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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate the new Macdonalds DIY toys

91 replies

Radio4ordie · 05/07/2021 07:32

We have macdonalds infrequently and it’s almost always because we are very late from some special visit (e.g visiting a long distance grandparent), we’re unwell or we have a deadline at work and had to work late. In other words the need for something speedy outweighs the normal healthy eating.

They now have these cardboard toys that definitely require a grown up level (or certainly neurotypical 7plus) level of fine motor control to put together AND fall apart every few minutes so constantly need ‘fixing’.

I know I’m a terrible person because this is so much better for the planet than plastic toys and you’ll all tell me we shouldnt ever go to macdonalds anyway but does anyone else mourn the days of simple macdonalds toys your kids could just play with whilst you nurse a migraine on the sofa?

OP posts:
Leftphalange · 05/07/2021 07:34

Mine got a book once, loved that idea!

emilyfrost · 05/07/2021 07:38

Its McDonalds. There is no “a” in it.

But YANBU. You can thank the hippies for their constant whinging about toys.

Slayduggee · 05/07/2021 07:38

My DD does love the books and and the plastic toys.

The cardboard ones are rubbish. I have to help DD put them together and then they break every 5 seconds so now I’m trying to eat my McDonald’s to constant screams of ‘mummy, mummy, fix it’

AndWhat · 05/07/2021 07:38

I’m fed up of asking for a book and not get one so end up with the cardboard toy, every bloody time!!

WhenwillSleephappen · 05/07/2021 07:39

Yes! They are annoying and a total waste of time for little ones. We chose a book once, but again it was way too advanced for our children / small to really share easily as a bed time story.

Original poster
Radio4ordie · 05/07/2021 07:39

@emilyfrost

Its McDonalds. There is no “a” in it.

But YANBU. You can thank the hippies for their constant whinging about toys.

My phone is clearly Scottish
OP posts:
Pottedpalm · 05/07/2021 07:39

Better than the plastic crap they used to give, I suppose. Mine were only interested in them for a few minutes anyway.

emilyfrost · 05/07/2021 07:39

@Leftphalange

Mine got a book once, loved that idea!
Until these new DIY toys a book was offered alongside every (plastic) toy McDonalds did for a very long time.
Kitchendilemmas · 05/07/2021 07:41

It's McDonald's in Scotland too, funnily enough...

SushiGo · 05/07/2021 07:41

You can have a book instead.

I prefer them! The plastic toys never got played with after the meal. since the change we've had card toys that can be recycled when done and a soft toy that is actually still appreciated weeks later.

Original poster
Radio4ordie · 05/07/2021 07:42

@AndWhat

I’m fed up of asking for a book and not get one so end up with the cardboard toy, every bloody time!!
Yep! I’ve tried asking for a book but don’t think they actually stock them in our local branch.
OP posts:
FayeFayeFayeFayeFaye · 05/07/2021 07:42

I’ve just thrown one away! Asked for the book as well.. 🙄

I liked the top trumps cards they did recently.

Original poster
Radio4ordie · 05/07/2021 07:43

@Slayduggee

My DD does love the books and and the plastic toys.

The cardboard ones are rubbish. I have to help DD put them together and then they break every 5 seconds so now I’m trying to eat my McDonald’s to constant screams of ‘mummy, mummy, fix it’

Were you in my kitchen last night?
OP posts:
Leftphalange · 05/07/2021 07:43

Until these new DIY toys a book was offered alongside every (plastic) toy McDonalds did for a very long time

I didn't realise that, we don't go often but were never given the option at our local one, always just given the toy.

Pinchoftums · 05/07/2021 07:45

Not sure why a child needs a toy to eat a burger. They should just scrap it all.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/07/2021 07:45

Well if you only go there in such desperate circumstances when there's literally no other way you could eat, what does it matter?

I don't think that McDonalds is the only source of toys for any child, so surely your DC could find something else to play with while you 'nurse a migraine on the sofa'?

emilyfrost · 05/07/2021 07:46

I didn't realise that, we don't go often but were never given the option at our local one, always just given the toy.

@Leftphalange You had the option to choose at the kiosks. At the till they don’t ask because 99% of people want a toy and it’s yet another question. But you could always ask for it.

You might not get it though Grin I think because so few people request books the staff don’t properly look at the receipt and just put a toy in every box.

ItsSnowJokes · 05/07/2021 07:47

The toys of the 80s and 90s were the best. We still have some that the children play with for hours. And they used to give cups or glasses out as well instead of a toy. Much more useful.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/07/2021 07:47

Plus if dealing with the toy is such a hassle for you, you could always just buy the food separately, although bizarrely, I think it's more expensive that way.

I often get a Happy Meal when I want a small meal as it's cheaper than buying the items separately.

Original poster
Radio4ordie · 05/07/2021 07:48

@BarbaraofSeville

Well if you only go there in such desperate circumstances when there's literally no other way you could eat, what does it matter?

I don't think that McDonalds is the only source of toys for any child, so surely your DC could find something else to play with while you 'nurse a migraine on the sofa'?

They absolutely could….. but they are fixated on making (and remaking) the cardboard toy. I’m clearly not alone in this struggle. Since it’s too early for gin and we all need to go on the school/nursery run soon, I’ll send my fellow sufferers some hot chocolate in solidarity Brew
OP posts:
Thirstquenching · 05/07/2021 07:57

Recycle it then no big deal really.

I find the people that spell it Macdonaldsare trying to prove that they go there so infrequently they wouldn't possibly know how it's spelt Hmm

stampo · 05/07/2021 07:58

They should just stop offering a toy of any kind. Make it just about food. I know the kids will be annoyed/upset/disappointed the first two or three times but then they'll get over it and getting a crappy toy in a happy meal will be a distant memory. Or give stickers, kids love stickers.

LubaLuca · 05/07/2021 07:58

I remember my children getting in a Happy Meal some decent reusable cups which were great, I think they were Wall-E or something.

The cardboard things do sound like a faff, but if they keep children amused and interested for a few minutes then they're good enough.

LubaLuca · 05/07/2021 08:02

@Thirstquenching

Recycle it then no big deal really.

I find the people that spell it Macdonaldsare trying to prove that they go there so infrequently they wouldn't possibly know how it's spelt Hmm

I think that's a fair observation! My mum deliberately mispronounces things she wants to distance herself from, even brand names that are burned into every person living in the developed world's brain Hmm. She's a MacDonalds person, of course.
MrMeSeeks · 05/07/2021 08:18

Yanbu. Part of the joy of the happy meal is the toy! It’s shit now, won’t bother

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