Everybody’s trying to save a buck these days. But hey, sometimes you want to treat yourself to a decent meal at a restaurant.
If you have kiddos, though, you know how easily the bill multiplies when you add mac ‘n’ cheese and chicken strips into the picture. (and the portions are so small!)
If you’re a busy parent who wants to treat yourself (and your kids) without hurting your wallet, you’re in luck.
Check out these national chain restaurants where kids can eat free (or for dirt cheap)!
Restaurants change their policies and promotions often (especially during the pandemic!) so please call them to confirm that the information we list is still accurate. And if you do learn of a change, please contact us and we will fix it as soon as possible!
Also, if you want to save even more, buy a discounted gift card off a site like Raise to save even more.
Did you know you can win money playing games?
Blackout Bingo is a free bingo game that you play on your phone against other players. If you’re familiar with bingo, you know exactly how to play this fun and fast paced game.
You can compete in two-minute games to earn tickets redeemable for gift cards and merchandise. You can also play for real money, competing in tournaments, and more.
(if bingo isn’t for you, Solitaire Cash is another popular game!)
There are now food delivery apps that offer new customer promotions. DoorDash offers $15 off your first 3 orders over $12. (and these credit cards give you free DashPass delivery) It’s not quite “free” but it’s pretty close!
Table of Contents
Kids Eat Free Every Day
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – As long as your kid is shorter than 40 inches, they can receive one free baby cone.
Fricker’s – When you dine in at Fricker’s kids eat free all day, every day. Pretty sweet, huh?
Cafe Rio – Kids six and under get a free Nino Quesadilla with the purchase of adult entree.
Carrows – From Monday through Friday, kids 10 and younger can eat for free after 4 pm. It’s a perfect solution for scoring a cheap weeknight family dinner. Valid for one free kid’s meal for each paying adult.
Cici’s – At participating locations, kids under the age of 3 eat free when you purchase a full-price adult entree. Some locations choose to do this a specific day every week instead of every day, so call ahead!
Boston Market – This isn’t a daily deal, but it’s good to know. If you’re part of Boston Market’s VIP Club, you and your kids get a free dessert on your birthdays. Who wants to pay for a birthday cake, anyway?
Quaker Steak and Lube – The day of this promotion varies by location, so call ahead. From 5 – 10 pm, your kid can eat free with an adult purchase. They do limit the available kid’s meals to burgers, wings, and mac ‘n’ cheese, so it might not be a good option if your kiddo is a super picky eater.
Smashburger – Depending on the location, Smashburger offers a free kid’s meal with the purchase of a burger or entree. It does have to be after 4 pm, and the day of the week differs. They’ll usually run the promotion on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.
Holiday Inn – Vacations with kids don’t have to be expensive. Did you know that Holiday Inn lets up to four kiddos eat for free at the on-site Holiday Inn restaurant? They do! To sweeten the deal, there are no day or time restrictions. Kids must be 12 or younger to qualify for the promo.
Applebee’s – This promotion will also differ by the day of the week. Applebee’s lets kids eat free when you purchase a qualifying adult entree.
McAlister’s Deli – Kids at for .99 every day at McAlister’s Deli.
O’Charleys – O’Charley’s gives one free kid’s meal when you purchase one adult entree, all day every day. Your kids need to be 10 or younger to qualify for the promo.
IHOP – Every day from 4 – 9 pm kids can eat free at the International House of Pancakes. You get one free kid’s meal for each adult entree purchased. This offer is valid for dine-in only and can’t be combined with other coupons or offers.
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.
Double Dave’s Pizza – When you buy an adult buffet at Double Dave’s you get one kid’s buffet free.
On the Border – In the spirit of sugaring up your kiddos, you can get a free sundae with a kid’s meal purchased at On the Border.
Steak ‘n’ Shake – For every $9 you spend at Steak ‘n’ Shake, you qualify for one free kid’s meal.
Norms – One FREE JR. Entrée from the Kid’s Menu (guests 10 and under) with each adult entrée purchased from Monday through Friday, hours will vary by location.
Kids Eat Free Monday
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.
Arooga’s – Buy one adult entree and snag a free kid’s meal. Kiddos must be 12 or younger to qualify for the freebie.
Rock Bottom Cafe – Every Monday and Tuesday, kids 12 and younger eat free here. Now that’s some tasty savings.
Cinzetti’s – Cure the Monday blues at Cinzetti’s from 5 – 9 pm, when kids 12 and younger eat for free.
Skyline Chili – Feed your little ones 4 and younger for free from 4 – 9 pm on Monday nights.
Texas Roadhouse – Kids eat for .99 on Monday nights or Tuesday nights at Texas Roadhouse (call your location to find out which day). You get one free kid’s meal for each adult entree you purchase. Remember, this is only for dine-in meals and can’t be combined with other offers or coupons.
