McDonald’s makes major change to Happy Meals for first time ever

McDonald's has confirmed that Happy Meals up and down the UK will be getting a rare revamp - and there's an important reason why.

Now, whether you're a Big Mac fan, a chicken nugget lover, or a Filet-O-Fish kind of gal, it's no secret that us Brits love a good maccies.

And for most of us, the obsession started during childhood when you'd hear the exciting words that McDonald's is for dinner and get excited about which Happy Meal toy you could get your hands on.

The Happy Meal landed in the UK in 1986, seven years after its initial launch in the United States in 1979, and it's become a fast food favourite ever since.

Its iconic toys have well and truly cemented its place in British history - and there have been some seriously iconic ones over the years, including Beanie Babies, Hot Wheels cars and even mini radios.

McDonald's Happy Meals are undergoing a huge change this week (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

But almost as synonymous with the children's meal as the toys is its iconic packaging - a bright red cardboard box with a yellow 'M' handle.

And this is all about to change as part of the chain’s partnership with BBC Children in Need to promote mental health awareness.

The red and yellow packaging is being temporarily swapped out for a completely blank box.

As per Metro, children will be given crayons and be able to use the ‘draw how you feel meal boxes’ to express how they're feeling and unleash their creativity.

One picture of the new packaging shows it has a message on the side, reading: "It's okay not to feel happy all the time. Draw how YOU feel today."

As reported by Birmingham Live, the move follows new research which highlighted 42% of UK children aged 5-10 struggle to discuss their feelings with adults, but nearly three quarters (73%) find it easier to express their emotions through drawing.

Research by the fast food giant concluded that 88% of parents find it easier to talk about feelings with their children when they're engaged in some form of creative activity - and 47% believe that activities like this help them bond and have more open conversations with their kids.

The box will be blank for the first time ever - and there's a good reason why (McDonald’s UK)

Mum-of-three and singer Kimberley Walsh is backing the new campaign and said her own children are more open to a chat when they're drawing.

She said: "Art and creativity have always played a big role in my life and now they’re a huge part of my parenting style, too. I find my boys are often calmer and more open to chat when they’re drawing.

"Children experience so many emotions every day, which can often be difficult to describe, so finding new ways for them to express those feelings is really important."

Nearly four million of the limited-edition 'draw how you feel meal' boxes and crayons will be available from Wednesday, 5 November to Tuesday, 18 November in all UK and ROI restaurants, subject to availability.

While it's the first time the Happy Meal box is going to be entirely blank, the packaging has had a few temporary makeovers over the years.

Last Christmas, the company paid tribute to one of our favourite festive movies, The Grinch, by turning the box into the iconic character's face.

And last year, for Mental Health Awareness Week, McDonald's removed its iconic yellow smile from the side of the red box.