Having kids is expensive. The cost of everything goes up: Clothing, shelter and — of course — food.
We’ve brought you ways to save on clothes and housing in recent months. Today we’re going to show you how to get free kids meals any day of the week.
Some of the restaurants that we’ve rounded up have locations around the country and others are regional. Many of the following restaurants provide one free kids meal per adult entree ordered.
If you don’t see a favorite restaurant here, make sure to ask your server about free meals for kids the next time you stop in.
Places Where Kids Eat Free All Week
Here’s our roundup of 57 restaurants that offer free meals to kids on at least one day a week.
Restaurants That Cater to Your Family’s Needs
Whether you need curbside meals or have multiple kids to feed, let’s take a minute to highlight restaurants that make your life easier.
Free Kids’ Meals for Takeout or Curbside
Most offers for kids’ eat free promotions are limited to dine-in customers only. This is problematic if you’re high-risk, or otherwise still being careful with the pandemic even though many restaurants have returned to business as usual.
However, there are a handful of restaurants allowing customers to claim their free kids’ meals without dining at the restaurant.
If you have concerns with indoor dining, another safer place to take advantage of kids eating free is Bruster’s, as there is no “inside” to worry about. You just order from the window while standing outside.
Check out our list of 100 free things to do for you and your family.
More Than One Free Kids Meal With Purchase of Adult Entree
Most restaurants only allow you to get one free kid meal per adult entree. This is a problem if you’re a single parent with more than one child, or if you are a dual-parent household with more than two children.
To ensure all the littles eat for free, check out these restaurants that explicitly allow for two free kids’ meals per adult entree:
- Fox & Turtle
- MCL Restaurant & Bakery
- Holiday Inn
Where Kids Eat Free on Sunday
Sunday is the most popular day of the week for kids eat free promotions. Check out these 13 restaurants where kids eat free on Sundays!
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
To qualify for this deal, your total order must be at least $12. You can only qualify for one free kids’ meal per order.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Ages 12 and younger.
- Number of free kids meals per adult purchase: 1
Unlike many restaurants, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit lets you take advantage of the kids eat free promotion whether you dine in or not! Takeout and delivery orders are eligible when you use this promo code at checkout: KEFOLO.
Find a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
To qualify for the Kids Eat Free deal at Moe’s Southwest Grill, your adult meal must cost at least six dollars.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult purchase: 1
Find a Moe’s Southwest Grill location.
Nantucket Grill
Kids eat free at Nantucket Grill in the Triangle — the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina — every Sunday.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
Find a Nantucket Grill location.
Rush Street
Kids eat free every Sunday night at Rush Street in Culver City, California.
- When: Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
Roosterfish Grill
Roosterfish Grill in Largo, Florida, offers free kids’ meals every Sunday.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Salsarita’s
Most Salsarita’s offer two, kids-eat-free nights per week. One of them is often on Sunday. You will want to call your location ahead of time to make sure you dine there on the right night.
- When: Every Sunday and usually one additional day per week. Time varies by location.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Nueva Cantina
Nueva Cantina has multiple participating locations in St. Petersburg, Florida, and offers free kids’ meals every Sunday.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Arriba Mexican Grill
Arriba Mexican Grill in Arizona offers kids’ eat free day every Sunday.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Find an Arriba Mexican Grill location.
Stoney Point Grill
Stoney Point Grill in Chicago offers free kids’ meals on Sundays.
- When: Sundays.
- Number of free kids’ meals per purchase of an adult entree: 1
Pi Craft Pizza
In upstate New York, Pi Craft Pizza offers a kids’ eat free day on Sundays.
- When: Every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Find a Pi Craft Pizza location.
Esplendido
Just outside Detroit, Esplendido Mexican Cuisine has a free kid’s meal promotion every Sunday.
- When: All day every Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per purchase of adult entree: 1
This offer is for dine-in customers only.
Other Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Sunday
Some restaurants offer promotions multiple days of the week. Here are some restaurants where kids eat free on Sunday and other days:
- Bravo Mexican Grill
- HOBNOB
- Cafe Brazil
- Bruster’s
- Fricker’s
- Holiday Inn
- Tony Roma’s
- 99 Restaurants
- Texas de Brazil
- Fogo de Chao
- JJ’s Grill
- Frasca’s Pizzeria & Bistro
Where Kids Eat Free on Monday
Monday is another popular day to offer free kids meals. Here are 10 restaurants where kids eat free on Monday.
Arooga’s Grille House & Sportsbar
Arooga’s was the first Certified Green Restaurant in Pennsylvania, and it welcomes kids to eat free every Monday.
- When: All day every Monday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult meal: 1
This offer is dine-in only.
