Dining out is so fun and convenient, but it can be so expensive: all those appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts can really add up! That’s why I compiled this list of 53 places where kids eat free!

53 Places Where Kids Eat Free (or Almost Free)

If you’re like most people, you want to stretch your dollar a little further—especially if you’re going out to eat with kids.

However, there is one easy life hack that will lower your restaurant bill: going to places where kids eat free (or almost free)!

This trick has allowed our family to go out to eat much more often than our budget would have allowed otherwise. Not to mention—it’s great for picky, finicky kids who don’t always finish their dinner. (Such a waste of money!)

With just a little digging, I’ve found a ton of restaurants where kids eat free Wednesday, Thursday, and other days of the week.

Wondering which restaurants your kids can eat free at today? Get ready to plan your next dinner out or takeout meal!

Check out the list below of 53 restaurants where your kids can eat free of charge (or close to it). To make things easy, I’ve included lots of restaurants that can be found throughout the country, so you’re sure to find one near you. Also, the restaurants are organized by day of the week and cuisine, so you can skip the places you (or your picky little ones) aren’t a fan of.

As you scroll down, you’ll probably notice that kids eat free all week long at some restaurants, while other restaurants limit this promotion to one day a week. For restaurants that limit when kids eat free, that day usually lands near the beginning of the week. (That’s because restaurants want to encourage you to go out early in the week, when their sales are lower.)

Note: restaurants change their policies often, and some restaurants have different promotions depending on location. Make sure to call ahead and confirm that kids still eat free before you go!

In addition to this huge list of places where kids eat free, be sure to snag more freebies for kids with these 61 Kids Birthday Freebies!

Where Kids Eat Free All Week Long

American

• Applebee’s – Kids eat free when you purchase a qualifying adult entree. (This promotion varies based on location.)
• Chili’s: Join Chili’s rewards program and get personalized rewards, like free kid’s meals (12 and under)!
• Fricker’s – At Fricker’s, kids eat free—all day, every day. (This is a pretty great promotion, right?)
• Holiday Inn – Holiday Inn lets up to four kids eat for free at the Holiday Inn restaurant on-site, at any time of day. (Note that the kids must be under 12 years old to qualify.)
• McAlister’s Deli – Have a spare dollar? Then your kid’s meal is covered! At McAlister’s Deli, kids eat for $0.99 every day.
• O’Charleys – At O’Charley’s, you can get one free kid’s meal when purchasing one adult entree. (Kids must be 10 or younger to qualify.)
• Quaker Steak and Lube – From 5–10 pm, your kid can get a free kid’s meal with an adult purchase. (Note that the free kid’s meals are limited to burgers, wings, and mac ’n cheese, so make sure your kiddo likes these before going.)
• Smashburger – Your kids can eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. This promotion is valid from 4 to 9 p.m., and the day of the week may vary, so make sure you call ahead.
• Steak ‘n’ Shake – Spend $9 at Steak ‘n’ Shake, get one free kid’s meal. Repeat as needed!
• TGI Friday’s – Kids get a free meal and drink with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Breakfast

• IHOP – Kids can eat free every day from 4-9 pm—one free kid’s meal for every adult meal you purchase. (Note that it’s dine-in only and not combinable with other offers.)

Ice Cream/Dessert

• Boston Market – This isn’t technically a daily deal, but it can happen any day of the year. Join the Boston Market VIP Club to get a free dessert on your kid’s birthday!
• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – Strangely, this promotion is based on kid height rather than age! Any of your kids under 40 inches (3 ft. 6 inches) in height can get a baby cone for free.
• Culver’s – This isn’t a full meal, but kids 12 and younger get a free custard with the purchase of a kid’s meal.

Italian

• Romano’s Macaroni Grill – All kids 12 and under can get a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

Mexican

• Cafe Rio – Get a free niño quesadilla (with purchase of an adult entree) for your kids age 6 and under!
• On the Border – Ready for dessert? For every kid’s meal purchased here, you can get a free sundae.

Pizza

• Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Kids get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.