Half term is almost upon us once again and many parents are now tasked with finding ways to keep the kids entertained and fed without going broke.
Although the half term holiday is only a week long, it means parents will not only have to conjure up 27 main meals and the millions of snacks kids require in between; but it also means shopping bills are going to be significantly higher than they normally would.
But there is a way to entertain the kids and keep them fed and watered for less, by taking the family out to eat where the kids can eat for free or for as little as £1 at one of your local supermarket cafés, restaurants or pub?
Many eateries have some fantastic deals that will help cut costs for millions of families this half term. From Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ikea and even Dunelm's Pausa Café plus many more eating places offering free and £1 kids meals.
Some of the deals are valid on all week days from Monday to Friday, others on specific days only, and some require you to spend a set amount on an adult meal first.
Thankfully, we've rounded up some of the most popular deals that will hopefully take some of the pressure off families this half term.
1. Morrisons - Kids Eat Free
Get free café meals for the kids. Get one free kids meal with any adult meal £4.49 or over, The great news is, this deal isn't just for half term, the offer is all day every day.
Choose from the breakfast menu which includes eggs, toast and beans, or choose from the main menu for a spot of lunch or dinner with options ranging from chicken nuggets, chips and beans, fish fingers and chips, bangers and mash and mac & cheese.
2. Tesco - Kids Eat Free
From Monday, 29th May until Friday, 2nd June, children can enjoy a free kids' meal when an adult buys any item in a Tesco Café.
Choose options from the breakfast and lunch menus that include beans, eggs and avocado on toast options, and blueberry pancakes. If you're popping in at lunch time, why not enjoy a sausage meal, chicken goujons and fish fingers.
3. Sainsbury's - Kids Eat For £1
Sainsbury's offers a kids meal for just £1 with the purchase of an adult meal priced from £5.20. The offer is available everyday after 11.30am until the café closes.
Choose from one main and three side options, or you can go for the kids lunch bags which include a sandwich, crisps, fruit and a drink.
4. Dunelm Pausa Café - Kids Eat Free
Enjoy a free mini meal deal with every £4 spent in Dunelm's Pausa Café available all day, every day.
Choose from delicious means such as Beans on toast, a jacket potato and a selection of sandwiches and fruit.
5. M&S - Kids eat for £4
Not just a deal for half term - families can enjoy Marks & Spencer's Café kids menu choices including a hot or cold main like jacket potato with beans, cheesy tomato pasta or ham and cheese toastie, plus a snack and a drink for just £4.
6. Sizzling Pub + Grill - Kids Eat for £1
From Monday to Friday from 3pm to 7pm, why not take the whole family out for a weekday meal at Sizzling? For every adult meal, you’ll also get a kid’s main meal for just £1.
With a huge range of children’s dishes from fish fingers, to pasta, chicken wraps, pizza and Birdseye® Green Cuisine nuggets - there’s something for the entire family.
Book a table and view the kids menu
7. Travelodge - Up to 2 Kids Eat Breakfast For Free
Choose from a full English breakfast which includes all the favourites from bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, toast and more. Or go for cereal or moreish continental breakfast which includes croissants, bagels and pancakes. Or opt for a healthier start of the day with fruit and yoghurt.
Other Restaurants where kids can eat for free or £1
Asda Café - Kids eat for £1 at any time
Ikea - Kids eat from 95p
- Premier Inn - Kids Eat Breakfast for free
- Bills - Kids eat free from Monday, Mat 29th - June 3rd - All day, every day
- Bella Italia - Kids eat for £1: 4-6pm, Monday - Thursday
- Brewers Fayre - Kids eat breakfast for free
- Beefeater - Kids eat breakfast for free
- Hungry Horse - Kids eat for £1 every Monday with every full paying adult