Find an Arooga’s Grille House location.
Woody’s BBQ
Not every Woody’s BBQ participates in Kids Eat Free Days, but of those that do, they most commonly offer the promotion on Mondays. A few locations offer it on a different day of the week. You will want to call ahead to ensure you’ve got the right date for participating locations.
- When: Most locations offer this promotion on Mondays.
- Age limitations: Either 12 and under or 10 and under depending on location.
- Number of free kids’ meals per purchase of an adult entrée: 1
Las Margaritas
Las Margaritas of Columbus, Ohio, offers a kids eat free promotion during lunch on Mondays at its two locations.
- When: Every Monday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: One, and the adult also has to order a drink.
Colonial Cafe
Colonial Cafe in Illinois offers kids eat free days every Monday.
- When: Mondays.
- Number of free kids’ meals per purchase of an adult entree: 1
Find a Colonial Cafe location.
Cody’s Original Steakhouse
Cody’s Original Steakhouse in Florida offers free kids meals with the purchase of an adult entree every Monday and Tuesday.
- When: Every Monday and Tuesday.
- Age limitations: Kids ages 12 and under.
- Number of free kids meal per adult entree: 1
Find a Cody’s Original Steakhouse location.
The Warbler Chicago
Monday through Friday, The Warbler in Chicago offers Supper Club for families. Each person over the age of 9 pays $27 for family-style dining including one salad, two appetizers, vegetable dishes or house made pastas, flatbread and a dessert. Kids age 9 and under enjoy the meal for free.
- When: Monday through Friday from 4:30p to 6p.
- Age limitations: Kids ages 9 and under.
HuHot Mongolian Grill
Kids under 3 eat free everyday at HuHot. But most locations also offer a kids’ eat free night for everyone under 10, with many of them offering it on Monday. Contact the restaurant to make sure you’ve got the right day of the week for your location before packing everyone up in the car.
- When: Varies by location, but often Mondays.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
Grand Hacienda
Monday evenings are kids eat free night at Grand Hacienda locations in Florida’s Tampa Bay area.
- When: Monday from 5p to close.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Find a Grand Hacienda location,
Moretti’s
At Moretti’s, it’s not so much an adult entree that gets you a free kids’ meal, but an adult spending at least $20 on food at its Illinois locations.
- When: Every Monday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: Must spend $20 to get one free kids’ meal.
Buffalo Wings & Rings
Kids eat free on Mondays at almost all Buffalo Wings & Rings. There are a couple locations that don’t participate, though. So be sure to contact your specific location before your visit.
- When: Every Monday.
- Age limitations: Kids age 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
The adult must spend at least $5 to be eligible for this offer.
Find a Buffalo Wings and Rings location.
Fox & Turtle
Monday nights are kids eat free nights at Chicago’s Fox & Turtle.
- When: Every Monday after 4 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 2
Want even more free stuff? Be sure to check out these 100+ birthday freebies!
Other Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Monday
Some restaurants offer promotions multiple days of the week. Here are some restaurants where kids eat free on Monday and other days:
- Rumbi Island Grill
- HOBNOB
- MCL Restaurant & Bakery
- Cafe Brazil
- Bruster’s
- Fricker’s
- Holiday Inn
- Tony Roma’s
- 99 Restaurants
- Texas de Brazil
- Fogo de Chao
- JJ’s Grill
- Frasca’s Pizzeria & Bistro
Where Kids Eat Free on Tuesday
You don’t have to look far to find kids eat free promotions on Tuesdays, either. We’ve rounded up 10 restaurants where kids eat free on Tuesday.
Ruby’s Diner
Tuesday evenings are kids eat free night at Ruby’s Diner. Most of the locations are in Southern California but there are a few sprinkled in other states.
- When: Every Tuesday from 4 p.m. until close.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
Atlanta Bread
Some Atlanta Bread locations offer a kids’ night on Tuesday evenings, but you’ll want to call ahead of time to make sure yours is one of the participating locations.
- When: Tuesdays after 5 p.m. though not all locations participate.
- Number of free kids meals per adult entrée: 1
Find an Atlanta Bread location.
The Mac House
If you’re looking for restaurants where kids eat free in the Triangle area of North Carolina, check out The Mac House in Raleigh on Tuesdays.
When: Tuesdays
Number of free kids meals per adult entree: 1
This offer is for dine-in only.
Jason’s Deli
To get free kids’ meals at Jason’s Deli, you’ll have to check which night of the week your location offers kids eat free nights. We’ve seen them on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Mondays, but we’ve most commonly seen them offered on Tuesday.
One thing that does remain fairly consistent across locations is that the offer tends to be limited to just a few hours, usually somewhere around 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Be sure to contact your location to make sure you have the right time and day of the week.
