The Halloween season is upon us, and McDonald’s has conjured up something extra special for families in the UK. The brand has launched a delightful new Happy Meal campaign featuring a collection of festive Care Bears.
This exclusive offering, available for a limited time, brings together nostalgia, storytelling, and collectible toys that both children and adults can appreciate.
In this detailed guide, we take a closer look at the full toy list, the official release dates, in-restaurant events, and everything else surrounding the McDonald’s Care Bears Halloween collection for 2025.
What Is the McDonald’s Care Bears Halloween Collection 2025?
McDonald’s 2025 Halloween campaign centres around the ever-charming Care Bears, reimagined with spooky seasonal themes.
For a short promotional period, every Happy Meal includes either one of nine limited-edition plush Care Bears or a brand-new, exclusive Care Bears book written especially for this campaign.
According to McDonald’s, each bear has been “given a Halloween-inspired makeover to spark imagination, storytelling, and play.” This campaign draws on decades of Care Bears history while offering a unique, seasonal twist that is unlike any previous Happy Meal release.
This collection is not just about toys, it’s about creating an immersive, magical experience for families across the UK. Children are encouraged to explore imaginative adventures with their new plush friends, while in-restaurant experiences add an extra layer of excitement to each visit.
What Activities and Extras Come with the Care Bears Happy Meal Promotion?
The McDonald’s Care Bears Happy Meal for Halloween 2025 is more than just toys—it’s a fully immersive experience for young children and families. Alongside the limited-edition plush toys and exclusive storybook, McDonald’s has launched a range of themed creative play activities and interactive experiences designed to keep little ones entertained both in and outside the restaurant.
From dot-to-dots to drawing guides, there’s plenty to explore. Here’s what’s included in the full experience:
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Spooky Care Bears Mash-Ups on the Happy Meal® box: Children can discover unique combinations like Good Luck Bear + Share Bear or Wish Bear + Funshine Bear on their Happy Meal packaging. These quirky pairings add mystery and fun to every meal.
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Dot-to-Dot Activity Sheets: Featuring a collection of animals such as an eagle, peacock, panda, and a Happy Meal treehouse, children are invited to complete the drawings and bring them to life.
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Care Bear Maze Challenge: Navigate through a fun maze to help collect all the belly badge parts—a playful way to develop problem-solving skills.
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Ocean-Themed Spot the Difference: An engaging activity sheet filled with marine life like turtles, orcas, and seals alongside a Happy Meal treasure chest for children to explore.
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Care Bear Colour Mash-Up: Kids can colour in their Halloween-themed Care Bears using imaginative shades, allowing creativity to shine through.
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Draw a Care Bear Step-by-Step Sheet: Children can learn to draw their favourite Care Bear characters using a simple step-by-step visual guide—perfect for budding young artists.
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Animal Spotting with Binoculars: Another activity page uses binocular outlines to zoom in on forest animals, creating a nature-themed visual game.
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Create Your Own Halloween Care Bear: A mash-up maker where children can design and personalise their own spooky bear using a variety of body parts, features, and accessories.
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The Beary Best Friends Story: In a special narrative included on the Happy Meal® Family Hub, the Care Bears witness the magical Chronos Comet. But while watching it, they forget Grumpy Bear’s birthday! Children can read how the bears use the comet’s power to give Grumpy Bear the best birthday surprise ever.
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Creative Play Activities: McDonald’s encourages creativity through Autumn-themed crafts such as fireworks painting and leaf rubbings—perfect for those cooler October days indoors.
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Football Challenges: Partnering with footballers like Erin Cuthbert, Chris Gunter, Jack Rutter, and Ebere Eze, McDonald’s has developed football skill tutorials and challenges for kids at all levels—from beginner to advanced.
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Family Fun Hub: All the above activities and more are available through the McDonald’s Family Hub, an online space filled with ideas for learning, playing, and spending time together.
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Happy Readers® Zone: Parents and children can also explore World Book Day activities and storytime resources through the Happy Readers® section.
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Happy Meal Newsletter Subscription: Parents can subscribe via email and postcode to get the latest updates on Happy Meal® toys, competitions, and exclusive offers.
