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K'NEX CAPTURES #1 SPOT IN BUILDING SETS CATEGORY

K'NEX Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster Retail Sales Outstrip Lego's Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle

Hatfield, PA - February 20, 2002 -- K'NEX Industries, one of the world's leading construction toy manufacturers, announced today that NPD's Toy Retail Sales Tracking Service (TRSTS) reported that the company's Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster was the #1 selling item in the entire Building Sets category for 2001. In addition, NPD TRSTS reported that sales of K'NEX brand construction sets grew 31% during 2001-outstripping the overall building set category (which grew 14.3%).

The hot "toy story" for the 2001 holiday season, Screamin' Serpent topped children's holiday wish lists nationwide, flew off retailers' shelves, drew national media and toy test accolades, and became the company's best selling new product to date.

K'NEX Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster brings the thrill of roller coasters into the home with this innovative building set that constructs the world's smallest real roller coaster. This ultimate family building activity constructs a 6-foot long, 3-foot high replica of a "modern steel-style" roller coaster that boasts 23 feet of twisting and looping track. Its motorized climbing action and aerodynamic rail-hugging cars that trigger an infrared sound sensor perfectly simulate real coaster sounds and riders' screams! All provide hours of building fun for both kids and their parents.

"Our Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster offers the entire family the opportunity to put their construction skills to the test," said Norman Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer of K'NEX. "This impressive build, with lifelike sound and motion, brings families together for the fun and excitement of building the world's smallest real roller coaster in their own homes."

Screamin' Serpent won an unparalleled six top toy awards from the nation's toy experts. According to Chris Campbell, Vice President Worldwide Marketing for K'NEX, "Of the more than 5,000 toys that toy experts reviewed this year, only a select few were honored with three or more awards. We were delighted to learn that our Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster won an unprecedented six top toy awards." Screamin' Serpent received top honors from Child magazine's 'Best Toys of the Year'; Family Fun magazine's 'Top Ten Toys for 2001'; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio; Parents magazine's 'Hot Toys for Holiday 2001'; Working Mother magazine's 'Top Toys-Kid Tested, Working Mother Approved'; Canadian Toy Testing Council; Duracell Kids' Choice Awards; and Today's Parent magazine's '2001 Toy Odyssey.'

K'NEX plans to further support retail sales of its popular Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster with heavy TV and various consumer awareness building programs, including a nationwide roller coaster design contest, which will culminate with top design teams in head-to-head competition in New York City.

Founded in 1992, K'NEX Industries was established to manufacture and market what has become one of the world's leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of more than 150 international awards and recognitions, K'NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K'NEX Education program. For more information, consumers can visit www.knex.com or call 1-800-KID-KNEX.

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Contact:
Melissa Fogarty/Beth Mosher
LITZKY PUBLIC RELATIONS
(201) 222-9118
email: mfogarty@litzkypr.com

About K’NEX Brands

Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands, the world’s most innovative construction toy company, was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX is America’s building toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love, and encourages youngsters to “imagine, build and play.”  For more information, please visit www.knex.com.