The school holidays are here, and while they bring sunny smiles and family time, they can also add extra pressure to your budget. With kids at home for six weeks or more, the cost of keeping them fed can quickly stack up. But help is at hand! Whether you’re trying to save money or simply looking for budget-friendly family options, we’ve rounded up the best places where kids can eat for free or for a low cost this summer.
Asda Café
Kids eat for £1 daily, with no adult spend
Angus Steakhouse
Kids under 8 eat free daily 12pm to 5pm
Ask Italian
Kids under 10 eat for £1 during school holidays
Beefeater & Brewers Fayre
Kids eat for free with one adult meal purchased via a newsletter voucher this summer
Bella Italia
Kids eat for free all day Thursday and for £1 until 6pm, Sunday – Wednesday
Bills
Up to two kids eat free all day, 21st July – 29th September (excludes Saturdays and Sundays)
Brewdog
Kids eat free with 1 adult main meal purchased, 19th July – 31st August
Burger King
Kids eat for free with 1 adult main meal purchased via the app from 28th July – 31st August
Chiquito
Kids eat for free daily with 1 adult main meal purchased until 31st August
Dobbies Garden Centres
Kids eat for £1 with an adult breakfast or lunch
Frankie & Benny’s
Kids eat for free with a adult main meal purchased, from 14th July – 31st August
Future Inns
Under 5s eat for free with any adult meal purchased
Gordon Ramsey Restaurants
Kids under 10 eat free all day, every day
Harvester
Kids eat for £1 with an adult main meal purchased, Monday – Friday via the app until 29th August
Hungry Horse
Kids eat for £1 on Mondays
IKEA
Kids get a meal from 95p daily from 11am
Las Iguanas
Kids under 12 eat for free with ‘My Las Iguanas’ App
Marco Pierre White
Kids under 12 eat for free daily with an adult main meal purchased (excludes Saturdays after 6pm)
Morrisons Café
Kids eat for free all day, every day with a £5 spend on an adult main meal
Pausa Cafe @ Dunelm
Kids eat for free with every £4 spent after 3pm
Premier Inn & Travelodge
2 kids eat for free with 1 adult breakfast purchased
Preto
Kids up to age 10 eat free with 1 paying adult
Prezzo
Kids up to age 12 receive a free three-course kids’ meal everyday up until 5th September
Sizzling Pubs
Kids eat for £1 with an adult main meal purchased, every Monday – Friday 3pm – 7pm
Table Table
2 kids eat free breakfast daily with 1 paying adult
Tesco
Kids eat for free with a 60p spend until 31st August
TGI Fridays
Kids eat for free all day with an adult main meal purchased, via the Stripes Rewards Members App
The Real Greek
Kids under 12 eat for free every Sunday when an adult spends £15
Toby Carvery
Kids eat carvery or breakfast for £1, Monday – Friday until 29th August
Yo Sushi
Kids eat for free all day with an adult spends £10, Monday – Friday
Community Help & Support
If you’re facing financial difficulties, you’re not alone, and there’s help available beyond restaurants:
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Offered by local councils in England, the HAF Programme provides free meals and activities to eligible children during school holidays.
Who qualifies? Children who receive free school meals during term-time.
How to apply: Visit your local council’s website or contact your child’s school.
Food Banks & Food Clubs
Local food banks and community groups often offer family food parcels, lunch clubs, or free meals during the holidays.
Use the Trussell Trust website or Your Local Pantry to find services near you.
Budget-Savvy Shopping Tips
Even if you’re preparing most meals at home, a few small changes can help stretch your food budget:
- Plan meals around reduced items and supermarket loyalty offers.
- Use batch cooking to prep multiple meals in one go.
- Shop in the evenings for the best yellow sticker discounts.
- Keep snacks simple: popcorn, frozen fruit, toasties, and veggie sticks go a long way!
Help Is Out There
Summer should be a time for making memories, not worrying about money. If you’re feeling the pinch, you’re not alone. At Angel Advance, we help families tackle debt and get back on track. A free, no-obligation debt check could help ease some of the stress so you can focus on what matters most, your family.
