🍟 Happy Meal Flashback: Girls’ Toy or Boys’ Toy? 🍟

When a trip to McDonald’s came with a side of playground politics.

For anyone who grew up in the 90s/00s, a McDonald’s run wasn’t just about nuggets or fries — it was about the Happy Meal toy.

🎁 “Girls’ Toy or Boys’ Toy?”

If you remember it like I do, you’ll remember the question at the counter:

“Do you want the girls’ toy or the boys’ toy?”

• “Girls’ toys” tended to be dolls, sparkly bits, pink accessories.
• “Boys’ toys” leaned cars, action figures, blue everything.
• And if you wanted the “other” one, you had to ask — a big deal when you were seven.

💫 Why It Sticks

It wasn’t just the toy — it was that moment of choice. Comparing at the table, swapping with siblings, negotiating trades in the back seat. Tiny lessons in confidence and “get what you actually want.”

🛒 How It Changed

These days, the ask is more about choosing a theme rather than a toy “for boys” or “for girls” — which makes sense, because toys are for everyone. But the memory of being asked boy or girl? is etched into 90s/00s kid brains forever.

Memory check: Which Happy Meal toy did you pick most — and did you ever do a swap to get the one you really wanted?

#ADN #Nostalgia #HappyMeal #McDonalds #90s #00s