Guide to the Best Kids Eat Free Promotions

In these years of crazy food inflation, parents are making every dollar stretch as far as possible. A great way to still do this on those special occasions when you’re going out to eat is to take advantage of kids eat free deals.

When you want a wallet-friendly meal for the whole family, here is where to take your kids. Franchises and mom and pop restaurants note that the offers may vary by location or change, so be sure to confirm the details of the promotion with your local restaurant. We’ll update this post with new programs or changes, so be sure to bookmark it!

kids eat free EVERY day of the week!

That’s right, these promotions are good any day of the week. Some are ongoing and can be used multiple times, others are birthday promotions good for the week or month of your child’s birthday.

Bruster’s Ice Cream (freebies for dogs too!)

Bruster’s offers freebies for kids and dogs! Little ones less than 40 inches tall get to enjoy the rich, satisfying taste of fresh ice cream with a free Bruster’s Baby Cone. Participating stores only, offer may vary. Plus, there will be no need to share your treat the next time you drop by Bruster’s with your best canine friend! Bring them along, and they’ll be rewarded with a free Doggie Sundae.

Participating stores only, offer may vary. Bruster’s can be found in AL, AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN KY, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, and VA.

Chili’s

Those enrolled in the My Chili’s Rewards program are eligible for the Kids Eat Free promotion. Members receive emails and text alerts for the free kids’ meals for children under 12 with the purchase of a regular entrée. The kids’ menu, dubbed Pepper Pals by Chili’s, includes burger bites, pizza, pasta, and chicken dippers. Find your local Chili’s.

Denny’s

Kids Eat Free with an adult entrée purchase of $6 or more. This is just one of the perks of the Denny’s Rewards program. Sign up free online. Days of Kids Eat Free and participation vary by location. Restrictions may apply. See store for details.

IHOP

Kids 12 years old and under eat free at IHOP from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. EVERY day of the week. One free selection from the kids’ menu may be chosen with the purchase of an adult entrée. This deal varies by location, so check your server before ordering to confirm the deal at their location.

Kids can choose from up to seven different menu items, including Silver Five, Jr. Chicken & Waffles, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Cupcake Pancake Combo, Jr. Chicken Strips Combo, Funny Face Pancake Combo, Macaroni & Cheese. You can find a location near you here.

Red Robin (teens too!!)

Red Robin has teen and kids club rewards! For children 12 and younger, the dine-in-only reward is valid once for one free kids meal during the month of their birthday month. For children 13 and older, the dine-in-only reward will be valid once for one free burger during the month of their birthday.

If your child is 17 or under, you can sign them up by adding their birthday to your Red Robin Royalty profile. The reward will be activated on your account on the first day of their birthday month and may be redeemed once during that month by applying the reward to a purchase. The free Kids’ Birthday Reward is available to members who have provided their email, phone number, and date-of-birth, and have opted in for promotional marketing emails or texts.

Steak ‘n Shake

Accessed through their rewards program, this kids eat free deal offers children ages 12 and younger a free Kids Plate for every $9 spent during a dine-in experience. Families can take advantage of this deal any time of the day, any day of the week at 400 participating restaurants.

Kids Plate options include Original Steakburger, Mini Corn Dogs, Macaroni & Cheese, Steakburger Minis, Hot Dog, Grilled Cheese, and Chicken Fingers –all the kid favorites!

kids eat free on sundays

At the time of publishing, these deals are only available of Sundays.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Kids 12 and under receive a free Dickey’s barbecue kids’ meal with an adult purchase of $12 in food and/or drinks per child. Dickey’s can be found in 42 states. Confirm details with your local restaurant. You may need to place your food order through Dickeys.com or the Dickey’s Barbecue Bit app to qualify for the deal.

Moe’s

Through the rewards program on the app, participating Moe’s locations offer free meals for children under the age of 12 on Sundays when you purchase any adult entree priced at $6 or more.

Quaker Steak & Lube

At Quaker Steak & Lube, kids 10 and under enjoy a free Kid’s Lube Cruiser entrée for lunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée. There are also free Cheddar Goldfish for toddlers – just ask!

kids eat free (or almost free) on mondays

Fuddruckers

There is not a kids eat free promotion at Fuddruckers, but on Mondays, kids’ meals are discounted to just $1.99 with an adult meal purchase–that’s almost free! The meal includes the entrée, drink, side, and cookie. Entrée options for kids include burgers, chicken tenders, and corn dogs. You can find Fuddruckers locations in AZ, CA, FL, GA, LA, MA, MI, MS, MT, NV, NJ, NM, PA, and PR.

