Kids Eat Free Deals 2026: Every National Restaurant Offer, by Day

Where Do Kids Eat Free Today?

Important: Updated 10/21/2026. Kids eat free deals change often and may vary by location. Most offers are based on one free kids’ meal per paying adult (sometimes dine-in only). Always confirm before you go.

Quick answer: Kids eat free every day from 4–10 PM at many Denny’s and IHOP locations, and kids 6 and under always eat free at Fogo de Chão and Tucanos. Mondays bring Outback and Texas Roadhouse, Tuesdays bring Bob Evans and Pizza Ranch, Wednesdays bring Red Robin (free through November 4) and Smashburger, and Sundays bring MOD Pizza and Dickey’s. Halloween weekend (October 30–November 1) adds free kids meals at Red Lobster, Friendly’s, and Dickey’s for kids in costume.

“Eating out is expensive, so when we do, we try to pick a family friendly place that offers kids eat free. Mom and dad get a meal out and the bill is less!”

— Stacy, Fabulessly Frugal

I know the “nobody wants to cook tonight” moment all too well, and a free kids’ meal can turn a night out from a budget-buster into a genuine win. I keep this list bookmarked on my phone for exactly those moments. Whether it’s a Tuesday night Bob Evans run or a Sunday BBQ at Dickey’s, there’s almost always a deal if you know where to look. 😄

This month is a big one. Red Robin is running free kids meals on Wednesdays through November 4, Halloween weekend brings a wave of costume deals, and Mellow Mushroom’s Tuesday deal wraps up on October 27. More chains have also moved their kids deals into apps and rewards programs, so I flag which ones need a download throughout this list.

Quick tip: Save this page to your home screen. When everyone’s hungry and you can’t face the kitchen, just flip to the right day.

How This Kids Eat Free List Is Built

This guide covers national and multi-state chains with kids eat free or kids eat cheap offers, checked against each restaurant’s own site, press releases, and app terms. Because most restaurants are franchised, local participation can vary, so treat this as a check-first shortlist. When I call ahead, these are the four questions I ask:

• Is it dine-in only?
• Is it one free kids’ meal per adult entrée?
• Is there a minimum purchase amount?
• Do we need an app, rewards account, or promo code?

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Kids Eat Free on Halloween 2026

Several chains are giving kids a free meal for Halloween 2026, and because Halloween lands on a Saturday, a few deals run all weekend from October 30 to November 1. Most require kids to wear a costume and dine in with a paying adult. My tip: keep a costume piece in the car. A hat or cat ears usually counts, and it saves a trip home.

• Red Lobster — Kids in costume eat free October 30–November 1. Get up to two free kids meals with one full-price adult dinner entrée when you dine in (max two per table). Ordering online? Use code SPOOKY26 for one free kids meal with a full-price adult entrée. Each free kids meal is worth up to $9.99. 🎃
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit — From October 30–November 1, guests in costume get a free kids meal with an adult purchase of $15 or more, plus a free Big Yellow Cup with any purchase. Dine-in only at participating locations.
• Friendly’s — Kids in costume get a free kids meal on Saturday, October 31 with the purchase of an adult entrée at all Friendly’s locations.
• Hot Head Burritos — Kids 12 and under in costume get a free kids meal with an entrée purchase, in store on October 31 only.
• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s — Kids 12 and under in costume eat free on Halloween with the purchase of an adult entrée at participating locations.
• MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes — Kids 12 and under in costume can get a free kids meal on October 30 and 31 at participating locations. Call ahead for hours.
• Rainforest Cafe — Kids 10 and under get a 99¢ kids meal with each adult entrée from October 26–30. Dress in costume and mention the offer to your server. Some locations are excluded.

Want free doughnuts, $7.11 pizzas, and BOGO entrées too? See our full list of Halloween restaurant deals and freebies.

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Limited-Time Kids Eat Free Deals

These kids eat free offers have confirmed end dates, so they’re the ones I’d plan around first. Red Robin’s free Wednesdays and Mellow Mushroom’s Tuesdays are the two best deals running right now, and both end soon.

