Which McDonald’s Toys Are Valuable? Rare Collectibles to Look For

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I’m loving it (and by "it," we mean how valuable these toys are!)
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Happy Meals were a staple of childhood. You likely remember your favorite Happy Meal toys, or maybe there was one you begged your parents to go to McDonald’s specifically for. Well, did you know that those toys from your childhood may be worth a hefty penny now? Many McDonald’s toys from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s are considered vintage and valuable today. We scoured the internet to tell you which ones are the most expensive and rarest. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or a collector, you’re sure to learn something new!

The Rarest Happy Meal Toys

  • The Dukes of Hazzard Car (1982): $100-$400
  • Hot Wheels Collection (1983): $10-$700
  • Power Rangers (1995): $20-$50
  • Snoopy 50th Birthday Collection (2000): $10-$100
  • Underwater Monsters by Diener Keshi (1979): $15-$20
Section 1 of 4:

The Most Valuable Happy Meal Toys

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  1. 1
    The Dukes of Hazzard Car Released in 1982, this Happy Meal promo paid homage to the popular ‘80s TV show The Dukes of Hazzard . The toy was the Happy Meal box itself, delivering food in a plastic car-shaped box. The meal came with themed car stickers to decorate the box. A full set of this iconic Happy Meal is one of the rarest finds for a collectible. [1]
    • Price: $100 to $400
  2. 2
    Hot Wheels Collection In 1983, McDonald’s partnered with Hot Wheels to create exclusive lines of toy cars. The East and West Coasts each had their own lines with different cars and designs. So, if you wanted to collect them all, you had to go on quite a road trip! These cars are a hot commodity amongst collectors as finding a complete set is incredibly rare. [2]
    • Price: $10 to $700
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  3. 3
    TY Teenie Beanie Boos McDonald’s hopped onto the Beanie Baby trend of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. These small plush Happy Meal toys were marketed as collectible and featured a wide range of characters. Each Beanie Boo came with a Beanie Baby tag, personality, and name. Individual Boos may not sell for very much, but an entire collection could be worth a hefty buck. [3]
    • Price: $20 to $400
    • McDonald’s has since released other collections of the original ‘90s and ‘00s Beanie Boos that feature new plushies and designs.
  4. 4
    Changeables In 1987, 1989, and 1990, McDonald’s released one of the most iconic toys to date. Changeables took the world by storm! These tiny figurines were like Transformers: able to transform from one thing to another. The series took iconic McDonald’s menu items and transformed them into robots or dinosaurs. [4]
    • Price: $20 to $100

    There are six types of McDonald’s collectibles: cups, plates, boo buckets, plushies, games, and Happy Meal boxes.

  5. 5
    Muppet Kids The Muppets were (and still are) a huge hit, and McDonald’s latched on. In 1989, Happy Meals were given with a toy that featured a “Muppet Kid.” You could get kid Miss Piggy, Kermit, Fozzie, or Gonzo on an adorable working tricycle. [5]
    • Price: $50 to $100
  6. 6
    Power Rangers The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers were a huge hit in the ‘90s, and McDonald’s kept the trend going! In 1995, McDonald’s released a range of Power Ranger figurines with matching movable vehicles. [6] Individual toys aren’t worth too much, but a full set could earn you a decent buck. [7]
    • Price: $20 to $50
  7. 7
    Snoopy Figurines In 2000, McDonald’s released Snoopy Happy Meal toys to celebrate and promote Snoopy’s 50th birthday. The toys featured plastic figurines of Snoopy wearing different outfits, with one figurine showing him as a chef and another as an artist. Individual figurines are less expensive, while a whole mint-condition set could be worth some dough. [8]
    • Price: $10 to $100
  8. 8
    Fraggle Rock Characters Based on the popular ‘80s cartoon Fraggle Rock , these car toys from 1988 were all the rage. There were four toys to collect from the set, with four different characters sitting in veggie-inspired cars. While not the most expensive item in a collection, they’re certainly a throwback! [9]
    • Price: $10 to $30
  9. 9
    The McNugget Buddies With the release of McNuggets in 1983 came the Happy Meal toy McNugget Buddies. These toys were plastered all over ads promoting the new menu item. Each Buddy had its own personality and name, personifying the McNuggets with (arguably creepy) faces, job titles, and accessories.
    • Price: $5 to $30
    • Golden McNugget is the rarest and most valuable McNugget Buddy.
  10. 10
    Underwater Monsters by Diener Keshi One of the earliest Happy Meal toys ever made, it’s no surprise that these are exceptionally rare! The Underwater Monsters series by Diener Keshi was released in 1979. These figurines were small, one-color-toned, and mold-based. While they’re not super exciting to look at and won’t earn you a big wad of cash, they’re a special part of McDonald’s history. [10]
    • Price: $15 to $20
  11. 11
    Furbies In 1998, McDonald’s released a small, plastic version of the ‘90s popular Furby. The toys came in a range of colors and personalities. While the toys didn’t have the same technological functions as a regular Furby, they were super cute and a popular decor item for kids and adults. [11]
    • Price: $10 to $20
  12. 12
    101 Dalmatians In 1996, McDonald’s released a line of 101 Dalmatian- themed toy figurines. Each figurine featured a different puppy doing something adorably hilarious. While the cartoon movie came out in 1961, the toy release sparked a new interest in the franchise. [12]
    • Price: $10 to $20
    • The Collector’s Happy Meal Complete Box Set features all the figurines and values from $50 to $200.
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Section 2 of 4:

