19 McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys Through the Years

By Ghuman

Introduction

McDonald’s Happy Meal toys have been a part of childhood for generations. From the first Happy Meal in 1979 to the present day, McDonald’s has released hundreds of different toys over the years. From classic favorites like the Beanie Babies to more modern offerings like the Teen Titans Go! figures, these toys have been a source of joy for children of all ages. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular and memorable McDonald’s Happy Meal toys from the past four decades. From the classic McDonald’s characters to the latest movie tie-ins, we’ll explore the history of these beloved toys and the memories they evoke. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore 19 McDonald’s Happy Meal toys through the years!

19 McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys Through the Years

McDonald’s Happy Meal toys have been a part of childhood for generations. From the first Happy Meal in 1979 to the latest offerings, these toys have been a source of joy for kids of all ages. Here’s a look at 19 of the most memorable Happy Meal toys through the years.

1980s

  • McDonaldland Characters (1980): The first Happy Meal toys were the McDonaldland Characters, including Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Hamburglar, and Birdie the Early Bird.
  • Transformers (1984): The first Transformers Happy Meal toys were released in 1984 and featured Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee.
  • My Little Pony (1985): The first My Little Pony Happy Meal toys were released in 1985 and featured the original six ponies.
  • Care Bears (1986): The first Care Bears Happy Meal toys were released in 1986 and featured the original ten bears.

1990s

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990): The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Happy Meal toys were released in 1990 and featured the four turtles.
  • Disney’s Aladdin (1992): The first Disney’s Aladdin Happy Meal toys were released in 1992 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994): The first Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Happy Meal toys were released in 1994 and featured the five original Rangers.
  • Space Jam (1996): The first Space Jam Happy Meal toys were released in 1996 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Pokemon (1998): The first Pokemon Happy Meal toys were released in 1998 and featured the original 151 Pokemon.

2000s

  • Shrek (2001): The first Shrek Happy Meal toys were released in 2001 and featured characters from the movie.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants (2002): The first SpongeBob SquarePants Happy Meal toys were released in 2002 and featured characters from the show.
  • Finding Nemo (2003): The first Finding Nemo Happy Meal toys were released in 2003 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Cars (2006): The first Cars Happy Meal toys were released in 2006 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Toy Story 3 (2010): The first Toy Story 3 Happy Meal toys were released in 2010 and featured characters from the movie.

2010s

  • Angry Birds (2011): The first Angry Birds Happy Meal toys were released in 2011 and featured characters from the game.
  • The Smurfs (2011): The first The Smurfs Happy Meal toys were released in 2011 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Despicable Me (2013): The first Despicable Me Happy Meal toys were released in 2013 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Minions (2015): The first Minions Happy Meal toys were released in 2015 and featured characters from the movie.
  • The Secret Life of Pets (2016): The first The Secret Life of Pets Happy Meal toys were released in 2016 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Incredibles 2 (2018): The first Incredibles 2 Happy Meal toys were released in 2018 and featured characters from the movie.
  • Toy Story 4 (2019): The first Toy Story 4 Happy Meal toys were released in 2019 and featured characters from the movie.

From the first Happy Meal in 1979 to the latest offerings, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys have been a source of joy for kids of all ages. These 19 toys are just a few of the many memorable Happy Meal toys that have been released over the years.

Since McDonald’s launched the Blissful Meal in 1979, it has captivated hundreds of thousands of youngsters’s hearts (and tummies). What might make a child smile wider than a enjoyable carton field stuffed with a cheeseburger, French fries, a cookie, a drink, and one of many signature free Blissful Meal toys?

Right this moment’s Blissful Meal toys are a far cry from those you might need gotten once you have been rising up. The chain has moved on from Ronald McDonald dolls to toys like Barbies and Sizzling Wheels automobiles.

Whereas different fast-food chains like Sonic, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King have included toys of their child’s meals, the Blissful Meal has a particular place in each American kid’s knickknack assortment. Some have even develop into in style vintage collector’s objects. From Berenstain Bears to Beanie Infants, this is a jog down the golden arches’ reminiscence lane of the preferred classic Blissful Meal toys.

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Blissful Meal Toys from the ’70s

ronald mcdonald vintage doll
Courtesy of McDonalds

By a contemporary lens, this Ronald McDonald doll business may be the stuff of nightmares. However when this toy was launched within the ’70s, it was essential. The truth is, it was so in style that it turned a Blissful Meal toy within the ’80s, in keeping with MeTV.

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mcdonalds star trek happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

This promotion was extra than simply the Blissful Meal toys—even the packing containers have been rebranded in partnership with Star Trek: The Movement Image in 1979. The Star Trek Blissful Meal toys included video games, comics, and plastic rings.

