Want to eat out and eat well, but afraid of what it might do to your bank balance? You deserve to treat yourself every now and then. Even treat your family when you find the places where kids eat free!
However, if you’re trying to treat the whole family, it’s all too easy to watch the bill get longer and more expensive when you start adding the kids. This stops a lot of families from enjoying meals out together. And it shouldn’t be that way!
For that reason, we’ve compiled this list of restaurants, chains and franchises listing all the best deals, as well as where you can get some free meals.
Be sure to check with the local restaurant before you try to capitalize on any of the deals below. If there are any that are out of date, let us know and we’ll keep everything updated.
Table of Contents
Kids Eat Free Every Day
- 99 Restaurant and Pub – Kids 10 and under eat for free when you get an adult entree, but only when the Red Sox win.
- Adapris Pizza Buffet in Good Hope, Alabama – Kids of the age 3 and under eat free all week.
- Applebee’s – Kids eat for free when you buy certain adult entrees. Some locations only offer this on a specific day of the week so be sure to check
- Boston Market – Members of Boston Market’s VIP Club get a free dessert on your birthdays for the whole family.
- Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – Kids shorter than 40 inches get one free baby cone.
- Cafe Brazil (DFW) – Kids 12 and under get a free meal when you buy an adult entree from Sunday through Thursday.
- Cafe Rio – Kids under the age of six a free Nino Quesadilla when you buy an adult entree.
- Carrows – Kids 10 and under eat free after 4 pm from Monday to Friday.
- Chili’s – If you’re a member of My Chili’s Rewards, you receive a free meal for kids 12 and below when you buy a regular entrée.
- Cici’s – Kids under 3 eat free when you order an adult entree. Some locations only offer this on a specific day of the week so be sure to check
- Culver’s – Free custard with each meal for kids of 12 and younger.
- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – Free meal for kids 12 and younger when you buy an adult meal and dine-in.
- Double Dave’s Pizza – A kid’s buffet free with an adult buffet.
- Fricker’s – Kids eat for free all day when dining in.
- Golden Corral – Kids of 3 and under eat free from the buffet when you buy an adult meal.
- Holiday Inn – Up to four kids 12 or under can eat for free at the on-site Holiday Inn restaurant any time of day.
- IHOP – From 4 – 9 pm, one child can eat free for each adult entree bought when dining in. This offer can’t be combined with other coupons or deals, however.
- McAlister’s Deli – Kids meals only cost 99 cents
- Moe’s Southwest Grill – Some locations offer a free kids meal one day a week. This day differs depending on location.
- O’Charleys – Get one free kid’s meal for children under 10 when buying an adult entree.
- On the Border – A free sundae comes with every kid’s meal bought here.
- Quaker Steak and Lube – Kids eat certain meals free when an adult orders a meal from 5 – 10 pm, your kid can eat free with an adult purchase. Some locations only offer this on a specific day of the week so be sure to check.
- Shoney’s – Free meal for children of ages 4 and below when you buy an adult meal.
- Steak ‘n’ Shake – You can get a free kids meal for every $9 spent here.
- Smashburger – Not all locations offer this, but some offer a free kid’s meal when you buy a burger or entree after 4 pm. Day of the week can differ from location to location.
- Texas de Brazil – Children aged 2 and below eat for free when you buy an adult meal. Kids ages 3 to 5 eat for $5, and kids ages 6 to 12 eat for half of what you pay for the adult meal.
Kids Eat Free Monday
- Arooga’s – Children of 12 and under get a free kids’ meal when you purchase an adult entree and snag a free kid’s meal.
- Atlanta Bread Co. – Get a free kids meal with each adult purchase from 4 – 8 pm.
- Buena Vista Mexican Cantina – Get a free kids meal when you buy an adult entree.
- Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant – Get a free kids meal when you buy an adult meal.
- Cinzetti’s – Kids of 12 and under eat totally free from 5 – 9 pm.
- Chili’s – If you’re a member of My Chili’s Rewards, you receive a free meal for kids 12 and below when you buy a regular entrée.
