12 Products You Bought Just for the Free Toy Inside
Sometimes, the product wasn’t the main reason for the purchase—it was the free toy inside that really got you excited.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
We’ve all been there: buying a product not because we needed it, but because it promised a toy or a collectible. From cereal boxes to fast food meals, those little surprises made shopping more fun. Let’s take a look at 12 products you bought just for the free toy inside.
1. Cereal Boxes
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Cereal boxes often came with prizes that were far more exciting than the actual cereal. Whether it was a toy, a sticker, or a temporary tattoo, these prizes were the real draw. The hunt for the toy was part of the fun of breakfast. It didn’t matter if you liked the cereal; you wanted the prize.
2. Happy Meal
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The Happy Meal toy was always the highlight of the meal, even if the food was just okay. From movie tie-ins to little figurines, the toy was what everyone looked forward to. You could count on it being something special, whether it was a toy car or a small action figure. The toy made the meal feel more like an event.
3. Cracker Jack Boxes
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Cracker Jack was the original snack with a prize inside. Every box promised a small trinket that you could collect. Whether it was a tiny plastic toy or a sticker, the prize made the snack memorable. It was the perfect combination of salty and sweet, with a surprise at the end.
4. McDonald’s Sundae Cups
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McDonald’s sundae cups weren’t just about the ice cream; they often came with fun toys. From mini figurines to little gadgets, those toys made the treat feel extra special. The surprise of finding a toy under the lid was a fun way to finish off the meal. It was the perfect little bonus with your dessert.
5. Chips Ahoy! Cookies
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Chips Ahoy! cookies sometimes came with small toys or collectible figures. The toys were often more exciting than the cookies themselves. You’d tear open the box just to see what prize was hidden inside. The surprise made eating cookies even more enjoyable.
6. Pop-Tarts
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Pop-Tart boxes occasionally contained a small toy or collectible. Whether a sticker or a keychain, it was a fun bonus with your breakfast. You never knew exactly what would be inside, but it was always worth the wait. It made eating Pop-Tarts feel like a small adventure.
7. Pez Dispensers
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Pez dispensers were more than just candy; they were collectible toys. They came in all kinds of shapes, from Disney characters to superheroes. Kids loved collecting the dispensers and using them to store candy. They were a fun, interactive treat that turned snack time into playtime.
8. Kellogg’s Cornflakes
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Kellogg’s Cornflakes sometimes included a free toy inside. It could be a small figure or a puzzle, but it was always a nice surprise. You never knew what you’d find, which made opening the box more exciting. The toy often outshone the cornflakes themselves.
9. Little Debbie Snack Cakes
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Little Debbie snacks were always a treat, but sometimes, they came with small toys or stickers. The toys weren’t the main reason for buying them, but they definitely added an extra layer of fun. Whether a tiny charm or a collectible figure, it was always a welcome bonus. The snacks were good, but the toys made them better.
10. Fruit Loops
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Fruit Loops boxes occasionally included a toy or collectible item inside. The toy might have been a small puzzle or a plastic figure, but it always made the cereal more exciting. It was fun to search through the box for the prize. The toy was what made Fruit Loops more than just a breakfast cereal.
11. Kinder Eggs
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Kinder Eggs became famous for the small toys hidden inside the chocolate. The toys were usually simple, like little figures or puzzles, but they were a great surprise. Unwrapping the chocolate to find the toy inside made the treat more special. Cracking open the egg was always a fun moment.
12. Burger King Kids’ Meals
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Burger King’s Kids’ Meals often came with small, themed toys. Whether related to a popular movie or a cartoon character, these toys were always a fun bonus. You didn’t just go for the meal; you went for the collectible toy inside. It was the perfect combination of food and fun.