Next week our very own McMoms will be traveling to Chicago and LA to see first-hand how an idea for a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy comes to life. The Moms will learn how McDonald’s commitment to quality suppliers extends beyond their food and into partnerships. This trip will allow our McMoms to explore the history and evolution of Happy Meal toys, McDonald’s commitment to quality partnerships and how McDonald’s works with their partners to provide Shared Family Moments in each and every restaurant. McDonald’s latest Happy Meal toy is inspired by the fourth film in the Shrek franchise, Shrek Forever After. The McMoms will have the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at The Marketing Store in Chicago to learn more about toy development, creation and safety. From there, they will head to the DreamWorks Animation Studio to see how a successful partnership with a DreamWorks property translates into Shared Family Moments and Happy Meal toys at your local restaurant.
If you have a question for our McMoms now’s the time to ask! Post a comment with your question by Friday, May 7th at 12:00 p.m. and if your question is featured in our McMoms community upon their return, you’ll win a $25 McDonald’s gift card.
Good luck!
Ps. Stayed tuned for more updates from our McMoms!
Remember; only UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don’t forget to sign in. Not a member yet? Click [here](http://www.urbanmoms.ca/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=register&blog_id=52) to join!
Click here for contest [Rules and Regulations](http://www.urbanmoms.ca/contests_and_promotions/contest-rules.html)
Darn, I missed the deadline! I really hope this question makes it as I’d love to know the answer. I was recently speaking to a girlfriend and she informed me that in the UK they have a Fish Finger Happy Meal. Why oh why isn’t this option available to us here? Yeah yeah I know, we don’t have fish and chip shops on every corner but who doesn’t love fish and chips?!?!?! or I mean ahem fish and apple slices for a healthier choice of course!
Wow ladies, so impressed by all of the awesome questions! As moms we are out here on the road with McDonalds trying hard to find all of the answers for you!The answers we don’t have …we will search and keep asking until we find the answers for you! I take this very seriously and I look at this as a communication tool. It gives parents who do want to know certain things the option of asking and finding out right from the source. Today we went to The Marketing Store and found out so many amazing things having to do with the innovation of the McDonalds happy meal toys! These ladies and gentlemen are well educated and very talented in what they do. It is their goal to ensure the best possible ideas for children that are interactive and so extrememly safe! They have a testing lab that they personally test the toys to ensure that they are more then safe for the little hands and mouths of our little people!they have bite simulators, pulling and prying instruments…all I can say is if every toy company went to this extent we as parents would never have to worry about our children and toys.
They are good at what they do and I feel confident as a mother that these toys are as safe as possible for our kids. They work hard with the Happy meals to promote a healthy lifestyle and provide parents with the necessary tools to give their kids a healthy choice. Choice is the main concept here though. It’s the parents soul responsibilty to inform their kids of the choices that McDonalds offers.
For me it’s a treat to go to McDonalds and my daughter always loves the fact that she gets the option of choosing a salad or a chicken wrap.Can’t wait to learn more so keep asking and we will try our best to answer all of your awesome questions!
I know alot of familys out there are vegetarians,i was wondering if McDonalds are thinking of making a all vegetarian Happy Meal for kids,and even make some items for adults,not just salads !!
I know for weight loss,i drink alot of water,and instead of junk food,i try and eat more vegetables,i cut up mushrooms,cauliflower,broccoli,snow peas,etc. and bag it,then when i got the urge to munch,i go to the fridge and pull out the veggies with a low fat dip,very delicious and my kids even loved eating this as a snack.
Look at at all the questions! Awesome! And a $25.00 gift card at stake? I see a lot more of us would love a free meal off and believe in this program than I thought! Questions are printed, suit cases are packed and we’ll be on our way today to find your answers. Please keep them coming! We’ll be logging on through out the trip so feel free to make suggestions and have your concerns/comments ready. Thank you guys and good luck! McMudda Kath
When planning for a new movie – say Shrek 4, how do they decide the quantity of each character to make? It always seems like the character my kids wants is sold out.
