4 Great Ways for Kids to Eat Free
Hey! Get your college fund out of your mouth!
Having kids can be one of the most fun and fulfilling parts of life - but it can also be expensive! Feeding yourself, a partner, and also your kids can be tough on the wallet, but just because there are more mouths to feed doesn't mean that mealtime shouldn't be enjoyable.
Families with kids should still be able to go out to a restaurant and enjoy a meal without it breaking the bank. And, luckily, they can! Today, there are several smart ways that families can bring their kids to eat without it costing much more than a dime. To find out more about four of the best ways, check out the list below.
Kids Eat Free Days
Many restaurants across the country offer days when little ones eat for free. There are big, international chain restaurants, like Swedish market Ikea, that have set "Kids Eat Free" days. However, both big chains and local establishments often offer a day of the week during which kids under a certain age can eat for free - and this is a great night for the whole family to go out, too! Ask staff at your local favorite restaurants, or do some research online. There are great sites like Money Saving Mom and My Kids Eat Free that provide a database of restaurants and schedules for when your kids can eat free.
Kids Eat Free Deals
Kids Eat Free deals don't only happen based on the day of the week; many restaurants offer certain deals for patrons that allow kids to eat for nothing (or cheap!) For example, restaurants like Country Buffet or Quiznos provide free kid's entrees with the purchase of an adult meal. Do some research online or ask local restaurants for deals. You may be able to find a free meal for your child no matter what night of the week it is!
Birthdays
Another great way to save money dining out is to go out for your child's birthday. Many restaurants across the country will offer free birthday meals to the birthday boy or girl. Deal Seeking Mom compiled a great list of restaurants offering free birthday specials. Many publications and moms across the country have done research about specific local and regional restaurants, so it could pay to do some online research to see if someone in your area has compiled a list of restaurants offering birthday meals. If you do go out for a birthday night, some restaurants may want to see proof that it's your kid's birthday, so make sure to bring a form of identification.
Coupons
While lots of restaurants don't have set kids eat free deals, many do offer coupons that have temporary deals for free or discounted meals for kids. The first step to finding free meal deals is to browse local coupon publications both in print and online. Another helpful step is joining restaurant email clubs in order to get mailed regular deals. For example, restaurants like Olive Garden and Bob Evans will send out consistent discounts and coupons if you sign up for their list. Pay particular attention to local publications that are geared towards families or parents; many will have special deals that can help families save money when they eat out.