What makes a McDonald’s toy valuable?

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  1. Valuable McDonald’s toys are in great condition and exclusive. There are a few factors that go into the value and price of a vintage McDonald’s toy. But overall, it all comes down to the toy’s condition and year of release. Here’s a quick breakdown of what collectors look for in a valuable McDonald’s toy:
    • Condition: A valuable vintage toy is in perfect or near-mint condition. Toys still in their original packaging are typically more valuable than those unboxed or damaged.
    • Release year: McDonald’s has been featuring toys in Happy Meals since 1979, so the older the toy, the better. [13] Older toys have a greater value because they’re likely exclusive as they’re design and production have been discontinued.
    • Known characters and brands: Happy Meal toys often coincide with movie releases or popular trends of the time. Toys that feature pop culture or era-specific trends tend to be more valuable.
    • Rarity: Not all McDonald’s toys are made the same, and believe it or not, cheaply-made toys tend to be more valuable. This is because these toys are often thrown away, making those that still exist even rarer.
    • Sets vs. individual toys: Full sets of McDonald’s toys are more valuable than a single toy. A complete mint-condition set is harder to come by, and most collectors look for a full collection rather than an individual piece.
Section 3 of 4:

Do McDonald’s toys increase in value?

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  1. Yes, many McDonald’s toys increase in value over time. The more time that passes since a Happy Meal toy’s release, the more valuable it might be. Older McDonald’s toys are a hot commodity amongst collectors, especially if the toy is in near-mint condition, has the original packaging, and/or features popular characters.
    • A toy getting older, however, doesn’t guarantee it will increase in value. If you have an old Happy Meal toy lying around, get it appraised to see how much it’s technically worth. [14]
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Section 4 of 4:

Where can you buy and sell old McDonald’s toys?

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  1. 1
    Online marketplaces eBay and Facebook Marketplace are the best places to buy and sell old McDonald’s toys. There are thousands of listings on these sites that change daily. Plus, if you have a toy to sell, you can check out prices and aim to sell your toy at a comparable price. [15]
  2. 2
    Pawn or antique shops While not as popular a place to sell old McDonald’s toys, pawn and antique shops are a great place to buy old toys. After all, you never know what you’ll find walking through a vintage market or shop! So, if you’re in the market to start or expand a vintage toy collection, check out local pawn and antique shops in your area. [16]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.workandmoney.com/s/valuable-mcdonalds-toys-d8c3ba22786b4750
      2. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      3. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      4. ↑ https://www.workandmoney.com/s/valuable-mcdonalds-toys-d8c3ba22786b4750
      5. ↑ https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Muppet_Kids_Happy_Meal_toys
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/bsnyTA-0hfk?t=17
      7. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      8. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      9. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      1. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      2. ↑ https://www.workandmoney.com/s/valuable-mcdonalds-toys-d8c3ba22786b4750
      3. ↑ https://www.workandmoney.com/s/valuable-mcdonalds-toys-d8c3ba22786b4750
      4. ↑ https://247wallst.com/special-report/2025/06/18/the-price-of-a-happy-meal-over-the-years/
      5. ↑ https://www.americasantiquemall.com/post/how-to-find-store-and-value-the-collectible-toys-from-your-childhood
      6. ↑ https://collectinsure.com/2023/05/09/discover-the-hidden-treasures-of-mcdonalds-toys-worth-money/
      7. ↑ https://www.americasantiquemall.com/post/how-to-find-store-and-value-the-collectible-toys-from-your-childhood

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