- When: Varies by location, but usually Tuesday evenings from about 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entrée: 1
Rumbi Island Grill
Rumbi Island Grill is a Utah restaurant chain that offers kids’ nights on both Mondays and Tuesdays.
- When: Mondays and Tuesdays after 4 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per purchase of an adult meal: 1
Find a Rumbi Island Grill location.
Bob Evans
Kids eat free at Bob Evans on Tuesday evenings.
- When: Tuesdays after 4 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
This offer is available to dine-in customers only.
BurgerFi
Not all BurgerFi locations offer a kids eat free day. But when they do, it’s usually on Tuesdays.
- When: Varies by location, but it is Tuesday at most participating locations.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entrée: 1.
Alessio’s
Kids eat free on Tuesdays at one of the three Georgia locations of Alessio’s Restaurant & Pizzeria.
- When: Every Tuesday.
- Age limitations: Kids age 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: One. Adult meal must cost $10+.
Evviva Bar and Eatery
Tuesdays are kids’ eat free day at Evviva Bar and Eatery in Chicago.
- When: Every Tuesday.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult meal purchase: 1
Stack’d
Not every Stack’d Burgers location in Western Pennsylvania offers free kids days, so be sure to call ahead to find participating locations.
- When: Every Tuesday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
This offer is for dine-in customers only.
Other Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Tuesday
Some restaurants offer promotions multiple days of the week. Here are some restaurants where kids eat free on Tuesday and other days:
- Cafe Brazil
- Cody’s Original Steakhouse
- The Warbler Chicago
- Community Tavern
- HOBNOB
- Woody’s BBQ
- Bruster’s
- Fricker’s
- Holiday Inn
- Tony Roma’s
- 99 Restaurants
- Texas de Brazil
- Fogo de Chao
- JJ’s Grill
- MCL Restaurant & Bakery
- Frasca’s Pizzeria & Bistro
Where Kids Eat Free on Wednesday
On Wednesdays you can still find some kids eat free offers. Check out these six restaurants where kids eat free on Wednesday.
MCL Restaurant & Bakery
MCL Restaurant & Bakery in the Midwest offers free kids meals all day every Monday through Wednesday.
- When: All day Monday through Wednesday.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 2
This offer is for dine-in customers only.
Find an MCL Restaurant & Bakery location.
IKEA
At IKEA, kids eat free or cheap throughout the week depending on their age. IKEA has free baby food available every day for children age 2 and under.
On Wednesdays, kids’ meals for children 12 and under are half off when you purchase an adult entree.
You must be dining in the restaurant to take advantage of these discounts and freebies.
Luby’s
Kids eat free on both Wednesday and Saturday at Luby’s, which has more than 50 locations in Texas.
- When: Wednesdays and Saturdays at participating locations.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
This offer is good for dine-in only.
Bravo Mexican Grill
Kids eat free on Wednesday evenings and all day Sunday at Bravo Mexican Grill in Buford outside Atlanta.
- When: After 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, and all day Sunday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
This offer is valid for dine-in only.
Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles
Wednesdays are kids eat free day at Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles.
- When: All day Wednesday.
- Age limitations: Kids 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Each qualifying adult entree must be at least $18 in order to qualify for this dine-in only offer.
Red Robin
Free kids night schedules change from location to location at Red Robin. But typically, kids eat free on the first Wednesday of every month.
- When: Varies by location, but usually from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
For the sake of Red Robin’s program, an “entree” can be an actual entree – or it could be a gourmet burger, entree salad, a sandwich or a wrap.
Other Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays
Some restaurants offer promotions multiple days of the week. Here are some restaurants where offering a free kid’s meal on Wednesday and other days:
- Cafe Brazil
- Community Tavern
- HOBNOB
- Bruster’s
- Fricker’s
- Holiday Inn
- Tony Roma’s
- 99 Restaurants
- The Warbler Chicago
- Texas de Brazil
- Fogo de Chao
- JJ’s Grill
- Frasca’s Pizzeria & Bistro
Where Kids Eat Free on Thursday
Thursday is a less popular day for kids eat free promotions, but you can still find them if you know where to look. Here are five restaurants where kids eat free on Thursdays.
Rookies All American Pub and Grill
You can get one free kid’s meal with the purchase of adult entrees on Thursdays at Rookies All American Pub and Grill at Illinois locations.
- When: Every Thursday.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Find a Rookies All American Pub and Grill location.
Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails
Thursdays are kids eat free day at Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails in Southern California.
- When: All day every Thursday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
Find a Mama’s Comfort Food location.
HOBNOB
Most evenings, including Thursdays, kids eat free at four Atlanta area HOBNOB locations.
