McDonald's set to make major changes to classic Happy Meal box this week
McDonald's fans might notice a massive change to the Happy Meal boxes this month as the fast food giant is scrapping the classic colour
For the first time ever McDonald's is ditching its iconic red Happy Meal box in favour of a completely blank design, giving children the chance to express themselves in a brand new way.
The classic Happy Meal box, instantly recognisable for its bold red and yellow colours and cheerful smile, is set for a major transformation. From Wednesday 5 November, families visiting the popular fast food chain may notice a dramatic change to the children's menu packaging.
This limited-edition redesign is part of McDonald's partnership with BBC Children in Need, aimed at promoting mental health awareness. The move comes after the chain temporarily removed the yellow smile from the box earlier in 2024.
The new white 'draw how you feel' boxes are designed to be a creative canvas for kids. Children can colour, doodle and illustrate their feelings directly on the packaging, offering a fun and interactive way to express themselves.
The fast food giant will offer the Happy Meal in the new box, along with crayons for children in hopes the initiative will spark conversations about mental health and give children an outlet for their emotions, while enjoying their meal.
The initiative follows research showing that 42 per cent of UK children age 5-10 struggle to talk about their feelings with adults, while almost three-quarters (73 per cent) say they find it easier to express themselves through drawing.
McDonald's research revealed that 88 per cent of parents believe it's easier to discuss feelings with their children when they are engaged in a creative activity, while 47 per cent said these activities help them bond and have more open conversations.
Girls Aloud singer and mum-of-three Kimberley Walsh is backing the campaign and said she is 'proud' to be apart of the initiative as she knows just how hard it can be getting kids to open up.
"It encourages kids to express themselves through art a little bit, emotionally and creatively," Kimberley said.
"I feel like it's something my boys personally will really engage with, I feel like they're really calm when they're drawing.
"And boys are not calm a lot of the time, but they are when they're drawing, they do engage, and I feel like that's the time where I get to chat to them a little bit more because they're distracted and in their own little world."
She continued: "I feel like they get on better when they're doing tasks like that as well."
Nearly four million limited edition "draw how you feel" Happy Meal boxes, complete with crayons, will be available in all McDonald's restaurants across the UK and Republic of Ireland from Wednesday 5 November 5 until Tuesday 18 November, or while supplies last.