A Children In Need Happy Meal is coming to McDonalds in the UK

For the first time, McDonald’s is transforming its famous Happy Meal® boxes into blank canvases designed to inspire creativity and emotional expression among children. In partnership with BBC Children in Need, the brand has temporarily replaced its signature red packaging with a limited-edition white version, as part of a wider campaign focused on mental health awareness and family connection.

Building on last year’s initiative, which removed the Happy Meal® smile to prompt conversations about feelings, the 2025 campaign invites children across the UK and Ireland to decorate the new white boxes themselves. The idea is to give young customers a creative way to explore and share their emotions while enjoying one of the most recognisable parts of the McDonald’s experience.

The ‘Draw How You Feel Meal’ boxes were developed in response to new research commissioned by McDonald’s, which revealed that 42% of children aged 5–10 find it difficult to talk to adults about their emotions. However, nearly three quarters (73%) said they find it easier to open up when they’re drawing. The campaign highlights the role creativity can play in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and self-expression.

Millions of these limited-edition boxes, complete with crayons, will be available nationwide in all McDonald’s restaurants from Wednesday 5 to Tuesday 18 November. The research also showed that creative activities are a powerful emotional outlet for kids, with 21% saying they draw or colour when experiencing negative feelings, and 43% when they’re feeling positive—demonstrating how art helps children communicate across a wide emotional spectrum.

The campaign is supported by presenter, singer, and mother-of-three Kimberley Walsh, who is encouraging parents to use art and creativity as tools for emotional connection at home.

McDonald’s findings also show strong support from parents: 88% say creative activities make it easier to talk to their children about emotions, while nearly half (47%) feel such moments help them bond more deeply. However, one in five parents believe society could do more to encourage children to express their feelings openly.

To help families begin these conversations, McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need have developed a series of free resources on the McDonald’s Family Hub, offering simple, creative activities and advice for nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing.

The initiative has been praised by BBC Children in Need for turning an everyday item into a powerful tool for self-expression and family connection. McDonald’s, meanwhile, continues its broader commitment to supporting young people’s wellbeing across the UK and Ireland through this partnership.

Customers can also contribute by donating the cash equivalent of their MyMcDonald’s Rewards points, or by giving directly at in-restaurant kiosks and tills, helping to fund BBC Children in Need’s mission to support children and young people in reaching their full potential.

For further details and access to the creative resources, visit the McDonald’s Family Hub at www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/family-hub.html.