McDonald’s makes huge change to Happy Meals for the first time in over 35 years

McDonald's has made a huge change to its Happy Meals for the first time in 35 years.

The iconic red boxes were first launched in 1979, and now feature a choice of fish fingers, chicken McNuggets, veggie dippers, cheeseburger or hamburger with fries (which can be swapped for a fruit bag or carrot sticks).

Meanwhile, drink options include water, milk or a Fruit Shoot.

McDonald's has made a huge change to its Happy Meals for the first time in 38 years (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Happy Meals are hugely popular, and also include a toy which varies every 5-7 weeks.

But now, Maccies has made a change to its usual Happy Meals.

For this week only - Mental Health Awareness Week - McDonald's will remove its iconic yellow smile from the side of the red box.

The change follows research commissioned by McDonald's which reveals almost half of children in the UK feel as though they need to be happy all the time, even if they're not feeling it.

Meanwhile, research also revealed how much parents emphasise the importance of happiness.

Some 74 per cent of parents say it is important to stop their kids feeling sad, while two thirds claim they always encourage their children to feel happy.

The Happy Meal was introduced in 1979 (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Millions of the boxes will be available until 19 May to help get families talking. Meanwhile, emotive stickers to help children illustrate how they are feeling, will also be available.

The chain has teamed up with dad-of-five Rio Ferdinand on the campaign - as well as Children in Need - to help kids understand it's okay not to be happy all of the time.

“I’ve experienced first-hand with my own children how good communication and encouraging kids to embrace how they truly feel can build trust and help to manage emotions – no matter how big or small," said Rio.

“It’s our job to empower our children to express themselves freely and support them every step of the way in understanding that it’s okay to not be happy all the time."

The smiles have been removed from boxes (McDonald's)

Meanwhile, Fozia Irfan OBE, Director of Impact and Influence at BBC Children in Need, added: “Ensuring children are happy is at the top of all parents’ priorities, but allowing children to express themselves and giving them the necessary space to articulate when they aren’t feeling at their best is of equal importance.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the vital impact we can make on children and young people’s mental wellbeing and we are thrilled to be working with McDonald’s to provide the necessary support parents and families may need to start the conversations with their children.”