15 Places Kids Under 3 Can Eat Free (Including Disney World)

Stretch your dining budget further with these 15 free meal options for your toddler.

By Heather Bien

Edited by Eric McWhinnie

Updated Oct. 1, 2024

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

No matter how well-behaved your kids are at a restaurant, there’s always one big question mark looming — will they actually eat the meal you ordered and paid for?

Kids can be fickle, and it’s frustrating to shell out your hard-earned cash on a chicken quesadilla only for them to realize they’d rather have the free chips and salsa.

Luckily, at these 15 places, kids under three can eat for free, so you can keep more cash in your wallet instead of spending it on uneaten pasta or untouched fries.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Disney World

This one is a double whammy because not only do kids under three eat for free at buffet-style restaurants at Disney World, but it’s also free to visit for children under three.

They may not remember it, but that’s a good reason to plan a trip to see Mickey as soon as they’re walking.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

IHOP

In the mood for breakfast for dinner? Kids under 12 can eat for free at IHOP every day of the week from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., making it the ideal place to grab pancakes and waffles after a busy school day.

Ruby Tuesday

It’s no surprise Tuesdays are the day to take advantage of a deal at Ruby Tuesday. All day long on Tuesdays, kids under 12 eat for free with the purchase of an adult entree. Is there a better way to treat the family to a midweek night out?

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Cici’s Pizza

Two words: pizza buffet. It’s one of the tastiest ways to get an affordable meal while indulging in everything from a classic red sauce pizza to dessert pizza to cheesy bread. But the best part is that kids under three eat for free at most locations (some charge $1).

Golden Corral

For every adult who purchases a buffet at Golden Corral, up to two children under three can get a free kids’ buffet. Meatloaf and carved turkey might be on the menu for this budget-friendly meal out.

Mr. Gatti’s

Craving an afternoon of pizza and arcade games? Head over to Mr. Gatti’s, where you can fill up on pizza at the buffet before testing your competitive streak. And, while you’re at it, all the kids under three in your group will eat for free.

Earn Points and Miles: Find the best travel credit card for nearly free travel

Bob Evans

Don’t want to cook on a Tuesday night? Bob Evans has you covered. Just download the Bob Evans app, and kids will eat for free with a purchase of $15. Choose from any of the available kids’ meals.

Holiday Inn

When you’re traveling, finding a reasonable place to eat on top of everything else you’re spending can be an intimidating prospect. Luckily, at Holiday Inn, up to two kids per adult eat for free at the hotel’s restaurant. Unfortunately, though, room service is not included.

Denny’s

When you’re in the mood for a Sizzlin’ Skillet, bring the kids along with you! Kids 12 and under eat for free at Denny’s every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)

Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.

No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.

Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.

Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.

Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.

But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).

Apply for the SELECT card today

Smashburger

When you’re in the mood for a juicy hamburger but you don’t want to wonder if the kids are going to eat, head over to Smashburger on a Wednesday. Kids under 12 can get a full cheeseburger, hamburger, or chicken strip meal for free.

IKEA

Knock out your shopping and knock out a meal at IKEA. A meal at IKEA is always budget-friendly, but it’s even better on Wednesdays when you can register for a free IKEA family account and get two kids’ meals free with the purchase of one adult entrée.

Famous Dave’s

Enjoy a delicious barbecue meal for yourself and your child under 12 will get a Lil’ Wilbur meal for free on Tuesday nights. The options are sure to please — kids pick from chicken strips, a rib dinner, or mac and cheese.

Find Out: Borrow cash from your home without touching your mortgage

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Finding a free kids’ meal on a weekend takes a little bit more hunting, but Moe’s Southwest Grill offers a free kids’ meal with any adult entrée on Sundays. It’s a great way to end the weekend without having to cook at home.

Fricker’s

Fricker’s makes it easy to feed a family. Kids eat free every day of the week and there’s no time constraint. Come in anytime. You just have to buy one adult meal and a kids’ beverage.

Huddle House

Huddle House has the lowest barrier to entry with their kids-eat-free deal. You only have to spend $6 on an adult entrée to get a free kids’ meal. It’s a cheap way to get comfort food any day of the week.

Bottom line

The best time to get free kids’ meals is during the week, particularly during slower days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you plan it out strategically, however, you can get free meals nearly every night of the week.

If you ever needed an excuse to save money on groceries or work on your kids’ restaurant skills, this is it — no wasted chicken nuggets needed.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Benefits

Card Details

$0 annual fee
Simple, flat-rate rewards
Flexible redemption options
Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
Apply Now

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card

4.1

Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

Why we like it