Frogs Pink
    sylviawhit@gmail.com

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  95. I would choose the cupcakes. So sweet!

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  96. I like the dog one but my daughter may want something in pink. lol

    thanks.

    gahome2mom at gmail dot com

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