Where can kids eat free or cheaply this summer?
Summer holidays are here, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes where kids eat free or cheaply over the break - you just have to know where to look.
School holidays are pricey enough as it is, from sunny jaunts to Europe or the British seaside, to finding extra childcare when you can’t work from home (or even when you can work from home), and finding new ways to entertain the kids for six weeks - every little bit adds up.
Which is why taking the kids out for a meal is a great thing to do, but this can be an extra cost.
Luckily, there are several places that offer free meals for children or meals from as little as £1. Here are all the places where kids can eat for free (or incredibly cheaply) this summer.
Asda cafés
Not just a summer holiday offer, Asda cafe’s £1 kids meals sees any child under 16 able to order a hot meal from the cafe for just £1 at any time of day all year round - no adult meal purchase required.
Beefeater
Kids can enjoy Beefeater’s unlimited breakfast menu for free during the school holidays, with two kids under 16 able to eat for free with every adult breakfast purchased.
Bella Italia
Another deal available year-round, Bella Italia’s ‘Kids’ Corner’ sees kids under 11 able to get a three course meal for £1 from 4pm to 6pm, Monday to Thursday with every purchase of an adult main meal.
Bill's
From July 24 to September 1, kids under 10 can eat free all day at Bill’s restaurants across the UK during weekdays. Up to two kids can eat free if one adult orders any main, drinks are not included.
Brewers Fayre
Pub chain Brewers Fayre is offering kids a free buffet breakfast during the summer holidays. One adult must purchase a breakfast for up to two kids under 16 to dine free.
Brewdog
Kids under 13 can eat free at any of Brewdog’s pubs when an adult orders a main meal - but you need to pre-book your visit. When booking your meal, use the booking type ‘KIDS EAT FREE’ to opt in to the offer.
Café Rouge
From July 17 to September 10 kids can enjoy a two or three course lunch or dinner for free at Cafe Rouge with the purchase of any adult's main meal.
Dobbie's Garden Centres
Available year-round, kids can have a free breakfast at Dobbie's Garden Centres with any adult’s traditional or full breakfast, or they can get a free hot meal or pick’n’mix lunch with any adult’s main course.
English Heritage
English Heritage members can see their kids eat free from July 1 to August 31 this year at over 30 participating English Heritage cafes. Members must spend £10 in the cafe to receive up to two free kid’s lunch boxes.
Giraffe
Kids can eat for just £1 during weekdays at Giraffe restaurants from July 24 to September 1. Be sure to share the voucher code ‘GIRKE1SUMMER’ with your waiter when you order.
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Available year-round at selected Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, kids under eight can have a free main meal with every adult meal.
Heathrow Airport
Every school holidays, kids can eat free with every adult meal at various restaurants throughout Heathrow Airport terminals, including Leon, Giraffe, and Fullers pubs.
IKEA
Kids can dine on pasta with tomato sauce and a soft drink for just 95p from 11am at most IKEA restaurants, while any other kids meal is £1.50.
Marks & Spencer
Kids can choose a free meal from the £4 Kids Munch Menu when you spend £ in a M&S Café. It’s available between July 24 and September 1 this year, excluding weekends.
Morrisons
Available all year, kids under 16 can eat free with any adult meal £4.49 and over at Morrisons cafes.
Sainsbury's
Kids can eat for just £1 all year at Sainsbury's cafes. Simply purchase an adult main meal from £5.20 and receive a kid’s hot meal or lunch bag for the low price.
Sizzling Pub and Grill
Kids meals cost just £1 at Sizzling Pub and Grills during lunch and dinner on weekdays all year with the purchase of any adult meal.
Tesco
During the summer holidays, kids can eat breakfast or lunch for free at Tesco cafes with the purchase of any adult meal.
TGI Fridays
Available for new and existing stripes members, kids can have a free meal with every adult’s main meal all day, every day at TGI Fridays.
Toby Carvery
Toby Carvery is giving kids free breakfasts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this August. To get the deal, call your local Toby Carvery before 10.30am on the set days and collect before 11am.
The Real Greek
Every Sunday, kids under 12 can get a free meal for every £10 spent by an adult at The Real Greek. It includes a kids meal, a drink and an ice cream or sorbet.
YO! Sushi
From July 10 to September 1 kids under 12 will receive a free kiddo bento box when an adult spends over £10 at YO! Sushi.