SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM 8-K


               Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report:          April 11, 1996



                                MATTEL, INC.
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           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                  001-05647                        95-1567322
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(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission                 (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation)                  File No.)              Identification No.)




333 Continental Boulevard, El Segundo, California                   90245-5012
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(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code              (310) 252-2000
                                                  ----------------------------

                                   N/A
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       (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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Item 7.         Financial Statements and Exhibits
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        (a)     Financial statements of businesses acquired:   None

        (b)     Pro forma financial information:   None

        (c)     Exhibits:

                 4.1  Indenture dated as of February 15, 1996 between the
                      Registrant and Chemical Trust Company of California, as 
                      Trustee, relating to the Debt Securities

                99.0  Distribution Agreement dated as of April 11, 1996 among
                      the Registrant, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and
                      CS First Boston Corporation

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                               SIGNATURES
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        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
        the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
        by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                              MATTEL, INC.
                                              Registrant

                                              By: /s/ Leland P. Smith
                                                  -------------------------
                                                  Leland P. Smith
                                                  Assistant Secretary and
        Date: April 11, 1996                      Assistant General Counsel
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