**Where Can Kids Eat Free or Cheap? View Our Huge List of 31 Verified Restaurants!
Here’s where kids eat free at national restaurant chains across the country!
Tired parents, rejoice… kids eat FREE at these restaurants!
Dining out at restaurants can get expensive really fast when you have growing kids at home. But, with a little research and planning (don’t worry – we’re here to help!), kids can eat free or for super cheap and parents can enjoy a break from meal planning, cooking, and cleaning up. 🙌🏻 It’s a win-win for everyone!
Because we love saving you money, check out the following restaurants that offer free or discounted kids’ meals so that you can enjoy eating out as a family without worrying about the bill. Keep in mind that many restaurants may actually have unadvertised specials for kids, so don’t hesitate to ask!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to call the restaurant you plan to dine at to verify details before packing up the kiddos and making a special trip as these promotions may vary greatly by region and franchise.
Restaurants that offer kids eat free promos or cheap kids’ meals:
1. Kids eat free at Applebee’s on select days.
Kids can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée on a select day of the week at participating locations. The day of the week will vary by location, so be sure to follow your local Applebee’s on Facebook or call your local restaurant before heading over there.
2. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s offers a free kids’ meal on Tuesdays.
On Tuesdays, kids 12 and under can eat for free at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s from 4-8 PM with the purchase of one adult entrée. Contact your nearest Beef ‘O’ Brady’s to confirm the promo.
3. At Bob Evans, kids can eat for free after 4 PM on Tuesdays.
Every Tuesday, kids can eat free at Bob Evans restaurants after 4 PM with the purchase of an adult entrée. I called to confirm the offer with my nearest Bob Evans, but it’s always best to call your local chain or contact them via Facebook.
4. Kids eat free at Cafe Brazil.
For those of you who live in Texas, with a purchase of an adult entree, your kiddo 12 and under can enjoy a free meal!
5. Cafe Rio gives your kiddo a free quesadilla.
With the purchase of an adult entree, your child can grab a free “nino” cheese quesadilla at participating locations. To confirm, be sure to call ahead to your local Cafe Rio.
6. You can potentially score TWO kids’ meals on the house at Captain D’s.
Participating locations may offer up to two free kids’ meals for each adult entree purchase at regular price (for kids ages 12 and under), valid for dine-in only. Contact your local restaurant to verify participation.
7. Chevy’s Fresh Mex offers $1 kids’ meals on Wednesdays.
Every Wednesday, your little ones can get a kids’ meal for just $1 with the purchase of an adult entrée. Plus, kids can get their own tortilla dough ball to play with to keep antsy diners entertained. What’s more, they can also take home an avocado pit to grow their own avocado tree! Head on over to Chevy’s Fresh Mex website for more details.
8. You may be able to get a free (or 99¢) kids’ meal at Chick-fil-A on Tuesdays.
Kids can eat free at select locations on Tuesdays between 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM with the purchase of an adult combo meal (note that some locations may charge $0.99).
My nearest Chick-fil-A was unaware of the offer but said they could accommodate, and another location was aware of the promo, so just be sure to contact your local restaurant for details, as the day and promotional participation may vary by location. Go here to find the closest Chick-fil-A location nearest you.
9. Chili’s offers free kids’ meals for rewards members.
My Chili’s Rewards members can receive free kids’ meal rewards offers that can be redeemed in-restaurant or online. Check out Chili’s website to learn more.
10. Kids can get a free meal at Denny’s on Tuesday evenings.
On Tuesdays from 4 PM to 10 PM (may vary by location), kids can eat free with an adult entrée purchase at participating locations. This offer is valid at participating restaurants for up to two free kids’ entrées from the kids’ menu per one adult entrée purchase of $6 or more.
Head on over to Denny’s website or call your local location for more details.
11. You can get a kids’ meal at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit with a $10 adult entrée.
Every Sunday, get one free kids’ meal (for children 12 and under) per $10 paid adult meal, valid for dine-in only. This offer is not valid with other offers or promotions. Visit Dickey’s website for more details.
