15 Toys You Could Only Get Through Fast Food Meals
These 15 exclusive toys were only available in fast food kid’s meals, making them instant collector’s items for '80s, '90s, and 2000s kids.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Back before streaming and smartphones, kids had one goal when visiting fast food joints: getting that prize-packed meal. Chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell teamed up with toy giants to drop limited-edition collectibles. Here are 15 nostalgic toys you could only score by ordering a meal — and every kid on the block wanted one.
1. McDonald’s Teenie Beanie Babies (1997–2000)
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These mini plush Beanie Babies caused chaos at drive-thrus nationwide. Lines wrapped around corners just for a shot at a 3-inch bear.
2. Burger King’s Pokémon Gold Cards (1999)
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Encased in Poké Balls, these gold-plated cards felt like treasure to kids. Each card came in its own plastic case with a certificate of authenticity.
3. McDonald’s Muppet Babies Toys (1986)
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These colorful, wheeled toys featured Baby Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the gang in tiny vehicles. Their vibrant design and lovable characters made them a massive hit.
4. Taco Bell’s Star Wars: Episode I Toys (1999)
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With the release of The Phantom Menace, Taco Bell dropped some of the weirdest and coolest Star Wars-themed toys. Spinning Yodas and transforming ships made every meal an adventure.
5. McDonald’s Changeables (1987–1990)
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These clever toys looked like burgers, fries, and drinks, but transformed into mini robots. Basically, they were McDonald’s own Transformers.
6. Burger King’s The Simpsons Watches (2002)
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A full set of talking watches featuring Bart, Homer, and the rest of the Springfield crew. Each one had a unique quote and came in a themed box.
7. McDonald’s Inspector Gadget Buildable Toy (1995)
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Each meal included one part of a full Inspector Gadget figure. Kids had to collect every piece to build the entire toy. It was genius marketing and maddening if you missed a part.
8. Wendy’s Fraggle Rock Toys (1988)
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Wendy’s stepped into the toy game with plush finger puppets from Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock. Each one came with its own scenery card.
9. McDonald’s 101 Dalmatians Figurines (1996)
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To promote the live-action movie, McDonald’s released 101 individual puppy toys. Each one had its own pose and personality. Completing the entire collection was nearly impossible, but that didn’t stop kids from trying.
10. Burger King’s Rugrats Movie Watches (1998)
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These themed watches featured characters like Tommy, Chuckie, and Angelica. Bright, bulky, and full of flair, they were the perfect accessory for any ’90s kid.
11. McDonald’s Hot Wheels and Barbie Toys (Ongoing)
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This long-running promotion offered gender-based toy options: fast cars or fashion dolls. Every few years, new models and styles are dropped, keeping the appeal fresh.
12. Taco Bell’s Batman & Robin Toys (1997)
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Taco Bell released Batmobiles, Robin bikes, and villain figures tied to the movie’s release. The toys had moving parts and flashy colors.
13. McDonald’s Space Jam Figures (1996)
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As Space Jam fever hit, McDonald’s delivered a set of action-packed toys featuring Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes gang. They came in motion-based poses like dunking or dribbling — a slam dunk for ’90s kids.
14. Burger King’s Lord of the Rings Light-Up Goblets (2001–2003)
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For the movie trilogy, Burger King rolled out collector goblets with glowing bases. Each represented a key character and lit up when filled.
15. McDonald’s My Little Pony and Transformers Minis (1980s–2000s)
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Rotating through decades, these branded toys let kids choose between ponies or Autobots. Each was small but detailed, with vibrant colors and poseable parts.