Take a Break From Cooking: 40 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

Marisa LaScala
·6-min read
a girl eating breakfast
A HUGE List of Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free Gins Wang - Getty Images


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Anyone who cares for kids knows the constant squeeze on the wallet — and nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to the food budget. (What, you're telling me kids need to eat every day, multiple times?!) While smart grocery shopping and cooking dinner at home can certainly save money, sometimes you need a break from the endless cycle of planning meals, preparing them and cleaning up afterward. Time for a night out!

The good news: You can dine out and keep your budget intact if you know where to go. Here's a comprehensive list of family-friendly restaurants that offer deals for kids. Sometimes children eat free with the purchase of an adult meal; other times they can order their own kid's meal for less than $5. While deals are available every day of the week, savvy parents will notice that early-week specials are more abundant than weekend ones, so plan accordingly. Looking for more free stuff? Check out our list of the best places to go for birthday freebies.

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free Several Days a Week

  • Bruster's: At participating stores, kids under 40 inches tall get a free baby ice cream cone.

  • Cafe Brazil: Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday, kids ages 12 and under get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Chili's: Diners have to participate in the My Chili's Rewards program, but if they do, they get a free meal for kids 12 and under with the purchase of any regular entrée.

  • Denny's: Denny's has a deal for free kids' meals every Tuesday night, but those who join Denny's rewards program can get even more free dinners.

  • Fricker's: Kids eat free all day, every day with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Fogo de Chão: Kids 6 and under enjoy always eat free, and kids 7 to 12 eat half-price every day.

  • Fuddruckers: There are plenty of deals for kids, though they vary by location. At the Smoky Mountains Fuddruckers, in Asheville, NC or Johnson City, TN, for example, kids eat free every Monday through Wednesday after 4:00 p.m.

  • Holiday Inn: Kids under the age of 11 always eat free at on-site restaurants when ordering off the kids' menu while accompanied by an adult diner.

  • Moe's Southwest Grill: This varies by location, but often kids can eat free on Sundays (or sometimes on Tuesdays).

  • Noodles & Company: For a limited time, diners can get a free kid's meal with the purchase of any regular entrée. The offer also works online with the code KIDSEATFREE.

  • Rainforest Cafe: Though this deal isn't free, and isn't offered every week, once a month the restaurant announces a day where kids 10 and under eat for just $0.99 with the purchase of an adult meal.

  • Steak 'n Shake: This one isn't just for kids. The whole family can enjoy "happy hour," with half-price shakes and drinks every weekday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Texas de Brazil: Deals depend on the ages of the child: Kids ages 2 and under eat for free with the purchase of an adult meal. Kids ages 3 to 5 dine for $5, and kids ages 6 to 12 dine for half off the adult price.

  • TGI Friday's: Monday through Thursday, kids get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • 99 Restaurant and Pub: A good one for baseball fans, this deal only materializes if the Red Sox win. Then, kids ages 10 and under get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Mondays

  • Burger-Fi: Diners can get one free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult meal.

  • Cody's Original Roadhouse: Kids 10 and under get a free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Ghengis Grill: Not completely free, but on Mondays after 4:00 p.m. kids can eat for $1.99 with the purchase of an adult meal (limit two per table).

  • MCL Restaurant and Bakery: Diners can get two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult meal.

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays

  • Amici's East Coast Pizzeria: From 5:00 p.m. until closing, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.

  • Bob Evans: If you order on the app, kids get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée (limit three per order).

  • Cody's Original Roadhouse: Kids 10 and under get a free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Denny's: From 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., kids get a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal at participating locations.

  • Famous Dave's: With the purchase of an adult meal, kids can get a Lil' Wilbur Meal for free.

  • Marie Callender's Restaurant and Bakery: Kids ages 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Miller's Ale House: Diners get one free kids meal with purchase of $10 food item (limit 2 per table).

  • Ruby Tuesday: After 5:00 p.m., all kids get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Smashburger: From 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.

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

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Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays

  • Chevy's Fresh Mex: Not totally free, but on Wednesdays kids can eat for the low, low price of $1 with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Luby's: Kids 10 and under can get a free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Red Robin: Not totally free, but a good deal worth mentioning — kid meals are 50% off, with a limit of four meals per one adult entrée. The deal extends to online orders with the code KIDSMEAL50.

  • Smashburger: Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Thursdays

  • Piccadilly: Kids 12 and under can get a kid's meal for $1.99 with the purchase of an adult meal (limit two per adult purchase).

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Fridays

  • Ruby Tuesday: After 5:00 p.m., all kids get a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Saturdays

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Sundays

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