40 years ago this month McDonalds introduced the Happy Meal to the delight of parents and kids around the world! Finally there was a bargaining chip on the table (literally) that could be used to coax every child to behave at the doctor, dentist, worship service, piano practice, Cub Scouts and to pay attention on the little league field!!
Laugh if you must, but I remember that ploy quite well. My mother used the tool on me, and I on my kids.
Admit it, we’ve all been there!
Seriously though, I do remember the feeling of being special when we got a Happy Meal as it was a real treat! Years down the road, when Audley and I were dating, and I was preparing to become Samantha’s momma, we made many a visit to McDonalds for play days and a Happy Meal as we searched for the ever elusive Pink Power Ranger!
The things we do for our kids, Right?!
Well, McDonald’s is unlocking that childhood joy across the globe in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first-ever Happy Meal by introducing the limited-edition Surprise Happy Meal, featuring favorite throwback toys from the past four decades.
My baby sister totally remembered many of these!!
The Surprise Happy Meal will be available in more than 90 countries starting November 7 at participating restaurants. If you’re in Atlanta like me, you can get your hands on the Surprise Happy Meal until November 11, while supplies last.
Over the years Happy Meal toys have put a playful spin on the foods McDonalds is known for, showcased movies from Disney to Looney Tunes, and had fun with pop culture by including matchbox cars, beanie babies and the always adorable Hello Kitty! It was the original “unboxing”!
Are you ready for a trip down memory lane? Here are all the toys that will be returning for just a handful of days this week: 1988’s Cowboy McNugget, Fireman McNugget, and Mail Carrier McNugget, 1989’s Hamburger Changeable transforming toy, 1990’s Grimace, 1991’s Dino Happy Meal Box Changeable, 1993’s McDonald’s Hot Wheels Thunderbird, 1995’s Hamburglar, 1995’s Power Rangers, 1996’s Space Jam Bugs Bunny, 1997’s Patti the Platypus (yes, the Beanie Baby is back!), 1997’s 101 Dalmatians, 1998’s Tamagotchi digital pet, 1998’s My Little Pony, 1999’s Furby, 2002’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, and 2013’s Hello Kitty.
While this is a global release, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey and 101 Dalmatians are exclusive to the US.
To help you celebrate this fun event I am giving away a gift card from McDonalds to one of my readers. All you have to do is share your favorite, first or most entertaining McDonalds Happy Meal memory!! This is not a place to discuss your opinions of McDonalds, or anything negative, but to look back and have a little fun!! I will draw a winner on November 7 so hopefully you will have your gift card before the promotion ends!
Happy Monday Y’all!!
Fiddle Dee Dee by Jennifer Jones 
A McDonald’s Happy Meal was a very special treat, both in my childhood and when our kids were young. I may have to get one and see what special retro toy is in it!
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I worked at McD’s when I was in high school. Happy Meals were by far the most popular items we sold. I remember parents would go crazier than the kids to get a specific toy. It was often chaos!
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I had a brother 5 years younger and a sister 11 years younger, so these were in our house for quite a while! Often we would share a Happy Meal because it was a little pricey for our family at the time. I would often give the toys to my younger siblings and do the activities on the box myself. I especially liked the boxes that you could punch out parts and make a “house” for the doll toys or “garage” for the car toys. And then there were the jokes on the boxes with answers on the bottom.
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I haven’t had a McDonalds hamburger in a long time. The retro happy meal toys are cool.
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Connie, your name was drawn for the gift card! Enjoy a cheeseburger 🍔!
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We loved the Scooby Doo one when it came out…and the cookies….a childhood favorite!
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