Radio Flyer Studios Launches First Animated Original ‘Max & Maple’ (Exclusive Clip)

Radio Flyer, the 108-year-old brand known for inspiring families to “go out to play,” today announced the official launch of Radio Flyer Studios’ first original animated series, Max & Maple: The Can-Do Kids. The new show marks a major milestone in Radio Flyer’s evolution — expanding its mission from iconic physical products into storytelling that meets today’s kids and families where they already are: on YouTube.

With the announcement of the 10 x seven-minute, 2D-animated series, aimed at children ages 4-7 and their families, Animation Magazine is rolling out a first look at its colorful world of positive critters, debuting the series theme song and intro animation (watch it in this post)! Max & Maple: The Can-Do Kids premieres on Friday, December 12.

Synopsis: The series follows adventurous siblings Max (a dog) and Maple (a beaver), whose everyday moments turn into imaginative outdoor adventures with the help of their fun-loving Grandpa Tony (a squirrel) and their iconic red wagon and its magical Wagon Wheelios. The goal of the series is to show viewers that they “can do” anything when they use their imaginations.

Max & Maple: The Can-Do Kids is developed in-house by Chief Wagon Officer Robert Pasin, Head of Studio Carrie Miller, Executive Producer Deborah Frank and Peter Hannan (CatDog, Let’s Go Luna!).

In the lead-up to the series launch, Radio Flyer Studios will begin rolling out Wheelios shorts — 30-second comedic vignettes featuring the playful, behind-the-scenes creatures that keep Max and Maple’s red wagon running. New shorts will be released alongside all episodes of Max & Maple: The Can-Do Kids.

“Radio Flyer has always been about one simple mission: bringing the world out to play,” said Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer at Radio Flyer. “Launching Radio Flyer Studios, and now our first original series, is a dream come true. I’m incredibly proud of the team for creating joyful, high-quality entertainment that reflects our values and inspires kids to explore, imagine, and play outdoors. This is a new chapter for Radio Flyer, and it beautifully extends the legacy we’ve been building for more than a century.”

Head of Studio Carrie Miller noted, “Kids today live in a world where screens are part of their everyday lives. Our goal isn’t to replace that time, but to guide it — to make content that sparks imagination, models curiosity and outdoor play, and encourages kids to take what they see onscreen and bring it into their own backyards.”

To create their first original animated series, Radio Flyer Studios assembled a pedigreed team of writers, artists and production partners:

• Executive Producer & Head of Studio: Carrie Miller — Formerly of Frederator Studios and Frederator Digital (Bravest Warriors, Bee & PuppyCat)
• Executive Producer: Deborah Frank — Formerly of GBH Kids (Arthur, Work It Out Wombats!)
• Head Writer & Development: Peter Hannan — Creator of CatDog; writer/illustrator, songwriter
• Writers: Liz Hara (Emmy Award-winning writer for Sesame Street, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur) and Christie Insley (Ready, Jet, Go!; Dinosaur Train)
• Lead Character Designer: Taylor Krahenbuhl — Annie Award winner (The Bad Guys), The Garfield Movie
• Original Songs: Daniel Ingram (Emmy-nominated My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,
  Strawberry Shortcake)
• Music: Trevor Hoffmann & Daniel Ingram
• Produced in collaboration with WildBrain Studios, with David Hutchinson (Boy & Dragon) as Senior Creative Producer

Radio Flyer Studios is already in active development on additional content featuring Max, Maple, the Wheelios and their extended world. The long-term plan is to grow these characters across platforms and to continue building a trusted destination for kids and families seeking joyful, high-quality entertainment.

You can find Radio Flyer Studios on YouTube @radioflyerstudios. Check out the first Wheelios short below: