Chain Restaurants Kids Eat Free Deals

In this busy and hectic world where families are trying to balance work schedules, school schedules, sports, extra-curricular activities and life in general, it is sometimes hard to find time to make a meal at home.

If you are trying to eat on the run or eat in-between activities and also trying to watch your budget, restaurants that serve free kids meals are a good option.

Below is a guide with information about different chain restaurant options for free kids meals.

Most restaurants require kids to be a certain age, usually twelve and under and to order from the kids' menu.

An adult meal purchase for each free kid's meal may also be required.

Some restaurants do not have free kid's meals on holidays or other peak times.

Below is a list of some popular, national restaurant chains and their free kid's meal options.

For your convenience it is sorted by days of the week.

• IHOP

Most restaurants just have free kid's meal options on select days. But at IHOP--International House of Pancakes, kids can eat free everyday.

The deal is available from 4 PM to 10 PM, perfect for those after school activities.

Each free kid's meal must accompany a purchased adult meal. The meal must be ordered from the kids menu.

Menu Items include Breakfast foods, mac and cheese and grilled cheese.

• O'Charley's

Some, but not all, O'Charley's chains participate in "Kids Eat Free" with an adult meal purchase. The choice is apparently up to each individual manager. Your best bet is to call O'Charleys first before going there for a free kids' meal.

Choices include chicken tenders, shrimp and hamburgers.

• Picadilly

Kids eat free everyday except for Sunday at Picadilly. This cafeteria offers a rotating menu of food options. Kids usually get a meat, a side, a drink and small dessert. Adult meal purchase is required.

• Quaker Steak and Lube

This deal is available from 5-10 PM with adult purchase. Kids eat free with adult purchase. Meal choices include hamburgers, chicken wings and mac and cheese.

• Red Robin

Kids menu choices include hamburger, corn dog and grilled cheeses. The offer is available from 5-9 PM only.

• Texas Roadhouse

Kids choices include hot dog, steak bites, hamburgers and ribs. One free kids meal per adult purchase.

• Applebees

Kids choices are varied but can include quesadilla, hamburger, chicken and salad.

• Holiday Inn (Hotel Restaurant)

Meal choices vary by restaurant location. Check with your local Holiday Inn for details. (Note this only includes hotels that have restaurants in them. You do not have to stay at the hotel to get the deal.)

• Fuddruckers

This hamburger chain offers kids meals that are free from 4-9 PM. Kids meal of hamburger or grilled cheese also includes a small dessert.

• Woody's BBQ

At this BBQ joint, kids eat free with an adult purchase. Choices include burgers, bbq and mac and cheese.

• Captain D's

Kids meals include chicken and seafood option. This is an especially sweet deal for a single parent as two free kids' meals are available for each adult purchase.

• Denny's

This diner style restaurant includes menu items such as breakfast, sandwiches and burgers. Deal is available from 4-10 PM.

• Friendly's

This menu includes items such as the usual grilled cheese and hot dog but is also pleasing for the more health conscious with grilled chicken and broccoli.

• Fuddruckers

This hamburger chain offers kids meals that are free from 4-9 PM. Kids meal of hamburger or grilled cheese also includes a small dessert.

• Golden Corral

This restaurant offers a buffet so kids are unlimited in their choices. Certain age restrictions may apply and not all restaurants participate.

• Lonestar Steakhouse

This steakhouse offers a great deal with 2 kids free per paying adult. Choices include steak, hamburger, grilled cheese and quesadilla.

• Perkins

This restaurant offers a variety of choices that include breakfast all day long, sandwiches, soup, grilled cheese and a free cookie for dessert.

• Ponderosa Steakhouse

This restaurant offers kids meals for free after 4 PM. Choices include a buffet, kid's steak, chicken or a burger.

• Tony Roma's

Burgers, pizza, chicken tenders and pasta are just a few of the offerings at Tony Roma's. Adult purchase is required.

• Backyard Burger

Kids' can get free kids' burger or chicken after 4 PM.

• Fuddruckers

This hamburger chain offers kids meals that are free from 4-9 PM. Kids meal of hamburger or grilled cheese also includes a small dessert.

• Firehouse Subs

At participating Firehouse Subs, from 4-9 PM, kids can get a free kids meal which includes a small drink, cookie or chips and a firehat. An adult combo meal must be purchased. One per purchasing adult. Choices are sandwiches and grilled cheeses.

• Quiznos

A free kid's sandwich is available with the purchase of an adult combo meal. This shop offers sandwiches and salads.

• Salsaritas

Kids can get free Mexican food with the purchase of an adult dinner. Some locations do not participate in this promotion.

• Captain D's

Kids meals include chicken and seafood option. This is an especially sweet deal for a single parent as two free kids' meals are available for each adult purchase.

• Backyard Burger

Kids' can get free kids' burger or chicken after 4 PM.

Friday is a challenge for frugal diners.

Because more people are likely to eat out on the weekends, free kids' meals are tougher to find.

You can eat at one of the restaurants that serve free kids' meals every day. You might also consider watching for coupons in the mail or half price deals such as those offered on Groupon.

It won't be free but it will be cheaper.

• Denny's

This diner style restaurant includes menu items such as breakfast, sandwiches and burgers. Deal is available from 4-10 PM.

• Steak N Shake

Kids can get a free burger, grilled cheese, or salad. The adult meal purchase must be over 9 dollars.

• Firehouse Subs

At participating Firehouse Subs, from 4-9 PM, kids can get a free kids meal which includes a small drink, cookie or chips and a firehat. An adult combo meal must be purchased. One per purchasing adult. Choices are sandwiches and grilled cheeses.

• Steak N Shake

Kids can get a free burger, grilled cheese, or salad. The adult meal purchase must be over 9 dollars.

• Jason's Deli

Kids can get a free salad bar, sandwich or soup with an adult meal purchase.

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Kids can get a quesadilla, pizza, wrap or salad with a participating adult purchase.

Kids eat free meals are often available on days when the restaurants are typically slow, to try to lure customers in.

Some chains leave it up to individual managers about the specials they offer including kids eat free deals.

It is best to check with the restaurant before ordering your meal to make sure that they participate in the deal.

Finally, some restaurants change their offers without notice. As changes occur, the lists will be updated.

If you know of a chain that has added or taken away kids eat free options, leave a comment!

Some restaurants offer reduced kid meal prices.

Restaurants will also run limited time specials such as "Kids eat free for the month of August."

Check listings, call the restaurant and keep searching.

Busy families with children can find cheaper dining options that will make the whole family happy.