16 Fast Food Giveaways from the ’90s That Are Long Gone

This list highlights 16 fast food toys and promos from the ’90s that were once popular but are no longer available.

Daisy Montero
July 17, 2025
4 min read

These fast food giveaways were a big part of growing up in the ’90s. Many came with Happy Meals or special promos and became instant favorites. Some were toys, some were food items, but all of them are now hard to find. This list brings back memories of what made them so fun.

1. McDonald’s Food-Changeables (1990–1992)

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These were burger boxes and fries that transformed into robots or dinosaurs. They felt like a mix between Transformers and Happy Meals, which made them extra exciting. Kids could collect several versions, each with a different quirky design.

2. Taco Bell’s Street Sharks (1995)

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Taco Bell gave out Street Sharks toys that looked like mutant sharks with big muscles. These were based on the cartoon and were a big hit among kids who loved weird and wild characters. They made Taco Bell feel way cooler than expected.

3. Power Rangers Action Figures (1995)

ze_bear on Wikimedia Commons

McDonald’s released a full Power Rangers lineup in tiny action figure form. Each one had a different pose or accessory that matched the show. Fans raced to collect them all before they vanished.

4. Disney’s 101 Dalmatians (1996)

The Walt Disney Company on Wikimedia Commons

McDonald’s made over 100 unique puppy toys to go along with the movie release. Every meal came with a new spotted pup, so kids wanted to eat there nonstop. Completing the whole set became a serious mission.

5. Hercules Fitness Gear (1998)

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Instead of action figures, this promo focused on sports-themed toys like hacky sacks and flying discs. The idea was to get kids active like Hercules himself. Most kids just wanted to keep tossing them around at recess.

6. Teenie Beanie Babies (1997–2000)

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These tiny plush toys caused total chaos during the Beanie Baby craze. McDonald’s turned their Happy Meals into collectible gold for a short time. Some people even lined up before breakfast just to get one.

7. Inspector Gadget Movie Set (1999)

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McDonald’s offered parts of Inspector Gadget in separate Happy Meals. You had to collect all the pieces to build the full figure. Getting the last part felt like winning a prize.

8. Toy Story 2 Figures (2000)

Disney/Pixar on Wikimedia Commons

Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and the rest of the crew showed up in toy form just as the movie hit theaters. These toys matched the characters perfectly and were easy to play with. They made every kid feel like they were part of Andy’s toy box.

9. Hot Wheels in Happy Meals (1983)

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McDonald’s gave out real die-cast Hot Wheels cars during this promo. They were small but super detailed, making them feel like real collectibles. Many kids started their toy car collections right then and there.

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McDonald’s released toys based on the animated spin-off of the hit movie. The DeLorean and characters made their way into kids’ meals in plastic form. It was a fun way to time-travel through lunch.

11. Batman Returns Collection (1992)

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This promo gave out toys based on the darker, moodier Batman film. Some parents thought they were too intense, but kids loved the action and detail. It was one of the edgiest Happy Meal promos of the decade.

12. Marvel Superheroes (1996)

Grantray-Lawrence Animation & Marvel Comics Group on Wikimedia Commons

McDonald’s went big with a full set of Marvel hero toys like Wolverine and Hulk. Each one came with a comic-style pose or power. It gave comic book fans something to smile about during lunch.

13. McDonald’s Muppet Babies Pull-Back Racers (1990)

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These tiny race cars featured Muppet Babies like Kermit and Miss Piggy behind the wheel. You could pull them back and let them zoom across the table, which made lunch extra fun. Each one had bright colors and a different character, making them super collectible.

14. Burger King Cini Minis (1998)

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These little cinnamon roll bites came in a warm pack, perfect for a weekend treat. Burger King fans still talk about how tasty they were. Even years later, people wanted them back on the menu.

15. Pizza Hut Mini Basketballs (’90s)

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These red-and-white basketballs were given out during March Madness promotions. They were the perfect size to toss around in the living room. Pizza night suddenly felt like game night.

16. Wendy’s Cool Kids Frosty Keychains (Late ’90s)

Wendy’s on Wikimedia Commons

Wendy’s handed out colorful Frosty keychains that doubled as coupons for free mini Frosty treats. Kids loved clipping them onto backpacks or lunchboxes like a badge of honor. It was both a giveaway and a snack pass that lasted all year.