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Kay Toys moves up launch date for new BEANO toy range after huge demand

By John Freeman on September 20, 2023

KAP Toys will launch its new licensed BEANO product range sooner than expected, in time for this Christmas, after “overwhelming demand” from retailers after the line was announced last week.

Launching new and exciting product in time for Christmas 2023 and into 2024, the collaboration with BEANO sees three newly developed lines on the way: Squishii Character Plush, the Build-a-Comic Kit and the Box of Tricks.

Launching nationally with Sainsbury’s in November 2023, ahead of wider availability in 2024, the company pushed forward early production in response consumer enquiries and recent retail previews.

BEANO’s mischief has been making kids laugh (and parents secretly snigger!) for four generations, giving kids a platform since 1938. The comic was, say KAP Toys, one of the first brands “to really show children behaving like children in popular culture. And they have never looked back! Through everything they do, they celebrate kids’ right to be kids”.

KAY Toys - BEANO Squishii Characters (2023)

For collectible, squeezy, irresistible fun, the new BEANO Squishii Characters include the comic’s favourite mischievous characters – Dennis, Minnie and Gnasher.

Also coming soon is the “outrageously fun” BEANO Box of Tricks, with its prank-tastic jokes to play is the perfect gift for any joker! This comes jam packed with hilarious fun: a classic whoopee cushion, nail through the finger, fake snake, scary teeth, phoney parking notices and much more. Who wouldn’t want to set their inner prankster free?

Last but no means least, as far as downthetubes readers are concerned, there’s the BEANO Build-a-Comic Kit. Priced at £19.99, unleash your comic genius and create the ultimate BEANO story!

“The Build-a-Comic Kit is perfect for any budding BEANO comic creator,” say KAP Toys. “It includes everything you could possibly need to design your own action packed comic; with blank comic pages, stamps, stencils, pens and ink pads, kids can let their imaginations go wild.”

KAP Toys MD Nat Southworth told Toy World he expects to have a lot more retail partners on board by the time the trade gets to World Book Day, on 7th March 2024.

“We have moved mountains to be able to launch this in Q4 2023 following the retail feedback – it was supposed to be a 2024 project!” Nat adds.

“Our new BEANO range presents an opportunity we would urge all retailers to consider. It’s an unbelievable project that has taken a real team effort to make happen, and we truly believe we’ve got a range of product that can deliver week in week out sales for Beano fans and gift givers.”

• Keep an eye on the Sainsbury’s web site for news of this line, or check out KAP Toys at kaptoys.com – who are also on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter)

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.