As the 1980s rolled in, McDonalds Happy Meal Toys reflected a wide variety of pop culture interests, including Kellogg’s Rise and Shine for Breakfast toys (with free cereal samples), Dungeons & Dragons books and game table; video-game themed toys (Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Jr, and Super Mario Brothers). 1970:  Before the Happy Meal was born, McDonald’s still sold little toys at select locations. After an initial roll-out in Kansas City in 1977, the Happy Meal made its national debut two years later. 2003:  Kids were moving away from playing with toys to picking up video games. The origins of the Happy Meal are somewhat muddled. Its other popular items include Egg McMuffins, Happy Meals, and Chicken McNuggets. Get the best deals on mcdonald collectible toys when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Retrieved from, https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2018/11/16/mcdonalds-makes-more-happy-meal-changes-bringing-it-closer-to-a-healthy-meal/#5e1e174a14b7, Semple, S. (2020, February 25). McDonald’s New ‘Quarter Pounder Fan Club’ is All About the Branded Merchandise. The love for this merchandise proved that McDonald’s had a following. Under the leadership of Bob Bernstein, the idea of a child-specific pre-packaged meal led to the creation of the Happy Meal. 2013:  Happy Meals started to include QR codes that parents could scan with their smartphones. McDonald’s commercials aired during the show, and ad execs were inspired to create a clown of their own to appeal to the kids. Ronald mania took hold between the 70’s and early 2000’s. 1977:  From Ronald to Grimace, the mascots were a huge hit with the burger-loving crowd! (2016, February 23). 2000:  While Hot Wheels, Barbies, and Beanie Babies were still part of Happy Meals, so, too, were fingerboards – mini skateboards that you’d absolutely recognize if you wore Jenko Jeans, gelled your hair, and rocked a silver chainlink necklace. This kitchenware continued to be sold at select restaurants throughout the 90’s. McDonald's released various promotional toys, including a Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep, and all the other beloved and classic toys. 2012:  Everyone’s favorite sponge was part of Happy Meal toys. Discover the McDonald's company history from when the first McDonald's open to when the first Happy Meal was served to the McDonald's logo evolution. Ronald McDonald drove in a Happy Meal shaped conductor’s train, with 9 other pieces following including the Bernstein Bears and even E.T. McDonald’s Makes More Happy Meal Changes, Bringing it Closer to a Healthy Meal. You are hard-pressed to find any kid from the 70’s to the early 2000’s who doesn’t have fond memories of going to McDonald’s. The story goes that Bernstein developed the Happy Meal based on an idea from Yolanda Fernandez de Cofiño, a Guatemalan McDonald's operator who … They’ve built a company on smiles – whether it’s in their slogans, indoor playgrounds, or Happy Meal toys. Over 40 million Furbies were sold in the first 3 years of production, and they were still huge when mini and keychain versions made an appearance in Happy Meals in 1999. In 1979, McDonald's changed the game permanently by introducing the Happy Meal.They'd given out toys before that landmark year, but as the '80s dawned, it … A "Happy Meal" is a kids' meal usually sold at the American fast food restaurant chain McDonald's since June 1979.A small toy is included with the food, both of which are usually contained in a red cardboard box with a yellow smiley face and the McDonald's logo.The packaging and toy are frequently part of a marketing tie-in to an existing television series, film or toyline. 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