Best McDonalds Happy Meal Toys

Matt Kasper

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mcdonalds toys collectibles

Remember that uncontainable excitement as a kid, the kind that made your heart flutter and your eyes light up? For many of us, it was the joy of unwrapping a McDonald’s Happy Meal. The red box came with a promise of a scrumptious bite, and a small surprise hidden inside which was the star of the meal. As we bit into those familiar, crispy fries and tender nuggets, our little fingers would quickly find their way to the mystery wrapped in clear plastic – the Happy Meal toy. Was it a miniature Hot Wheels car ready to zoom across the dining room table, or a pocket-sized McDonald’s Mascot eagerly waiting for their next adventure? The anticipation was half the fun!

Fast forward to today, the joyous thrill remains, not just in the hearts of the young but also among the young at heart. With each reveal of McDonald’s collectibles and toys, we are given a golden ticket to revisit the simple days of our childhood. Nowadays, the latest promotions no longer just flash across our TV screens but also light up our social media feeds. Whether it’s a vintage find or a modern-day trinket, every McDonald’s toy carries a story, a glimpse into an era, a nod to popular culture, or simply, a joyful memory. As we dive into this complete journey of Mcdonald’s collectibles, it’s not just a list we’re exploring; it’s a treasure chest of happiness, one Happy Meal toy at a time.





Top Five McDonald’s Toys from Each Era

Ah, the charm of the old and the allure of the new! Let’s embark on a nostalgic adventure as we explore the top five McDonald’s toys that have tickled our fancies over the decades. For collectors are those looking for a quirky gift a lot of these toys are still available today on eBay. Some are even worth quite a lot of money if you managed to hold onto them yourself, we will include links to check the latest prices on each toy.





The 1980s: The Golden Beginnings

As the decade that launched McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, the 1980s brought innovation and excitement. From transforming food items to iconic movie tie-ins, the ’80s were a playground of memorable collectibles.


1) McNugget Buddies (1988)

mcdonalds mcnugget buddies

With quirky characters like Rocker McNugget and Cowboy McNugget, these anthropomorphic nuggets were an instant hit!

The original 1988 set included 11 Buddies: Corny McNugget, First Class McNugget, Drummer McNugget, Sarge McNugget, Sparky McNugget, Rocker McNugget, Volley McNugget, Boomerang McNugget, Cowpoke McNugget, Snorkel McNugget, and Corny McNugget.

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2) McRobots Changeables (1987)

mcdonalds mcrobots 1987

Who wouldn’t love a fry box that morphs into a dinosaur? In 1987 McDonald’s smartly jumped on the Transformers wave of popularity and introduced transforming food item toys.


Series One 1987
1) Chicken McNuggets Robot
2) Big Mac Robot
3) Milkshake Robot
4) Egg McMuffin Robot
5) Large Fries Robot
6) Quarter Pounder Robot

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3) Hot Wheels (1983)

mcdonalds vintage hot wheels

These pint-sized vehicles ignited the racer spirit in kids, making lunchtime a high-speed adventure. Every new series of Hot Wheels was a much-anticipated event and are one of the most sought-after Happy Meal collectibles today.

The original collection started in 1983 and the cars varied depending on whether you were on the east or west coast. The partnership is still going on today with new cars still being released.

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4) Fraggle Rock (1987)

mcdonalds fraggle rock toys

The Muppets from Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock found their way into many children’s hearts and Happy Meals in 1987. A full set of these vintage happy meal toys are a sought-after collectible and can be worth some nice coin.

There were 4 toys in the original set:
Gobo
Bulldozer
Red Fraggle
Cotterpin Dozer

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5) Muppet Babies (1987)

mcdonalds muppet babies

The Muppets were a huge franchise back in the eighties with multiple successful merchandise products. In 1987, Mcdonald’s partnered with Jim Hensen’s Muppets and brought us the “Muppet Babies” happy meal toys. They were adorable and a huge hot among kids 10 and under.

The original set included 5 characters: Kermit, Mrs. Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie. In Canada, there was an additional figure Baby Animal which is a rare find nowadays.

