Families hoping to save some cash when eating out can jump on kids eat free deals and restaurant specials from all sorts of restaurant chains.
Plenty of restaurants hand out free kids’ meals when you buy an adult entrée, which makes sticking to a budget a whole lot easier.
Usually, these deals show up on certain days—like Mondays or Tuesdays—and the restaurant might have age limits or require you to dine in.
Parents love these specials because they turn a simple meal out into an affordable treat for everyone. With a bit of planning, you can snag a night away from the kitchen without stressing about the bill, thanks to these deals.
Top National Restaurants Offering Kids Eat Free Deals
Chain restaurants across the country offer deals where kids eat free, but the details change depending on the day or whether you order an adult entrée.
Not every location plays along, so it’s smart to check ahead before you go.
Restaurant Chains With Ongoing Kids Promotions
Some big-name chains run kids eat free deals every day or at least pretty regularly.
Examples include:
- IHOP: Kids eat free daily from 4 pm to 10 pm with an adult entrée. The offer covers kids 12 and under and usually works for dine-in only.
- Denny’s: Many Denny’s spots let kids eat free on select nights when you buy an adult meal. The day depends on the location.
- Shari’s: At Shari’s, kids under 10 get a free meal all day if you grab an adult entrée.
- Texas de Brazil: Kids 2 and under eat free with an adult meal. Ages 3–5 get a discount.
Terms and availability change all the time, so double-check with the restaurant before heading out.
Day-Specific Kids Eat Free Offers
Some places only roll out the kids eat free deals on certain days of the week.
Popular examples:
- Outback Steakhouse: Kids eat free every Monday with an adult entrée. You can get the deal in the restaurant or online with the right promo code.
- Arooga’s Grille House: Mondays mean free kids’ meals with an adult meal order.
- Slapfish: Tuesdays bring a free kids’ meal when you buy an adult entrée.
- Ruby Tuesday: On Tuesday evenings after 5 pm, kids 12 and under eat free with a full-priced adult entrée.
Deals get updated seasonally, especially around holidays or school breaks. Checking the calendar or the restaurant’s site helps you pick the best day for dinner out.
How To Find Participating Locations
Not every chain location offers national kids eat free deals. Local franchise owners or managers often make the call.
To find out if a spot near you honors these deals:
- Call ahead: Ask a staff member about current deals and any restrictions.
- Check the restaurant’s website: Many chains post kids eat free nights and participating locations online.
- Look for local ads: Some deals pop up in local flyers or on social media.
- Ask in person: When you’re dining in, just ask the server if any kids eat free specials are running.
Requirements like buying an adult entrée, dining in, or age limits might apply and can shift from place to place.
Local and Regional Restaurant Specials
Plenty of families count on local and regional restaurants for budget-friendly kids’ meals. You’ll find deals that help cut costs while still offering a good variety.
Regional Chains With Kid-Friendly Offers
Regional chains sometimes run “kids eat free” nights or discounted kids’ meals. Hometown Buffet and Shari’s Cafe & Pies are known for these on select days.
Usually, you need to buy an adult entrée to get the deal.
Some common features:
- Free kid’s meal with adult meal purchase
- Limited to certain days like Tuesdays or Wednesdays
- Age restrictions, often for kids 10 or 12 and under
- Dine-in only, most of the time
Deals can change by location and time of year. It’s best to call ahead or check the website before you go, just to avoid any awkward surprises.
How To Maximize Restaurant Deals for Families
Families can really stretch their dining budget by stacking deals, joining loyalty programs, and hunting for extra savings. A little planning goes a long way.
Tips for Stacking Offers
Some restaurants let you stack deals—meaning you can use more than one offer at once. Parents should always check if they can combine a kids eat free deal with a coupon or a limited-time discount.
Examples:
- Pairing a free kids’ meal with a buy-one-get-one-free entrée
- Using a percentage-off coupon (like 10% off) along with a kids eat free day
Read the fine print before you order. Most of the time, the kids eat free deal requires an adult entrée purchase. Sometimes you can add a loyalty card or app discount too. Combining offers can make a big difference.
Using Restaurant Loyalty Programs
Signing up for loyalty programs brings regular savings. Chains like Applebee’s, Chili’s, and IHOP give you points for every purchase.
Those points can add up to free meals, desserts, or extra discounts. Some programs send special birthday deals or exclusive kids eat free promos.
It helps to download the app or join the restaurant’s email list. Members often get first dibs on new specials or coupons. Some programs even offer double points on slow nights, which is a nice bonus.
Best Practices for Saving on Family Meals
Try to plan family meals around special days like kids eat free nights—these often fall on Mondays or Tuesdays. Checking the website or calling ahead can save you from disappointment.
Bringing coupons or searching for online codes can lead to extra savings. Always ask if there are any unadvertised specials, like discounted drinks or combo meals.
