McDonald's introduced the Happy Meal in 1979 as a children's meal promotion that included a toy.
The idea was developed to give children a packaged meal with its own visual identity and an entertainment component. The first nationwide American Happy Meal promotion featured a box containing a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, a soft drink, and a small toy. Its packaging helped distinguish the children's offering from the regular menu.
The Happy Meal became an important part of McDonald's family branding. Toys have often been tied to films, television characters, sports, or McDonald's-created designs, making the promotion collectible as well as promotional.
The Happy Meal is sometimes confused with later regional children's menus or with promotional boxes that did not include a standard toy. The name “Happy Meal,” however, specifically identifies McDonald's branded children's meal introduced in 1979.