Has there ever been an exhibition/show of all the McHappy toys? If not is there a chance that a traveling exhibition/show could take place in the future?
why does the Happy Meal not come in a box anymore?
why does the Happy Meal not come in a box anymore?
When was the first Happy Meal offered?
How and when did the idea for a Happy Meal and toy come about?
I know alot of people collect happy meal toys…Any idea how many different ones have been made ? Also what is the most valuable one out there?
AWESOME questions everyone! We will be finding out soon!
What was the most popular Happy Meal since its inception?
Is there a book to list out all the collections of Happy meals toy? (cause I love collecting them myself!)
If a collection of happy meal toys is available in one country, would that collection be available in another country later???
Who design the happy meals toys?
Would it be possible to have age appropriate Happy meals for all ages? (1-99) The size is just right!
Where are the toys made? Can parents be assured that they are lead free?
Who tests the safety of the toys and what kind of safety tests are done?
for more info specifically about toy safety watch the video here on the site (Kids Favourites – Chicken McNuggets and Happy Meal Toys)
and check out our journals at http://www.mcdonaldsmoms.ca
my journal from last may
Toy Safety
I really had no idea what to expect on this tour… a place that tests toys?!
Firstly, I must admit that I have always been in awe of scientists and this place was full of them; I only understood half of what they said. But, rest assured they test everything: flammability, lead paint content, sharpness, breaking point, sound levels and on and on. This facility test toys, magazines, cribs, dolls clothing, strollers, etc. for McDonald’s and a multitude of other companies.
For McDonald’s, the facility tests Happy Meal toys and anything else that a child may treat (touch, eat, lick, chew on, etc) as a toy: hockey cards, magazines, rulers, glasses, PlayPlace equipment and so on. The testing process for McDonald’s starts as soon as designer gets an idea for a new toy, their initial artwork is sent to this lab before moving forward; each drawing is reviewed for standards, such as shapes that may be a choking hazard.
My favourite lab was the Raw Metals lab where an army of people were testing for lead paint. I watched a lady take a book of stickers, scrape all the stickers off into a test tube, that was then mixed with a solution (equivalent to saliva), simulated as if a child licked the stickers, then tested to see the level of lead in the paint used to make the stickers and the effects on a young child!
McDonald’s Global Toy Program also means that McDonald’s has the immense challenge of keeping abreast of every law in every city, state, province and country it is located in; and, ensuring every toy meets the endless and ever changing legislation and amendments.
And, although McDonald’s toys are most often produced in China, social responsibility is key. McDonald’s only accepts factories that treat its workers correctly. Factories receive regular independent audits, just like the beef and chicken plants!
These last visits make me confident that my choice to treat my kids to a Happy Meal once a week (sometimes twice) is good. Let’s review: the hamburger is probably safer that the one I can prepare myself or if you choose the Chicken McNuggets they are undeniably scrumptious, the apples slices are Ontario fresh apples dipped in vitamin C and calcium (to protect teeth enamel), a uber-safe toy and a donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada! I’m HAPPY!!!
Seeing as how McDonald’s toys can be highly collectable, what are some examples of the most coveted / highest price toys that a collector could add to their personal stash
My kids asking if Happy Meal toy will have Iron Man?
What percentage of Happy Meals cost are actually food vs the toy?
thats were the kids are now!!
I’ve often wondered how Happy Meal toys suddenly became so complex! When I was a child, it was a simple little figurine. My son’s Happy Meal toys are often battery-operated marvels that I would have paid a fortune for in the store as a child! 🙂
My grand daughter is allergic to milk. I would love to take her for a Happy Meal but don’t know which products contain milk, as some bread, cookies, etc do. Are there any milk products in Chicken Nuggets, Buns, or Cookies there?
What is the nutritional content of a Happy Meal?
what standards do they have to decide the safety of the toys for children, paints, plastics, size, pieces?