• Red Robin — Kids 11 and under eat free all day on Wednesdays with the purchase of an adult entrée through November 4, 2026. Dine-in only at participating locations. That’s a big step up from the usual 50% off Wednesday deal, so I’d plan a burger night or two before it ends. 🍔
• Mellow Mushroom — Up to two free kids meals (ages 10 and under) with one adult entrée of $15 or more, every Tuesday through October 27, 2026. Max four free kids meals per table. Dine-in only. Each kids meal includes a drink and tots or apple slices, and kids may still get a free plush Mel while supplies last. 🍕
• Smashburger — Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays with the purchase of an adult meal (entrée, side, and drink) through December 31, 2026 at participating locations.
• The Habit Burger Grill — MyHabit rewards members get a free kids meal (ages 10 and under) with a $10 minimum purchase, Monday–Thursday. The offer loads into your My Offers wallet each Monday, limit one per week. Now extended through January 1, 2027.
• MOD Pizza — Free kids meal (ages 12 and under) on Sundays with a MOD-size pizza or salad. Order in-store or use code KEF2026 online. Valid through December 27, 2026.

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Kids Eat Free Every Day

If you don’t want to plan around a specific night, these restaurants offer kids eat free or a kids freebie every day of the week. Fogo de Chão and Tucanos are the hidden gems for families with little ones 6 and under, and Denny’s is my go-to backup when plans change last minute.

• Fogo de Chão — Kids 6 and under eat completely free every day with a paying adult. Kids 7–12 get the full Churrasco Experience at half price.
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill — Kids 6 and under eat free every day with a paying adult. A great option if there’s no Fogo de Chão nearby.
• Denny’s — At many participating locations, kids eat free daily from 4–10 PM with an adult entrée purchase of $6 or more (up to two free kids meals per adult entrée). Confirm with your local Denny’s.
• IHOP — At participating locations, kids 12 and under eat free from 4–10 PM with an adult entrée. Participation and hours vary, so call ahead.
• Tony Roma’s — Kids 12 and under eat free with each adult entrée, any day. Limit two free kids meals per family.
• Capriotti’s — Rewards members get a free kids Grilled Cheese with each adult entrée, every day.
• Golden Corral — Kids 3 and under eat free at the buffet every day (up to two per adult). Rewards members also get monthly $2.50 deals through the end of 2026.
• Cicis Pizza — Kids 3 and under eat free at the buffet every day.
• The Melting Pot — Select locations offer one free kids (12 and under) entrée with each adult entrée. Call to confirm.
• Holiday Inn (hotel dining) — Kids eat free from the kids menu when staying at a Holiday Inn with an adult guest. Terms vary by property.

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Kids Eat Free on Mondays

On Mondays, kids eat free at Outback Steakhouse (code JOEYFREE), Texas Roadhouse (4 PM to close), BurgerFi, and Frisch’s Big Boy, plus the Habit and Luna Grill rewards deals. Monday is a great night to go out because restaurants are quieter, which makes it easier with little ones.

• Outback Steakhouse — Every Monday, kids get a free Joey meal with an adult entrée. Use code JOEYFREE online or in the app, or mention “Free Joey Meal” to your server.
• Texas Roadhouse — Kids 12 and under eat free on Mondays from 4 PM to close with an adult entrée. Some locations also offer it on Tuesdays.
• BurgerFi — Free kids meal (burger, fries, and a Coca-Cola Freestyle drink) with an adult meal on Mondays. Mention the offer in-restaurant.
• Frisch’s Big Boy — One free kids meal (12 and under) with an adult meal of $6.98 or more, all day Monday.
• Luna Grill — Kids 10 and under eat free Monday through Thursday with an adult entrée for Club Luna Rewards members. Dine-in only; max two per check. Southern California and Texas.
• Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings — Kids eat free every Monday with a $10 minimum purchase. Dine-in only.
• Wings and Rings — Kids 10 and under eat free on Mondays and Fridays with a $10+ dine-in purchase.
• The Habit Burger Grill — The MyHabit kids deal runs Monday–Thursday. See Limited-Time Deals for details.
• MCL Restaurant and Bakery — Up to two free kids meals per adult entrée on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Dine-in only.
• Huddle House — Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays with an adult entrée of $6 or more. Dine-in only.
• Cowboy Chicken — Kids 10 and under eat free every Monday after 4 PM with an adult entrée, up to four per transaction. Mostly Dallas area.

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Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays

Tuesday is the biggest kids eat free night of the week, with Bob Evans, Pizza Ranch, TGI Fridays, Main Event, Famous Dave’s, and Miller’s Ale House all running deals. If I could only pick one night for a regular family dinner out, Tuesday would be it, and October 27 is your last shot at Mellow Mushroom’s deal.

