People have claimed this worked at their local fast food location
People are just realising there is an option to buy something that McDonald’s doesn’t normally advertise on the menu. It depends on your location, but the best thing to do is “just ask staff” if it is possible.
A spokesperson for the fast food chain confirmed: “Happy Meal toys can be purchased separately from a Happy Meal. Subject to availability and any Fair Ordering Policy in place for a specific themed Happy Meal. Please ask a crew member at the counter.”
The rule was mentioned in the McDonald’s FAQs, which are often asked about. The request to buy Happy Meal toys was made in March 2025, so the rules around it are very likely to remain similar in January 2026.
A Reddit user claimed that in locations that offer this little-known service, toys alone usually cost around £2. However, as McDonald’s bosses state, this is not a guaranteed offer at every location.
In the same forum, a staff member who claims to work at McDonald’s said: “There are two buttons for Happy Meal toys on the till, one for adding it as part of the meal and the other for buying it as a separate option. Most people will accidentally press the one for adding it to the meal, which gives them an error, so they’ll say you can’t have one separately. Of course, the managers could just say that toys aren’t allowed to be sold separately.”
Prices can vary across the country, but the average Happy Meal box costs around £3.79. So, using the £2, it can work out somewhat cheaper if all you are interested in is the latest toy on offer.
Right now, as of January 30, the UK Happy Meal is stocked with toys from a collaboration range between Hello Kitty and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There are 12 different toys in the collection, which feature Hello Kitty characters styled in signature Ninja Turtle outfits.
Grown-ups will soon have the chance to get some collectables of their own in February with the latest menu refresh. As well as new and returning items to try, the Friends promotion brings a mystery box alongside certain classic meals, which can contain one of six figurines of the iconic sitcom cast.
Launching on February 3, McDonald’s bosses have shown exactly what fans of the 90s sitcom can expect, as the iconic cast brings something special. Ross has his pet monkey, Marcel, whilst Rachel is serving coffee at Central Perk.
Meanwhile, Monica is in full chef mode – which is quite fitting given her new menu item – Monica’s Marinara Sauce. Fans will instantly recognise Phoebe’s guitar, whilst Chandler and Joey are paired up with their iconic apartment pets – the chick and duck.
Despite being called ‘adult Happy Meals’ online, these toys are unlikely to be available separately and sold on their own due to the expected popularity. Fans will likely have to take their chances when ordering the specific FRIENDS meals, which include either a Big Mac, nine Chicken McNuggets or a McPlant.