- Cody’s Original Steakhouse – Two kids of 10 or under eat free when you buy an adult entree.
- Flat Top Stir Fry Grill – Get a free kids meal when you buy an adult meal.
- Fuddrucker’s – Children of 12 and younger eat for 99 cents from 4 – 9 pm.
- Golden Corral – Two kids under 10 per every adult eats free from 5-9 pm. Children of 3 and younger always eat free.
- IHop – Children of 12 and younger eat free from 4-8 pm and you get one kids’ menu item per adult entree otherwise.
- Jonny Rockets – You get one kids meal for free when you buy an adults entree and drink from 4 – 9 pm.
- Las Margarita’s – Get a free kids meal for children 12 and younger for each regular-priced adult entree when dining in.
- Norms – One kid of 10 and under can get a free JR. Entree when you buy an adult entry from noon – 10 pm.
- Rock Bottom Cafe – Kids of 12 and under eat totally free.
- Romano’s Macaroni Grill – One kid of 12 or younger gets a free meal when you buy an adult entree.
- Skyline Chili – Children of 4 and under eat completely free from 4 – 9 pm.
- Souplantation – If you’re a member of Club Veg, you can get a free kids meal.
- Spaghetti Warehouse – Get kid’s entree for $1.99 when you buy one adult entree. This deal applies to a maximum of two kids of 10 or younger.
- Sweet Tomatoes – If you’re a member of Club Veg, you can get a free kids meal.
- Texas Roadhouse – It only costs 99 cents for kids to eat here and you get a free kid’s meal with each adult entree when dining in. Some locations have this offer for different days.
- WhichWich – Kids of 12 and younger get a meal for 99 cents when you buy a 7” sandwich for yourself and get a kid’s meal for just .99.
- Woody’s BBQ – Children of 10 and under eat completely free from 3 pm to closing.
Kids Eat Free Tuesday
- Atlanta Bread – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an adult meal from 4 pm to closing.
- Back Yard Burgers – Get free kid’s meal when you buy an adult combo meal.
- Beef O’Brady’s – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an adult entree after 4 pm.
- Bennigan’s – Kids of 12 and under eat free when you buy an adult entree after 4 pm.
- Black-Eyed Pea – Get one item free from the kid’s mean for children 12 and under when you buy an adult entree 5 pm to closing.
- Bob Evans – Get a free kids meal when you buy dinner after 4 pm.
- Chevy’s Fresh Mex – One kid eats free after you buy each adult entree.
- Chick-Fil-A – Some locations offer a free kid’s meal when you get a combo meal for an adult from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
- Cody’s Original Steakhouse – 2 kids of 10 and under eat free for every purchase of an adult entree.
- Denny’s – Kids eat dinner for totally free from 4 – 10 pm.
- Godfather’s Pizza – Kids of age 10 and younger eat for free from the buffet during the lunch from 11 am – 2 pm and during dinner from 5 – 8 pm.
- Famous Dave’s – Children of 12 and under eat for free all day. This can change depending on location, as others will charge 99 cents for kid’s meal instead.
- Fazoli’s – Kids meals cost 99 cents this night alone.
- Freebirds – Get a free burrito or quesadilla meal for your a child of 11 or younger when you buy an adult entree from 10:30 am – 9 pm.
- Fuddrucker’s – Kids of 12 and under eat 99 cents from 4 – 9 pm.
- Genghis Grill – One kid of 12 and under get a free meal when you buy an adult entree at full price.
- Johnny Rockets – Kids eat dine for free when you get an adult entree and drink from 4 – 8 pm.
- Lonestar Steakhouse – Get 2 kid’s meals for free for children of 12 and under when you purchase an adult entree.
- Marie Callender’s – One free kid’s meal when you buy an adult entree.
- Perkins Restaurant and Bakery – Kids eat for completely free after 4 pm.
- Pizza Hut – Children of 10 and under eat for free when you purchase the adult buffet, even with the $6.99 unlimited buffet available at some locations.
- Pizza Street – Kids of 10 and under get a free cheese pizza meal.
- Ponderosa Steakhouse – Get two free kid’s meals for each adult entree bought from 4 – 9 pm.