• Bob Evans — Free kids meal with any adult entrée on Tuesdays, available only through the Bob Evans app. Max three kids meals per three adult entrées. The offer appears in the app after 4 PM.
• Mellow Mushroom — Up to two free kids meals with a $15+ adult entrée through October 27. See Limited-Time Deals.
• Pizza Ranch — On Tuesday nights, get a free kids buffet with each regular-price adult buffet. Ages and hours vary by location. A Midwest favorite with 200+ locations.
• TGI Fridays — Free kids meal (12 and under) with an adult entrée on Tuesdays at participating locations. Some locations use a different night, so call ahead.
• Main Event — Kids 12 and under eat free every Tuesday with a menu item of $11.99 or more. Not valid at the Orlando location.
• Famous Dave’s — Free Lil’ Wilbur Meal with an adult entrée on Tuesdays at participating locations. Dine-in only.
• Miller’s Ale House — One free kids meal with a $10+ food item on Tuesdays, max two per table. Dine-in only.
• Shari’s — Kids under 10 get a free kids meal all day Tuesday with an adult entrée. Pacific Northwest.
• Cody’s Original Roadhouse — One child (10 and under) eats free with each adult entrée on Tuesdays. Florida.
• Atlanta Bread Company — Kids eat free Tuesday with an adult entrée at select locations.
• Marie Callender’s — Free kids meal with each adult entrée on Tuesdays and Saturdays at select locations, mostly in California.
• Chick-fil-A — Some locations offer free or $0.99 kids meals on Tuesdays from 5–7 PM with an adult combo. Call to verify.
• Ruby Tuesday — Kids 12 and under eat free after 5 PM on Tuesdays with an adult meal at participating locations.
• Huddle House — Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays with an adult entrée. See Monday.

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Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays

On Wednesdays, kids eat free at Red Robin (through November 4), Smashburger, Smokey Bones, Luby’s, MCL, Qdoba, and select Metro Diner locations. Right now Wednesday is the best family dining night of the week, and it’s where I’d start if you’re planning a dinner out this fall.

• Red Robin — Kids 11 and under eat free all day with an adult entrée through November 4. Dine-in only. After that, many locations return to 50% off kids meals on Wednesdays (code KIDSMEAL50 online, max four).
• Smashburger — Kids 12 and under eat free with an adult meal through December 31, 2026.
• Metro Diner — Kids 10 and under eat free after 2 PM with an adult entrée of $8.99 or more. Dine-in at select locations, so check the list before you go.
• Smokey Bones — Kids 12 and under eat free with an adult entrée. Dine-in at participating locations.
• Qdoba Mexican Grill — Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays and Sundays at many locations with an adult plate.
• Luby’s Cafeteria — Kids 10 and under eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays with an adult meal. Dine-in only. Mostly Texas.
• MCL Restaurant and Bakery — Up to two free kids meals per adult entrée. Dine-in only.
• Chevy’s Fresh Mex — $1 kids meals with an adult entrée, plus a tortilla dough ball to keep antsy kids busy. Dine-in only.
• Rainforest Cafe — $0.99 kids meals (10 and under) on the first Wednesday of each month from 5 PM to close with an adult entrée. Next one: November 4.

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Kids Eat Free on Thursdays

On Thursdays, kids eat free with the Habit and Luna Grill rewards deals, at Tomatina after 4 PM, and with Rubio’s Rewards, while El Chico and Piccadilly offer kids meals for under $2. Thursday has fewer national options, so I check the apps before heading out.

• The Habit Burger Grill — The MyHabit kids deal runs through Thursday with a $10 minimum. Valid through January 1, 2027.
• Luna Grill — The Club Luna Rewards kids deal runs Monday through Thursday. See Monday.
• Tomatina — One free kids entrée per paid adult entrée every Thursday from 4 PM to close. Northern California.
• Rubio’s Coastal Grill — Rubio’s Rewards members get a free kids meal with an entrée on Thursdays. Check in-app offers first.
• El Chico — $0.99 kids meals with an adult entrée. Dine-in at participating locations.
• Piccadilly — $1.99 kids meals all day with an adult meal, max two per adult. Includes an entrée, two sides, a drink, and dessert.

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Kids Eat Free on Fridays

On Fridays, kids eat free all day at participating Ruby Tuesday locations and at Wings and Rings with a $10 dine-in purchase. On Friday, October 30, Red Lobster, Dickey’s, and MOOYAH also kick off their Halloween costume deals.

• Ruby Tuesday — Kids 12 and under eat free all day on Fridays with an adult meal at participating locations. Dine-in only.
• Wings and Rings — Kids 10 and under eat free with a $10+ dine-in purchase.
• Halloween Friday (October 30): Red Lobster, Dickey’s, and MOOYAH costume deals start, and it’s the last day of Rainforest Cafe’s 99¢ kids meals. See Halloween deals.