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Drinks Information: The Happy Meal® includes a choice of water. In Great Britain, it’s Nestlé® PureLife® Still Spring Water (250ml), while in Northern Ireland, Deep RiverRock™ (250ml) is offered as a substitute.
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Campaign End Date: This promotional Care Bears Happy Meal® experience is available until 4th November 2025, starting daily from 11:00 am, while stocks last. Items may be pre-selected and available at varying times, and McDonald’s operates under a Fair Ordering Policy.
This all-encompassing campaign delivers more than just toys; it brings together creativity, active play, reading, and storytelling in one engaging package, making the Care Bears Happy Meal a standout experience for the season.
How Many Care Bears Are Included in the McDonald’s Happy Meal Toy Set?
There are nine plush toys in the McDonald’s Halloween Care Bears set. Each one is designed to reflect the warmth, friendliness, and festive spirit associated with both the Care Bears franchise and Halloween. The toys are available exclusively through McDonald’s UK Happy Meals during the promotional period.
These are not your ordinary plush toys, they are crafted with bright colours, custom Halloween outfits, and signature symbols that align with the unique personalities of each character.
Full List of Care Bears Toys in the 2025 Collection
| Care Bear | Special Feature | Halloween Style |
| Cheer Bear & Grumpy Bear | A special mash-up featuring dual personalities | Purple, orange accents with joint badge |
| Tenderheart Bear | Classic warmth with an autumnal colour palette | Leaf-shaped tummy badge |
| Harmony Bear | Musical theme with star sparkles | Dressed with glowing accessories |
| Funshine Bear | Sunshine symbol with a pumpkin twist | Bright orange with pumpkin belly |
| Love-a-Lot Bear | Dual hearts, bat wings design | Pink with Halloween black detailing |
| Wish Bear | Shooting star on a haunted night theme | Starry sky outfit |
| Good Luck Bear | Traditional clover symbol in ghostly tones | Dark green and misty grey |
| Bedtime Bear | Sleepy expression in ghost-themed pyjamas | Blue with crescent moon designs |
| Secret Bear | Mystery-themed with spellbook and cloak | Witch costume with secret scroll |
Each toy is released on a rolling basis, with one included in every Happy Meal purchase while supplies last. Repeat visits may be necessary to complete the full set, which is part of the appeal for many collectors and families.
When Were the McDonald’s Care Bears Toys Released in the UK?
The McDonald’s Care Bears Happy Meal promotion officially began on October 15, 2025, just ahead of the October half-term holidays. This timing is strategic, as it aligns with school breaks across the UK, making it easier for families to visit their local restaurants and take part in the festivities.
The toys will be available for approximately four to five weeks. However, due to their popularity, many locations may run out of specific characters well before the campaign ends.
If you’re keen on collecting all nine plush toys or obtaining the limited-edition storybook, it’s advisable to visit McDonald’s restaurants early in the promotional period.
Which McDonald’s Locations Are Hosting Care Bears Events and Visits?
To further enhance the campaign, McDonald’s has arranged a series of in-store Care Bears character visits and themed events across selected restaurants throughout the UK.
These visits provide families with a unique opportunity to meet life-sized Care Bear mascots, engage in themed activities, and take part in photo opportunities.
The visits are happening across all regions, including the East Midlands, Greater London, North East, North West, Scotland, Wales, and the South East, with dozens of McDonald’s locations participating.
Event Highlights
- Meet-and-greet sessions with costumed Care Bears
- Free themed activity sheets and colouring pages
- Decorated restaurants with immersive Halloween visuals
- Giveaways and branded merchandise in select venues
Each event is scheduled at specific times, usually lasting for about one hour. Details about dates, locations, and times can be found on www.happymealmeetandgreetsuk.com or through McDonald’s in-store announcements.
What Makes the 2025 Care Bears Plush Toys Unique?
These plush toys stand out for several reasons. Unlike generic Happy Meal toys that are often plastic-based, the Care Bears collection is soft, huggable, and designed with great attention to detail.
They are also unique to this campaign, created exclusively for McDonald’s UK. This makes them not only appealing to children, but also highly collectable for adult fans and nostalgic parents.
