McDonald's first introduced the Happy Meal nationwide in the United States in 1979.
The children's meal had been tested in selected markets before the national rollout. It combined a small portion of McDonald's food with a drink, a dessert, and a toy, all presented as a distinct branded experience for children. The colorful packaging and changing toys made the meal an important part of McDonald's family-oriented identity.
The Happy Meal was not the first children's promotion connected with McDonald's, and similar concepts had appeared in regional tests. Its significance was the creation of a standardized national product and brand. The contents and packaging have changed substantially over time, while the name has remained recognizable.
The Happy Meal also became a major platform for licensed entertainment partnerships, although toys and tie-ins vary by country and period.