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mcwrist wallet happy meal toy 1979
Larkmeadow / eBay

These plastic bands seem like watches, however they’re actually compartments to carry free change. You possibly can nonetheless store them on eBay, although their “pockets” performance is questionable.

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mcdonalds happy meal cars 1979
Panhandle Surplus LLC / eBay

A few of the earliest Blissful Meal toys included Diener Keshi figures formed like race automobiles, animals, and extra. There are many choices out there on eBay in case you’re actually feeling nostalgic.

original happy meal with cheeseburger, fries, drink, cookie
Courtesy of McDonald’s

OK, this is not technically a toy. However when the Blissful Meal was first launched in 1979, it got here with a bag of mini cookies. Right this moment’s Blissful Meals do not embody a dessert, however you may at all times add a McFlurry or cookie onto your order.

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Blissful Meal Toys from the ’80s

mcnugget buddies happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

Varied iterations of McNugget Buddies have been supplied at McDonald’s through the years, however they first got here round within the ’80s. Along with the commercials concerning the Blissful Meal toys, there have been additionally McNugget Buddies mini-episodes, like this one the place the McNuggets have been detectives.

mcdonalds berenstain bears happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

In 1986, McDonald’s supplied Blissful Meal toys based mostly on the enduring kids’s e book sequence. (And sure, it actually was spelled Berenstain and never Berenstein.)

chip and dale happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonald’s

The Disney chipmunks bought the Blissful Meal therapy in 1989. However we do not blame you in case you assume the catchy Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers theme music is extra memorable than the plastic toys.

muppet babies happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

Might these toys be any cuter? Child Kermit, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, and Miss Piggy all got here to play on this Blissful Meal set. One of the best half was that you possibly can change the totally different collectible figurines to experience every others’ automobiles, too.

mickey birthdayland racers happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

In honor of Mickey Mouse’s birthday, these Disney-themed racecars featured the “fab 5”: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. There have been particular Blissful Meal packing containers adorned with the cartoon characters, too.

mcdonald's bambi happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonald’s

In 1988, McDonald’s supplied poseable toys based mostly on the Bambi characters, together with fan favorites like Thumper and Flower along with the titular deer.

ducktales happy meal toy
Courtesy of McDonald’s

Launched in 1988, these DuckTales toys featured characters from the cartoon sequence with the well-known theme music.

Blissful Meal Toys from the ’90s

mcdonalds teenie beanie baby happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

When Beanie Infants hit the cabinets in 1993, McDonald’s was not far behind with the creation of Ty Teenie Infants Blissful Meal toys. Chocolate the moose, Chip the cat, Goldie the goldfish, and Speedy the turtle have been among the Ty furry mates children discovered of their purple packing containers. The teenie Beanie Infants turned so in style that McDonald’s bought greater than 100 million in 1997 alone, and commotions broke out at a number of McDonald’s areas as clients fought for the toys, leading to damage, police calls, and even felony expenses.

mcdonalds natures watch happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

This irresistibly cute nature set included a double shovel-rake, a hose cup, a mini-greenhouse, and even somewhat chicken feeder. Fairly cool for the free toys that include your McNuggets.

tiny toon flip cars happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

For a restricted time, characters like Elmyra Duff and Plucky Duck have been racing for spots in children’ Blissful Meals—actually. The toys included the characters and their automobiles, however every character was switched out each week, so in case you wished one Tiny Toon over the opposite, you needed to act quick.

mcdonalds birthday happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

For the fifteenth anniversary of the Mickey D’s Blissful Meal, the fast-food joint launched a medley of its hottest toys, together with favorites just like the Berenstain Bears and Muppet Infants characters. All 11 of the Blissful Meal toys related to type a birthday prepare!

tamagotchi happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

you would like you continue to had one. Whilst you truly could not feed and bathe your McDonald’s pet, these keychains are relics of the Japanese, egg-shaped digital toy.

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michael jordan fitness fun happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

McDonald’s selling well being and health? Solely in the case of Michael Jordan, who was on the pinnacle of his NBA profession within the ’90s. The basketball phenom sealed the 1992 championship win for the Chicago Bulls towards the Portland Path Blazers. That very same yr, MJ was named MVP for the second time in a row. Every health set got here with a mini basketball, soccer, soccer ball, bounce rope, and toy stopwatch.

power rangers happy meal toys
Courtesy of McDonalds

These motion collectible figurines debuted throughout the identical time because the Mighty Morphin Energy Rangers film, which was based mostly on the favored tv sequence. Whether or not you have been rooting for the inexperienced ranger or the pink ranger, these toys introduced their superhero abilities off the display and onto your desk.

No matter decade you grew up throughout, there have been most likely some enjoyable Blissful Meal toys going round on the time. And at this time, Blissful Meals nonetheless reign supreme amongst fast-food children’ meals.

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