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Kids Eat Free on Saturdays

On Saturdays, kids eat free at Freebirds (code KIDSEATFREE), Luby’s, MCL, Which Wich, select Marie Callender’s, and during Blue Mesa Grill’s weekend brunch. Saturday, October 31 is also Halloween, with the most costume deals of the year.

• Freebirds World Burrito — Kids 12 and under get a free kids meal on Saturdays and Sundays with any adult purchase. Use code KIDSEATFREE online.
• Luby’s Cafeteria — Kids 10 and under eat free with an adult meal. Dine-in only.
• MCL Restaurant and Bakery — Up to two free kids meals per adult entrée. Dine-in only.
• Marie Callender’s — Free kids meal with each adult entrée at select locations.
• Blue Mesa Grill — Kids 5 and under eat free during Saturday brunch (10 AM–2 PM) with an adult brunch.
• Which Wich — Kids eat free on Saturdays and Sundays with an adult meal at participating locations.
• Halloween Saturday (October 31): Friendly’s, Hot Head Burritos, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Red Lobster, Dickey’s, and MOOYAH all have costume deals. See Halloween deals.

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Kids Eat Free on Sundays

On Sundays, kids eat free at Dickey’s (code KIDS85), MOD Pizza (code KEF2026), Qdoba, Freebirds, Which Wich, Tumbleweed, and during Blue Mesa Grill’s brunch. Sunday dinner out is an easy way to end the weekend without a pile of dishes.

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit — Kids eat free with a $15+ purchase using code KIDS85 online or in the app. Limit one per transaction.
• MOD Pizza — Free kids meal with a MOD-size pizza or salad. Order in-store or use code KEF2026 online through December 27.
• Qdoba Mexican Grill — Kids eat free at many locations with an adult plate.
• Freebirds World Burrito — Free kids meal with any adult purchase. Use code KIDSEATFREE online.
• Blue Mesa Grill — Kids 5 and under eat free during Sunday brunch (10 AM–3 PM).
• Tumbleweed — One free kids meal per adult entrée. Dine-in; call ahead.
• Which Wich — Kids eat free with an adult meal at participating locations.
• SPIN! Pizza — Kids eat free at most locations, mainly in the Kansas City area.
• Cinnabon — Kids 12 and under get a free 5-count CinnaSweets with any baked good purchase.
• Halloween Sunday (November 1): Red Lobster and Dickey’s costume deals run through today.

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Kids Eat Cheap (Not Free) Deals

When there’s no free option nearby, these restaurants offer kids meals for $2 or less with an adult entrée. I count these as almost free, especially when the deal runs every week without codes or apps.

• Carolina Ale House — $0.99 kids meals (10 and under) on Tuesdays from 5–9 PM with a dine-in adult entrée.
• Chevy’s Fresh Mex — $1 kids meals every Wednesday with an adult entrée.
• El Chico — $0.99 kids meals every Thursday with an adult entrée.
• Piccadilly — $1.99 kids meals all day Thursday with an adult meal.
• Rainforest Cafe — 99¢ kids meals October 26–30, then on the first Wednesday of each month.
• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s — $1.99 kids meals (12 and under) all day Sunday with an adult entrée. Dine-in only.

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App and Rewards Kids Deals to Watch

More kids eat free deals now live inside restaurant apps and rewards programs, and these are often the most generous offers. They can also change overnight, so I download the apps ahead of time and check the Offers tab before we leave the house.

• Moe’s Southwest Grill — Moe Rewards members can get a free kids meal once a week with an entrée purchase. Look for the reward in your account.
• Chili’s — My Chili’s Rewards members receive free kids meal offers for dine-in or online orders.
• Wendy’s — Rewards members may see a free kids meal with a premium combo in the app. Limit one per visit.
• Freebirds World Burrito — Kids eat free Monday–Friday from 3 PM to close with code KIDSTIME on online orders.
• IHOP — Last year IHOP ran a nationwide kids eat free promo December 1–21, so watch for it to return this holiday season.
• Fazoli’s — Runs periodic free kids meal promos through the app and email, often around holidays.
• O’Charley’s — Some locations offer a free kids meal with an adult entrée; there’s no current chainwide deal, so call your local restaurant.

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Free Desserts and Treats for Kids

Kids can get free ice cream and sweets at Bruster’s, Culver’s, Chick-fil-A, and Cinnabon. Sometimes the free treat at the end of dinner is the part my kids remember most. 😄

• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream — Free Baby Cone for kids under 40 inches tall, every day at most locations.
• Culver’s — Every kids meal includes a free scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard.
• Chick-fil-A — Trade an unopened kids meal toy for a free ice cream cone or cup any day.
• Cinnabon — Free 5-count CinnaSweets for kids 12 and under on Sundays with any baked good purchase.

