McDonald’s Makes History With First-Of-Its-Kind Happy Meal
- McDonald's is launching a limited-edition Happy Meal box in the UK and Ireland that is blank for kids to draw on as a way to encourage conversations about emotions and mental health.
McDonald's is giving its iconic Happy Meal a major makeover and for a really good cause.
On Thursday, the international burger joint announced that it as part of its ongoing charitable partnership with BBC Children, it would be redesigning the packaging its children's meals are served in to better suit kids–but not in the way you may think.
According to research commissioned by McDonald's, over 40 percent of children aged four to 10 admit to having a hard time discussing their feelings with an adult, and nearly 73 percent of them believe it's easier to discuss emotions when drawing. Similalry, parents suggested it was easier to talk to their kids about their emotions while they were preoccupied with some creative activity, leading to strong bonds between the child and caregiver.
In light of all that, and as part of a mental health awareness campaign with singer Kimberley Walsh, McDonald's is now giving kids a canvas to let it all out (and, in turn, an opportunity to communicate with a trusted adult) and it's going to be a hard one to miss.
McDonald's Launches Blank Happy Meal Box for the First Time Ever
After removing the smiley face from the packagaing as a "conversation starter" last year, McDonald's is moving on to stripping the color, branding and design from its Happy Meal boxes for a limited time, to offer crisp, blank sheets that kids can draw on.
The limited-edition Happy Meal boxes, which the company dubbed its "draw how you feel meal," will still featuring the golden "M" arch handle and some branding, including a prompt on one side of the box which reminds kids that "it's okay to not feel happy all the time" and then asks them to "draw how they feel today."
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McDonald's launches blank, 'draw how you feel' happy meal boxes overseas for a limited time.
From what Parade is told, this is the first time McDonald's has launched blank Happy Meal Boxes like this and they're only available in the United Kingdom and Ireland, at least currently (although, we did just get the McRib back , so you win some, you lose some).
"Our partnership with BBC Children in Need has helped McDonald's to play a vital role in
supporting young people across the UK and Ireland," Ben Fox, senior vice president, chief marketing officer at McDonald's UK & Ireland, shared in a statement. "By launching nearly four million limited-edition Happy Meal® boxes we are able to reach families in-restaurant and at home through McDelivery®, as we provide them with the tools to get creative and encourage conversations that support children's wellbeing."
While there aren't any definitive plans to expand to the U.S. just yet, an announcement in the future wouldn't be a total surprise. But until any such news is released, customers in the U.S. can expect to be greeted with the iconic red and gold Happy Meal box that's been served by the brand for generations.
Customers in the United Kingdom and Ireland can find the of special boxes (along with crayons) at participating McDonald's locations now through Tuesday, Nov. 18, according to the release.
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This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
