Looking for restaurants where kids eat free in 2026? Feeding the whole family can get expensive, so I put together a list of popular restaurants offering free kids meals, discounted kids meals and other family dining deals.

From IHOP and Denny’s to Outback Steakhouse, MOD Pizza, Smashburger and more, there are plenty of ways to save when eating out with kids.

Important: Kids Eat Free promotions can vary by restaurant location, day and franchise. Some offers require an adult entrée purchase, rewards membership or dine-in purchase. Always check with your local restaurant before heading out.

Kids Eat Free Restaurant Deals

IHOP

Kids Eat Free promotions are available at participating IHOP restaurants with the purchase of an adult entrée. Many participating locations offer the deal during evening hours.

Participation and hours may vary by location.

Chick-fil-A

Select Chick-fil-A restaurants host Kids Eat Free nights, often on Tuesdays. Because Chick-fil-A restaurants are locally operated, participating locations and requirements vary.

Check your local Chick-fil-A before visiting.

Denny’s

Kids Eat Free at participating Denny’s restaurants with the purchase of a qualifying $6 or more adult entrée.

Days and times can vary by participating restaurant, so check your nearest Denny’s for its current schedule.

Smashburger

Kids can receive a FREE Kids Meal every Wednesday with the purchase of an adult meal at participating Smashburger locations.

The current promotion is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

Little ones under 40 inches tall can receive a FREE Baby Cone at participating Bruster’s locations.

This is one of my favorite family freebies because you don’t have to wait for a particular Kids Eat Free night.

Texas Roadhouse

Select Texas Roadhouse restaurants host Kids Nights where children may receive a free or discounted kids meal with a qualifying adult purchase.

Dates, times and offers are determined by individual locations, so check your local Texas Roadhouse.

MOD Pizza

Kids can score a FREE Kids Meal on Sundays with the purchase of a MOD-size pizza or salad at participating MOD Pizza restaurants.

Restrictions and participation may apply.

Outback Steakhouse

Kids Eat Free every Monday at participating Outback Steakhouse locations with the purchase of an adult entrée.

This is an easy Monday dinner option for families looking to save.

Bob Evans

Participating Bob Evans restaurants offer Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays with a qualifying adult entrée purchase.

Check your restaurant for current participation and restrictions.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe Rewards members can receive a FREE Kids Meal with a qualifying entrée purchase at participating locations.

Membership, frequency and other restrictions apply.

The Habit Burger Grill

Kids can receive a FREE Kids Meal Monday through Thursday with a $10 or more purchase for eligible MyHabit members at participating locations.

The current promotion runs into January 2027.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Kids Eat Free every Sunday with a $15 or more qualifying purchase at participating Dickey’s Barbecue Pit restaurants.

More Kids Eat Free Restaurants

Here are even more restaurants to check for family meal deals.

Fazoli’s

Select Fazoli’s restaurants offer Kids Eat Free promotions, including Monday deals at participating locations. Because offers can vary by restaurant, confirm the current promotion with your local Fazoli’s before visiting.

Famous Dave’s

Famous Dave’s currently has a Kids Eat Free Tuesday promotion at select participating restaurants. A qualifying adult entrée purchase is required for the free Lil’ Wilbur Meal.

This one is not available nationwide, so check your location first. 

Freebirds World Burrito

Some Freebirds World Burrito locations have offered free kids meal promotions on Tuesdays. Participation and terms can vary, so verify the current offer directly with your local restaurant before making a trip.

Ruby Tuesday

This one is especially good right now: kids 12 and under eat FREE Tuesdays after 5 PM AND all day Friday with the purchase of a full-priced adult entrée.

The offer is dine-in only and restrictions apply. 

IKEA

IKEA is another one worth checking locally. Select IKEA Swedish Restaurants are offering Kids Eat Free Wednesdays for IKEA Family members.

For example, IKEA Covina currently lists free kids meals on Wednesdays through October 28, 2026. IKEA promotions can vary by store, so check your local IKEA before visiting. 

Golden Corral

Golden Corral is worth remembering for families with very young children: kids 3 and under eat free with a qualifying adult purchase. Golden Corral has also been running rotating kids meal promotions during 2026, so check the current offer before visiting. 

Applebee’s

Applebee’s Kids Eat Free promotions are generally location-specific or limited-time, rather than a permanent nationwide weekly promotion. Check your local restaurant for current family offers.

Club Applebee’s members can also receive exclusive offers, including a welcome free appetizer and other member deals. 

Other Restaurants Worth Checking

Kids Eat Free promotions frequently change and many are determined by individual franchise owners. Other restaurants that may offer kids meal specials at select locations include Perkins, Chili’s, Chevys Fresh Mex, local barbecue restaurants, Mexican restaurants and independently owned family restaurants.

I recommend calling or checking the restaurant’s app or website before visiting rather than assuming a previous Kids Eat Free promotion is still running.

What Days Do Kids Eat Free?

Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be especially popular days for Kids Eat Free promotions, but there are deals throughout the week.

Some of the standout options in this guide include Outback on Mondays, Ruby Tuesday on Tuesdays and Fridays, Smashburger on Wednesdays, The Habit Monday through Thursday, MOD Pizza and Dickey’s on Sundays, plus location-specific offers throughout the week.

How to Get Kids Eat Free Deals

Before heading to a restaurant, check the requirements carefully. Many Kids Eat Free promotions require the purchase of a full-priced adult entrée. Others require joining the restaurant’s free rewards program or ordering during specific hours.

Also watch for age restrictions. Many restaurants limit Kids Eat Free offers to children 12 and under, while Bruster’s uses a height requirement for its free Baby Cone promotion.

Save This Kids Eat Free List

Bookmark this page because Kids Eat Free deals can change throughout the year. I’ll continue updating the list as new restaurant freebies and family dining deals become available.

And remember: participation varies by location. Always confirm the offer with your local restaurant before visiting.