McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal in the United States in 1979.
The children’s meal combined a small serving of food with a toy or another promotional item. Its branding gave families a package designed specifically for children rather than simply offering a smaller version of an adult meal.
The Happy Meal became an important part of McDonald’s family-oriented identity. Toys often connected the restaurant to popular films, television programs, sports, and original characters, creating a merchandising relationship that extended beyond food.
The launch is sometimes dated to earlier regional experiments because children’s meal bundles had appeared in individual markets before the national U.S. rollout. The 1979 date refers to the U.S. introduction of the branded Happy Meal. Availability, menu contents, and toy promotions have varied by country and period.