If you want to dine out as a family, stretch your money by choosing places where KIDS EAT FREE or cheap in Columbus. We have options for every day of the week, so there’s always somewhere you can go.
We know…taking kids out to a restaurant is often less than relaxing, but its a good learning tool for them about public behavior, and can help picky eaters expand their palate.
And if you go on a “kids eat free” night, you’re likely to be surrounded by other families – so they will totally understand if there’s extra noise or a meltdown.
Please check the links or call the location first, as offers change. Again, I repeat, offers may change or be discontinued by the restaurant at any time. We are not affiliated with any of the below restaurants and they are not obligated to fulfill the deals listed below if they have been changed.
If you want to be sure they are still offering the promotion, please CALL or check the links below to verify. These deals have all been vetted, but may have since changed.
Here are some standard guidelines:
- Promos are valid at participating locations on respective day of the week. Dine-in only.
- Many have time restrictions, so be sure to check your watch before sitting down.
- Most (if not all) free kids’ meals must be ordered from a children’s or select menu.
- Most offers are limited to kids 12 and under. However, a few have younger age restrictions.
- In most cases, free kid’s meal requires the purchase of an adult entrée at regular price.
- Limit of one free kid’s meal per paid adult entrée — some, but not many, allow more than one.
- Discount cannot be combined with other offers, coupons or promos.
- Children must be present.
Scroll down, or click on each link to jump to the day of the week!
Kids eat free on Mondays
Kids eat free on Tuesdays
Kids eat free on Wednesdays
Kids eat free on Thursdays
Kids eat free on Fridays
Kids eat free on Saturdays
Kids eat free on Sundays
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We love finding and sharing about deals on Columbus on the Cheap.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Kids Eat Free Everyday
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read. Ask for the bookmark at the hostess stand!
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Kids eat free on Monday
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
BD’s Mongolian Grill
BD’s Kid’s Night deal with $1.99 Kid’s Meals every Monday after 4PM for dine-in only. The Kids Menu at bd’s consists of Kid’s Stir-Fry for kids 10 and under, with plenty of personalized options.
Columbus, Easton – 3977 Worth Ave Columbus, OH 43219
Columbus, Dublin – 6242 Sawmill Rd Columbus, OH 43017
Carsonies (Upper Arlington): 2 free kids’ meals per adult meal purchased.
Frisch’s Big Boy: Kids eat free all day on Mondays. Enjoy one free Kids Mini Meal (for children 12 and under) per adult purchase of $6.98 or more. This is a dine-in, drive-thru and carryout special only for a limited time. Available at participating locations. PLEASE call your local restaurant or check the link before you go.
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
Las Margaritas (Canal and Westerville locations): Receive a free kids meal with each adult entrée purchase. Kids 12 and under. Drink not included.
MCL Restaurant & Bakery (UA, Whitehall): Free kids’ meal every Monday when you purchase an adult entrée at regular menu price *Valid for kids 12 and under.
Nasty’s Sports Bar & Grill: Kids dine for 1/2 off on Sundays and Mondays (4561 Scioto Darby Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026)
Texas Roadhouse: (E Main St., Polaris, Grove City, Hilliard Rome Rd.)Free kids’ meal per adult entrée purchase. Check with individual locations for times (date/time can vary between locations)
Villa Nova Ristorante: All kids meals are $2 off. 5545 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43214
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
Buffalo Wings & Rings (Lewis Center and Grove City): Free kid’s meal with adult purchase all day. Drink included. Minimum purchase of $10 required.
These prior options below in italics are unverified; call to check before you go:
Kids eat free on Tuesdays
Homefield Iconic Sports Bar: Kids Eat Free FAMILY NIGHT is every Tuesday. Kids under 12 get (1) FREE kids meal with each adult meal purchase.
They also offer $8 pizza Mondays, and other daily specials.
1312 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
El Vaquero: Buy one regular dinner and get one free kid`s meal only for kids under 12 years old on Tuesdays. Youth over 12 add $3.00. Mexican Rice, refried beans or pinto beans may be substituted for french fries. Add a small white milk, chocolate milk (no refill) or soft drink for .99
Fazoli’s: Kids Meals for $1.99 cents each with the purchase of each adult meal from 5-8 pm. Enjoy Spaghetti Smarts activities and crafts. Heath, Grove City, Hilliard, Reynoldsburg, and Westerville.
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
Hofbrauhaus Columbus: The 2nd Tuesday of every month is Family Night! Entertainment includes Face Painting, fun, and more! Kids Eat Free and there’s entertainment from 6-8 pm. *Kids eat free for Family Night only with each adult entrée purchase. Limit 1 kids meal per child.
Max & Erma’s: Kids 12 and under eat free on Tuesdays with an adult entrée purchase. One kids’ meal per adult meal. Varies per location.
MELT Bar and Grilled: Kids eat for $3 every Tuesday and Wednesday (Limit of 3 discounted meals per adult with entrée purchase.) Kids Meals are typically $6 everyday.
Miller’s Ale House: Free Kids Meal with the purchase of 1 regularly priced Adult entrée; limit 2 per table. Ages 12 & under. Dine in only.