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.
Spaghetti Warehouse – When you buy one adult entree at Spaghetti Warehouse, you get one kid’s entree for $1.99. Kids must be 10 or younger, and there’s a limit of 2 kids per adult.
Cody’s Original Steakhouse – Every Monday and Tuesday, kids eat free at Cody’s with the purchase of an adult entree. Kids must be 10 or younger, and there’s a limit of 2 kids per adult entree purchase.
Chili’s – When you buy an adult entree, you get one free kid’s entree. You have to join their rewards program, which is free.
Woody’s BBQ – Kids 10 and younger eat for free from 3 pm to closing every Monday.
Kids Eat Free Tuesday
Back Yard Burgers – Purchase one adult combo meal and get one free kid’s meal.
Bob Evans – Grab yourself dinner and get a free meal for your kid after 4 pm on Tuesday nights.
Beef O’Brady’s – After 4 pm, you can get one free kid’s meal for every adult entree purchased.
Godfather’s Pizza – If your kid is age 10 or younger, they can eat for free from the buffet. This is only valid during select times: first during lunch from 11 am – 2 pm, then during dinner from 5 – 8 pm.
Atlanta Bread – From 4 pm to closing, you can get one free kid’s meal for each adult meal purchased.
UNO Chicago Grill – Get yourself some grub and your kid gets one free meal.
Red Brick Pizza – Who doesn’t love pizza? Feed even the pickiest eaters with a free meal at Red Brick Pizza. But one adult entree and get a kid’s meal for free. Drinks aren’t included in the deal.
Chevy’s Fresh Mex – Kids eat free when you purchase one adult entree. It’s one adult entree per free kid’s meal.
Famous Dave’s – If your kids are 12 or younger, they can eat for free all Tuesday at Famous Dave’s. Some locations charge .99 for kid’s meals as part of the promo, so call ahead to make sure. They maintain a list here but it’s safest to call.
Pizza Street – Everybody loves cheese pizza. Cruise over to Pizza Street to score a free cheese pizza meal for your child. Kids must be 10 or younger to qualify.
Rock Bottom Cafe – Every Monday and Tuesday, kids 12 and younger eat free here. Now that’s some tasty savings.
Texas Roadhouse – Kids eat for .99 on Monday nights or Tuesday nights at Texas Roadhouse (call your location to find out which day). You get one free kid’s meal for each adult entree you purchase. Remember, this is only for dine-in meals and can’t be combined with other offers or coupons.
Johnny Rockets – Every Tuesday and Thursday, kids eat free when you buy an adult entree and drink. This offer is valid only from 4 – 8 pm.
Pizza Hut – Kids 10 and younger eat for free when you buy an adult buffet. Keep in mind that some locations offer a cheap $6.99 unlimited buffet, too.
Marie Callender’s – Get one free kid’s meal for each adult entree you purchase.
Logan’s Roadhouse – Buy one adult entree and get one free kid’s meal. The offer is valid for kids 10 and younger, and can’t be combined with other coupons or offers. Kids meal comes with a choice of one side and drink.
Lonestar Steakhouse – When you buy one adult entree, up to 2 kids can eat for free. The offer is only valid for kiddos 12 or younger.
Black Eyed Pea – Buy one adult entree and get one item free from the kid’s menu. Kids must be 12 or younger to qualify, and the offer is valid from 5 pm to closing.
Bennigan’s – After 4 pm every Tuesday, kids eat free when you purchase an adult entree. Kids need to be 12 or younger to qualify for the promo.
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.
Chik-Fil-A – Buy a combo meal for an adult and score a free kid’s meal on Tuesday nights from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Call ahead to make sure this promotion is valid! Some Chik-Fil-A locations only charge $0.99 for the kid’s meals.
Fazoli’s – Score kids meals for .99 apiece on Tuesday nights.
Denny’s – Kids eat dinner free at Denny’s on Tuesdays from 4 – 10 pm.
Freebirds – Buy an adult entree and get a free burrito or quesadilla meal for your kiddo. The offer is valid from 10:30 am – 9 pm on Tuesdays for kids 11 and younger.
Genghis Grill – Buy an adult entree at full price and score a free meal for your kiddo age 12 or younger.
Ruby Tuesday – Kids eat a free meal when you buy an adult entree. This offer is valid from 5 pm to closing on Tuesday nights.
Ponderosa Steakhouse – For every adult entree you buy, you get two free kid’s meals. Valid from 4 – 9 pm on Tuesday nights.
Cody’s Original Steakhouse – Every Monday and Tuesday, kids eat free at Cody’s with the purchase of an adult entree. Kids must be 10 or younger, and there’s a limit of 2 kids per adult entree purchase.