Seriously, in this day and age, with childhood obesity and diabetes being such a huge concern on a national level, why on earth would you have this forum? My family and I have not eaten at any McDonalds restaurant in about 8 years. And we are so much better off for it.
How do they ensure that the toy will be safe for the child to play with?
I am wondering if McD’s will have vegetarian options (such as a veggie burger).
With regards to the toys, i’d love to know how many different toys have been created and distributed since the inception of the happy meal and which one was most popular.
I know alot of kids are pretty picky eaters at times,and moms all around the world are trying to have our kids eat healthier.Will McDonalds be trying out new ideas for healthier McHappy Meals for kids,and what about familys that are vegetarians,will you have any McHappy meals for these type of kids ???
What was the first Happy Meal Toy? and in what year?
Does McDonalds ever donate any toys to kids in devastated areas like New Orleans or Haiti? I like the idea of a Happy Meal Toy recyle/donation bin.
I find alot of times my daughter gets tired of the toys after about a year and I really hate throwing them in the garbage. Any chance McDonalds would have a toy recycle bin in the future for Happy Meal Toys that have seen better days?
When a new toy is deployed is the same new toy deployed across North America?
If yes, how do they coordinate that to happen all at the same time?
If no, how do they stagger deployment (ie Canada vs the US or different provinces/states)?
Who is McDonald’s main supplier of toys? (i.e. Mattel?)
Will McDonalds have a Happy Meal for older children, like teenagers?
I think Happy Meals are only geared toward children under 9 years of age.
What does McDonalds do with left over toys both at their warehouses which hold them and at their stores?
Do they donate them, return them to the supplier or give them to employees?
How does McDonalds decide what toys to offer from one cycle to the next for both boys and girls?
How many toys are made per day? per year?
What is the difference in the calorie count comparing Happy Meal 2010 to the original Happy Meal?
How much percentage of sales from a happy meal goes to Ronald McDonald house?
Will Happy Meals ever come with educational give aways.
What portion of a Happy Meal’s profit goes to develop more nutritious options for our children?
Why do they keep changing the toys every week or two? If my children want a specific one that another kid has and the other kid has had it for a few weeks, you can’t get it anymore. For example, my children loved the Chipmunks 2 movie and wanted the singing chipmunk but we couldn’t get it anywhere.
My family loves ‘collecting’ the Happy Meal toys. Are there any plans to have more collectibles (similar to the Teenie Beanie Babies)?
Does McDonald’s make a Happy Meal for “McMoms” and “McDads” with a Happy Toy for them? That would be nice.
There have been many recent recalls of kids toys because of lead paint, small breakable parts and other problems, how does McDonalds ensure that the toys in the happy meals are safe for kids? Thanks
Will McDonald’s every have a “rewards program” for kids/parents who purchase Happy Meals when eating out with their familites? (Similar to the adult version of buy 10 coffees and the next one is one us?) Not that McDonald’s needs any incentive for kids to buy Happy Meals…just a thought. And can you recycle the Happy meal toys once my kids grow up and they need to be tossed;besides donating them to 2nd hand stores?
How many different Happy Meal Toys were made (in total) over all the years? And, are they worth anything, as far as collecting is concerned?
Who sponsors who?? Is Matel a McDonald’s sponsor, or is McDonalds a Matel sponsor? I have noticed when there isn’t a big promo going on the happy meals always go back to Barbie and Hot Wheels.
Who came up with idea of the Happy Meal Toy?and did they know it was going to be such a hit with the kids today?
How safe are te Happy Meal toys for our kids to play with?
Are we going to see any more “healthy” options in the future?
The ones we can order now are great but we need a few more sandwich choices!
love the questions… keep em comin… we need lots more!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are the most desired Happy Meal toys, also the highest grossing box office movies?
How much longer are the Happy Meal toys going to be made?
Which are more popular, the boy, or girl, Happy Meal toys?
What was the most popular Happy Meal toy of all time?