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
Skyline Chili Sawmill: For every paying adult, one child receives a kid’s meal for FREE. On Tuesdays we also feature a FREE kids craft complete with a craft coordinator!
Texas Roadhouse: (Newark and Bethel locations) Kids’ Night is Tuesday.
Denny’s: Two free kid’s entrées from the kid’s menu per one adult entrée purchase of $6.00 or more. One free entrée per kid. Offer valid for dine in only. Days/hours vary per location; check your local restaurant.
Kids eat free on Wednesdays
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
IKEA: Kids Eat FREE on Wednesdays (Ages 12 and under). IKEA Family Members can enjoy these discounts in the Swedish Restaurant every weekday until August 31, 2024. Other daily deals include:
Mondays – 8 piece veggieball and plantball plates just $3.00
Tuesdays – All regularly priced hot entrees are just $3.99
Wednesdays – Up to two kid’s meals free with the purchase of a single adult entree
Thursdays – $1 off all Swedish meatball plates
Fridays – 50% off all hot entrees
Old Bag of Nails: Get one FREE Kid’s meal with each purchase of an adult entrée $10 or higher on Sunday.
The Olive Tree Columbus: Get a free kids meal on Wednesday with adult entree purchase. Mention it to your server.
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
Rise Pies Tanger Outlets Sunbury: Kids 10 and under receive a free cheese pizza with the purchase of any pizza or big salad. (Not confirmed in 2024)
Roosters (Polaris, Marysville, and New Albany): Get a kids’ meal for $.99 for kids under 12 with the purchase of an entrée every Wednesday. Polaris, 3-8 pm, New Albany, 3-9 pm, Marysville location offers $1.99 kids meals from 4-9 pm.
MELT Bar and Grilled: Kids eat for $3 every Tuesday and Wednesday (Limit of 3 discounted meals per adult with entrée purchase.) Kids Meals are typically $6 everyday.
Star Lanes Polaris: Get a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée on Wednesdays from 5 pm – close
The options below in italics are unverified; call to check before you go:
Buffalo Wild Wings: Kids Meals $1.99 from 4-8 pm. Drinks included. Kids 12 & under. May only include Dublin, Westerville, Gahanna, Georgesville Square, Heath and Powell locations only. Subject to change; please call or verify location, as these have changed over time.
Kids eat free on Thursdays
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
Quaker Steak and Lube: Get a free Kids’ Lube Cruiser Meal for ages 10 and under with adult entree purchase! All day on Thursdays
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
Kids eat free on Fridays
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
Kids eat free on Saturdays
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
These prior options below in italics are unverified; call to check before you go:
Kids eat free on Sundays
Roots Natural Kitchen: Kids eat free with purchase of adult bowl. Child must be under 12 and present. 10 E 15th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43201
Dickey’s Barbeque Pit (Hilliard, Newark, Lewis Center and Delaware): 1 Free Kid’s Meal per $12 purchase. 12 and under. Must order from Kid’s Meals. Now available for delivery and carryout orders for a limited time. Use code KEFOLO at online checkout.
Nasty’s Sports Bar & Grill: Kids dine for 1/2 off on Sundays and Mondays (4561 Scioto Darby Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026)
IHOP: Kids eat free everyday from 4 pm – 10 pm. Dine in only.
Golden Corral: Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal, every day
Moe’s Southwest Grill: Kids eat free on Sundays
Submarine House Bar & Grill (Hilliard): One kids eats free from 4-8 pm daily with $20 order. Children 12 & under – dine-in only. 2459 Hilliard Rome Road
Rusty Bucket: Kids can earn a free kid’s meal when they fill in the Bucketed Bookwork Bookmark Tracker with 5 books they have read.
Don’t forget to sign your kids up for birthday clubs! They can get free gifts, meals, and more at many restaurants and stores!
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Kira Roldan says
Roots Natural Kitchen on High Street allows children under 12 to eat free every day!
julie says
Bob Evans has free kids’ meals on tuesdays after 4pm if you buy an adult entree
Tine says
The Ram in Dublin closed. No other Ohio locations
Val Cannell says
Thanks for letting me know! I sent them a contact to see if another deal will be available.
Katherine Myers says
Kids no longer eat for cheap at spaghetti warehouse Monday’s
Britt Lakin says
Jerome Village Bar & Grille (7875 Ryan Parkway, Plain City 43064) added Family Night on Sundays! Kids meals are $3 all night (include drink and side) and there is a Strolling Magician- Magic Nate from 5-7pm!
Val Cannell says
Thank you!
Sara Holben says
https://www.frischs.com/our-community/kids-eat-free/
I noticed Frisch’s KEF offer is not listed for Monday! It’s ALL DAY!
Val Cannell says
Thank you – I will delete it.
Allyson Sanders says
Texas Roadhouse(Bethel) is no longer during kids eat free on Monday
Val Cannell says
Thank you for letting me know!
Emily says
I went to the IHOP in Westerville this past week and they no longer have the kids eat free deal. They said it stopped about a month ago.