Kids Eat Free: 2025 Guide to Nights, Chains, and Fine Print
You’re feeding a small tornado with legs and a bottomless stomach – on a budget. “Kids eat free” nights are the cheat code. Below is the most current guide I could pull together, with exact days/times for the big chains and the fine print most folks miss. Use it, abuse it, and stop paying full price for nuggets.
I started tracking these after realizing my “cheap family dinner” somehow rang up like a concert ticket. Half the savings get wiped out by drinks, add-ons, or “participating locations only.” I’ve been burned. You won’t be, because I’m calling out the traps right next to the deals.
How to find kids eat free deals near you (fast)
Open your maps app, search the chain + “kids eat free,” then check the location’s website, Facebook, or Google post for that store – franchises set their own rules. Call if the page looks old. If the deal says “Rewards members,” install the app before you leave so you’re not doing it in the parking lot with a hangry co-pilot.
Kids eat free Tuesday: why it’s the sweet spot
A ton of promos land on Tuesdays. If your week is chaos, set Tuesday as your “no-cook” day and rotate restaurants. It’s predictable, the dining rooms are calmer than weekends, and you’ll actually remember the deal without a spreadsheet.
Avoid the “gotchas”: ages, add-ons, and dine-in rules
Most chains cap the age at 10–12, require dine-in, and limit one free kids’ meal per adult entrée. Drinks are often not included, and “$6 minimum purchase” is common. If your kid orders a sprite the size of a fishbowl, there goes the savings.
Quick plan: stack rewards with kids eat free
Join the restaurant’s loyalty (takes 60 seconds), order an adult entrée that triggers the free kids meal, and pay with a credit card that earns elevated dining cash-back. Pro move: bring a water bottle, skip the soda upsell, and share sides.
Kids eat free (or nearly) every day: what to expect
Some chains run daily windows (often 4–10 p.m.) while others do specific nights only. A few offer “always free” for very young kids. When a deal is seasonal (back-to-school or summer), I’ve flagged it so you don’t plan around a ghost.
Major chains & kids eat free schedules (as of September 4, 2025)
Always confirm your specific location, franchises can change days, hours, or eligibility without notice.
| Chain | Day/Time | Fine Print (typical) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denny’s | Tue, 4–10 p.m. | 1 free kids’ entrée (12 & under) per adult entrée $6+; dine-in; participation varies. | |
| IHOP | Daily, ~4–10 p.m. (participating) | Free kids’ meal with adult entrée; locations vary; promo returned May 5, 2025. | |
| Bob Evans | Tue after 4 p.m. (in-app) | Up to 3 kids’ meals free with 3 adult entrées in one app order; participating locations. | |
| Ruby Tuesday | Tue after 5 p.m. & Fri all day | 1 free kids’ entrée (12 & under) per adult entrée; dine-in only. | |
| Smashburger | Wed | Free kids’ meal with purchase of adult meal; in-store; participating locations. | |
| Shari’s (West) | Tue (all day) | 1 free kids’ meal (10 & under) per adult entrée; dine-in; participating locations. | |
| Miller’s Ale House | Tue | 1 free kids’ meal with $10+ food purchase; limit 2 per table; dine-in. | |
| Pizza Ranch (Midwest) | Tue (hours vary) | 1 free kid’s buffet (12 & under) per paying adult buffet; check local hours. | |
| Jason’s Deli | Varies by location | Many stores run a weekly kids-eat-free night; check local page before you go. | |
| Sonny’s BBQ (SE, September only) | Mon–Wed (Sept) | Rewards members: free kids’ meal w/ adult entrée; dine-in; participating locations. | |
| Habit Burger Grill (limited-time) | Mon–Thu (thru Oct 30, 2025) | CharClub members: 1 free kids’ meal per $10+ purchase; once/week; participating. | |
| Moe’s Southwest Grill | Weekly (Rewards) | “Kids Eat on Us”: 1 free kids’ meal per adult entrée, once per week via app reward; participating. | |
| Freebirds World Burrito (TX) | Sat & Sun | 1 free kids’ meal per adult entrée; code for online orders often KIDSEATFREE. | |
| Luby’s (TX) | Wed & Sat | Ages 10 & under; 1 free kid’s meal per adult meal; dine-in only. | |
| Fogo de Chão (Brazilian steakhouse) | Every day | Ages 6 & under eat free; 7–12 half price (Full Churrasco). | |
| Texas de Brazil (Brazilian steakhouse) | Every day | Ages 2 & under free; 3–5 $5; 6–12 half price; policy varies slightly by location. | |
| Golden Corral (buffet) | Every day (age-based) | Ages 3 & under eat free with each paying adult. | |
| UNO Pizzeria & Grill | Tue | 1 free kids’ meal (10 & under) per adult entrée; participating locations. | |
| Famous Dave’s (regional) | Tue (select markets) | Kids’ meal free with adult entrée; availability varies by city. | |
| Chick-fil-A | Often Tue evenings (select locations) | Many operators run 5–7 p.m. kids-meal promos; some charge $0.99, verify locally. |
Also common but highly local: Perkins (often Tue after 4 p.m.), Huddle House (Mon–Tue), QDOBA (some Wed), and TGI Fridays (night varies by store). Always check your nearest location’s page or call.
Quick rules of thumb you can use today
- Call it in: “Do you still do kids eat free on ___ at ___ o’clock? Is dine-in required? Are drinks included?” That 15-second call saves a 30-minute meltdown.
- Order smart: Free kids’ meal + shareable adult entrée beats two separate grown-up meals.
- Stack offers: Loyalty app reward plus kids eat free is usually allowed (if the adult entrée meets the minimum).
- Watch the add-ons: Drinks and upgraded sides often kill the savings, water + a shared side keeps the bill down.
- Know the pattern: Tuesdays are your best bet; Wed/Fri are the runners-up.
Common pitfalls (aka “how restaurants get you back”)
- “Kids” means 10 or 12 and under; teens don’t count.
- “One free kid’s meal per adult entrée” means your salad side doesn’t qualify.
- Many deals are dine-in only; online orders may need a promo code or app reward.
- Participation varies – even within the same chain and city.
External Resources
- USDA MyPlate: Healthy Eating for Kids (smart swaps when dining out).
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Eating Out Without Reservations (sanity tips for parents).
- National Restaurant Association: Kids LiveWell nutrition standards (what “better kids’ meals” look like).
- EatRight.org (Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics): Eating Out with Kids practical tips..
Related Links:
Disclaimer
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