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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Happy meal toys..

174 replies

ArrabellaAM · 13/05/2021 16:46

Right.. I know this might be a bit divisive but...

Anyone else think the new cardboard happy meal toys are absolute crap.
Like dont even bother wasting the cardboard cause it probably won't even make its way to the recycling bin level crap.

I know they've always been a bit naff but at least they were played with.

I know they are reducing single use plastics and all the eco friendly rationale.
I also know I'll be sent straight to hell for letting my child ingest a happy meal.

OP posts:
NavaniKholinRocks · 13/05/2021 20:57

I think they’re doing a good thing and that actually the toys are pretty good. My 5yo DD has never seen SpongeBob and she absolutely loved building the cardboard scene and characters and played with them for days. They’re currently in her toy box and when she loses all interest/they wear out, we can stick them in with the recycling unlike all the plastic tat she amasses. So a win in my book.

ElderMillennial · 13/05/2021 21:03

I've only seen the top trumps and I books

I think a book is a good idea

SixDegrees · 13/05/2021 21:14

We found that the plastic toys were, for the most part, played with for the duration of the meal, and then completely ignored by the DC.

The cardboard ones may not be as exciting, but at least they can be chucked in the recycling once kids have finished with them.

Keepitonthedownlow · 13/05/2021 21:16

To be honest my DD only wants a happy meal because it comes in a child appealing themed cardboard box. The toy is not the main focus.

doubleshotespresso · 13/05/2021 21:18

Agree 100%. Cardboard absolute pile of shite, poor excuse for a toy.
Also bring back proper straws

PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat · 13/05/2021 21:24

@Ilovemaisie

I will be annoyed if they stop doing the mini beanie boo toys. I have a vast collection of those. I also wish they would hurry up bringing the fish finger happy meals back. Yes that's right.... I like Beanie Boos, fish fingers and maccyds in general. If there was a Mumsnet snooty test I will have just failed it Grin
They have been back for a while. DD had one in the Easter holidays.
BlueLovingGirl · 13/05/2021 21:29

YANBU DD used to go after hospital or physio appointments as a reward, it was always about the toy (and the thick chocolate milkshake) she's not bothered to ask to go after recent appointments.

We still have a scooby doo, a minion, a Mr Potato Head and a teen titan character living in the dolls house from one of her last trips, played with most days so I am mightly annoyed about them getting rid of the plastic toys.

NCtitleofyoursextape · 13/05/2021 21:34

@mogsrus

You go for the food not the gift
Are you for real???

Yea OP completely agree

WiddlinDiddlin · 13/05/2021 21:37

@SilkyMoonfaceandTheSaucepanMan

Where is the cereal with toys in still? Why is no one answering those who have asked? I need to know!
In America, maybe.

Last seen in some limited General Mills products circa 2015 as far as the internet can tell me.

Between advertising laws in the EU/UK stopping manufacturers luring kids in quite so hard, and the risks of toys breaking down and kids choking on them, and the shift to internet based money off/codes/collect ten codes get some crap item... the toy in the cereal box is DEAD i tell you.

I liked the little clip together submarines you filled with bicarb and vinegar and sent them round the bath.

Ilovemaisie · 13/05/2021 21:38

I am glad to hear fish fingers are back. They don't seem to have them at my regular branch yet (Victoria Station) but I shall do some research....

Tianatiers · 13/05/2021 21:40

So agree, I think a little book would be better than the rubbish cardboard toys. I liked it when they did they little cuddly ty toys.

buckeejit · 13/05/2021 21:41

I'm glad they've stopped the plastic. It's an insane amount of waste. I emailed them about it years ago. Yes several of the wee plastic toys were quite good but not worth the carbon footprint.

There should be a middle ground of something half decent in paper/card though.

Ilovemaisie · 13/05/2021 21:43

Why are people saying they throw the books in the bin? Why not save them and donate them to a charity shop or your local primary school. I had some on one of the book stalls I ran at the primary school xmas fayre. I think I sold them for 5 or 10p each. I remember some mini Roald Dahl books being quite popular.

Mammyloveswine · 13/05/2021 21:44

Ffs cardboard toys?? Happy meals are extortionate these days anyway!!!

PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat · 13/05/2021 21:45

@Tianatiers

So agree, I think a little book would be better than the rubbish cardboard toys. I liked it when they did they little cuddly ty toys.
You can have a book. You get a choice between book and toy.
Tianatiers · 13/05/2021 21:47

Oooh I didn't know that, I'll pick a book next time!

mogsrus · 13/05/2021 21:51

Everything is extortionate in the place,glad I don't visit them

schoolsearchings · 13/05/2021 21:52

We haven't had a maccy ds in years. I was really excited about the toy for my little one. MASSIVE disappointment.

SnackSizeRaisin · 13/05/2021 21:54

When I was young it used to be stationery - pencils, rubbers, pencil sharpeners etc with Ronald McDonald on. My parents still have a few of them. Surely they can think of useful items to include in the meals?

PegPeople · 13/05/2021 22:03

@mogsrus

Everything is extortionate in the place,glad I don't visit them
Are you referring to Mcdonalds? If you don't visit how on earth do you know it's 'extortionate'?

Honestly you'd think by 2021 some posters would have got bored of hurling unnecessary insults at McDonald's in an attempt to appear better than everyone else. Hmm

Bul21ia · 13/05/2021 22:06

@mogsrus

You go for the food not the gift
You might but the kids don’t.. kids like the toys.
EvilPea · 13/05/2021 22:07

The toys were the only ones that wouldn’t break and survive YEARS of being played with....... which is probably why they are so terrible for the environment.
I have a feeling they will get their act together and the cardboard is just a temporary thing.

Mrbob · 13/05/2021 22:08

It’s your children’s planet that is burning and it won’t really affect you as much. So yeah fuck them. It’s worth it for 2 minutes of excitement about a toy and they will definitely be grateful to you when they are climate refugees.
If you don’t like paper straws then bring your own reusable one.

Ilikecheeseontoast · 13/05/2021 22:08

You can ask for fruit instead of a toy (although I don't think my children would be happy if they heard that!)

PegPeople · 13/05/2021 22:12

It’s your children’s planet that is burning and it won’t really affect you as much. So yeah fuck them.

Which would be a very valid point if it was only McDonald's toys causing the mountains of plastic pollution. In reality McDonald's toys are a mere needle in the haystack of plastic waste. Whilst it's a good step to be thinking of more environmentally friendly accompaniments to go alongside a happy meal, in the grand scheme of 'planet burning' it's naive to think it's going to make fuck all difference.

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