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Disney World Kids Eat Free 2026

At Walt Disney World in 2026, kids ages 3–9 get a free dining plan when you book an eligible Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a Disney Dining Plan. If you’re planning a 2026 trip, this can save hundreds of dollars on food. Check the Disney World Dining Plan page for current terms and eligible resorts.

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Smart Tips to Maximize the Savings

The best way to save on kids eat free nights is to confirm the rules before you order and keep your apps and codes ready. These are the habits that save our family the most.

• Ask before you order. Most deals are one free kids meal per paying adult, often with a minimum spend.
• Confirm dine-in vs. takeout. Many kids night deals are dine-in only, and third-party delivery almost never qualifies.
• Download the apps early. Bob Evans, The Habit, Luna Grill, Moe’s, Chili’s, and Wendy’s all deliver kids deals through apps or rewards accounts.
• Keep your codes in one note. MOD Pizza (KEF2026), Dickey’s (KIDS85), Freebirds (KIDSEATFREE and KIDSTIME), Outback (JOEYFREE), Red Robin (KIDSMEAL50 after Nov 4), and Red Lobster’s Halloween code (SPOOKY26).
• Use the whole Halloween weekend. Red Lobster and Dickey’s run Friday through Sunday, so you can grab a free kids meal Friday and save Saturday for trick-or-treating.
• Pair kids eat free with a discounted gift card. Buying restaurant gift cards at a discount and using them on a kids eat free night can make dinner out cost about the same as cooking at home.
• Compare kids meal calories. Chain restaurants with 20 or more locations post calories on their menus and must provide more nutrition details if you ask, according to the FDA’s Calories on the Menu guide. That makes it easy to pick a healthier free kids meal.

Looking for more ways to save on dining out? These are worth bookmarking too:

• Halloween Restaurant Deals and Freebies 2026
• Dining Deals and Restaurant Saving Tips
• Bonus Gift Card Offers for Restaurants and Retail
• Report Card Freebies 2026 and Good Grade Reward Ideas

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Eat Free Deals

Where do kids eat free today?

It depends on the day, so use the jump box near the top of this page. Every day from 4–10 PM, kids eat free at many Denny’s and IHOP locations, and kids 6 and under always eat free at Fogo de Chão and Tucanos.

Where do kids eat free on Halloween 2026?

Red Lobster (October 30–November 1), Dickey’s (October 30–November 1), Friendly’s (October 31), Hot Head Burritos (October 31), Beef ‘O’ Brady’s (October 31), and MOOYAH (October 30–31) all offer free kids meals, and most require a costume. Rainforest Cafe has 99¢ kids meals October 26–30.

Does Texas Roadhouse do kids eat free?

Yes, at most locations. Kids 12 and under eat free on Mondays from 4 PM to close with an adult entrée, and some locations also offer it on Tuesdays. Call your local Texas Roadhouse to confirm.

Do kids still eat free at IHOP in 2026?

Yes, at participating locations. Kids 12 and under eat free from 4–10 PM with an adult entrée, but participation and hours vary by franchise, so call ahead.

Does Olive Garden have a kids eat free deal?

Not right now. Olive Garden doesn’t run a standing kids eat free night, though it has offered limited-time kids meal coupons in the past. Sign up for its emails if you want to catch the next one.

Is it usually one free kids meal per adult?

Yes, one free kids meal per paying adult entrée is the most common rule. MCL, Denny’s, Red Lobster’s Halloween deal, and Mellow Mushroom are exceptions that allow up to two.

Do I need an app or rewards account?

More and more often, yes. Bob Evans, The Habit, Luna Grill, Moe’s, Chili’s, Capriotti’s, and Wendy’s deliver their kids deals through apps or rewards accounts.

Are kids eat free deals dine-in only?

Most are. Bob Evans, MOD Pizza, Dickey’s Sunday deal, Outback, Freebirds, and Red Lobster’s Halloween code also work for online or app orders. Third-party delivery almost never qualifies.

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Deals, prices, and participation can change at any time and may vary by location. Please verify details with your local restaurant before visiting. Last verified October 21, 2026.

Final Thoughts

With a little planning and a few apps on your phone, eating out with the whole family doesn’t have to wreck your grocery budget. Squeeze in one last Mellow Mushroom Tuesday before October 27, make Red Robin your Wednesday spot through November 4, and take the costumed crew to Red Lobster or Dickey’s Halloween weekend.

Found a kids eat free deal we missed, or tried one of these? Drop it in the comments below. I update this list regularly and love hearing what’s working for other families. ❤️

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