Key Features
- Designed in partnership with the creators of Care Bears
- Only available during October 2025 in the UK
- Halloween-themed designs not sold in retail stores
- Safe, child-friendly materials tested to UK standards
With each bear carrying its own distinct message and personality, the collection inspires storytelling and encourages children to express their emotions through play.
Is There an Exclusive Care Bears Book Included with Happy Meals?
Yes. As part of the campaign, McDonald’s has also introduced an original Care Bears storybook, developed specially for the 2025 Halloween season.
This book is offered on rotation with the plush toys, meaning customers may receive either the book or a toy with their Happy Meal.
The story features the Care Bears navigating a magical Halloween adventure, filled with challenges, friendship, and uplifting messages. It’s written to appeal to young readers and includes vibrant illustrations designed to bring the characters and settings to life.
This book is a one-time release and will not be available through any other retailer or platform, further adding to its collectability.
What Other Family-Friendly Experiences Are Included in the Campaign?
Beyond toys and books, McDonald’s has transformed select locations into interactive, family-friendly spaces. Themed decorations, take-home activities, and digital elements contribute to a more immersive experience.
In-Store Features
- Activity packs with colouring, puzzles, and stickers
- Themed digital games accessible via QR codes on packaging
- Branded décor and in-restaurant installations
- Happy Meal TV episodes featuring the Care Bears characters
These additional features help make mealtimes more enjoyable and memorable for both children and their families, especially during the busy school holiday period.
Are There Any Other McDonald’s Menu Changes During the Campaign?
Yes, McDonald’s UK has also rolled out changes to its food and drinks menu to coincide with the launch of the Care Bears campaign.
New Menu Items Introduced
- Loaded Caramel McFlurry: Creamy ice cream with caramel drizzle and crunchy toppings
- Philly Cheese Stack: A returning favourite made with layers of beef, cheese, and onions
- Mozzarella Dippers: A familiar side returning for a limited time
Items Removed from the Menu
- Sprite Zero with syrup
- Jaffa Cakes McFlurry
- Chilli Cheese Bites
- The Big Tasty
- Spicy Chicken McNuggets
- Steakhouse Stack
- Milky Way McFlurry
- The Big Arch
These changes reflect McDonald’s typical seasonal menu refresh, where new items are tested and rotated in while some existing products are retired to make room for upcoming promotions.
Why Are McDonald’s Limited Edition Toys Like Care Bears So Popular?
The popularity of McDonald’s limited-edition toys isn’t new, but the 2025 Care Bears campaign stands out because it blends iconic characters, seasonal appeal, and scarcity.
These toys are not available anywhere else, and the short time frame makes them highly desirable among both children and adult collectors.
Reasons Behind Their Popularity
- Strong brand recognition of Care Bears
- Limited availability increases urgency to collect
- Nostalgic appeal for parents and fans of 80s–90s culture
- High demand in resale and collector markets
McDonald’s has a long history of successful collaborations, and the 2025 Care Bears line continues this trend with impressive attention to detail and broad audience appeal.
Conclusion
The 2025 McDonald’s Care Bears Halloween collection is more than just a toy giveaway, it’s a celebration of creativity, kindness, and connection.
With beautifully designed plush characters, an original book, engaging in-store events, and even menu enhancements, McDonald’s has created a multi-layered campaign that offers value far beyond the standard Happy Meal.
Whether you’re collecting for your children, yourself, or both, this promotion is a limited-time opportunity to experience the magic of Care Bears, right in your local McDonald’s.
FAQs About McDonald’s Care Bears Toys
How long are the Care Bears Happy Meal toys available at McDonald’s?
They are available from early October to early November 2025, while stocks last.
Can I request a specific Care Bear toy with my Happy Meal?
Toy selection is random and varies by location, so specific requests may not be honoured.
Is the Care Bears book available at all locations?
Yes, it is part of the rotating giveaways and can be found in most UK McDonald’s restaurants.
Are the Care Bears plush toys safe for toddlers?
They are suitable for children aged 3 and up, in line with McDonald’s toy safety policies.
Can I collect all nine toys at once?
Not typically. You’ll need to visit multiple times or trade with others to complete the set.
Will McDonald’s repeat this campaign in the future?
There is no confirmation, so this may be your only chance to collect the 2025 Halloween set.
