As a six-year-old, life is uncomplicated, or at least it used to be, and simple joys like some breaded pieces of chicken with french fries and a toy that transforms from a cheeseburger to a robot can easily be the highlight of your week.

At least it was for me, and given the decades-long popularity of Happy Meals, I don’t think I’m alone. But how did a McDonald’s boxed meal for kids come to be, how has it maintained its popularity, and what does the future of Happy Meals hold?