12. Famous Dave’s is giving out free kids’ meals on Tuesdays.
On Tuesdays at participating locations, kids ages 8 and under (OR anyone named Wilbur) can get a free Lil’ Wilbur Meal with the purchase of an adult entrée, valid for dine-in only. Check out Famous Dave’s website for more details.
13. Firehouse Subs gives out free combos for kids’ birthdays.
Have a kiddo celebrating a birthday? Sign up your kids for a Free Kids’ Combo with the purchase of a Medium or Large Sub, Chips, and Drink! Or, you can also get a Free Medium Sub with the purchase of an additional Medium or Large Sub, Chips, and Drink.
14. If you live in Texas, at Freebirds World Burrito you can get a free kids’ entrée with any adult entrée on Sundays!
You can select a free kids’ meal all day on Sundays. This chain also has great low-carb and vegan options to accommodate different diets, too! 🙌
15. Fricker’s lets kids eat free any time!
Kids 10 years and younger can eat free all day, every day with the purchase of one adult entrée and child beverage, valid for dine-in only. Visit Fricker’s website here and scroll down to the bottom for more details.
16. You may score a free kids’ meal any night at IHOP.
IHOP has a “kids eat free” promotion where kids 12 and under can enjoy a free dinner with the purchase of an adult entrée. This offer may vary by location, but it’s usually valid any day from 4 PM to 10 PM, although each IHOP may have select days when this offer applies.
Check the IHOP Facebook page for the latest news.
17. IKEA offers 50% off kids’ meals!
Grab a healthy lunch at IKEA on Wednesdays and save 50% on kids’ meals with the purchase of one adult entrée at participating locations. Visit the IKEA website for more details.
18. Kids eat free at Luby’s on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
At participating Luby’s locations, kids ages 10 and under can get one free kids’ meal per adult meal purchased on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Kids’ meals include one entrée, two sides, Jell-O, and drink, or a Three-Veggie Plate, Jello, and drink. Check out Luby’s website for more details.
19. MCL Restaurant and Bakery gives up to two free kids’ meals.
MCL Restaurant and Bakery offers free kids’ meals all day Monday-Wednesday — up to two kids’ meals for each adult meal purchased! Check out the MCL website for more information.
20. Kids eat free on Sundays at Moe’s Southwest Grill!
On Sundays at select locations, kids can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée (limit one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased). Be sure to follow your local Moe’s on Facebook to see participating times and locations.
Choose from Power Wagon (hard or soft taco), Mini Masterpiece (cheese quesadilla), or Moo Moo Mr. Cow (burrito). Each kids’ meal includes a cookie, beverage, plus free chips and salsa.
You can also score a free birthday burrito when you sign up for their rewards program. 🙌
21. You can get a free kids’ meal at O’Charley’s any day!
Participating O’Charley’s restaurants give kids 10 and under a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée—all day, every day. Contact your local O’Charley’s restaurant for more details.
22. Old Spaghetti Factory gives free kids’ meals to club members!
Join The Old Spaghetti Factory Birthday Club, and kids 12 and under will receive a free kids’ meal on their birthday and a free treat on their half-birthday! Find a location nearest you.
23. Kids eat free on Tuesday nights at Panda Express!
At participating locations, you can score a free kids’ meal with two adult entrées on Tuesday nights from 5-9 PM. Call your local Panda Express to get all the details!
24. Perkins Restaurant & Bakery gives kids a free meal on their birthday.
If you have kiddos 12 or younger, sign them up for the Perkins Kids Birthday Club, and they’ll get a coupon for a free kids’ meal during the week of their birthday.
