17 Happy Meal Toys That Wouldn’t Be Approved Today
Take a nostalgic trip through McDonald's past as we explore 17 Happy Meal toys that were once adored but would definitely raise eyebrows if released today!
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
McDonald’s Happy Meal toys have changed over time, but some of the iconic characters of yesteryear would be unimaginable today. From violence-peddling action figures to toys that ventured into creepy or culturally insensitive space, many of the once-beloved items wouldn’t meet today’s standards for safety, diversity, and emotional health. This list goes back in time to explore 17 retro toys that defined childhoods—but would cause a stir if brought back today.
1. Furby (2000)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
Furby was an electronic toy that went totally haywire in the late ’90s and early 2000s, frequently as a Happy Meal promotion. Although it was sold as an interactive pet, the fear was that children would become too attached to it, to the point of creating unhealthy dependence. Its eyes would randomly blink, causing parents to feel uneasy about the possibility that the toy could “listen” in on conversations, which raised privacy issues.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990s)
Image from eBay.ph
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were a huge success, with McDonald’s offering action figures from the series as Happy Meal toys. However, these toys may be too violent for today’s standards, considering they promote violence in the form of martial arts fighting. They also promote toxic masculinity with their excessive heroism and endless fighting.
3. The Happy Meal “Gun” (1970s)
Image from Etsy
During the ’70s, McDonald’s distributed plastic guns, often with supporting accessories such as holsters, as part of their Happy Meal packages. Nowadays, such toys would be controversial at once, considering increased sensitivities regarding gun violence, particularly among children. The image of children imitating violent behavior using toy guns is now becoming viewed as irresponsible in the current cultural climate.
4. McDonald’s “Creepy” Clown Masks (1970s)
Image from Etsy
In the late ’70s, McDonald’s sold terrifyingly realistic Ronald McDonald masks as Happy Meal toys. Though meant to be enjoyable, they were disturbing to many kids, particularly with Ronald McDonald’s clown makeup being so large and his frozen smile staring back at them. At a time when kids’ safety and emotional health are of utmost concern, such creepy items would be reconsidered.
5. Spicy Chicken McNugget (2004)
Image from SydLexia.com
In 2004, McDonald’s introduced spicy-themed toys with the release of the Spicy Chicken McNugget. The toy was a mix of promoting fast food and hotter, less child-friendly flavors. As awareness of child obesity and nutrition grew, this type of marketing would be unlikely today.
6. Cabbage Patch Kids (1980s)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
McDonald’s once sold tiny, cuddly Cabbage Patch Kids as Happy Meal toys when they were most popular. Those toys could now be problematic due to their over-commercialization of excessively idealized, “perfect” images of childhood. Then, there’s the over-commercialization of aspirations for childhood and the pressure kids are under to think that happiness comes in material form.
7. Barbie Doll (1990s)
Image from HISTORY
Barbie dolls as Happy Meal toys were once a staple of the ’90s, but the cultural environment of today would probably disapprove of the unrealistic body image that these dolls promote. Barbie’s classic image of “perfection” might be considered detrimental to the self-esteem of young children. In an era where inclusivity and body positivity are being emphasized, McDonald’s would probably refrain from promoting such stereotypes.
8. Plastic Walkman (1980s)
Image from M+
In the ’80s, McDonald’s gave away small, functional plastic Walkman toys as part of Happy Meal promotions. Now, having a toy in the shape of real adult electronics would be considered reinforcing an unhealthy gadget lust at too young an age. The fact that the toys usually didn’t function properly would be a significant toy design failure today.
9. Mad Scientist Kit (1980s)
Image from John Kenneth Muir
During the ’80s, McDonald’s sold a “Mad Scientist Kit” that included small lab equipment such as beakers and test tubes and invited children to play “mad scientist.” Now, a toy like that might be interpreted as encouraging unsafe activity or a negative, possibly damaging perception of scientific curiosity. Inviting children to emulate messy or destructive behavior as a form of entertainment may not be well received in the age of contemporary educational toys.
10. Pogs (1990s)
Image from Ebay PH
During the ’90s craze, McDonald’s included Pogs (circular cardboard discs used in a competitive game) in Happy Meals. The toy encouraged kids to engage in an early form of gambling with no actual monetary reward, which would be concerning today. Modern awareness of childhood development and the potential for promoting unhealthy competitive behaviors makes this toy choice outdated.
11. Power Rangers Action Figures (1990s)
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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers action figures used to be featured in McDonald’s Happy Meals. Although many fans loved these characters, they highlighted violent content focusing on bodily fights and the demolition of monsters, something that may raise eyebrows these days. Selling hyper-violent heroes who achieve solutions by combat does not find favor with current parenting trends on non-violent problem-solving.
12. Glo Worms (1980s)
Image from Wikipedia
Glo Worms were soft, glowing toys frequently packaged in Happy Meals in the ’80s. While adorable, they may not be appropriate today because of the potential concern over the long-term impact of exposing children to soft, glowing light, which could be negative for sleep hygiene. At a time when sleep habits for children are a priority, these toys would be off-limits.
13. “Hug Me” Dolls (1990s)
Image from eBay
These toys had a button that, when pushed, emitted a hugging sound. Although innocent-looking, these toys were attacked for being too “clingy” and for encouraging the development of an artificial emotional connection to a plastic object. Today, there would be a worry about encouraging material relationships with toys instead of promoting healthy, actual-world relationships.
14. X-Men Action Figures (1990s)
Image from eBay.ph
McDonald’s provided X-Men action figures as inserts with their Happy Meals during the ’90s, which had characters who resorted to the use of superpowers and violence to overpower their villains. The violence in the characters can be considered an endorsement of violent solutions in conflict resolution under the present mood of encouraging peace as a mode of conflict resolution. This can conflict with education today on developing emotional intelligence and empathy.
15. “Grimace” Hot Dog Holder (1980s)
Image from ScreenCrush
A quirky Happy Meal toy from the ’80s involved a Grimace-shaped hot dog holder. While not inherently dangerous, the toy was odd enough to raise eyebrows with today’s sensitivities. Its commercial tie-in with food items and the potential for encouraging poor eating habits may conflict with today’s nutrition-focused toy offerings.
16. Boys’ Army Action Figures (1970s)
Image from Action Man HQ
McDonald’s previously featured army soldier toys as a part of Happy Meal promotion in the 1970s. In today’s environment, the toys might be deemed to be glorifying warfare and reinforcing a stereotypical, violent conception of masculinity. Promoting kids to play war could be described as retrograde and potentially harmful in the present world.
17. Horror Movie Monsters (1990s)
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McDonald’s would sometimes release toys based on popular horror movie monsters, such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre monsters and Freddy Krueger toys. Given the content of these films, this promotion would certainly be considered inappropriate for children today. The mix of wholesome play with scary, dark imagery would conflict with today’s more reserved approach to what children are allowed to be exposed to.