- When: Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 1
You must be a member of the loyalty club to take advantage of Kids Eat Free Nights.
Cafe Brazil
For most of the week, including Thursdays, kids eat free at Cafe Brazil locations in Texas.
- When: Sunday through Thursday from 5p to 10p.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
Community Tavern
Tuesday through Thursday, kids eat free at Chicago’s Community Tavern.
- When: Every Tuesday through Thursday.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entrée purchase: One. Each adult must spend $16+.
Community Tavern is one of the few restaurants that lets you use this offer on carryout orders as well as dine-in orders.
Other Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Thursdays
Some restaurants offer promotions multiple days of the week. Here are some restaurants where kids eat free on Thursday and other days:
- Bruster’s
- Fricker’s
- Holiday Inn
- Tony Roma’s
- The Warbler Chicago
- 99 Restaurants
- Texas de Brazil
- Fogo de Chao
- JJ’s Grill
- Frasca’s Pizzeria & Bistro
Where Kids Eat Free Friday
A lot of people go out to eat on Fridays and Saturdays. So it’s harder to find restaurants that offer kids eat free promotions on these days. There is one, though: Ruby Tuesday.
Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday offers free kids’ meals all day on Fridays.
- When: All day every Friday.
- Age limitations: Kids age 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entrée: 1
This offer is limited to dine-in customers only.
Where Kids Eat Free Everyday
There are plenty of restaurants that offer kids eat free days every day of the week, though, including Fridays and Saturdays! Here are nine restaurants where kids eat free every day.
Bruster’s Ice Cream
If you have younger kids, it’s good to know that Bruster’s Ice Cream will give them free baby cones all the time — as long as they meet certain height requirements.
- When: Everyday.
- Age limitations: No age limitations, but your child must be under 40” tall.
Fricker’s
At Fricker’s, kids eat free all day everyday. In order to qualify for this offer, you will have to purchase a kids’ drink in addition to an adult meal. There are a number of outlets in Ohio plus one each in Indiana and Michigan.
- When: Everyday.
- Age limitations: Kids age 10 and under.
- Number of kids’ meals free with an adult meal purchase: 1
This offer applies to dine-in customers only.
Holiday Inn
If you’re staying at a Holiday Inn, not only do your kids get free meals, but they’ll be able to stay at the hotel for free, too.
There are different stipulations for the Kids Eat Free program depending on which region you’re visiting. While most Holiday Inns are participating locations, there may be few that aren’t. Call your location ahead of time to check before balancing your vacation budget on free kids meals.
North, South & Central America
In the Americas and all countries, you can get two free kids’ meals per adult entree. In the Americas and most other countries, you may also be capped at four free kids’ meals per family.
- Age limitations: Kids age 11 or under.
- Number of kids meals free with purchase of one adult entree: 2 to 4
Europe
Europe is the only market where you can potentially get free kids meals through room service.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per one adult entrée: 2 to 4
Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 2 to 4
China
If you are staying in China, there will be only one on-site restaurant that offers the kids eat free promotion. Check with the front desk to learn which one is the qualifying, all-day dining option.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per adult entree: 2
Tony Roma’s
Kids eat free everyday at Tony Roma’s. And with more than locations on five continents, that’s a good deal.
- When: Everyday.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
99 Restaurants
To qualify for 99 Restaurants’ kids eat free day, you’ll need to be a member of the 99 Rewards program. This promotion is good any day of the week — as long as the Redsox won a game the day before. There are dozens of locations in New England and the Northeast.
- When: The day after a Red Sox win — any day of the week.
- Age limitations: Kids age 10 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per one adult entrée purchase: 1
Find a 99 Restaurants location.
Texas de Brazil
Depending on how old your child is, they can dine at Texas de Brazil for free everyday. Regardless of age, you won’t ever pay full price.
- Under 3 years old: Free everyday.
- Ages 3 – 5: $5
- Ages 6 – 12: Half of adult pricing.
Find a Texas de Brazil location.
Fogo de Chao
Kids eat for free or at a reduced price everyday at Fogo de Chao, too.
- Age 6 and under: Free all the time.
- Age 7 – 12: Half of adult pricing.
JJ’s Grill
Kids eat free all day everyday at JJ’s Grill, with locations spread across Arkansas.
- When: All day. Everyday.
- Age limitations: Kids 12 and under.
This offer is for dine-in customers only.
Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Kids eat free everyday at Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Chicago from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- When: Everyday from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Age limitations: Kids age 12 and under.
- Number of free kids’ meals per one adult entrée purchase: 1
This offer is for dine-in only.
Pittsburgh-based writer Brynne Conroy is the founder of the Femme Frugality blog and the author of “The Feminist Financial Handbook.” She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