- Red Brick Pizza – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy one adult entree, excluding drinks.
- Rock Bottom Cafe – Children of 12 and under eat completely free here.
- Romano’s Macaroni Grill – A free meal for a kid of 12 or under when you buy an adult entree.
- Ruby Tuesday – Get a free meal for a kid when you purchase an adult entree from 5 pm to closing.
- Smashburger – Kids eat for nothing when you buy an adult meal from 4 to 9 pm.
- Souplantation – If you’re a member of Club Veg, you can get a free kids meal.
- Sweet Tomatoes – If you’re a member of Club Veg, you can get a free kids meal.
- Texas Roadhouse – Children eat for 99 cents. Check with your local location as some offer this deal on Monday instead. Otherwise, you get a free kid’s meal when you buy adult entree to dine in. This can’t be combined with other offers.
- TGI Friday’s – Kids get a free meal when you buy an adult entree.
- Uno Chicago Grill – Kids get a free meal when you buy an adult meal.
- Zaxby’s – Kids get a free meal when you buy an adult meal from 4 to 9 pm.
Kids Eat Free Wednesday
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Order from the kid’s menu for $1.99 from 4 – 10 pm. This is only available for select locations so be sure to check ahead.
- East Coast Wings – Get a free kid’s meal from 3:30 pm to closing.
- Firehouse Subs – Get two free kids meals with a drink and treat when you buy one adult entree from 5 – 8 pm.
- Friendly’s – Kid’s meals only cost $1.99 for the whole day.
- Gatti Town – Kids of 10 and under get a free kid’s buffet when you buy an adult buffet meal.
- Jason’s Deli – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an adult entree.
- Jeffery’s Sports Grill – One kid gets a free meal for each paying adult.
- Little Bitty Burger Barn – Two kids of 10 and under eat for free when you buy a full-priced adult meal.
- Logan’s Roadhouse – Get a free kid’s meal for kids 12 and younger when you purchase an adult entree. This deal cannot be combined with other coupons or deals.
- Luby’s – Get a free kid’s meal for each adult entree purchased after 4 pm.
- Qdoba Mexican Grill – Kids get a free meal when you buy a plate of enchiladas. The day this deal is available on differs by location so check ahead.
- Skyline Chili – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an adult’s entree for $5 or over from 5 – 9 pm.
Kids Eat Free Thursday
- Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen – Two kids get a free meal when you purchase an adult meal.
- C.B. & Potts – Kids eat totally free all day.
- Johnny Rockets – Kids eat for free when you purchase an adult entree and drink from 4 – 8 pm.
- Old Country Buffet – Two children eat for $1.99 when you buy an adult buffet from 4 – 8 pm,
- Piccadilly – Children can get an entree, two sides, a drink, and a dessert for only 99 cents.
- Red Robin – Kids eat for $1.99 when you buy an adult entree. This deal used to get you a free kids’ meal, and this may still be available in some locations so be sure to check.
- Ryan’s – Get two kids’ buffets for 99 cents each when you buy an adult buffet.
- The Chartroose Caboose – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an $8 adult entree.
- The Locker Room – Kids can eat dinner for absolutely nothing from 4 – 9 pm.
- Salsarita’s – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an adult meal.
Kids Eat Free Friday
- Chicken Out Rotisserie – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy a full-price adult meal.
- Golden Corral – Children of age 3 and under eat free from the buffet when you get an adult meal.
- Shoney’s – Children of the age of 4 and under eat free when you buy an adult entree.
Kids Eat Free Saturday
- Maggiano’s – All children under the age of 5 eat free all day.
- Margaritas Mexican Restaurant – Get two free kid’s meal for every adult meal you buy at certain locations. Be sure to check ahead that your local branch does this offer.
- Marie Callender’s Restaurant and Bakery – Children of 12 and younger eat for free when you buy an adult entree.
- Piccadilly – Children get an entree, two sides, a drink, and a dessert for only 99 cents from 11 am – 4 pm.
- Shari’s – Children get a free kid’s meal from 4 – 9 pm.