Order water instead of sodas and share big entrées to keep costs down. Takeout deals and family meal bundles help too, especially for bigger groups.
Understanding Restrictions and Requirements
Most kids eat free deals come with rules you’ll want to know before you head out. Age limits, purchase requirements, and dine-in policies are usually part of the package.
Typical Age Limits and Rules
Restaurants usually set an age limit for the free meals—often kids 10 or 12 and under. Some, like Texas de Brazil, break it down further: free for ages 2 and under, discounts for ages 3–5, and half-off for ages 6–12.
Most places only allow one or two free kids’ meals per adult entrée. Know whether the deal is dine-in only and if it’s available every day or just on certain nights.
Sometimes, the child must be present to qualify. Staff might ask for proof of age or make sure a parent or guardian is there.
Minimum Purchase Criteria
Most offers require you to buy a full-price adult entrée or spend a certain amount. For example, Bob Evans gives you a free kids’ meal when you spend $15 or more on the app. Ruby Tuesday needs a full-priced adult entrée after 5 pm for the deal to kick in.
Some spots limit the number of free kids’ meals per transaction. These rules help keep the offer fair. Minimum purchase amounts and drink or side requirements can change by location.
Usually, you can’t combine these deals with other coupons or discounts, so always check the fine print.
Dining In Versus Takeout Policies
Most restaurants only give free kids’ meals to dine-in customers. This helps fill up tables during slower times. Ruby Tuesday and Shari’s, for example, require you to eat in to get the deal.
A handful of places, like Bob Evans, let you use the deal for takeout or app orders, but that’s rare. Even then, restrictions might change or only apply on certain days.
It’s always smart to call ahead and ask if the kids eat free deal covers your preferred dining option, since local policies often differ.
Seasonal and Limited-Time Specials
Restaurants often roll out special deals for kids at certain times of year. These might be seasonal discounts, extra menu items, or free kids’ meals tied to holidays or local events.
Back-to-School Restaurant Promotions
Back-to-school season means new deals at plenty of chain and local restaurants. Families might spot kids eat free nights when they buy an adult entrée.
These specials usually pop up in late summer or early fall, right as the school year kicks off. Popular chains like IHOP and Denny’s sometimes run limited-time back-to-school promos.
Restaurants often use these events to hand out bonus cards or coupons. You can redeem those for free or discounted kids’ meals if you come back again.
Here are some common features of back-to-school promotions:
- Free kids’ meal with every adult meal purchased
- Coupon booklets for future visits
- Limited menu items themed for the school season
Most deals only work for dine-in. Since availability and terms can change, it’s honestly best to check with your local spot before heading out.
Holiday and Summer Kids Eat Free Events
During big holidays and summer break, lots of restaurants roll out kids eat free events for families. Halloween and summer vacation are classic times for these specials.
Red Lobster and Smashburger, for example, have run kids eat free deals on select Tuesdays during the summer. At family chains, you’ll often see one free kids’ meal per paying adult or discounted children’s menus.
Features of holiday and summer events:
- Special “kids eat free” days, usually on weekends or early weekdays
- Themed menus or activities for children
- Bonus cards for future savings (like IHOP’s bonus card valid through late summer)
Not every location joins in, so it’s smart to call ahead. Some deals need an adult meal purchase or only show up at certain times of day.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll find “kids eat free” specials at many restaurants, but the details—like age limits or which days they run—can really depend on the place.
Which restaurants have ‘kids eat free’ offers on Mondays?
Outback Steakhouse usually runs a “kids eat free” special on Mondays through early September. Local spots might have Monday deals too, but these change a lot.
Honestly, it’s best to check with the specific restaurant before you go.
What are the age limits for ‘kids eat free’ promotions?
Most chains set the age limit at 10 or 12 years old. Fricker’s, for instance, gives free meals to kids 10 and under, while Ruby Tuesday lets kids up to 12 join in.
Every restaurant seems to have its own rules, so it’s worth asking before you order.
Are there any ‘kids eat free’ deals available during holidays?
Some restaurants do offer deals on holidays, but not every location will participate. IHOP and other chains might change or limit their offers during busy holiday periods.
Honestly, calling ahead is the only way to be sure the deal’s still on.
Do chain restaurants typically offer better ‘kids eat free’ specials than local businesses?
Chain restaurants usually have standard “kids eat free” promotions that are easy to find. Local restaurants sometimes have even better deals, but they don’t always advertise them.
If you check social media or just call around, you might find a hidden gem. Isn’t it worth a shot?
What are the typical terms and conditions for ‘kids eat free’ restaurant specials?
Most places want you to buy an adult entree first. These deals usually work only if you dine in, and they might only be available on certain days or at certain times.
Restaurants often cap it at one or two free kids’ meals for each adult meal you order. Some locations just don’t offer the promotion at all, which can be a little annoying.
