21 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants That Offer Free Kids Meals

Most parents enjoy the occasional night out at their favorite family-friendly restaurant.

It’s less cooking for them, and it’s a good way to have a fun night of family bonding enjoying some yummy food together.

But, feeding the whole family at a restaurant can be expensive!

That’s why a lot of families look for restaurants with family deals – including free food for kids.

Free kids’ meals can make dining out more realistic for a lot of financially-savvy families.

Not all restaurants advertise their discounts and freebies for kids, though, so you might not even know about them unless you frequent a restaurant that has them.

So, I’m making things a little easier on you with this post, which outlines top restaurants all over the United States with 100% free kids’ meals on the menu!

Where Can My Child Get a Free Meal?

Most restaurant owners know how important it is for families to dine out once in a while.

They also know how expensive it can be, especially when they have a few kids to pay for!

These restaurants offer free meal deals for kids – some are on specific days of the week – to make the financial burden of eating out not so much of a financial burden!

At Texas Roadhouse, Kids Eat Free!

I know so many people who love Texas Roadhouse for fun, family dining (myself included!), so it’s exciting to know that this place is one that offers free kids’ meals.

Depending on your closest location, Texas Roadhouse has free meals for kids on specific nights of the week, usually Monday or Tuesday.

Most restaurants set the hours to get a free meal between 4 pm and 10 pm.

Some locations also do a $0.99 kids’ meal instead of a free one, but that’s still an amazing deal if you have several mouths to feed!

You can find a Texas Roadhouse location nearest you and call them to find out the details for their kids’ program.

Kids Eat Free at TGI Fridays Too!

TGI Friday’s is my absolute favorite restaurant, and I love that it has so many yummy options for kids (even picky eaters).

Most locations offer a 100% free kids’ meal on Monday or Tuesday, but your nearest location might have a different day it participates in.

Visit the TGI Friday’s website to find a location nearest you to inquire about its deals for kids.

Applebees

Not only does Applebees offer an excellent menu for kids ranging from grilled chicken tenders to a small steak, but parents can also take advantage of getting a free meal for their kids here.

At select Applebees restaurants, kids can eat free on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Even those that don’t participate in 100% free meals (but I’ve found that most do) offer discounted kids meals with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Many of the kid’s menu options are very budget-friendly, too, if you find that you need to order more.

Bennigan’s

Bennigan’s is an Irish-inspired family-friendly restaurant that also gives parents more options when it comes to family dining.

Many locations let kids eat free on Tuesdays when their parents purchase an adult entrée.

So, if each parent orders a meal, you’ll get two kids meals free!

Denny’s

Denny’s is always a favorite for kids.

Its menu has so many kid-friendly options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – or you can even have breakfast for dinner!

To keep in line with its family-friendly atmosphere, most Denny’s locations offer kids a free meal on Tuesdays between 4 PM and 10 PM.

Your child must be ten or younger, and you’ll get two kids meals for every one adult entrée you purchase!

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs is a great place to find healthy sub sandwiches to feed the family.

Search for a location near you to find out about its kid-friendly dining deals.

Most locations not only honor your birthday by giving you a free birthday sub, but your kiddos can also enjoy a free meal at a location participating in Kids Eat Free nights.

Godfather’s Pizza

What kid doesn’t love a pizza treat now and then?

At Godfather’s Pizza, your kid can get a free buffet pass to treat himself to all the delicious pizza options available.

You can grab a free pass for your kid to eat during lunch or dinner hours.

Most locations make the free kids’ buffet available on Tuesdays.

Golden Corral

At Golden Corral, your kiddo has plenty of food options to choose from, like mac & cheese, fried or grilled chicken, salad, and pizza!

Some locations offer a kids eat free program on Monday nights, from 5 to 9 PM.

At most participating locations, your kids aged 10 and under can eat free.

IHOP

At IHOP, your kids can eat free between 4 PM and 10 PM – any day of the week!

Like most other restaurants, this deal is only available at participating locations.

However, even some locations that don’t do this program all year ‘round do participate in it during certain times of the year.

The offer is open for kids ages 12 and under, and you’ll get one free kids meal for each adult meal you purchase.

Unfortunately, drinks are not included in the special – but water is free!

Lonestar Steakhouse

Participating Lonestar Steakhouse locations have one night a week where kids’ meals are free for kids 12 and under.

And, you can get two kids meals per one adult entrée!

Most locations offer this deal on Tuesdays, but you can check with your nearest restaurant to find out when it has the promo.

Marie Callenders

At Marie Callenders, your family can even dine out on a weekend and enjoy special savings for your kids’ meals!

Some locations offer a Tuesday and Saturday free kids’ meal option, which gives busy families a chance to get in on the savings.

You’ll get one free kids meal with each purchase of an adult entrée.

O’Charley’s

O’Charley’s is another restaurant that offers free kids meals – one for each adult entrée you purchase.

You’re not limited by what day you can take advantage of the offer here, though.

