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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:
Saltyslug · 05/07/2021 08:25

It’s a bit strange getting a toy with a meal

Muddydoor · 05/07/2021 08:26

What is the difference between Mc and Mac, anyway

finallyfoundout · 05/07/2021 08:28

@Muddydoor

What is the difference between Mc and Mac, anyway

Nothing.

81Byerley · 05/07/2021 08:30

@emilyfrost

Its McDonalds. There is no “a” in it.

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

Hippies who want to save our planet from more unnecessary plastic waste? But @Radio4ordie you have my sympathy, nevertheless!
TheGumption · 05/07/2021 08:32

I wish they'd just scrap it. There's no need for a toy or poor quality book. It all goes straight in the bin with our empty wrappers.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/07/2021 08:32

Nothing except the correct spelling of one of the best known brands on the planet. There's probably no literate person alive who does not know how McDonalds is actually spelt.

You wouldn't write Tresco, Berger King or Amuzon, so why do so many people misspell McDonalds?

Original poster
Radio4ordie · 05/07/2021 08:37

@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

No, just spelt it wrong Wink

I only pointed out I went infrequently to avoid the brood of vipers who will tell me “what do I expect if I poison my child”, should have known there would also be a reverse crime of being seen to go less often. Like most things as a woman (and especially a woman with children) there are few ‘just right’ gaps. We could go into the whole “overly made up” vs “looks a tramp” or “neglectful” vs “performance parenting”.

But I shall get firmly off my (increasingly strident) feminist high horse and scoff some unhealthy hot chocolate and brioche before 9am whilst DH takes the kids to school and I ready myself for work.
So long fellow mumsnetters. May the odds he ever in your favour.

OP posts:
AmyandPhilipfan · 05/07/2021 08:39

They are truly shit. I totally understand why they’ve done it but I honestly wish they’d just stop the toys altogether. My daughter used to play with the plastic ones in the bath for weeks. Now they go in the recycling as soon as the meal is over.

Lalliella · 05/07/2021 08:40

@BarbaraofSeville

Nothing except the correct spelling of one of the best known brands on the planet. There's probably no literate person alive who does not know how McDonalds is actually spelt.

You wouldn't write Tresco, Berger King or Amuzon, so why do so many people misspell McDonalds?

Because they don’t give a shit how it’s spelt? Because it’s a shit place! Happy meal my arse! The kids won’t be so happy when they’re obese with heart problems will they?

OP do your kids not have other toys they could play with?

EveningOverRooftops · 05/07/2021 08:43

It wasn’t the hippies that got involved to get them to change.

It was kids, parents and average people like me who didn’t see the need for plastic toys that inevitably ended up in the bin/charity before the bin.

If you want change get up and start sending suggestions to McDonald’s for good, environmentally friendly options they could include or have printed on the side if the box.

Simple dominos could be the paper toy they do. Or snap cards. Top trumps. Could even turn the box into a concertina book. Simple board games with foldable dice or tic tac toe, noughts and crosses etc (I work in design so can see these possibilities being worked into their simple card boxes)

Obviously the lack if toys has also increase the profit on a happy meal now so I can’t realistically see McDonald’s switching back to books or similar.

However, I think it would be a very very good move to switch back to books in happy meals. I read stats that the average kid didn’t have very many books so getting more into their hands in a variety of ways is also a good thing. (Let’s not shame parents who will buy a happy meal but not a book, it’s a complex issue)?

Greenrubber · 05/07/2021 08:44

Don't buy a happy meal then! Why can't the child just have whatever it is your getting them?
They don't need a toy with a meal do they?
Just because something is free we don't have to take it

finallyfoundout · 05/07/2021 08:47

@BarbaraofSeville

Nothing except the correct spelling of one of the best known brands on the planet. There's probably no literate person alive who does not know how McDonalds is actually spelt.

You wouldn't write Tresco, Berger King or Amuzon, so why do so many people misspell McDonalds?