- Steak ‘n Shake – Receive a free kids plate (without drinks or shakes) for every $9 you spend.
- Texas Land and Cattle – Get two kids meals for free when you purchase an adult entree from 11 am – 4 pm.
- WhichWich – Get a kids meal for 99 cents for children of 12 and under when you buy a 7” sandwich.
Kids Eat Free Sunday
- Arriba Mexican Grill – A free kid’s meal comes with each adult entree.
- Baja Fresh – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy an adult entree and drink.
- Blue Mesa Grill – Get a free meal for a kid of 5 and under when you buy an adult brunch meal from 9 am – 3 pm.
- Dickey’s – Get a free meal for kids of 12 and under when you spend over $10 on an adult entree.
- Hooters – Kids meals are free from 11 am – 11 pm here. That is if you consider Hooters a family-friendly restaurant, of course.
- Jose Pepper’s – Kids can eat for free all day long.
- Margaritas Mexican Restaurant – Get two free kid’s meal for every adult meal you buy at certain locations. Be sure to check ahead that your local branch does this offer.
- Planet Sub – Get a free kid’s meal for each adult meal you buy.
- Qdoba Mexican Grill – Get a free kid’s meal when you buy a plate of enchiladas. Some locations offer this on Wednesday instead of Sunday so check ahead.
- Slim Chicken’s – Children of age 10 and younger get free meals all day.
- Souper! Salad! – Kids of 4 and under eat free all day.
- Steak ‘n Shake – Get a free kids plate, excluding drinks and shakes, for every $9 you spend.
- Tony Roma’s – Kids from 12 and under get a free meal when you purchase an adult entree.
- White Castle – Get a free kid’s meal when you get an adult meal for at least $4 from 4 – 8 pm.
It Varies By Location
As mentioned above, there are many restaurants that will offer deals specific to certain locations. This is often because while the restaurant might be part of a chain or a franchise, there are independently operated by owners who have some freedom over what deals they offer and when.
Whenever you hear that any particular restaurant or chain is offering a certain deal, make sure you check with the location nearest to you. Sometimes, they won’t be offering the deal, sometimes they will be offering a different deal, and sometimes they will have that deal, but they will simply be offering it on another night instead.
Save Money While Enjoying a Family Night Out
With the huge list of restaurants above, it will be easy to find savings on your night out no matter when you go to dine. The offerings are a little slimmer on Friday nights so if you want to save some money, that’s probably a night to eat in, instead, but as you can see, there are still some restaurants offering deals there.
Lastly, be sure to check with any restaurant before you go expecting to benefit from one of the deals mentioned above. Not only do they differ on location, as discussed above, but some of them may also be time-limited. Deals come and go all the time, though some have been lasting as long as a franchise or restaurant has been opened.
One thing is for sure, you will definitely be able to eat out and eat well for less with the savings mentioned above.
What restaurant are you headed to this week with your kids? Let us know in the comments!
Samantha Hawrylack is a personal finance expert and full-time entrepreneur with a passion for writing and SEO. She holds a Bachelor’s in Finance and Master’s in Business Administration and previously worked for Vanguard, where she held Series 7 and 63 licenses. Her work has been featured in publications like Grow, MSN, CNBC, Ladders, Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans, Clever Girl Finance, Credit Donkey, Crediful, Investing Answers, Well Kept Wallet, AllCards, Mama and Money, and Concreit, among others. She writes in personal finance, real estate, credit, entrepreneurship, credit card, student loan, mortgage, personal loan, insurance, debt management, business, productivity, and career niches.
dorisk
Saturday 4th of June 2022
GOOD IDEA AND SERVICES
Benny
Monday 24th of January 2022
Thank you so much for this post! I was looking for new places to take my kids on a budget
Williams
Friday 26th of November 2021
Thanks
Jonathon C. Tavera
Thursday 18th of February 2021
I’m going to save this post though and refer back to when everything opens back up from the Coronavirus. I take advantage of the IHOP deal sometimes also but I didn’t know about all these other options!
Alex
Monday 20th of July 2020
With restaurants finally opening back up, this is perfect!