Most locations that participate in a free kids’ meal program offer it on any day of the week during specific hours!

Pizza Hut

Tuesday nights are the best nights to stop by Pizza Hut for its yummy dinner buffet with your kids.

Most locations have a few hours set aside on Tuesdays for a free buffet pass for your kids age 10 and younger when you purchase an adult entrée.

Check out your nearest location and give it a call to find out when the kid-friendly times happen there!

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Qdoba Mexican Grill is perfect for families who crave burritos and tacos galore!

Most locations offer a family-friendly night with the opportunity to grab a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult meal.

Locations are free to choose their own days, but most opt for Sunday or Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday

If you have a Ruby Tuesday nearby, you might see a lot of coupons for them that come in the mail or newspaper.

I know I get them every few weeks with new deals that can save you a lot of money on your family’s next trip there.

Most of the time, there will be at least one coupon that gives you a free or highly-discounted kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée!

You can usually use these on whatever day you choose if you have your coupon ready.

To top that off, Ruby Tuesday offers a free kids’ meal with the purchase of any adult entrée every Tuesday at most locations!

So, you might even be able to dine out more often at Ruby Tuesday if you take advantage of Kids Eat Free Tuesdays and use coupons on another night.

Shoney’s

Kids ages four and younger can always have the opportunity to score a free meal when parents purchase an adult meal at Shoney’s!

How cool is that?

But, the restaurant also has deals throughout the year that can give kids ten and younger a chance to get a free or discounted meal too.

For example, some locations offer a discounted Christmas buffet for kids ages 5 to 10.

Steak ‘n Shake

Steak ‘n Shake is a popular fast food restaurant that has a Kids Eat Free All Weekend program!

For every $9 you spend, you can get a kids’ meal completely free.

Just remember that you’ll have to pay for the drinks separately, as they aren’t included in the promotion.

Chili’s

Chili’s is a popular family-friendly restaurant chain known for its flavorful Tex-Mex cuisine and casual dining atmosphere. 

With a wide range of menu options, Chili’s offers something for everyone in the family. 

From sizzling fajitas and juicy burgers to mouthwatering baby back ribs, their menu is sure to satisfy diverse taste buds.

Chili’s is committed to making family dining more affordable by offering free kids’ meals. 

On specific days of the week or during promotional periods, children can enjoy a complimentary meal when accompanied by an adult purchasing an entrée. 

The details and availability may vary by location, so it’s recommended to check with your local Chili’s for specific information.

Visit the official Chili’s website to explore their menu, find the nearest location, and learn more about their family-friendly offerings.

Olive Garden

Olive Garden is a well-known Italian-American restaurant chain that specializes in comforting pasta dishes, flavorful sauces, and delectable breadsticks. 

With its warm and welcoming ambiance, Olive Garden has become a favorite choice for family gatherings and celebrations.

To make dining out more budget-friendly for families, Olive Garden also offers free kids’ meals. 

The exact days and conditions for this promotion may vary by location, so it’s advisable to contact your local Olive Garden to get accurate information on their kids’ meal offers.

For a taste of Italy in a family-friendly setting, visit the official Olive Garden website to explore their menu, locate a nearby restaurant, and discover more about their kids’ meal program.

Red Robin

Red Robin is a popular burger-focused restaurant chain that aims to create a fun and enjoyable experience for families.

Known for their gourmet burgers, bottomless fries, and delicious milkshakes, Red Robin offers a diverse menu with options to please both kids and adults.

Families can take advantage of Red Robin’s free kids’ meal promotions. 

The details and availability of this offer may vary by location, so it’s recommended to check with your local Red Robin for specific information on their kids’ meal program.

To learn more about Red Robin’s menu offerings, find a restaurant near you, and discover their family-friendly atmosphere, visit the official Red Robin website.

Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse is a popular Australian-themed restaurant chain known for its mouthwatering steaks, grilled specialties, and flavorful seafood dishes. 

With a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, Outback Steakhouse offers a family-friendly environment for enjoyable dining experiences.

At select locations, Outback Steakhouse offers free kids’ meals to make family dining more affordable. 

The specific days and terms for this promotion may vary, so it’s recommended to contact your nearest Outback Steakhouse for details on their kids’ meal program.

For a taste of the Outback and a family-friendly dining experience, visit the official Outback Steakhouse website to explore their menu, locate a nearby restaurant, and find out more about their kids’ meal offerings.

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Conclusion: Kids Eat Free at Your Favorite Restaurants

As parents, getting free and discounted stuff is an essential part of staying within your budget.

Kids can be expensive, so it’s always great to save money wherever you can.

You shouldn’t have to feel like you can never go out to eat because you’d end up spending more money than you can afford to pay for your family’s meals.

These restaurants aim to be family-friendly places where parents can save some money by taking advantage of free kids’ meals.

So, go out and enjoy yourself!

Do you know of any other restaurants that offer free meals for kids?

Let us know some of your favorites in a comment below!

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