Half term is fast approaching and it's not always easy to know what to do with the kids, or where to take them to keep them entertained, but lots of restaurants have kids eat free offers which you can take advantage of while school is out! Hopefully the sun will shine and they can enjoy playing outside, but if they are burning all that energy, why not treat them to a meal in a restaurant to refuel if cooking together sounds like too much hard work.
Dining out together is a great way to enjoy each other's company, it gives you time to talk as a family, try new flavours and most importantly you don't have to do the washing up. However, with half term activities, we know the cost soon mounts up. That is why we have rounded up the best offers where kids can eat free this half term.
There are plenty of offers to choose from all around the country and it doesn't matter whether you fancy sandwiches, or sushi, Italian or Greek, there is something for everyone. So why not save yourself the stress of cooking, especially if you have spent all day juggling work and entertaining the kids and spoil yourself and your little ones with a meal out.
If you have multiple children to feed, and don't fancy eating yourself, perhaps you just want to unwind with a coffee and pastry, then IKEA has the most cost effective option. You do need to pay for kids meals, but they only start from 95p, and they don't have to be bought alongside an adult meal, which can really save money. Your little ones can enjoy Mac n'cheese, a piece of fruit and a soft drink for 95p (all other kids meals are £1.50), available from 11am, excluding Fridays. Plus a trip to IKEA is always entertaining, kids love exploring room sets and testing out sofas, and they offer a free supervised play area too, which gives you 60 minutes of child free shopping.
The 25 best kids eat free deals
Available from Sunday 26th May until Sunday 2nd June, this a great offer if you want to try some tasty Mediterranean flavours. Kids under 12 can get a free kids' meal for every £10.00 spent by an adult. The offer includes a kids' meal from the kids' menu plus a drink and ice cream.
Kids under 12 can eat free at Morrisons cafe all day with any £5 adults meal from The Breakfasts, The Classics or The Chippy. Plus you can earn 100 more points for every £1 spent in the cafe.
If you need to do some shopping, then why not stop for a break at the cafe too? Your little ones can enjoy a free mini meal deal with every £4 spent in the cafe.
For lovers of Brazilian food, Preto is offering one free kids' meal for every adult meal. The offer is available every day after 4pm for children 10 and under. You do need to visit their website first to fill in an online voucher.
Your little one can enjoy a free children’s breakfast with any adult traditional or full breakfast, or a free child’s hot meal or pick n mix lunch box with any adult main course. This great offer is available everyday and includes a free kid's drink.
If your little one is a big fan of pizza, then why not try Purezza Pizzeria in London? It is a vegan pizza restaurant, which is offering a free mini pizza to children under 10 with every full paying adult meal.
With restaurants in Cardiff, Bristol and Plymouth, Future Inns offers a free meal to all under fives with every full paying adult meal. The offer includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kids normally eat free at Angus Steakhouses on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but during half term the offer is available every day. Children aged 8 and under can get a complimentary meal when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Kids under 8 can enjoy a free kid's main meal with every adult ordering a full price meal from the a la carte menu. There is also the option to add a dessert for £3.50.
If you are travelling over half term, don't miss out on free meals before you fly. With over 15 restaurants participating, kids can enjoy a main meal with any full paying adult.
Available for new and existing stripe members, kids can eat free with every adult main meal ordered. The offer is available all day, every day.
Your little one can enjoy a free main meal and dessert with every dining adult. There are restaurants in Windsor, Reading and High Wycombe.
Have a little sushi fan? Then why not treat them to a meal at Yo! Sushi. From the 27th May until 31st May 2024, kids can enjoy a free kiddo bento box when dining with a full-paying adult.
A great option for mid-week dining, up to two kids can eat free with any one full paying adult. The offer is available all day from Monday 27th May – Friday 31st May.
You still need to do your grocery shopping during half term, but why not treat your little ones to lunch while you are there. Kids can choose a sandwich, a piece of fruit, 2 snacks and a drink with any adult purchase in a Tesco Café.
Fancy some French inspired cuisine? Café Rouge are offering a free kids 2 or 3 course lunch or dinner, with every full paying adult.
If you need to make a long journey this half term, why not take a break from driving and treat yourself to a meal at OK Diners. Children under 10 can eat free from the kids' menu when an adult buys a meal from the a la carte menu. The offer is available all day, every day, except for in diners on the A1.
Located in Manchester, kids under 12 can enjoy a free main meal with every adult meal ordered, Monday-friday from 12pm - 6pm. Plus, they have lego and crayons to keep little ones entertained.
Download the My Iguanas app and little ones can dine from the Niños menu for free. With every full paying adult, you can get one kids meal free which includes a main, two sides and a dessert. Offer is available for kids under 12 years old.
Looking for something to do on a Sunday? The Banana Tree offers a free kid's meal every Sunday when accompanied by a full paying adult. Plus your little one gets an activity pack to keep them busy too.
With restaurants all over the UK, kids can eat free with every adult main meal ordered. From delicious DIY pizzas to cheese toasties, there is something for everyone.
An early riser in the family?
These restaurants are offering free breakfasts if you want to get your day off to a great start this half term.
Premier Inn offers free breakfast, cooked and continental, for up to two children when one adult orders a full Premier Inn breakfast. The offer is available for children under 16.
Up to two children under 15 can enjoy breakfast for free with one full paying adult. A perfect choice if you are staying at a Travel Lodge over half term.
Kids will love having breakfast out during half term and at a Beefeater restaurant they can eat for free. Two children under 16 can enjoy a free breakfast with every full paying adult breakfast ordered.
For a great way to start the day, two kids under 16 can eat breakfast for free with every adult ordering a full price breakfast.
Not free but still a great deal
For a taste of Italy, visit Bella Italia where kids can eat for £1 from between 4-6pm from Sunday - Wednesday. Meals are suitable for 2-11 year olds and include three courses and a drink.
There is plenty of choice in Asda where kids can enjoy a £1 meal. They have the choice of a hot meal and a piece of fruit, or a cold pick and mix meal which includes a sandwich, drink, piece of fruit and a treat such as a jelly pot or a jelly squeeze pouch as an alternative to a pack of crisps.
Looking to go out for dinner or lunch? Kids can eat for £1 from 12pm Monday to Friday during the school holidays at Sizzling Pubs. The offer is available with every full price adult meal ordered.
Kids love burgers and GBK is offering one kids meal and side for £2 with every full paying adult. There is a burger for everyone from cheeseburgers, chicken tenders and vegan burgers.
Start half term with a treat at Hungry Horse pubs where every Monday kids can choose a children's meal, including two sides, for £1 with every full priced adult meal ordered. There is also the option to pay £1.50 for a larger kids' meal.
Choosing a kids eat for free offer this half term
Lots of restaurants are participating in offers where kids can eat free during the school holidays and it's a great opportunity for families to go out together and try new food, including lots of healthy food options. Consider which offer works best for your family, some meals are not free but are very cheap and you don't need to order an adult meal too. Alternatively, other restaurants offer two kids' meals with just one paying adult, and others offer your little one all three courses, or additional sides and a drink. There are lots of variations so find the one which works best for you and your family.
With all these great deals during half term, your little ones will love spending time as a family and eating some delicious food too. Plus you will get to relax without worrying about a huge bill at the end of the meal to help you stay in budget. Make sure to always check the T&Cs on the restaurant's website because there are age limits and restrictions to some offers, or requirements to download a voucher or app in some cases.
Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.