Kids Eat Free Wednesday
Qdoba Mexican Grill – Get yourself a nice plate of enchiladas and get a free meal for your kiddo but the day varies from location to location, usually it’s on Sunday or Wednesday.
Gatti Town – Buffets are a great way to fuel up for less. Gatti Town lets kids 10 and younger have a free kid’s buffet when you buy one adult buffet meal.
Little Bitty Burger Barn – Feeding two kids and it’s just you? No problemo. Little Bitty Burger Barn lets kids 10 and younger eat for free all day Wednesday. Buy one full-price adult meal and get two free kid’s meals.
Jeffery’s Sports Grill – There’s no time restriction on this bad boy. Kids eat free all day on Wednesday at Jeffery’s. Limit one free kid’s meal per paying adult.
East Coast Wings – If you’re looking for a way to beat the Hump Day blues, go to East Coast Wings from 3:30 pm to closing for a free kid’s meal.
Firehouse Subs – Purchase one adult entree and score a free kid’s meal – complete with a drink and a small treat. You can get two kid’s meals per adult meal purchased. The offer is valid from 5 – 8 pm on Wednesday evenings.
Luby’s – For every adult entree, get one free kid’s meal. Offer is valid after 4 pm on Wednesday nights.
Buffalo Wild Wings – From 4 – 10 pm on Wednesday nights, order from the kid’s menu for $1.99. It’s not free, but it’s cheap! (this is not a national offer so call your local Buffalo Wild Wings to see if they are participating in this promotion!)
Jason’s Deli – Purchase one adult entree and get one free kid’s meal.
Friendly’s – Score kid’s meals for just $1.99 all day on Wednesdays.
Kids Eat Free Thursday
Salsarita’s – Buy yourself a plate of hot, Mexican fare and snag one free meal for your child.
C.B. & Potts – Kids eat free here all day on Thursdays.
The Chartroose Caboose – Chow down on an $8 adult entree and get your kid a free meal all day Thursday.
Red Robin – Looks like Red Robin has updated their offer and instead of free, Kids eat for $1.99 with an adult entree.
Johnny Rockets – Every Tuesday and Thursday, kids eat free when you buy an adult entree and drink. This offer is valid only from 4 – 8 pm.
Piccadilly – For .99, get an entree, two sides, a drink, and a dessert for your kiddo to enjoy.
Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen – Buy one adult meal and get up to two free kid’s meals.
Kids Eat Free Friday
Chicken Out Rotisserie – Chicken is a crowd-pleaser that makes for a great family dinner. Why not go out on a Friday night and score a cheap meal for the fam? Get a free kid’s meal with the purchase of one full-price adult meal.
Shoney’s – All kiddos under the age of 4 eat free when you buy an adult entree.
Kids Eat Free Saturday
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant – Subsist on more than free chips at this restaurant. On Saturdays, you can get two free kid’s meals for each adult meal you order at their East Hartford (CT) and Mystic (CT) locations.
Shari’s – Make Saturday a family date night on the cheap with a free kid’s meal at Shari’s. They eat for free every Saturday from 4 – 9 pm.
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.
Maggiano’s – All kids under 5 eat free today.
Piccadilly – For .99, get an entree, two sides, a drink, and a dessert for your kiddo to enjoy. On Saturdays this offer is only valid from 11 am – 4 pm.
Texas Land and Cattle – When you buy one adult entree, get up to two free kid’s meals for free. The offer is only valid on Saturday afternoons from 11 am – 4 pm.
Kids Eat Free Sunday
Slim Chicken’s – Sunday Funday, am I right? Head over to Slim Chicken’s for free meals for kids aged 10 and younger.
Jose Pepper’s – Kids can eat for free all Sunday at Jose Pepper’s.
Qdoba Mexican Grill – Get yourself a nice plate of enchiladas and get a free meal for your kiddo but the day varies from location to location, usually it’s on Sunday or Wednesday.
Planet Sub – Sandwiches are an easy way to fuel up for less. On Sundays, you can get a free kid’s meal for every adult meal you purchase.
Hooters – I mean, they’re kinda family-friendly, right? … Right? If you want to get your fix on wings (and wings only, I’m sure), Hooters gives free kid’s meals from 11 am – 11 pm every Sunday.
Arriba Mexican Grill – Purchase one full-priced adult entree and get one free kid’s meal.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant – Subsist on more than free chips at this restaurant. On Sundays, you can get two free kid’s meals for each adult meal you order at their East Hartford, CT and Mystic, CT, Auburn, ME, Exeter, NH, and Toms River, NJ locations.
Tony Roma’s – When you buy an adult entree, you get one free kid’s meal. The offer is only valid for kids age 12 and younger.
