Since McDonald’s launched Happy Meal Toys in 1979, the fast food chain has released some truly fun products for their smallest customers – let’s take a look.
The story of the Happy Meal toy goes back all the way to 1979 when operator Fernandez de Cofiño envisioned a kid-friendly meal comprised of a burger, fries, and a sundae. At the time, kids could choose from a McDoodle stencil, a McWrist wallet, an ID bracelet, a puzzle lock, a spinning top, or a McDonaldland character-shaped eraser.
Sega Handheld Gaming Systems
Back in 2004, McDonald’s teamed up with game developer Sega to launch handheld systems based on the brand’s most iconic characters.
The handheld devices included Sonic Speedway, Shadow Grinder, Knuckles Soccer, Sonic Action, Super Monkey Ball, and Tails Sky Patrol.
McDonald’s McNugget Tetris
Just last year, McDonald’s unveiled another handheld gaming system in the form of McDonald’s McNugget Tetris. An obvious spin-off on the classic game, the McDonald’s version was contained inside a device that resembled a chicken nugget.
The game itself came with a range of McDonald’s themed stickers packed neatly in a box that also resembled the one you would be served nuggets in. Sadly, it was only available in China.
Tamagotchi
It was a good time to be a McDonald’s fan in 1998 as the fast food chain released nine bespoke Tamagotchis for its customers. Alongside the release, there was also a Walmart-exclusive Tamagotchi.
Older readers might recognise Tamagotchis as the iconic 90s toy that was initially designed by Akihiro Yokoi in Japan. Even in 2024, the digital pets are available for purchase – at an increased price, of course.
Barbie
On August 2, 1992, McDonald’s made Happy Meal Toy history with the release of their first Barbie dolls. They were typically a lot shorter than the regular toys, but were designed as direct copies of already established Barbie dolls.
The Barbie dolls were so successful that McDonald’s has continued to release them around the world over the years. The trend seemingly stopped in 2011 with the arrival of Barbie A Fairy Secret Happy Meal toys.
Furby
In 1999, the popular 80s toy became the McFurby in a collaboration that is still going strong to this day. The promotion first started with firgurines, before making its way to keychains and then classic plushies in 2000.
For the brand’s 40th anniversary of Happy Meals in 2019, they relaunched some of the most popular toys with updated aesthetics. The McFurby was among them and was designed to resemble the very first Furby created.
Inspector Gadget
Following the release of the Inspector Gadget film in 1999, staring Matthew Broderick, Don Adams, and Michelle Trachtenberg, McDonald’s released a build-your-own Inspector Gadet.
The toy came in eight separate parts and was configured to resemble the detective with all of his various gadgets and gizmos. It represented a particular brand of Happy Meal Toys that were designed to be assembled over multiple trips to McDonald’s.
Lego Bionicle Set
In the early 2000s, Lego was particularly successful with their Bionicle kits that allowed kids to build robot warriors with impressive weapons. Interest in the toys was only increased following the release of films in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009.
Naturally, McDonald’s jumped on the trend with Bionicle characters being given away with Happy Meals. Even now, the sets are still going for hundreds on eBay.
Boo Buckets
One of the most beloved McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys was not, in fact, a toy at all. In the 1980’s, the fast food giant treated customers to their own Halloween candy buckets. At the time, they were available in styles resembling a jack-o-lantern, ghost, and goblin.
In 2023, McDonald’s pleased its middle aged customers by shooting them back to the 80s with new and improved Boo Buckets.
“Let’s be honest… spooky szn isn’t official until Boo Buckets are back at McDonald’s,” they said.
Teenie Beanies
From 1997 to 2000, McDonald’s capitalised on the Beanie Baby trend by launching Teenie Beanies. The adorable little plushies were incredibly popular, sparking more and more each year. Ultimately, interest declined and McDonald’s moved on to bigger and better things.
It’s worth mentioning that Teenie Beanies caused a flurry of crime across McDonald’s locations as police were called to heated fights, criminal charges, and injuries.
