The children’s meal introduced nationally in the United States in 1979 was the Happy Meal.
The Happy Meal combined a child-sized portion of food with a toy and specially designed packaging. Its branding made the meal feel like an experience aimed at children, rather than simply a smaller version of an adult order.
The concept had been tested in selected markets before its national United States launch. The meal’s box, toy promotions, and rotating tie-ins helped make it one of McDonald’s most enduring branded products.
People sometimes use “Happy Meal” as though it describes only the toy. The name refers to the complete children’s meal offering, including its food, packaging, and promotional element. Specific menu items and toy themes have varied by country and period.