53 Places Where Kids Eat Free (or Almost Free)

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.

Where Kids Eat Free Monday

American

• Buffalo Wild Wings — Get a kid’s meal for just $1.99 with purchase of adult entree
• Fuddrucker’s – Every Monday and Tuesday, kids eat for .99. Kids must be 12 or younger, and the deal is only from 4 – 9 pm.
• Skyline — Feed your little ones 4 and younger for free from 4 – 9 pm on Monday nights.
• WhichWich – Buy a 7” sandwich for yourself and get a kid’s meal for just .99. This offer is valid only on Mondays and Saturdays, and kids must be 12 or younger.

Italian

• Fazoli’s — From 5-8 p.m., you can get not one but three kid’s meals for $0.99 for every one adult entree. (For kids 12 and under.)
• Spaghetti Warehouse — Get a kid’s meal (10 and under) for $1.99 with purchase of an adult entree. (Limit two kids.)

Pizza

• LaRosa’s — Have kiddos 10 and under? They can get an all-you-can-eat spaghetti meal for just $0.99!

Where Kids Eat Free Tuesday

American

• Bob Evans — Get dinner for you, along with dinner for your kids. After 4 p.m., purchase of an adult entrée gets you a free kid’s meal.
• Chik-Fil-A – Get a free kid’s meal from 5:30-7:30 pm when you buy an adult combo meal.
• Denny’s – After 4 pm, head over to Denny’s for a free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal ($6 or more).
• Johnny Rockets – Purchase an adult entree and drink, and your kids eat free! (Valid from 4 to 8 pm.)
• Logan’s Roadhouse – Kids 10 and under can get a free kid’s meal (plus side and drink) with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Marie Callender’s Restaurant and Bakery – Kids (those aged 12 and under) eat for free with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery – After 4 pm, head over to Perkins: kids eat free!
• Ruby Tuesday: Kids get a free meal with purchase of an adult entree every day after 5 p.m. Dinner, anyone?

BBQ

• Famous Dave’s – All day, kids 12 and under eat free!

European

• IKEA – In certain IKEA locations, your kids can eat free at the food court. (Meatballs, here we come!)

Pizza

• Pizza Hut – When you buy an adult buffet, your kids can eat for free! (Valid for kids 10 and under.)

Where Kids Eat Free Wednesday

American

• Firehouse Subs –  Buy a combo meal, great one free kid’s meal!
• Friendly’s – This isn’t completely free, but it’s pretty darn close! Kid’s meals are just $1.99 all day long.
• Jason’s Deli – Run, don’t walk to get delicious sandwiches and soups for you and your little ones: get one free kid’s meal for every one adult entree.
• Jeffery’s Sports Grill – Get one free kid’s meal per paying adult, all day long!
• East Coast Wings – Starting at 3:30 pm, you can get a free kid’s meal.

Mexican

• Qdoba Mexican Grill – This varies based on location, but you can get a free meal for your kiddo and a delicious order of enchiladas for yourself.

Where Kids Eat Free Thursday

American

• C.B. Potts – No joke – kids eat free all day!
• Piccadilly – You get more for less here! For just $0.99, you’ll get an entree, two sides, a drink, and a dessert for your kiddo.
• Red Robin – While it’s not quite free, it’s close! With the purchase of an adult entree, get a kid’s meal for $1.99.

Mexican

• Salsarita’s – One adult entree plus one free kid’s meal equals delicious Mexican food for less!

Seafood

• Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen – Just you and your two kids? No problem! Get up to two free kid’s meals for every paying adult.

Where Kids Eat Free Friday

American

• Shoney’s – Your littlest ones (age 4 and under) can eat free when you buy an adult entree.

Where Kids Eat Free on the Weekend

American

• Texas Land & Cattle – Get more at Texas Land & Cattle—up to two free kid’s meals when you purchase an adult entrée in the afternoon (11 am to 4 pm).
• White Castle – On Sundays from 4-8 pm, your kids can get a free meal as long as you purchase a $4 adult meal.

BBQ

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – All day Sunday, kids eat free! (This includes drinks!)

Italian

• Maggiano’s Little Italy – All day Saturday, your little ones eat free! (Note: this is for kids under 5 only.)

Mexican

• Baja Fresh – On Sundays, visit Baja Fresh for a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal.

Dining out with kids doesn’t have to break the bank. With this list of 53 places where kids eat free (or almost free), you can enjoy a night off from cooking without worrying about your budget.

These restaurants offer a variety of cuisines and have different promotions throughout the week, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Remember to call ahead and confirm the current policies, as restaurants may change their promotions or have location-specific offers.

So, go ahead and take a night off from cooking and explore these kid-friendly restaurants where your little ones can eat free. Enjoy quality time with your family and savor delicious meals without worrying about the cost. Start saving and making lasting memories today!

Where is your favorite place kids eat free? Please share in the comments.