The restaurant is putting retro toys in Happy Meals for a limited time.

It’s been 40 years since McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal to its menu, and the chain is about to celebrate in a big way. Beginning on November 7, guests can visit a participating McDonald’s restaurant and get a “surprise” Happy Meal that includes one of 15 retro toys. Some of the most unique and popular toys from over the years will be featured, like the McNugget characters, My Little Pony, and Hot Wheels. The special Happy Meal toys will be available through November 11 in the U.S. and 90 countries around the world.

Mcdonald's Store

McDonald's Restaurant, courtesy McDonald's Corporation

McDonald’s added the Happy Meal to the menu in order to make the restaurant more appealing to families with children. A company executive came up with the idea of a red lunch pail design complete with drawings and factoids, similar to a cereal box. The first Happy Meal was launched in 1979 and included plastic snap-together toys. Over the years, the toys became more elaborate and included partnerships with feature films and popular toy brands. The retro toys are sure to give parents a glimpse back into their childhoods.

“Parents tell us how fondly they recall their favorite toys,” said Colin Mitchell, McDonald’s Senior Vice President, Global Marketing. “So, unboxing the Surprise Happy Meal together creates a real moment of bonding with their children. We hope these toys are something that they will treasure and remember.”

The lineup of toys includes favorites from the late 1980s through 2013. In addition to the 15 toys available worldwide, two special toys will be available exclusively at U.S. locations. Here is the list:

  • Cowboy McNugget: 1988
  • Fireman McNugget: 1988
  • Mail Carrier McNugget: 1988
  • Hamburger Changeable: 1989
  • Grimace: 1990
  • Dino Happy Meal Box Changeable: 1991
  • McDonald’s Hot Wheels Thunderbird, Mattel: 1993
  • Hamburglar: 1995
  • Power Rangers, Hasbro: 1995
  • Space Jam Bugs Bunny, Warner Brothers: 1996
  • Patti the Platypus, Ty Beanie Baby: 1997
  • 101 Dalmatians,  Disney- U.S. Exclusive: 1997
  • Tamagotchi, Bandai: 1998
  • My Little Pony, Hasbro: 1998
  • Furby, Hasbro: 1999
  • Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Disney – U.S. Exclusive: 2002
  • Hello Kitty, Sanrio: 2013

The toys are sure to be a big hit with the collectors, so hurry in before they’re gone!

Is there a specific Happy Meal toy that YOU remember from your childhood? What was it? Is it one of the ones available this coming weekend? Tell us in the comments!