Moonbug alum Rich Staplehurst rolls out kids’ studio Noodle & Caboodle, teases slate

Former Moonbug executive Rich Staplehurst has launched new creative development and IP studio Noodle & Caboodle and revealed its inaugural slate of kids’ content.

Rich Staplehurst

Announcing the roll-out of the UK-based outfit on LinkedIn, Staplehurst said that Noodle & Caboodle’s mission statement is to “create playful imaginative worlds designed to travel across platforms – animation, games, toys, publishing and beyond.”

At launch, Noodle & Caboodle has an initial content roster that consists of four original IP projects for young audiences in the early stages of creative development. It comprises of animated preschool title Flo & Otto, about friends making a splash at Watercolour Wood; episodic/gaming project Chuck Loris; Christmas-themed animation Noah & Fred: The Unexpected Adventure; and family-friendly wizardry title Rupert Regis & His Magical Bookshop.

Noodle & Caboodle is also developing an animated feature film and a transmedia property with gaming potential. The new outfit says it is open to early-stage investment and potential production partnerships.

Prior to launching Noodle & Caboodle, Staplehurst served as the global creative director for Candle Media-owned Moonbug Entertainment between 2023 and 2025. There he worked on hit children’s franchises such as Blippi and CoComelon.

Staplehurst said: “For years I’ve been creative director on campaigns and stories for studios, games companies and global entertainment brands. But like many creatives, my own noodle has always been full of original ideas waiting for the right moment.

“Since my time as creative director for Moonbug Entertainment and recent trips to MIPJunior, we have been working on a few projects in the background to build a home and playground for our original IP.

“As a creative myself, I am passionate about building something meaningful that will somehow add value to the wider creative community. My hope in the near future is that Noodle & Caboodle will soon help create some new opportunities for paid work and collaborations with the brilliant people I’ve met along the way – be it producers, writers, character designers, VO, animators and fellow storytellers.”