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The 1990s: A Time For Innovation

The 1990s was a period of evolution for McDonald’s toys, with trends reflecting the pop culture zeitgeist. Beanie Babies, Hot Wheels, and Barbie toy lines mirrored the decade’s passion for collectibles and nostalgia.

1) Ty Teenie Beanie Babies (1997)

mcdonalds original beanie babies

Perhaps the most famous Happy Meal toys ever, the Beanie Babies craze was real. For those that didn’t grow up in this era, Beanie Babies were everywhere. They were the hottest collectible in the world and people were fighting in the aisles to get them.

The prices vary widely on these collectibles so do your research before selling or buying as some McDonald’s Beanie Babies are rare and command big dollars.

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2) Super Mario Bros 3 (1990)

super mario bros mcdonalds toys

McDonald’s and Nintendo teamed up for the first time ever in 1990 to bring Mario and his friends to the Happy Meal box. The collaboration was to promote the video game Super Mario Bros 3 for the Super Nintendo system.

There were 4 toys in this collection: Mario, Luigi, Little Goomba, and Koopa Paratroopa. Having all 4 as a set in the original box can be worth a pretty penny.

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3) Barbie/Hot Wheels (1991)

barbie hot wheels happy meal

This iconic partnership created quite a buzz when they released in 1991. Pretty simple formula, combine two of the most popular franchises together into one Happy Meal and watch the collectors come.

Customers would get to choose whether they wanted a Barbie Happy Meals or Hot Wheels.

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4) Happy Meal Birthday Train (1994)

mcdonalds happy meal train

This was a cool idea to celebrate the Happy Meal’s Birthday. It was a set of 15 toys that formed a big long train when connected together. The characters came from some of the most popular franchises including Barbie, ET, Ariel, Hot Wheels, Sonic The Hedgehog, and more. As you pulled the train along each character would move in some way.

Each train piece was released randomly for the whole month of June so you would have to load up on Happy Meals to collect each one.

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5) Batman Animated Series (1993)

mcdonalds batman animated series

You can’t go wrong offering anything related to the Batman franchise and in 1993 McDonald’s dropped Batman Animated Series figures.

The whole set included 8 figures: Batman, Catwoman, The Riddler, Batgirl, The Joker, Robin, Poison Ivy, and Two face

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The 2000s: A New Millennium of Fun

The 2000s saw the rise of technology-influenced toys, from virtual pets to interactive figures. Toy lines like Furby and Neopets signified the growing integration of tech within children’s playtime.

1) Furby (2000)

mcdonalds furby toys 2000

The lovable, talking Furby had kids (and some adults) enthralled and you better believe McDonald’s wasn’t going to let the Furby craze bypass them. In 2000, you could pick up these cute dolls in each Happy Meal. The Y2K Tiger was the most sought-after toy in this collection.

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2) Clone Wars Bobbleheads (2008)

mcdonalds clone wars bobbleheads

In a galaxy not so far away, McDonald’s released the coveted Star Wars: The Clone Wars Bobbleheads in 2008. These charmingly exaggerated figures added a whimsical twist to beloved characters, making us all feel like Jedi Knights during lunch breaks.

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3) Madame Alexander Dolls (2002)

madame alexander mcdonalds dolls

Stepping straight out of a storybook, the Madame Alexander Dolls debuted in 2002, bringing a touch of elegance to Happy Meals. These miniature dolls, with their intricate outfits and accessories, captured the hearts of both children and doll enthusiasts alike. Today they are one of the most expensive Happy Meal toys to collect.

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4) SEGA Mini Video Games (2003)

mcdonalds sega mini games

Remember when we could fit an entire arcade in our pockets? Yes, the 2003 release of SEGA Mini Video Games marked a revolutionary moment in the realm of Happy Meal toys. From Sonic the Hedgehog to Super Monkey Ball, each handheld game console offered us a thrilling, pixel-filled adventure on the go.

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5) Build-A-Bear Toys (2006)

mcdonalds build a bear 2006

In 2006, McDonald’s captured the magic of creating your cuddly companion with the Build-A-Bear Workshop toys. Each adorable bear, clad in custom outfits, reflected the joy and creativity that the Build-A-Bear Workshop experience brings to kids.

