The Happy Meal was McDonald’s first nationally distributed children’s meal, introduced in 1979.
The meal combined a child-sized portion of food with a toy or other promotional item. Its packaging and presentation made the children’s offer a distinct part of McDonald’s branding rather than simply a smaller adult order.
The Happy Meal was first tested in selected markets before being introduced nationally in the United States. The concept helped McDonald’s connect restaurant visits with collecting toys, especially when the toys were tied to popular films, television programs, or company characters.
The meal’s contents have changed over the decades, and local versions differ by country. The enduring brand name, however, is Happy Meal. It should not be confused with later products such as the Mighty Kids Meal, which was a separate menu offering.