Planet Sub

The kids eat free on Mondays at Planet Sub is a little more generous than some others. For each adult entrée purchase, you may claim two kids’ meals! Age restriction is the standard kids 12 and under. Planet Sub has locations in MI, MO, KS, and AZ.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Kids eat free if they are 12 and under with the purchase of a dine-in adult entrée on Monday and Tuesday. Lucky youngsters choose a free dine-in meal from the classic Italian Kids Menu. Macaroni Grill has locations in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, MD, ME, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WV.

kids eat free on tuesdays

Bob Evans

This is another kids eat free promotion that requires us of the restaurant’s app. You can get one free Kids Meal when spending $15 (before sales tax) on the Bob Evans app. This is not valid on orders placed outside of the Bob Evans app. Bob Evans has locations in 18 states: DE, FL, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV.

Here how it works: 1) Download The Bob Evans App – App Store or Google Play. 2) Register a new app account or login. 3) Add a Kids Meal to your app order. 4) Verify your app order total equals $15 before sales tax and discount. 5) Your Kids Meal will be discounted at check out.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

As noted for Monday, kids eat free if they are 12 and under with the purchase of a dine-in adult entrée on Monday and Tuesday. Lucky youngsters choose a free dine-in meal from the classic Italian Kids Menu. Macaroni Grill has locations in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, MD, ME, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WV.

Ruby Tuesday

It makes sense that kids eat free is on Tuesdays at Ruby Tuesday! Kid’s Eat Free after 5pm with the purchase of an adult entree. Available for kids 10 and under. Your Tuesdays can be Ruby in Alaska, AL, Arkansas, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, Iowa, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY.

kids eat free on wednesdays

Chevy’s Fresh Mex

Make Wednesday nights, family night. Kids 12 and under can enjoy one kid’s meal for $1 every Wednesday, per adult entrée purchased. Available all day in the dining room. *Contact your local Chevys for offer availability. CA, DC, FL, IL, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NY, SD https://www.chevys.com/specials/

East Coast Wings & Grill

Kids eat free on Wednesdays at East Coast Wings & Grill! Hours for this special from 3:30 to close and require the purchase of one adult entrée per kids meal. Check with your local restaurant for details.

Luby’s

At participating locations, kids 12 and under get a free meal on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Luby’s with the purchase of an adult dine-in meal purchase. Kids will enjoy an entrée (e.g., bacon cheesesteak, roasted turkey, fish) or a three-veggie plate, with a Jell-O and a drink.

IKEA

On Wednesdays, IKEA Family Members get up to two kid’s entrees free when they buy any adult entrée in the famed IKEA restaurants. Check your local IKEA store page for the hours, as they vary for different locations. IKEA Family Member moms and dads can also take a break from finding low, opening shelving and other Montessori dups to enjoy a free cup of coffee or tea every time you visit – any day!

Join the IKEA Family in AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, MY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI.

Red Robin

In addition to the Red Robin birthday club freebies, kids’ meals are 50% off every Wednesday at participating locations. Each kids’ meal includes an entree, side, and drink (with free refills AND bottomless sides if you dine in). This one is valid for dine-in, to-go, or delivery (but not via third-party apps). A minimum purchase is required. Details and other freebies and incentives can be found in their rewards program.

SmashBurger

Stop in participating locations on Wednesdays for a free kids’ meal with the purchase of a dine-in adult meal (entrée with a side and drink). Again, the standard age restriction of kids 12 and under applies.

kids eat free on thursdays

At the time of publication, we did not find any deals explicitly for Thursdays. See the deals above that are good for every day of the week.

kids eat free on fridays

There are no programs that specifically target this popular night out on the town, so see the list for offers good on every day of the week. See the deals above that are good for every day of the week.

kids eat free on saturdays

Luby’s

As noted above, kids 12 and under get a free kids meal on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Luby’s with the purchase of an adult dine-in meal purchase. Kids will enjoy an entrée (e.g., bacon cheesesteak, roasted turkey, fish) or a three-veggie plate, with a Jell-O and a drink.

Do you know of a kids eat free promotion that we did NOT include? Comment below and help out your mom community!

Much mom love,

Antoinette

For easy, budget cooking at home, download our 30 Days of Dinners for Under $150 FREE meal plan.

Guide to the Best Kids Eat Free Promotions