10 Products That Used to Include Free Toys or Gifts
Remember when your favorite snacks and sodas came with secret decoder rings, tiny toys, or collectible treasures? These nostalgic giveaways turned everyday products into magical moments of surprise.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Before apps and algorithms, there was a time when joy came hidden inside a cereal box or tucked beneath a toy-laden Happy Meal. From decoder rings in Ovaltine to surprise figurines in Kinder Eggs, these free gifts transformed ordinary products into unforgettable childhood experiences. This nostalgic dive explores the history and charm of promotional giveaways that made snacks, sodas, and gum more than just a treat — they were tiny adventures in every package.
1. Cracker Jack
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Since the late 19th century, Cracker Jack has been synonymous with popcorn, peanuts — and a surprise inside. For decades, each box included a tiny toy or novelty, from decoder rings to miniature puzzles. Kids would often tear into the package not for the snack, but for that hidden treasure nestled inside.
2. McDonald’s Happy Meal
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Launched in 1979, the Happy Meal revolutionized how kids experienced fast food by adding a toy. These toys often tied into pop culture — Disney films, Power Rangers, Pokémon — and became collectibles in their own right. For many, the toy was the main event, with the cheeseburger just a supporting act.
3. Kinder Surprise
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Kinder Surprise eggs, popular across Europe and other parts of the world, are chocolate treats with a twist: inside the hollow egg, a small plastic capsule holds a toy. These toys range from DIY mini-figurines to puzzles and were especially beloved for their intricate designs. Despite being banned in the U.S. due to safety concerns, they remain iconic elsewhere.
4. Breakfast Cereals (e.g., Cheerios, Cap’n Crunch, Lucky Charms)
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In the golden era of Saturday morning cartoons, cereal boxes doubled as treasure chests. Companies like General Mills and Kellogg’s regularly included prizes: plastic submarines, glow-in-the-dark stickers, or secret agent decoder wheels. Kids would sometimes beg their parents for a specific cereal just to get the toy inside.
5. Barbie Dolls with McDonald’s or Other Retail Promotions
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During special promotions in the ’80s and ’90s, miniature Barbie dolls were given away with purchases at McDonald’s and in select cereal boxes. These weren’t just knock-offs — they were real Mattel Barbies, albeit in scaled-down form. For young collectors, they were a dream come true: stylish, pocket-sized, and free.
6. Coca-Cola Bottles with Metal Charms or Toys
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In mid-20th century campaigns, Coca-Cola sometimes included small prizes like metal charms or even yo-yos with bottle purchases. These promos were often regional, turning everyday sodas into a bit of a scavenger hunt. It’s a far cry from today’s loyalty apps — but far more tangible.
7. Bazooka Joe Bubble Gum
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Each piece of Bazooka gum came wrapped in a comic strip featuring Bazooka Joe and friends, sometimes paired with a mail-in offer for prizes like toy rings or miniature cameras. These comics weren’t just fun — they built a kind of low-key loyalty among young chewers. The gum was stiff, but the promise of a prize was sweet.
8. Topps Baseball Cards (with Bubble Gum)
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In the ’50s through the ’90s, packs of Topps trading cards came with a slab of bubble gum tucked inside. Though the gum often turned rock-hard, it was part of the ritual: open the pack, check for your favorite players, and chew. For some kids, the gum was as important as the cards themselves.
9. Ovaltine with Secret Decoder Rings (Little Orphan Annie Promotions)
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During the 1930s and ‘40s, Ovaltine offered secret decoder rings and badges via mail-in promotions tied to radio serials like Little Orphan Annie. The tie-in was legendary: kids would sip their Ovaltine religiously to collect enough proofs of purchase. The decoder ring even played a central role in A Christmas Story — a wink to just how big a deal it was.
10. Monopoly with McDonald’s (Monopoly Game Pieces)
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Though not a toy in the traditional sense, the McDonald’s Monopoly game (which began in 1987) turned French fries and Big Macs into potential treasure chests. Peel-off pieces could win you everything from free food to cars to vacations. For many, the thrill of the game was worth the extra-large order of fries.