Modern McDonald’s Play Place is Going Viral

A video of a McDonald’s play area, described as “disturbing” and “heartbreaking” by social media users, has gone viral, prompting discussions about the state of the fast-food giant’s family-friendly spaces.

The footage shows an almost empty play area, a stark contrast to the colorful, bustling playgrounds many associate with McDonald’s restaurants of the past.

“This is so heart breaking,” French wrote in a series of posts. “I’m at a new McDonalds in Franklin, TN and look at their ‘play place’ for children. Two screens/two chairs.”

Her thread quickly gained traction, sparking nostalgia and concern among viewers. One X user commented, “DISTURBING!! NO REAL PLAY OR SOCIALIZING WITH OTHER CHILDREN!!”

The sentiment was echoed by many who saw the video, with one commenter saying, “Nothing says childhood fun like staring at a screen in a slightly different location than home.” Another viewer replied, “I want the 80’s back.”

McDonald’s PlayPlaces were first introduced in the 1970s as a way to make the fast-food chain more appealing to families. At their peak, these playgrounds were vibrant and often included numerous interactive elements designed to keep kids entertained. However, over the years, many locations have removed or scaled back their play areas.

In response to the video, some social media users mourned the decline of PlayPlaces and similar play areas.

“So many joys our kids will never know,” one X user wrote. “Grateful to have grown up with Toys R Us, Pizza Hut dining rooms, and proper play places at McDonalds.”

According to representatives for McDonald’s, while PlayPlaces have been altered or removed in certain locations, family-friendly spaces remain a priority to the company. In response to concerns about the play area shown in the viral video, the company told media outlets, “While this restaurant has a few interactive features for younger guests, it does not represent the full PlayPlace design and experience.”

While some locations continue to feature expansive playgrounds, others have been redesigned with technology-driven experiences, such as digital ordering and AI-powered drive-thrus, rather than maintaining large play areas.