15 Fast Food Toys That Were Better Than the Food
Some fast-food toys became so memorable and well-loved that they are remembered more than the food they came with.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Fast food chains have often used toys to bring in families and create excitement. In some cases, the toys became more important than the meals themselves, sparking collecting habits and long-lasting memories. These items show how fast food promotions shaped childhoods and pop culture in real ways.
1. McDonald’s Teenie Beanie Babies
Ty Inc on Wikimedia Commons
In the late 1990s, McDonald’s partnered with Ty to release miniature Beanie Babies in Happy Meals. These plush toys were produced in dozens of variations, encouraging repeat visits to collect them all. The demand became so intense that some locations ran out quickly. They remain a major example of how a fast food promotion can fuel collecting on a large scale.
2. Burger King Pokémon Toys
Sesu Prime on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King ran a major Pokémon promotion in 1999, releasing toys inside plastic Poké Balls and giving away trading cards. The tie-in matched perfectly with the peak of Pokémon’s early popularity. Children cared more about securing their favorite characters than eating the food. Many of these toys are still kept by fans as part of their collections.
3. McDonald’s Inspector Gadget Buildable Toy
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s offered an Inspector Gadget toy that could be built piece by piece, with each part coming in a separate Happy Meal. Kids needed to collect all the meals to complete the figure. This made the promotion different from single-item giveaways. People remember it as one of the most interactive Happy Meal toys ever offered.
4. Burger King Star Wars Toys
danielkcheung on Wikimedia Commons
When the original Star Wars trilogy was re-released in the late 1990s, Burger King released a series of themed toys. These included detailed figures and collectibles connected to the movies. They appealed not just to children but also to adult fans. Many people still view them as a standout promotion for the franchise.
5. McDonald’s Transformers Changeables
Mr.ちゅらさん on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s created toys shaped like its menu items that could transform into robots. Items like fries, burgers, and drinks turned into small action figures. This mix of food and play made them stand out compared to standard toys. Collectors and fans still rank them among McDonald’s most creative giveaways.
6. Burger King Lord of the Rings Figures
Miguel Mendez on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King released a line of Lord of the Rings toys during the early 2000s to match the film trilogy. Each figure was detailed and based directly on characters from the movies. They felt more like collectibles than disposable kids’ toys. Many fans who collected them have held onto them as keepsakes.
7. McDonald’s Tamagotchi Keychains
Tomasz Sienicki on Wikimedia Commons
During the virtual pet craze of the 1990s, McDonald’s released Tamagotchi keychains as Happy Meal toys. They were smaller and simpler than the full versions but still let kids play with digital pets. For many, this was their first chance to experience Tamagotchi. The toys kept children entertained long after the meal ended.
8. Burger King Simpsons Watches
Husky22 on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King released digital watches decorated with Simpsons characters. The watches doubled as both a toy and a functional accessory. Kids collected multiple designs to represent different characters. They were memorable because they felt more useful than most fast-food toys.
9. McDonald’s Hot Wheels Cars
Hans Herrington on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s has offered Hot Wheels cars in Happy Meals multiple times. Each car came in bright colors and unique designs that children could race and trade. Parents often liked these promotions because the toys had lasting play value. The cars became more important than the meal itself for many kids.
10. Burger King Rugrats Toys
Rugrats on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King created toys based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon Rugrats. Each character was faithfully designed to match their animated look. The toys helped children extend the show’s storylines into their playtime. They became some of the most remembered fast-food toys of the 1990s.
11. McDonald’s Hello Kitty Plushies
Henk Mohabier on Pexels
McDonald’s released a line of Hello Kitty plush toys dressed in different costumes. The toys were popular with both children and collectors. Each release created demand, with people visiting repeatedly to get new versions. They are still remembered as one of the most successful Hello Kitty promotions outside Japan.
12. Burger King Men in Black Sunglasses
Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia Commons
To promote the film Men in Black, Burger King gave away toy sunglasses modeled after the ones used in the movie. Unlike most fast-food toys, these could actually be worn outdoors. Kids liked them because they felt connected to the film’s characters. The promotion stood out for offering something both playful and practical.
13. McDonald’s LEGO Sets
Legoktm on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s partnered with LEGO to offer small buildable sets in Happy Meals. Each kit came with just a few bricks but could be combined with others for bigger builds. The toys encouraged creativity rather than just passive play. They appealed to kids who already loved LEGO and wanted more pieces to use.
14. Burger King Scooby-Doo Glow-in-the-Dark Toys
Siren-Com on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King created glow-in-the-dark Scooby-Doo toys tied to the cartoon’s spooky theme. Characters and designs lit up at night, making them more fun than regular plastic toys. Kids liked showing them off at sleepovers and in dark rooms. The glow effect made them memorable long after the meals were gone.
15. McDonald’s My Little Pony Figures
Hasbro Australia on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s released miniature My Little Pony figures in different colors and styles. Each pony was designed to match the characters from the franchise. Children collected them to build a full set. These toys gave fans a way to bring their favorite show characters into everyday play.