McDonald’s has been a staple in the fast-food industry since 1940, but it wasn’t until the late 1970s that Happy Meals made their debut. This initiative came in response to competition from Burger Chef, which successfully attracted families with its toy offerings. Bob Bernstein, an advertising executive instrumental in creating the Happy Meal, shared with CNN, “We were losing our endorsement of the kids. We wanted to reestablish ourselves with kids and the family and say we were kid friendly.”

Bernstein drew inspiration from watching his son captivated by cereal boxes during breakfast. This observation led to the creation of the first Happy Meal box in 1977, which contained a burger, fries, cookies, a soda, and a small toy. The packaging featured comics, puzzles, and games, as Bernstein recognized that “kids want something to do when they eat.”

Initially, Happy Meals were trialed only at franchises in Kansas City, Denver, and Phoenix, as other major markets hesitated to adopt the idea. However, by 1979, after a successful year of testing, the Happy Meal was launched nationwide, and the demand for the accompanying toys began to soar.

Fast forward to today, McDonald’s is synonymous with its family-friendly image, including the iconic toys that many of us cherished during our childhood. If you’re among those who still hold onto these McDonald’s toys, you might be surprised to learn that some can fetch a pretty penny. Below, we’ll explore some of the most valuable collectibles.

McDonaldland ’70s Plush Toys

Though the Happy Meal was officially launched nationwide in 1979, it wasn’t the first time McDonald’s had created toys linked to characters from their advertising. In the 1970s, they developed a fictional world featuring Ronald McDonald and friends, introducing characters like the Hamburglar and Officer Big Mac through their commercials.

Some of these character toys have become quite valuable, particularly a rubber Mayor McCheese, which recently sold for $330 on eBay, although most typically go for $50 to $70. A duo of plush toys featuring Mayor McCheese and Officer Big Mac recently fetched over $225, likely due to their discontinuation in commercials during the 1980s.

Dukes of Hazzard Cars

When “The Dukes of Hazzard” became a television phenomenon from 1979 to 1985, McDonald’s seized the opportunity to feature toys based on the show in their Happy Meals. These toys included replicas of iconic cars like the General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger, complete with stickers for customization, which notably included a controversial Confederate flag sticker.

Today, these Happy Meal toys are regarded as valuable collectibles. A complete set recently sold for over $350, and individual General Lee toys have been listed for around $250. The inclusion of the Confederate flag sticker has particularly increased their desirability, especially after the show was pulled from TV Land in 2015. Other toys from the show, such as Boss Hogg’s Cadillac and Daisy Duke’s Jeep, have also sold for prices ranging from $83 to $115.

In 1983, McDonald’s expanded its menu to include McNuggets, which led to the creation of McNugget Buddies—adorable toys that featured removable costumes. These toys became a hit with children until they were phased out in 1996. Recently, McDonald’s even revived a limited-edition adult Happy Meal that featured these nostalgic characters.

Complete sets of McNugget Buddies can command impressive resale prices on eBay. Sets from the early 1990s have sold for around $112, while unopened sets typically range between $100 and $250. In original packaging, McNugget Buddies have been known to sell for over $200.

Additionally, McDonald’s introduced Changeables in the 1980s, which were inspired by the popular Transformers franchise. These toys could transform from classic menu items into robots, capturing the imaginations of kids and collectors alike. If you have any Changeables tucked away from the 1980s, you might be pleasantly surprised; a complete, unopened set recently fetched over $400 on eBay, with most collections selling for between $100 and $150.

Moving into the late 1990s, owning a Furby was a guaranteed way to be the coolest kid on the playground. In 1999, McDonald’s released a set of 80 colorful McFurbys, which have since become coveted collectibles. A complete set recently sold for around $150, while smaller collections can range from $1 to $25.

In 1986, McDonald’s introduced the charming Boo Buckets, featuring characters like the orange McPunk’n, the white McBoo, and the green McGoblin. These buckets became Halloween favorites for Millennials, providing a fun way for kids to collect candy. A full set from 1990 sold for approximately $150 on eBay, while a lot of 17 from 1986 fetched $200. Each bucket features three different facial expressions, making them a hit among collectors. Even a small collection of Boo Buckets could bring in between $50 and $100.

While McDonald’s has brought back some of these toys in recent years, the original versions from the 1980s and 1990s continue to hold significant value and nostalgia for collectors. So, if you have any of these vintage McDonald’s toys stashed away, you might just be sitting on a treasure trove.

“Her enthusiasm for the project was infectious.”

She had a contagious passion for the project.