20 Restaurants Where Kids Eat for Free (Because Children Are Expensive)

When you’ve got extra mouths to feed, dining out can cost a pretty penny. But sometimes, you really just can’t fathom having to whip up yet another picky eater-approved dinner. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to take a break from cooking—particularly not if you stop by one of the following restaurants where kids eat free. Bon appétit!

It’s not a sure thing, but Chili’s does offer “kids eat free” promotions periodically, and if you sign up for My Chili’s they will send you text alerts so you never miss a deal.

Up to two kids can eat free at Denny’s every Tuesday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the purchase of a full price adult entree. That said, most but not all locations participate, so it’s best to call before you head out in hopes of free diner fare.

Sign your kid (age 12 and younger) up for the Perkins Birthday Club and they can score a free meal at any time during their birthday week.

There’s a Kids Eat Free deal to be found at Applebee’s, but when you can cash in varies considerably by location. Some restaurants offer this deal on a weekly basis, while others reserve it for holidays, so you’ll need to call to get the lowdown.

If you join the Red Robin Rewards Program your kid will get one free birthday burger at any time during their birth month. We also have it on good authority that any birthday boy or girl will get a free ice cream sundae surprise on their big day, no membership needed.

Next time you’re craving Tex-Mex and margaritas on a Tuesday, head straight to Chevy’s (and bring your offspring, too). The deal? One free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

The perks of becoming an IKEA Family Member are many. Case in point: Your tot can enjoy a half-price entree off the kids’ menu on Wednesdays, and then there’s a free child care offer that might just trump the discounted meatballs.

Your kid can eat for free at Ruby Tuesday one day a week. Yep, you’re promised a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree any time after 5 p.m. on (wait for it) Tuesdays!

Tuesday is also the day to score a family deal at Bob Evans, where your adult dinner entitles you to a free meal off the kids’ menu any time after 4 p.m.

It might not be totally free, but you can certainly feed your kid on the cheap if you head to Fuddruckers on a Monday, where the weekly deal is a full kid’s meal (entree, side, drink and cookie) for a mere $1.99.

Dinner off the kids’ menu will cost you at Culver’s, but dessert is on the house; a free custard is standard with the purchase of any kid’s meal no matter when you go.

For every $9 you spend, Steak n’ Shake will feed your kid for free, which means one adult entree is all it takes to enjoy the savings. (Hint: There are happy hour deals to be had here, too.)

Tuesday is the day for a barbeque family dinner, as participating Famous Dave’s locations will feed the kids for free. (Note: Some restaurants will charge you a buck for the kid’s meal, but that’s not too shabby either.)

Is it just us, or is there something special about Tuesday? That’s the day that participating Pizza Hut locations offer kids a free buffet meal with the purchase of an adult buffet.

If you live in California, Utah or Nevada, take your family out for a weekend dinner at Marie Callender’s, where you can score one free kid’s meal for every full-price adult entree you purchase on Saturdays.

There’s a big deal for little tots at Maggiano’s—an Italian-American eatery that feeds kids under the age of 5 for free every Saturday.

Got a toddler in tow? Head to Golden Corral where kids under 3 hit the buffet for free when you purchase an adult buffet meal for yourself. However, it’s worth noting that schedule and availability varies by location, so it’s best to call before you go.

Swing by this popular fast food joint on Tuesdays between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (i.e., family dinner time) to indulge in an adult combo meal; at participating locations, a kid’s meal won’t cost you a penny.

You’ll need to ring up your nearest Cici’s to double check—depending on the restaurant this deal may be available every day, once a week, or not at all—but many locations feed kids under the age of 3 for free when you purchase an adult meal.

Again, the exact day that you can get the deal varies by location, but participating restaurants provide a free meal from the kids’ menu for every adult entree.