McDonald’s has been a staple since 1940, but the iconic Happy Meals didn’t make their debut until the late 1970s. After seeing the success of Burger Chef, their competitor at the time, who used toys to attract families, McDonald’s advertising executive Bob Bernstein decided it was time to create something similar. “We were losing our connection with kids,” Bernstein said in a recent CNN interview. “We wanted to show that we were kid-friendly and family-oriented.”

Bernstein drew inspiration from his son, who was always captivated by the back of cereal boxes during breakfast. This led to the creation of the first Happy Meal box in 1977, complete with a burger, fries, cookies, soda, and a small toy. The box was also filled with comics, puzzles, and games, as Bernstein noticed that kids enjoyed having something to do while eating.

Initially, Happy Meals were only available in certain locations like Kansas City, Denver, and Phoenix, as other major markets were hesitant to embrace the concept. However, by 1979, the Happy Meal had become a national phenomenon, with the popularity of the toys soaring.

Decades later, McDonald’s is known for its kid-friendly image, with the famous toys from Happy Meals becoming cherished memories for many. Some of these toys hold significant value today, and below are some of the most sought-after ones.

1. McDonaldland ’70s Plush Toys

Before the nationwide launch of the Happy Meal in 1979, McDonald’s had already introduced toys based on their fictional characters from the ’70s commercials. Characters like Hamburgler, Officer Big Mac, and Mayor McCheese lived in a make-believe world created by McDonald’s. These toys, particularly the rubber Mayor McCheese, have gained value over the years, with some selling for as much as $330 on eBay. Sets of plush toys featuring Mayor McCheese and Officer Big Mac have also fetched prices as high as $225, making them sought-after collectibles.

2. Dukes of Hazzard Cars

During the late 1970s to mid-1980s, the TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard” was a massive hit, and McDonald’s took advantage of its popularity by including toy cars from the show in their Happy Meals. Kids could customize the General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger replica, with stickers, including a controversial Confederate flag sticker. Today, these toys are considered valuable collectibles, with full sets selling for over $350 and individual General Lee toys listed for $250. Other vehicles from the show, such as Boss Hogg’s Cadillac and Daisy Duke’s Jeep, have also been sold for prices ranging from $83 to $115.

In 1983, McDonald’s introduced McNuggets to their menu, leading to the creation of McNugget Buddies toys that became a hit with kids until they were discontinued in 1996. Recently, limited-edition adult Happy Meals featuring McNugget Buddies made a return. Complete sets of these toys can be resold for high prices on eBay, with some sets from the early 1990s fetching around $112 and unopened sets selling for $100 to $250. In their original packaging, McNugget Buddies have been sold for over $200.

McDonald’s also released Changeables toys in the 1980s, inspired by the popular Transformers franchise. These toys, which could transform from classic menu items into robots, were beloved by both kids and collectors. Complete, unopened sets of Changeables from the 1980s have recently sold for over $400, with most collections going for $100 to $150.

By the late 1990s, owning a Furby was a status symbol among kids. In 1999, McDonald’s released a set of 80 McFurbys in various colors, which are now considered sought-after collectibles. A complete set of McFurbys has sold for around $150, while smaller collections can be found for prices between $1 and $25.

Another Halloween favorite from McDonald’s was the Boo Buckets, featuring characters like McPunk’n, McBoo, and McGoblin. These buckets were a hit among Millennials and have become valuable items for collectors. A complete set of Boo Buckets from 1990 recently sold for about $150 on eBay, while a lot of 17 from 1986 fetched $200. Each bucket had three different expressions, adding to their appeal for collectors. Even a small collection of Boo Buckets can fetch prices ranging from $50 to $100.

While McDonald’s has reintroduced some of these toys in recent years, the original ones from the ’80s and ’90s hold a special place in the hearts of collectors. If you happen to have any of these vintage McDonald’s toys tucked away, you could be holding onto a valuable piece of nostalgia.