Which Restaurants Offer Free Meals for Kids in America?

Dining out with kids can be quite the adventure—one child is throwing food on the floor, another one is yelling, and the whole chaotic experience adds up to a hefty bill. Eating out for two is already expensive, but add kids to the equation and your wallet takes a serious hit. Luckily, certain restaurants in the U.S. offer promotional free meals for kids, making it easier to enjoy a meal out without breaking the bank.

But wouldn't it be nice to not cook, have calm kids who actually eat and not feel poor when you leave? We’ve put together a list of restaurants in the United States where kids eat free. Plus, we’re teaming up with pediatric dietitian, Jessica Gust MS, RDN of Element Nutrition Kids, to break down the nutritional value of these meals and share tips for making the healthiest choices when dining out.

Understanding "kids eat free" promotions

Every restaurant has its own rules about their ‘kids eat free’ promotions. Some establishments only offer the promotion on specific days or at certain times, while others require a minimum purchase or limit the free meals to particular menu items. Before heading out, double-check these details to avoid any surprise bills—or hangry kids!

Keep in mind that although many of these restaurants have the same name, each franchise could have different policies. Enter your zip code on participating restaurant websites to confirm that your chosen location offers the promotion. Plus, it’s worth checking if the 'kids eat free’ promotion has age limits. If you have a big family, you’ll want to know which kids qualify for free meals.

Kids eat free restaurants, by day of the week

Here is a list of restaurants offering ‘kids eat free’ promotions, organized by the day of the week:

Kids Eat Free Tuesday

• Cody’s Original Roadhouse: Kids aged 10 and under can eat free with a purchase of an adult entrée, limited to one kids’ meal per adult entrée.
• Ruby Tuesday’s:  Kids aged 12 and under can eat free with a purchase of a full-priced adult entree, only for dine-in customers and after 5 pm.
• Bob Evans: Kids get a free kids’ meal after 4 pm with a purchase of an adult entree, only for dine-in customers and ordered through the app.
• Marie Callender's:  Kids aged 12 and under can receive a kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Miller’s Ale House: Kids get a free kids’ meal with the purchase of a $10 food item, limited to two kids per table.
• Village Inn: Kids aged 3 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Pizza Ranch: Free kids buffet with purchase of adult buffet at regular price.
• Perkins: Kids can receive a free kids’ meal with a purchase of an adult entrée, limited to one child per paying adult.

Kids Eat Free Wednesday

• Smashburger: Kids aged 12 and under eat for free with the purchase of an adult meal, limited to dine-in customers.
• Famous Dave's: Free kids’ Lil' Wilbur Meal with a purchase of an adult entree.
• Red Robin: Kids can receive a free kids’ meal, kids’ sundae, and free tabletop games with the purchase of an adult entree, salad, Gourmet Burger, sandwich, or wrap.
• Luby’s: Kids aged 10 and under can receive a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult meal.

• Chevy’s Fresh Mex: Kids aged 12 and under can get a kids’ meal for $1 with a purchase of an adult entree, available in the Chevy’s Fresh Mex dining room.
• Ikea: Ikea family members can receive up to two kid's meals free with the purchase of an adult entrée at the Ikea restaurant, limited to dine-in customers.

Other Days of the Week

Saturdays

• Marie Callender's:  Kids aged 12 and under can receive a kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Luby’s: Kids aged 10 and under can receive a free kids’ meal with a purchase of an adult meal.

Varies by location

• Denny’s: Kids eat free with a purchase of an adult entree of $6 or more.
• Chili’s:  Kids age 12 and under eat free with a purchase of a regular entree, must be a My Chili's Rewards loyalty member.

Nutritional Considerations When Using "Kids Eat Free" Promotions

Sure, dining out with kids is tough, but it also has its perks. Eating out as a family gives you the chance to bond and create lasting memories. Plus, Gust explains that ‘kids eat free’ promotions, “allow families to have meals out together that they may not otherwise be able to do particularly with the rising cost of food. Gust also points out that for families facing food insecurity, these promotions can be a great way to provide a solid meal, particularly for families who need to feed multiple kids on a budget.

Here are some other nutritional considerations to keep in mind when dining out, whether or not you’re taking advantage of ‘kids eat free’ promotion:

Nutrition quality

“Anytime you eat out, particularly at chain restaurants the overall quality of the food tends to be lower,” explains Gust. Chain restaurants, whether fast food or fast casual, typically serve convenience foods, fried options, foods with high amounts of added sugar, and meals with fewer nutritional benefits. So enjoy dining out in moderation. Reserve restaurants for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or that once-in-a-while, need-to-get-out feeling.

Many restaurants offering free kids’ meals feature less nutritious menu options, such as chicken nuggets, fries or pizza. Try to opt for healthy sides like fruit, yogurt or vegetables for balance. For younger kids, you get to choose since you're ordering for them anyway. It’s best not to push too hard with older kids. The point is to have a relaxed meal, after all.

Portion size

Portion sizes at restaurants are often much larger than what you'd typically prepare at home, sometimes double or triple the size of a regular adult meal (and even more for kids!). But that's not necessarily a good reason to comment on what your kids eat or don't eat. Despite the cost, it's best not to encourage them to finish everything on their plate—bring the rest home. Two meals for the price of one!

Conversely, don't worry if they do eat it all. Gust explains that most kids are naturally good at self-regulating and will stop when they're full, even if there’s more food on their plate. The more parents monitor how much they eat, the harder it becomes for kids to maintain their natural ability to self-regulate.

Avoid micromanaging

“I always tell parents that if you’re going out infrequently, let kids order what they want to order without micromanaging,” Gust advises. She encourages parents to lead by example and choose meals they’d like their kids to choose without expecting it to happen every time. She recommends choosing healthier side options like fresh fruit, applesauce or veggies as long as it doesn’t create stress or arguments.

Consider checking if you can add an extra side for a small additional cost. For instance, if your child really wants fries but you’d like them to have fruit too, order an additional side to share. If you have multiple kids, consider getting different sides and sharing for more variety. “More importantly, if you're eating out with your kids, try to be conscious of how often you're going out and when you do, enjoy the experience without stressing so much about what foods they want to eat.”

Experts

• Jessica Gust MS, RDN of Element Nutrition Kids