13 Kids’ Meals That Made Fast Food Fun
These kids’ meals were why many of us looked forward to fast food more than the food itself.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Fast food chains in the 1990s and early 2000s made eating out exciting for kids. The toys, packaging, and themed meals often felt more important than the burgers or fries. These are the kids’ meals that were actually served and remembered by a generation.
1. McDonald’s Happy Meal
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The Happy Meal was launched in 1979 and became the most popular kids’ meal by the 1990s. It typically included a small hamburger or four-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, a drink, and a toy. The toys were often tied to movies, TV shows, or seasonal events. Some of the most famous promotions included Disney films, Beanie Babies, and Hot Wheels.
2. Burger King Kids Club Meal
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Introduced in the late 1980s, Burger King’s Kids Club Meals included a burger or chicken tenders, fries, a drink, and a toy. The Kids Club featured cartoon characters like Kid Vid and Wheels, and many of the toys were based on animated shows or video games. It was seen as Burger King’s direct response to McDonald’s Happy Meal.
3. Wendy’s Kids’ Meal
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Wendy’s Kids’ Meals usually included a hamburger or chicken nuggets, small fries, a drink, and a toy. The toys often focused on learning or were licensed from family-friendly programs like Arthur or Clifford. The packaging was colorful and printed with activities. Wendy’s also participated in limited movie tie-ins, though less frequently than McDonald’s or Burger King.
4. Taco Bell Kids’ Meal
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Starting in the 1990s, Taco Bell offered kids’ meals, including a taco or burrito, cinnamon twists, a drink, and a toy. The toys were often themed around cartoons or comic-style characters. The kids’ meals were not heavily promoted and were removed from most menus by the early 2000s. Some locations had unique meal boxes, but they were less consistent than other chains.
5. KFC Kids’ Meal
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KFC’s kids’ meals included small portions of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, a cookie, and a drink. The meal came in a box that sometimes included printed games or puzzles. Toys were occasionally included but were usually simple plastic items. KFC leaned more into the food experience than the toy promotions.
6. Pizza Hut Personal Pan Kids’ Meal
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Pizza Hut offered personal pan pizzas as kids’ meals, especially in dine-in locations. A small drink and dessert, like a cinnamon stick or cookie, were often included. The Book It! program encouraged kids to read books and earn free pizzas. Though not a traditional kids’ meal box, the offer was widely used by schools and parents.
7. Dairy Queen Kids’ Meal
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Dairy Queen’s kids’ meals included a small hamburger or hot dog, fries, a drink, and a Dilly Bar or small cone. A toy or activity was also included in most locations. Dairy Queen leaned on its dessert appeal and family-friendly environment. The meals were served in paper bags or boxes with cartoon artwork.
8. Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Star Pals
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Both Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s sold Star Pals meals for kids, which included a burger or chicken tenders, fries, and a drink. The box featured fold-out activities or character art. Toys were tied to licensed properties like Nickelodeon or movie releases. It was one of the more collectible-style meals during the 1990s.
9. Subway Kids’ Pak
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Subway’s Kids’ Pak came with a mini sandwich, apple slices, a drink, and a toy. The toys often had educational themes and were made in partnership with Discovery Kids or PBS. The meal was marketed to health-conscious families. Subway was one of the few fast food chains offering fresh fruit in their kids’ meals at the time.
10. Long John Silver’s Kids’ Meal
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Long John Silver’s kids’ meals came with one or two pieces of fish or chicken, fries, hush puppies, and a drink. A toy or sticker sheet was sometimes included. The meal was served in branded cardboard boxes with printed games. Although not as popular, it had a small but loyal group of young fans.
11. Chuck E. Cheese Kids’ Meal
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Chuck E. Cheese served individual kids’ meals at its restaurants, typically including a slice of pizza, a drink, and a small toy. Some meals also came with tokens for arcade games. The food was basic, but the real appeal was the access to games and shows. The meals were served on trays rather than in boxes.
12. Sonic Wacky Pack
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Sonic’s Wacky Pack included a small burger or corn dog, fries or tots, a drink, and a toy. The packaging sometimes had comic strips or word games printed on it. Sonic partnered with brands like Crayola and Nickelodeon for toy promotions. Since Sonic is a drive-in, kids often got excited about the meal being delivered on a tray to the car window.
13. A&W Kids’ Meal
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A&W offered a kids’ meal with a small burger or hot dog, fries, a drink, and a small toy. The mascot, Rooty the Great Root Bear, was featured on boxes and promotional items. Some locations included a root beer float as part of the meal. The experience felt more like a sit-down diner than a fast-paced restaurant.