Dining out can be an enjoyable experience, even when you have kids. With prices rising, buying the entire family dinner at a restaurant may seem almost unaffordable. Believe it or not, many family spots are very understanding about having kids, so they have kids-eat-free promotions.
Below are 20 popular restaurants that allow you to save money with kids eating free. Whether on a particular day or time of the week or a special redeemable offer through a rewards program, each place helps take a few dollars off your bill. It may not seem like much, but it sure helps families!
Kids Eat Free at These Restaurants
1. Firehouse Subs
With the purchase of a medium or large sub combo, kids eat free all day on Tuesdays and Sundays. It’s perfect for a quick weekday meal or a weekend lunch. Firehouse Subs offers a variety of cold cuts, including ham, salami, and turkey, which gives your little one plenty of choices. This is great if you have a picky eater.
2. IHOP
Kids eat free if they’re under 12 every day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree. It even includes the famous create-a-face pancake. They offer a variety of breakfast food and lunch options. It’s the best spot if you are craving breakfast for dinner.
3. Moe’s Southwest Grill
Kids eat free all day every Sunday at Moe’s. You get one free kid’s meal with each adult entree purchase. The kids’ meals also come with a drink and a cookie. This is great if you want to skip cooking or if you want to enjoy a family lunch. Your kiddo can choose from a taco, quesadilla, or burrito. The best part is that they can customize their food and only add toppings they love.
Fine print: One free kid’s meal with each adult entree purchase.
4. Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
With the purchase of an adult entree, kids eat free from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday. This is during prime dinner time, making taking a weeknight off from cooking easy. Plus, they offer a lot of kid-friendly meals, including pancakes, French toast, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese.
5. Steak ‘n Shake
Kids under 12 eat free all weekend with a minimum purchase of $9. Why not take the family out for lunch to enjoy yummy burgers and fries? They even offer hotdogs, grilled cheese, and chicken fingers for the kiddos.
6. Bob Evans
If your kids are under 12, they eat free after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Their menu has many kid-friendly options. This includes breakfast plates with pancakes, French toast, and macaroni and cheese for lunch or dinner.
Fine print: You must place your order within the app and spend a minimum of $15.
7. Smashburger
With the purchase of any adult meal, kids eat free all day every Wednesday. This is an excellent spot for takeout as well. Smashburger serves burgers or chicken tenders for the kids, and the meals come with a side of french fries and a choice of drink.
Fine print: This promotion cannot be combined with any other discount and is only available at participating locations.
8. Denny’s
Kids eat free with any adult entree purchase greater than $6. Of course, they are a diner chain, so you can imagine all the options on its menu. This is no different for the kids. They offer a Build Your Own Grand Slam and junior milkshakes, too.
Fine print: Days and participation vary by store location, so contact your local Denny’s for their promotion.
9. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Kids eat free from the kids’ menu all day Saturday and Sunday by purchasing an adult entree. Take a break this weekend and enjoy some delicious Mexican food. Their kid-friendly menu includes nachos, quesadillas, and even corn dogs!
Fine print: Only at participating locations.
10. Uno Pizzeria & Grill
On Tuesdays, kids get a free meal after 3 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree. Uno’s offers everything from pizza to pasta, giving your little one many tasty choices. They even include their famous Make Your Own Pizza.
Fine print: You must be a rewards member and dine at one of the participating locations.
11. Kona Grill
Kids eat free all day every Sunday with the purchase of one adult entree. Going out for dinner on a Sunday is an easy and relaxing way to start the new week. They are a little more pricey, so their promotion can help keep your costs down a bit. It’s a great spot if you and your kids enjoy seafood.
Fine print: This promo is available only at participating locations.
12. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Your little one can receive a free baby ice cream cone at Bruster’s. Who doesn’t love going out for ice cream, especially on a hot summer day? They have a wide variety of flavors, too.
Fine print: Must be under 40 inches tall and at a participating location.
13. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Join Beef’s rewards, and kids can enjoy a meal for only $3.49 all day on Tuesdays. Even though this is not free, it is still a nice discount since dining out can be expensive. They have a pretty standard kids’ menu that includes macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets.
Fine print: Dine-in only at participating locations; the child must be under 12.
14. Cafe Brazil
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can find great kids’ meals for any time of day at Cafe Brazil. They offer pigs in a blanket for breakfast, which is pancake-wrapped sausage links, and grilled cheese for lunch or dinner, just to name a few favorites. Kids eat free from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, with the purchase of an adult entree.
15. O’Charley’s
Your children can eat free all day, every day, with the purchase of an adult entree. This means you can take your family out to eat any time and save a little money. Not only do they have classic kids’ meals like burgers, but they also offer seafood and Alfredo pasta.
Fine print: Only at participating locations for the restaurant’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
16. Panda Express
At participating locations, kids eat free from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays by purchasing two adult entrees. I love grabbing Chinese food to take home. Plus, the Panda Cub meals are well-balanced and delicious. Your kiddos get three options: orange chicken, teriyaki chicken, or beef.
Fine print: This promo can’t be combined with any other offer and is only valid at participating locations.
17. Cicis Pizza
Kids under 3 eat free all day, every day at Cicis. This is also a pizza buffet where your little ones can eat as much as they want to fill their bellies — and so can you. On Mondays and Tuesdays, Cicis also has a $4.99 buffet deal. It’s an excellent choice for an inexpensive dinner your kids will love.
18. Miller’s Ale House
On Tuesdays, kids get a free meal with the purchase of any menu item over $10, except alcohol. This can be used for two meals per table. From mini burgers to fried shrimp, there are options for every child.
Fine print: Valid only at participating locations.
19. Chili’s
If you join Chili’s rewards program, you can receive offers for free kids’ meals and other discounts. Sometimes you can even get free appetizers. The kids’ menu has everything from pizza to Kraft macaroni and cheese with fries, fruit, or veggies as side choices.
Fine print: You must sign up for rewards, and the offers will be emailed to you.
20. Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday offers daily deals all week long. On Tuesdays, kids eat free after 5 p.m. with an adult entree purchase. They can choose from pasta, grilled chicken, or a cheeseburger, to name a few options. Every meal also comes with a side.
Everyone, even parents, deserves the opportunity to take a night off from cooking and washing dishes! Saving just a little bit on kids’ meals can put money back in your wallet while taking some stress off your shoulders.