Souper! Salad! – On Sundays kids age 4 and younger eat for free!
Blue Mesa Grill – Score one adult brunch meal and get a free meal for a child age 5 or younger. The offer is only valid during brunch from 9 am – 3 pm.
Baja Fresh – Buy an adult entree and drink and get a free kid’s meal.
Dickey’s – Spend at least $10 on an adult entree and get one free kid’s meal. Kids need to be age 12 or younger to qualify for the freebie.
White Castle – Burgers, anyone? Buy an adult meal for at least $4 and get a free kid’s meal. The offer is only valid on Sunday evenings from 4 – 8 pm.
It Varies By Location
Some restaurants are franchises and/or independently operated so each location will offer specials on different days. Check with the franchise for the full details.
Golden Corral – The location decides which day they offer it, if at all, but kids under 3 eat for free when you buy an adult buffet.
Mellow Mushroom – They are independently operated franchises so check their Facebook page or call the location to find out more. For example, this Facebook page for the Lima, OH location (though dated May 2018) promotes a kids eat free offer on Monday and Tuesdays. The one at the Coral Ridge Mall has it every day.
Moe’s Southwest Grill – Buy one adult entree and get one free kid’s meal. Call to confirm – different Moe’s have different days. I’ve seen it advertised on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays… check with your local Moe’s before you go.
There are infinite ways to save money while living well.
Take advantage of these restaurant promotions to score a tasty family meal out that won’t bust your budget.
DENNIS DE EROSE says
Thank you. Did you mention that Kid’s eat free at Perkins and Golden Coral as well?
Andy says
Dennys is under Thursday when they have meals for free for kids on Tuesday.
When we did our research, they had it available for both days.
Jeremy Hays says
Just went to planet sub and they are free on Monday not sunday
Lisa says
A lot of places on this website are in accurate. We went to Texas roadhouse on a Monday night and your website says kids eat free there Monday night, nope kids eat free there Tuesday night. It also says kids eat free at Hooters on Sunday night. I called the two Hooters near me and kids don’t eat free there on Sunday at all. You might want to update your site.
We strive to keep it as up to date as possible but restaurants change their promotions all the time. Thank you for letting us know!
Mary says
Jim, thank you for your due diligence. I realize that companies change their policies constantly. I just appreciate the list so I know whom to contact about free services 🙂
You’re welcome!
Angie says
I am Mgr at Firehouse Subs in Easley SC.
Our kids days are Sunday and Wednesday. Kids eat for .99 with each adult sandwich combo.
Firehouse Subs are also Franchised so location may be different
Alicia Amborn-Lothert says
Red Robin kids night is Wednesday 🙂
Looks like they updated their offer and now it’s $1.99 kid’s meal with an adult entree. Thanks Alicia!
Ginger says
I just called Red Robin in Colorado Springs, CO and they said they no longer have kids night at any location.
Yeah, it’s not a “kids night,” it’s just a discounted kids meal.
Law Family says
Kids eat free with purchase of adult meal on Saturdays and Sundays at Schlotzsky’s as of my visit yesterday 2/23/19.
Ginger says
Qdoba has kids day on Sunday only.
Thanks Ginger – it turns out the day varies from location to location (if offered) and is Sunday or Wednesday.
Brittany King says
Moe’s Southwest Grill is Thursday’s; not Sundays 👌🏼
It appears to vary by location!
Brenda Wood says
Thank you for sharing your finds! Eating out with kids, or grandkids, is always expensive, especially when they eat three bites and are “full”!! You encourage us to call ahead to verify the promotion so I cant’ quite understand some readers’ aggravation at what they deem as inaccurate reporting on your website. Keep up the helpful information!
Karen Gilmore says
Well the only restaurant within 40 miles of me is an Ihop and they say they don’t have a kids deal
That seems odd because they advertise this all the time! On TV, online, in magazines… maybe it’s just your local IHOP that doesn’t do it.
DeborahP says
Famous Dave’s Novi is not accommodating. The manager on 2/25/2020 @ 1515 had no promo key to accept the offer. I was celebrating a kids birthday and selected this restaurant. Eventually, the manager comped the kids Mac n Cheese as a side with the chicken tenders. My suggestion is share this article with each corporation for sharing with their franchises.
Turns out that not all locations participate in this – they maintain a list here – https://www.famousdaves.com/offers
Elaine Brill says
Thank you for the info. With 10 brands any little bit helps.
Brent Davis says
Some of these vary by location. The local Chilis stopped their kids day over about 2 to 3 years ago, and the local Firehouse Subs has its kids day on Mondays. One I didn’t see listed is Perkins – our local one has its kids day on Tuesdays.