McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal nationally in the United States in 1979.
The meal combined a child-sized serving with a toy, creating a branded experience aimed specifically at families. Its launch followed successful regional experiments, including a 1977 test in Missouri, Kansas, and Arizona.
The original package included a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, a soft drink, and a toy. The exact food choices have changed over time, and later versions added options such as apple slices and milk.
The Happy Meal is sometimes confused with a general children’s menu, but its defining feature is the bundled toy and distinctive packaging. Toy promotions have often connected the meal to films, television series, and McDonald’s characters.