The Happy Meal was McDonald's major toy-based children's meal promotion launched nationally in the United States in 1979. It combined a child-sized meal with a toy and distinctive package design.
The promotion grew from earlier children's meal experiments and was developed to make the meal itself part of the entertainment. Its box format became an important piece of McDonald's family branding, especially because toys could be tied to films, television characters, sports, and original McDonald's properties.
The Happy Meal is sometimes treated as though it began everywhere at the same time. Launch dates varied by country, but 1979 is the key national U.S. introduction commonly associated with the product. Menu contents and toy availability have changed, while the name and family-oriented concept have remained durable.