From the time McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal in 1979, children have had the pleasure of enjoying a meal alongside a special prize—exclusive toys inspired by popular trends. This was particularly true when the company included a McDonald’s branded 110-film camera in their Happy Meal lineup. Kodak’s innovative 110 film, known for its compact and user-friendly design, made photography easier and more enjoyable for amateur photographers. The camera was portable enough to fit in a purse or pocket, ready for point-and-shoot moments. While digital cameras have largely replaced 110 film today, enthusiasts of the format continue to use it.
Those who preserved their McDonald’s cameras stand to gain financially today—particularly if they avoided using them for snapping pictures of friends and vacations, opting instead to retain their Happy Meal treasure in its original packaging. In 2024, an eBay seller listed a McDonald’s 110 film camera in its original packaging for $2,225.
Prices can vary for McDonald’s toys
Not all McDonald’s toys fetch prices exceeding $2,000. When sifting through a collection of old toys to determine which might hold substantial value, it’s crucial to recognize the extensive range of listing prices. For instance, a 2001 McBlast Sports Bowling toy was listed at $129.99 on eBay in June 2025. This item was part of a four-piece Blast interactive sports set, which also included golfing, soccer, and basketball games. A basketball toy from this series, featuring Ronald McDonald, was listed on eBay for $149.90 as of June 2025.
Listing prices are merely asking prices and not expert appraisals. For instance, an eBay listing for a set of four Cactus Plant Flea Market Happy Meal toys for adults was priced at $300,000 in June 2025. However, whether a collector would pay such a sum is debatable. Hence, it’s wise to proceed with caution, ensuring excitement doesn’t cloud judgment when making an offer or listing a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy.
Plastic Happy Meals toys may become more valuable
While scarcity alone doesn’t ensure a toy’s value (condition and appeal also factor in), generally, rarer collectibles tend to be more valuable. This includes McDonald’s toys. With the company’s commitment to reducing virgin plastic usage by 90% by 2025 as part of their broader sustainability initiative, plastic Happy Meal toys could become more sought after than ever—potentially fetching higher prices.
It might be time to rummage through attics, garages, and old toy boxes for McDonald’s toys that could be valuable today. These might include McNugget Buddies with a variety of whimsical, interchangeable costumes, or prized Happy Meal toys like Changeables (toys that transform into McDonald’s menu items). Additionally, watch for McDonaldland characters (such as Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese), and even Boo Buckets (used for collecting Halloween candy).
