Let’s face it: eating out as a family can be expensive. As your family grows, so too does your bill. However, sometimes all you want as a parent is to eat a meal you don’t have to cook. Fortunately, some restaurants know the struggles and have “kids eat free” specials and other cost-cutting deals to save you some cash.
To help busy parents, we found the big chain restaurants where kids eat free. We include all the details you need to take advantage of some freebie chicken fingers—no clean-up required. We’ve also included a few chains at the end of our list that offer deeply discounted kids’ meal specials with the purchase of an adult entree.
Some restaurants just require you to show up, while others require you to download their app and possibly join their free members’ clubs. It’s a small price to pay for saving money on your next outing with the family.
Chili’s
Chili’s is a family (and budget!) friendly restaurant. However, you can get an even better deal if you join My Chili’s Rewards.
Their website states, “My Chili’s Rewards loyalty members can receive emails and texts for a free meal for kids 12 and under with the purchase of any regular entree.” Joining is free and comes with other freebies.
TGI Fridays
Ironically, kids don’t eat free at TGI Fridays on Fridays. However, parents can be thankful for saving a bit of cash Monday through Thursday.
Their website states, “Kids Eat Free at TGI Fridays between Monday and Thursday. One kid’s meal is free with a full-price adult main meal purchase.” This offer is for kids 12 and under.
Ruby Tuesday
Craving the Ruby Tuesdays’ salad bar, but don’t feel like spending $6.99 for your kid to take one bite of a chicken tender? You’re in luck, Ruby Tuesdays has free kids’ meals on certain days.
Their website states, “Kids Eat FREE on Tuesdays from 5 PM to close and all day every Friday.” As with many other kids’ eat-free meals, you do need to buy an adult entree.
Denny’s
Denny’s is another restaurant that offers big perks with their reward program. The biggest Grand slam? Free kids meals for members.
Kids eat free at Denny’s every Tuesday from 4 to 10 p.m. Be sure to check your local Denny’s, as this offer is only valid at participating locations and with the purchase of an adult meal.
Bob Evans
Bob Evans is another great, family-friendly restaurant. It’s even friendlier on Tuesdays when kids can eat free.
According to the Bob Evans website, “Enjoy a free Kids Meal when you order an entree at Bob Evans! A max of 3 kids meals per 3 entrees.” You must use the app to take advantage of this offer.
Pizza Ranch
Pizza Ranch is a growing (and delicious) Midwest pizza chain. Pizza Ranch is best known for the buffet and luckily for parents, there’s a way to enjoy it more affordably.
On Tuesday nights, most Pizza Ranch locations offer a free kid’s buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet.
Ikea
Do you know what’s better than Swedish meatballs? Free Swedish meatballs. On Wednesdays at Ikea, you can get two free kid’s meals with the purchase of 1 adult meal.
This deal is only available to Ikea Family Members. However, joining is free and gets you other perks, like a free coffee per visit.
Uno Pizzeria And Grill
Uno Pizzeria is another kid-favorite restaurant with a great deal for parents. Every Tuesday, kids eat free at Uno’s.
Similar to other offers, you must buy an adult entree and it is only available at some locations. This deal is good enough to make Pizza Tuesday a regular thing.
Tony Roma
Feeling ribs but not feeling a big bill? You’re in luck because kids eat free at Tony Roma’s.
The kid menu at Tony Roma’s is slightly more limited than other options on the list. Kids have three choices: fish fillet and fries, chicken tenders and fries, or a cheeseburger and fries.
Bruster’s
Kids under 40” tall receive a free “baby cone” at Bruster’s. Sorry, parents of tall toddlers. Your kid may get to ride cool stuff at the fair, but no free Key Lime Pie kiddie cone for you.
Bruster’s is a franchise. This means your local one may or may not be offering this deal. However, for the sake of free ice cream (that may or may not end up on the ground), it is certainly worth checking.
Chevy’s Fresh Mex
Kids under 12 can eat for only $1 on Wednesdays at participating Chevy’s Fresh Mex locations. Okay, this one isn’t free.
However, it’s so close that we had to include it. What else can you get for a dollar in 2025?
Red Robin
Kids don’t eat free at Red Robin. However, they do eat at a steep discount on Wednesdays.
According to their website, “EVERY Wednesday is a delicious treat for the kiddos and a delicious deal for you with 50% OFF Kids Meal.” This deal is also available with online ordering when you use the code KIDSMEAL50.