Picture this: it’s a beautiful sunny day, and you’re thinking about taking the family out for a meal. There’s that special buzz in the air, an excitement that comes with dining together. But, as any parent knows, feeding a whole crew at a restaurant can sometimes put a dent in your wallet. Just like retail stores that offer special discounts, such as military discounts, several restaurants offer free meals or special offers for kids so that you can create memories without worrying about your budget. 

In today’s article, we’ll explore some of them so that you can make the most of your dining out. So, whether you’re an expert in family dining or new to the scene, here is more on some awesome spots where your little ones eat for free. 

 

Benefits of Dining Out at “Kids Eat Free” Restaurants

Dining out with your kids at “Kids Eat Free” restaurants brings a multitude of advantages that go beyond just saving on your bill. Here are some more reasons why these restaurants are a fantastic choice for family outings:

1. Stress-Free Dining 

Picture a meal where you don’t have to constantly monitor your budget or tally up the costs of every item your child orders. 

2. Expanding Their Palates

Given that restaurants may offer dishes that you rarely cook at home, you can seize this opportunity to help your little one try something new and explore new tastes.

3. Special Family Time

Dining out is not just about food; it’s about creating memories. “Kids Eat Free” restaurants provide the ideal setting for quality family time. You can relax, enjoy conversations, and relish delicious meals together without the stress of cooking and cleaning.

4. Early Exposure to Dining Etiquette

Taking your kids to restaurants from a young age can help teach them valuable dining etiquette. They’ll learn how to behave in a public dining setting, from using utensils correctly to practicing patience while waiting for their food.

5. Social Interaction

Dining out is also a great opportunity for your kid to meet new people and interact. It is thus a good opportunity for your little one to develop social skills. 

6. Celebrating Special Occasions

“Kids Eat Free” restaurants can be the perfect choice for celebrating birthdays, achievements, or special family milestones. You can make these moments even more memorable without worrying about the bill.

7. Encouraging Independence

Allowing your children to order their meals and interact with servers fosters a sense of independence and responsibility. They’ll feel a sense of achievement and pride in managing their dining experience.

8. Supporting Local Businesses

Many such restaurants are local businesses, which means that besides enjoying great food, you get to contribute to the local economy and community.

 

Getting the Most Out of Kids Eat Free Deals

Several well-known restaurant chains across the country generously offer “Kids Eat Free” promotions. However, independent restaurants can provide unique experiences for families, so don’t forget about the hidden treasures in your local dining scene. 

Now that you’re aware of the appealing options available at both chain and independent restaurants, let’s explore some strategies for optimizing your “Kids Eat Free” dining experiences:

1. Plan – check the participating days and times of the promotion at your chosen restaurant, and make a reservation if needed to secure your spot.
2. Review the Menu – familiarize yourself with the restaurant’s menu to ensure there are appealing options for both kids and adults.
3. Age Limits – be aware of any age restrictions; some restaurants define “kids” within a specific age range.
4. Minimum Purchase – confirm if there’s a requirement for adult meal purchases to avail of the “Kids Eat Free” deal.
5. Specials and Add-Ons – check if the restaurant offers additional specials or add-ons for kids, such as free desserts or drinks.

To help you find your next dining out place more easily, we have compiled below a list of restaurants where kids eat for free, providing details regarding age requirements and days and hours when these offers are available. Some of them offer free food, while others run special discounts for kids on select days. 

Restaurant	Offer	Age Eligibility
Applebee’s	Kids eat free or for $0.99 with every adult entree (the day varies).	Not specified.
Backyard Burger	Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal after 4 p.m. on Mondays.	Not specified.
Black Eyed Pea	After 5 p.m., kids eat free with a paying adult.	Kids 12 and under.
Bob Evans	Free Kids Meal when spending $15 on the restaurant’s app. Must be at least $15 before sales tax. Not valid for use in orders placed outside of the Bob Evans app. Limit one offer per customer. Only valid on Tuesdays.	Not specified.
Bruster’s	A free baby cone all week long at participating stores.	Kids under 40 inches tall.
C.B. & Potts	Kids eat for $3 from the 12 & under menu with each full-priced adult entrée purchase from 5 p.m. to close.	Kids 12 and under.
Cafe Rio	A free Nino Quesadilla with the purchase of an adult entrée every day.	Kids ages 6 and under.
Chick-fil-A	One child per adult eats for free between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.	Not specified.
Chilli’s	Free meal for kids 12 and under with the purchase of any regular entree.	Kids 12 and under; My Chili’s Rewards members only.
Cinzetti’s	Children eat for $3.99 (instead of $9.99) on Monday and Tuesday.	Kids 12 and under.
Coco’s Bakery	One free kids meal per 1 adult entrée purchased on Tuesdays.	Kids 10 and under.
Denny’s	Kids eat free with an adult entrée purchase of $6 or more.	Days and participation vary by location. Restrictions may apply. See store for details.
El Chico	Kids eat for 99¢ all day with an adult entrée purchase. (From the Niños menu, limit $5.79. 1 per adult entrée purchased. Dine-in only. Tax & gratuity not included.)	Kids 12 and under.
Fogo de Chão	Children six and under enjoy complimentary dining at Fogo, and ages seven to twelve dine at half-price for the Full Churrasco Experience.	Children up to 12 years old.
Fricker’s	One kid eats free per adult eating every day.	Kids 10 and under.
Godfather’s Pizza	From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well as from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, kids get to devour the Godfather’s Pizza buffet at no charge.	Kids 10 and under.
IHOP	One kids’ menu item per adult entrée from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. every day.	Not specified.
O’Charley’s	One free kids’ meal (beverage not included) with the purchase of an adult entrée, valid for dine-in only, every day.	Not specified.
Perkins Redwing	On Tuesdays, kids eat free off the Kids Menu with each adult entrée purchased (1 child per paying adult).	Not specified.
Piccadilly	Made Fresh kid’s meal for $1.99 each with the purchase of an adult meal. The kid’s meal includes a kid’s entrée, two sides, a kid’s drink, and a kid’s dessert. (Dine-in only. Limit 2 kids’ meals per adult meal purchase. Ask your local Piccadilly for details.)	Kids 12 and under.
Pizza Ranch	Free kid’s buffet with purchase of adult buffet on Tuesday nights. Availability and hours vary by location. Check your Pizza Ranch for details.	Not specified.
Ruby Tuesday	Kids eat free after 5 p.m. with the purchase of a full-priced adult entree. Dine-in only.	Kids 12 and under.
Shari’s Restaurant	One free kids meal for kids with any dine-in order on Tuesdays.	Kids 10 and under.
Shoney’s	Free kids’ meal per adult entree purchased when dining in.	Kids 4 and under; offer varies by location.
Tucanos Brazilian Grill	Free Children’s Churrasco with a paying adult.	Kids 6 and under.