Half Term Dining Deals: Where Kids Eat for Free Across the UK
As February half term arrives, families across the United Kingdom are seeking ways to manage expenses while enjoying time together. With children off school from February 16 to 23, dining out can quickly become costly, but numerous eateries have stepped up with enticing offers to ease the financial burden. From supermarkets to steakhouses, here is an expanded overview of where you can find free or heavily discounted meals for kids during this holiday period.
Supermarket and Chain Restaurant Offers
Many national chains and supermarkets are providing substantial savings. At Asda cafes, kids can eat for just £1 all day, every day, with no requirement for adult purchases, and they also receive a complimentary piece of fruit. Morrisons cafes allow children to eat free daily during half term when an adult orders a main meal over £5. Tesco extends a similar deal across 317 in-store cafes on weekdays, valid with any café purchase, even something as affordable as a 65p fruit item.
In the restaurant sector, Pizza Hut offers a kids' buffet for £1 daily after 2pm with a minimum adult spend of £9.99. Subway provides one free kids' meal with any footlong sub purchase from February 14 to 20. Frankie & Benny's and Bella Italia both feature free kids' meals with adult main courses, running from February 16 to 20, with Bella Italia including a starter, main, dessert, and drink for children aged 2-11.
Pub and Specialty Restaurant Deals
Pubs and specialty venues are also joining in. Hungry Horse returns with its Kids Eat for £1 deal on weekdays from February 16 to 27, where up to two children can get a small main, dessert, and drink with an adult main. Flaming Grill pubs under Greene King offer free kids' meals on weekdays in England from February 16 to 27, including a dessert and options to upgrade for £1. Harvester allows kids to eat for £1 Monday to Friday with an adult main, accessible via their app voucher.
For unique cuisines, Coconut Tree offers free meals for children under 10 with a paying adult. Las Iguanas provides free 'mini Iguanas' meals for kids under 12 through their app with an adult main or three tapas dishes. Turtle Bay requires a £15 adult spend for a free kids' meal, though dates and times vary by location. Yo Sushi! lets kids eat free Monday to Friday with a £10 adult minimum spend during the holiday.
Additional Family-Friendly Promotions
Other establishments enhance the experience with extra perks. Angus Steakhouse offers complimentary meals for children under eight from 12pm to 5pm daily with an adult purchase, plus activity sheets and crayons. Farmhouse Inns and Farmhouse Kitchen allow up to two kids to eat free on weekdays from February 16 to 27 with an adult main, breakfast, or carvery, including a free ice cream scoop. Bill's provides free meals for up to two children with any adult main from February 17 to 28.
Zizzi makes its Bambini meals free for under-12s from February 16 to 20 with an adult main, plus a candyfloss sundae, redeemable via their app. Travelodge offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for adults at £9.75, with kids under 15 eating for £1 each. TGI Fridays requires membership in their stripes rewards program, available through their app, for free kids' meals all day with an adult main purchase.
Tips for Maximising Savings
To make the most of these deals, it is advisable to check specific terms and conditions beforehand. Some offers, like those at Turtle Bay, may have limited online information, so contacting your local restaurant directly is recommended. Additionally, downloading apps for chains such as Las Iguanas, Harvester, and Zizzi can provide access to exclusive vouchers and codes. Planning meals around weekdays and off-peak hours, as many promotions are time-restricted, can further enhance savings during this half term.