25. Piccadilly gives out cheap & delicious kids’ meals on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Kids 12 and under can eat for just $1.99 all day on Thursdays and 11 AM-4 PM on Saturdays at participating Piccadilly locations. Kids’ meals include your choice of entrée, like Chicken Tenders, Fried Fish, or Small Chopped Beef – plus two sides, kids’ drink, and dessert (limit two kids’ meals per adult meal purchase). Visit the Piccadilly website for details.
26. Romano’s Macaroni Grill gives kids free meals on Mondays and Tuesdays.
All-day on Mondays and Tuesdays, kids ages 12 and under can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée (excludes 3-course lunch and Romano’s Kitchen Counter Express Lunch or Dinner). Check out your local Romano’s Macaroni Grill Facebook page for details.
27. Kids 12 and under can enjoy a free meal at Ruby’s Diner.
Every Tuesday night from 4 PM until close, kids ages 12 and under can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée, valid at participating locations only. Limit one free kids’ meal per adult entrée purchase. Visit the Ruby’s Diner website for more details.
28. Ruby Tuesday serves up free kids’ meals after 5 PM on Tuesdays.
Every Tuesday from 5 PM to close, kids can eat free at participating Ruby Tuesday locations with the purchase of an adult entrée (limit one). Visit the Ruby Tuesday website for more details.
29. Slims Chickens gives your kiddos a free meal every Sunday.
With one regular adult combo purchase, kids can enjoy a free meal every Sunday at Slims Chickens. Make sure to call ahead to your location to confirm!
30. Steak ‘n Shake gives free kids’ meals at select locations.
This one looks like it’s location-specific, with some offering free kids’ meals any day & others only offering on select days. I was able to confirm with my nearest Steak ‘n Shake that they do offer a free kids’ meal with every $9 spent, but only on Saturdays. It’s best to check with your local restaurant to confirm the promo.
Kids’ Plates, which are served with a choice of fries or applesauce, include the Original Steakburger, Mini Corn Dogs, Macaroni & Cheese Steakburger Minis, Hot Dog, Grilled Cheese, or Chicken Fingers.
Also, Steak n’ Shake does have a pretty cool rewards program, and you get a free milkshake just for signing up!
31. Kids get a free cookie & meal at Zaxby’s on their birthday!
Every Tuesday, when you buy one adult entree at Zaxby’s, you’ll get TWO kids’ meals free! This does vary based on location, so make sure you call to confirm.
Kids eat free (2 kids meals per one adult meal) at McAlister’s Deli on Tuesdays from 5-9 and Half price Tea (free refills) everyday from 2-5. Order tea before 5 then order meals after 5. HUGE savings!! All that I’ve been to have Tuesdays nights, kids eat free, but some have other nights as well. For example, another location in our city has Tuesday nights and Sunday nights. 🙂 Also, you usually get a survey on your receipt for $2 off your next meal purchase. I keep the receipt surveys and if my family of 4 (2 kids) hit this at the right time we can all eat for around $12, tea included! 🙂
How cool! Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! Good to know!
Thabk for you this tip!
Love this list! Our Firehouse Subs locally does free kids meals on the weekends. Some of them are on Saturday and some of them are on Sunday. And our local Chick-fil-A is owned by stingy people so they don’t give anything away for free if they can help it.
Steak n shake is only on the weekends according to their website
Slims chicken also does the kids eat free with an adult entree on sundays,!
Panda Express every Tuesday kid meal is free with a purchase of adult entree, dine in only.
The restaurant at Bass Pro Shop has a free kids meal with an adult meal. It’s everyday in December.
McAlister’s kids meals offers seem to be limited to holidays
Thanks, Sara! We will get that updated!
O’Charley’s gives free kids meals for every paying adult meal. All day every day. And free pie on Weds.
At cafe Rio your children can get a free nino (small cheese quesadilla).
YUMMY! Thanks for sharing!
Pizza Ranch at many locations offer free kids buffets on Tuesdays after 4pm with the purchase of adult buffets.
That’s awesome! Thanks, Lacey! Good to know!
Applebees in Richmond Indiana does not have kids eat free.