Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated October 2026.
October half-term is the year’s great parental endurance test: a full week of entertaining the kids, and a golden opportunity for McDonald’s to earn a visit or three. This year the timing is especially interesting, because the menu is mid-shake-up — some limited items vanish just before half-term, while others hang on well into November.
This independent guide covers the half-term dates, the Happy Meal toy worth knowing about, what to order, and how to keep a family visit affordable. We are not affiliated with McDonald’s Corporation.
When is October half-term 2026?
Dates vary by nation and by school, so treat these as the standard pattern and check your own school’s calendar:
| Nation | Half-term 2026 | Back to school |
|---|---|---|
| England | Mon 26 – Fri 30 Oct | Mon 2 Nov |
| Wales | Mon 26 – Fri 30 Oct | Mon 2 Nov |
| Scotland | Mon 12 – Fri 16 Oct | Mon 19 Oct |
| Northern Ireland | Thu 29 – Fri 30 Oct (Halloween break) | Mon 2 Nov |
Scotland’s break is already under way as this is published; England and Wales break up on Friday 23 October. Some English councils and academies set slightly different dates, so confirm locally.
The Happy Meal toy this half-term: Build-A-Bear
The current Happy Meal promotion is a Build-A-Bear Workshop collaboration, launched on 22 September 2026. Every Happy Meal box contains one of 12 collectible furry-friend bag clips — mini plush keyrings including classic teddies, axolotls and the bunny character Pawlette — plus stickers to personalise them.
Four of the twelve designs are Halloween-themed (a pumpkin teddy, a Frankenstein axolotl, a black cat and a bat), which makes them perfect half-term collecting fodder. There’s also a licensed book, The Big Talent Show, available as the book option instead of a toy, and an online dress-up game for kids.
A few things worth knowing for half-term:
- Character visits: Build-A-Bear characters have been appearing at selected McDonald’s restaurants during the promotion, including over the half-term holidays — check McDonald’s UK’s announcements to see if a restaurant near you is hosting one.
- The £5 voucher: spending £25 at a Build-A-Bear Workshop location gets you a £5-off voucher for Happy Meals — handy if you’re combining a shopping trip with lunch.
- Stock is limited: popular Happy Meal promotions can run out at busy restaurants, and half-term week is peak demand. Going earlier in the week is the safer bet for the full choice of toys.
Happy Meals themselves are still one of the cheapest complete children’s meals on the high street — typically around £2.90–£3.50 depending on the restaurant.
Which limited items survive until half-term?
This is where timing matters. The World Menu Heist doesn’t end all at once:
- Gone before half-term (19 October): Big Rösti, Maple & Cheddar Chicken, and Guava x Sprite Zero. If anyone in the family still wants to try these, the visit needs to happen this week — before schools break up.
- Still here during half-term (until 16 November): Mac & Cheese Triangles, Paprika McShaker Fries, the S’mores McFlurry and the rest of the second wave. These are all still on the menu for the whole of half-term week.
October’s other limited items are also in play during half-term, subject to availability: the Big Tasty (around £7.09), Cheese Melt Dippers (£3.19, or £7.29 for a sharebox — the family-sized option), the Cheesy McCrispy (£7.19), and the Terry’s Chocolate Orange McFlurry (£2.59) and Chocolate Orange Pie (£2.49). Limited desserts sell out fastest, so earlier in the day is better.
Feeding the family without overspending
A family of four can easily spend £25+ at McDonald’s — or keep it under £15 with a bit of menu knowledge. Typical prices for the budget-friendly options:
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Happy Meal (main + side + drink + toy/book) | £2.90–£3.50 |
| Mayo Chicken (Saver Menu) | £1.40–£2.00 |
| Cheeseburger (Saver Menu) | £1.40–£1.90 |
| Hamburger (Saver Menu) | £1.20–£1.70 |
| Small fries | £1.00–£1.70 |
| Apple pie | £1.00–£1.50 |
| Meal Deal Plus (main + fries + bonus side + drink) | £5.95 |
Three tactics that genuinely work:
- Happy Meals for the kids, Saver Menu for the adults. Two Happy Meals plus two Mayo Chickens and shared fries lands around £12–£14 — far less than four full meals.
- The Meal Deal Plus at £5.95 gets a main, medium fries, a bonus side and a drink. The Snack Wrap (£1.99) counts as both a main and a bonus side, so a double-Snack-Wrap build with fries and a drink is one of the best-value bundles on the menu.
- Share the limited stuff. A Cheese Melt Dippers sharebox (£7.29) or Mac & Cheese Triangles sharebox split between the kids turns a limited-time treat into a shared event rather than four separate purchases.
Check the app before you go
The MyMcDonald’s app is where time-limited offers live, and half-term week is exactly when new family-oriented deals tend to appear. Check the offers tab before every visit rather than assuming you know what’s on.
One note: the Rewards points offer for half-price Merlin attraction tickets ended on 16 October, so don’t go hunting for it in the app — it’s gone. But the app regularly cycles new offers in, and bonus-points events can accelerate progress toward free items.
Practical tips for half-term visits
- Breakfast ends at 11:00am sharp, every day including during half-term. After 11am it’s the main menu only.
- Go early in the day for the best choice of Happy Meal toys and limited desserts — popular items sell through at busy restaurants.
- Delivery is an option for rainy half-term days at home: McDonald’s delivers via Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo, though delivery menus are priced higher than in-restaurant and the 11am breakfast cut-off still applies.
- Play areas vary: some restaurants have indoor play areas and some don’t — if that’s the deciding factor, check with your local restaurant first.
- Customise the Happy Meal: you can swap fries for carrot sticks or a fruit bag and choose water or milk instead of a fizzy drink, at no extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
When is October half-term 2026 in England?
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 for most schools in England and Wales, with pupils returning on Monday 2 November. Scotland’s break is 12–16 October; Northern Ireland has a shorter Halloween break on 29–30 October. Dates can vary by council and school.
What Happy Meal toy is available during October half-term 2026?
The Build-A-Bear Workshop collection: 12 collectible furry-friend bag clips (four Halloween-themed), plus stickers, with The Big Talent Show book as the book option.
Which McDonald’s limited items are available during half-term?
The second wave of the World Menu Heist (until 16 November), plus October’s limited items like the Big Tasty, Cheese Melt Dippers and Terry’s Chocolate Orange range — all subject to availability. The first Heist wave (Big Rösti, Maple & Cheddar Chicken, Guava x Sprite Zero) ended on 19 October, before half-term.
How much does a McDonald’s family meal cost in the UK?
Two Happy Meals plus two Saver Menu items and shared fries comes to roughly £12–£14. Four full meals with limited-time items can easily exceed £25.
Is McDonald’s open normal hours during half-term?
Yes — half-term doesn’t change opening hours. Individual restaurant hours vary, so check your local branch in the app.
Conclusion
Half-term week lands in a sweet spot on the McDonald’s calendar: the Build-A-Bear Happy Meal toys (with their Halloween designs) are still going, the second Heist wave is still on the menu, and the October limited items are in their final weeks. The one thing to know is the deadline you can’t move — the first Heist wave leaves on 19 October, before the break. Plan one pre-half-term trip for the Big Rösti if it matters to you, then use half-term week itself for the toys, the shareboxes and the Saver Menu maths. Check the app before you go, go early in the day, and the whole outing stays affordable.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with McDonald’s Corporation. Prices, promotions and availability are set by McDonald’s UK and can change — always confirm in the app before visiting.
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