Putting a toy in your Happy Meal...

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How did it all begin?

Hunt for rarities: the most desired collections

Brainy fun: toys that can teach

Video games mania: the retro boom of 2003

Do you remember? let’s play

Timeline box: evolution of Happy Meal

Close

2

3

4

5

6

1

How did it all begin?

Hunt for rarities:
the most desired collections

Brainy fun:
toys that can teach

Video games mania:
the retro boom of 2003

Do you remember? let’s play

Timeline box:
evolution of Happy Meal

Menu

happy meal

Toys

story

happy meal

Toys

story

The idea of adding toys to Happy Meals came into the head of Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño, a McDonald’s franchisee in Guatemala, in the late 70s.

To make her McDonald's more kid-friendly, she suggested creating kids' lunches with toys and, at first, buying small souvenirs with her own money at local markets.

it all begin?

How did

The idea of adding toys to Happy Meals
came into the head of Yolanda Fernández
de Cofiño, a McDonald’s franchisee
in Guatemala, in the late 70s.

Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño — 1979

When McDonald's first introduced the Happy Meal in 1979, the box was a real gem! It was red with pictures of Ronald McDonald and circus elements. It was like a little celebration for every kid who opened it!

The first Happy Meal box

In the early 2000s, the boxes got a bit simpler but still stayed cool. In 2004, they started printing nutritional info on them so parents could know what their kids were eating. A useful feature!

Simpler but cool 2000s

Boxes were bright and detailed, with cool drawings from movies, cartoons, and toy collections. Each of the four sides of the box had different games and puzzles that kept kids entertained.

Bright and fun 80-90s

Today’s Happy Meal boxes have adapted
to modern kids and moved all the
games to digital. They have QR-codes
for content and info about McDonald’s
charitable projects. Less detail, but
more digital!

Interactive modern boxes

Timeline box:

evolution of Happy Meal

1979

80-90’S

00’S

now

First Box

When McDonald's first introduced the Happy Meal in 1979, the box was a real gem! It was red with pictures of Ronald McDonald and circus elements. It was like a little celebration for every kid who opened it!

Boxes were bright and detailed, with cool drawings from movies, cartoons, and toy collections. Each of the four sides of the box had different games and puzzles that kept kids entertained.

In the early 2000s, the boxes got a bit simpler but still stayed cool. In 2004, they started printing nutritional info on them so parents could know what their kids were eating. A useful feature!

Today’s Happy Meal boxes have adapted to modern kids and moved all the games to digital. They have QR-codes for content and info about McDonald’s charitable projects. Less detail, but more digital!

The first Happy Meal box

Simpler but cool 2000s

Bright and fun 80-90s

Interactive modern boxes

Tap on box
to learn more

the most desired collections

Hunt for rarities:

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28 figures representing different countries, housed in a case designed as Snoopy’s house. Snoopy is a beloved character, and this collection evokes fond memories for many collectors.

set ~$350

Snoopy World Tour (1998-1999)

The Toy Story collection, with Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Emperor Zurg, RC car, and Slinky Dog, is a hit among collectors because they’re almost perfect miniatures of beloved characters from the iconic movie!

set ~$150

Toy Story (1995, 1999)

The Ty’s Teenie Beanie Boos collection included Britannia (UK), Maple (Canada), Glory (USA), and Erin (Ireland). Because it was a very limited release, collectors are eager to get their hands on it!

set ~$1000

International Bears (1999)

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Player and dance pattern 2006

The 2000s were the true golden era of the Happy Meal! The toys became not only entertaining but also educational.

Remember those cool gadgets that helped improve agility, logic, and fine motor skills? It was pure magic! We weren’t just playing; we were learning new things too!

Frisbee NERF 2009

Guard Motion Alarm — Spy 2008

Ball Scoop — NERF 2009

Tamagotchi — Pet Shop 2007

Kim Possible Gadget 2006

Click to play

toys that can teach

Brainy fun:

Later on, Happy Meals continued to include mini-games featuring various characters. These collections are still highly valued by collectors.

In 2003, McDonald’s and Sega released a hit collection of mini video games. These tiny Tetris-like games remain the most recognizable and desired collection in many countries.

It was a real gamechanger — kicking off a boom for mini-games and Tetris toys. Imagine going to McDonald’s and leaving with a pocket LCD game!

the retro boom of 2003

Video games mania:

In 2003, McDonald’s and Sega released a hit collection of mini video games. These tiny Tetris-like games remain
the most recognizable and desired collection in many countries.

It was a real gamechanger — kicking off
a boom for mini-games and Tetris toys. Imagine going to McDonald’s and
leaving with a pocket LCD game!