The first set from 2006 includes 16 different bears.

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The 2010s And Beyond

Marking a blend of nostalgia and trend-setting characters, the 2010s brought the return of popular franchises and the rise of new ones. Minions, Pokémon, and Star Wars became a part of the McDonald’s Happy Meal toy experience, setting the tone for the future of collectibles. These toys will carry less value on the market as they just don’t have the history behind them yet.

1) Spongebob Squarepants (2011)

mcdonalds spongebob squarepants 2011

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? In 2011, McDonald’s had the answer with the release of the SpongeBob SquarePants toy collection. Each vibrant, squishy figure captured the humor and charm of Bikini Bottom’s most beloved resident and his friends.

The was the first Spongebob set and will likely be the most sought after 15 years down the road.

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2) Scooby-Doo Bobbleheads (2021)

scooby doo mcdonalds bobbleheads

The famous Mystery Inc. team got the bobblehead treatment in 2021 with their own Happy Meals collection. The Scooby-Doo Characters will always be a sought-after collectible as they are a staple franchise in pop culture and have been going strong for over 50 years.

This set already commands decent prices on eBay and they are only a couple of years old. They are adorable and one of the cutest-looking Happy Meal toys ever produced.

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3) Minions (2015)

mcdonalds minions set

Ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-nana! The mischievous Minions from the Despicable Me franchise made their uproarious entrance into Happy Meals in 2015. Each yellow henchman brought their brand of chaotic humor to our mealtime with their unique looks and giggly phrases.

I think Minions characters will hold up nicely over the years as they have a big cult fanbase.

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4) Justice League Bobbleheads (2017)

justice league happy meal bobbleheads

Swooping in from the DC Universe, the Justice League Bobbleheads took over McDonald’s in November 2017. From the speed of The Flash to the might of Wonder Woman, each toy gave us a taste of the superhero life that had us feeling as if we were part of the Justice League ourselves.

This set includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash. They were a limited edition and are hard to find so if you see a listing you want don’t hesitate too long.

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5) Star Wars Bobble Heads (2010)

star wars happy meal bobbleheads

In a McDonald’s far, far away…actually, just around the corner, Star Wars Bobble Heads arrived in 2010. Each toy featured a beloved Star Wars character in bobblehead form, bringing the epic space opera to the palm of our hands.

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The Birth of the Happy Meal

The concept of the Happy Meal was a brainchild of Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño, a Guatemalan entrepreneur who started offering a special meal for children that included a hamburger, small fries, and a small sundae. Fast forward a few years, and Bob Bernstein, the founder of the Kansas City advertising agency Bernstein-Rein, took this idea a step further. He conjured up the Happy Meal, a brilliant blend of food and fun, a meal that didn’t just satisfy tummies but also fired up the imagination. Thus, in June 1979, the first Happy Meal was launched in the United States. But the real game changer? The surprise inside!

The First Toy: Circus Wagon Happy Meal

first happy meal

Interestingly, the very first Happy Meal was more about imagination and less about franchise tie-ups. It was a circus wagon-themed box, and the toys included were the “McDoodler” stencil, the “McWrist” wallet, an ID bracelet, a spinning top and a McDonald’s themed comic strip. The idea was simple yet potent: transform mealtime into playtime.

You can still find the box for sale and the McWrist wallet but the other items are very hard to find.

1979 Happy Meal Box Current Listings


Golden Moments with the Golden Arches

It’s funny, isn’t it? How something as simple as a toy in a Happy Meal box can bring a twinkle to your eyes and transport you back to the good ol’ days. We’ve embarked on a stroll down Memory Lane, reminiscing about the innocent joy of unboxing a Happy Meal toy or the thrill of adding a rare vintage find to your collection. The power of McDonald’s collectibles isn’t just in the tangible plastic or vinyl figures. It lies in the shared nostalgia, the collective memories, and the childlike glee they continue to inspire, regardless of age.

Looking ahead, who knows what treasures McDonald’s will surprise us with next? One thing is certain, though. The customers will be there, they always have been. At the end of the day, aren’t we all just kids at heart, chasing that joy of receiving a unique gift.




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