People do write 'Tesco's' though and 'Asda's'

TheWagesOfSin · 05/07/2021 08:52

Agree with you op. They're shit.

Someone upthread suggested stickers. I can't see the priggish cloth kit families with unbrushed hair who visited this crap upon us being happy with stickers though unless they're made of fucking hemp or something.

Figgygal · 05/07/2021 08:56

I have a box full of old McDonald’s toys not that we go there very often they were always very well used in our house having said that I do agree with what they’re doing.

Was in a massive rush on Friday so took one of the children after their swimming lessons it’s got to have been over two years since I’ve been in McDonald’s and it just reminded me why I don’t my god the fries are just salty crap

3Britnee · 05/07/2021 08:57

@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

Yep. I always roll my eyes at the patheticness of it.

You can request no toy, too.

Figgygal · 05/07/2021 08:58

Oh and we chose the book and it was a Despicable Me three book wasn’t even relevant to the minions movie that they’re supposed to be promoting obviously just ancient old stock they’re trying to get rid of

WorraLiberty · 05/07/2021 08:59

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.

Honestly, you're an adult. You don't have to explain or justify your Maccies consumption to Mumsnet 🤷‍♀️

Pearl clutchers gonna clutch, regardless. You awful parent you! 😂😂

VienneseWhirligig · 05/07/2021 08:59

They have finished the pokemon stock now and are starting to distribute the new minions bits.

Woeismethischristmas · 05/07/2021 09:01

McDonald’s food is rubbish. The only reason kids want to go is because of the toys. Take away the toys and it’s pizza/ chippie/ pretty much anywhere else to eat.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/07/2021 09:03

@Woeismethischristmas

McDonald’s food is rubbish. The only reason kids want to go is because of the toys. Take away the toys and it’s pizza/ chippie/ pretty much anywhere else to eat.
If that was true, they wouldn't be busier than ever right now, it seems permanently rammed.

Last couple of times I've wanted to go there, I've seen the massive queues and not bothered.

JillsFlapjacks · 05/07/2021 09:13

@Woeismethischristmas

McDonald’s food is rubbish. The only reason kids want to go is because of the toys. Take away the toys and it’s pizza/ chippie/ pretty much anywhere else to eat.
Not true here, I'm really not a huge fan of McDonald's, and thought we'd never go once both kids were past the Happy Meal stage. They both still really like it 🤷‍♀️
AliceMcK · 05/07/2021 09:14

My DCs and I all miss the old toys. I think it’s crap when people say they only got played with over the meal. We have a bunch of McDonald’s toys which have been played with for years. I will agree a few were crap but the majority weren’t. I do not see them as single use plastic at all, yes the bags were but they don’t need to be in plastic bags. The books are ok occasionally, same with the top trump card but my DCs want happy meals for the toys and to collect them.

They have done some nice soft toys in the past, I’d prefer those over the crappy paper ones. We had McDonald’s on Friday on a road trip, the paper toys ended up all over the back of the car, not made up and squashed to buggery after being dropped and stood on, at least with the plastic toys they could be picked up and carried on playing with. Instead I s pulling loads of cardboard out of the car and putting straight into the bin as soon as we got home.

ineedanewbum · 05/07/2021 09:15

McDonald's food is horrible anyway. Just horrible. Doesn't taste or look good. I've taken my kids a couple of times. We don't have one near us so it's a bit of a trek and I just can't see the attraction. They love it. I get a coffee which I must say is one of the nicest coffees around so there's that. I have also asked for the book and not gotten it. It would be as well off with no toy at all rather then the cardboard things we got last time😂

Gavellar · 05/07/2021 09:15

The caveat about not going very often was longer than the post Grin

Gavellar · 05/07/2021 09:17

@TheWagesOfSin

Agree with you op. They're shit.

Someone upthread suggested stickers. I can't see the priggish cloth kit families with unbrushed hair who visited this crap upon us being happy with stickers though unless they're made of fucking hemp or something.

Please post more, you really made me giggle. I had forgotten about Clothkits, I had some horrendous clothes as a kid!