With the October Half Term looming, it is more important than ever to think about how family finances will be impacted. Many businesses have great offers where kids can eat for £1 or less during the school holidays.
The school holidays can be an exciting time for many. Children are excited at the prospect time away from the confines of school and families can spend some quality time together. Some may even have a nice holiday booked or finally have the time to visit family who live far away.
But the school holidays are not all sunshine and rainbows. For many, school holidays induce a sense of anxiety. Financial worry clouds the minds of many, as many household costs increase during this period.
Time off school means many parents are spending more time at home with their children. This leads to increased energy use due to more electronics being used, food being cooked and the use of radiators as the days get chillier. Similarly, more food is being eaten at home, with the break not only on education but the provision of free school meals. Many people rely on these meals to feed their children one full, hot meal per day.
Let’s not forget the entertainment, too. Trips to the zoo, beach or park all cost money, whether it be ticket fayres or fuel and transport costs.
It can all add up. But, luckily, there are many restaurants and cafes which offer low-cost and sometimes free meals for children during school breaks. Whether it be a low-cost or free breakfast, lunch or dinner, you are bound to find somewhere your little ones will enjoy.
Asda
Supermarket giant Asda announced its new offer to help feed children during the school holidays back in July. Children across England and Wales can eat for just £1 in Asda Cafés. This offer is valid at any time of day, seven days a week. The best part is, there is no minimum adult spend required.
This scheme will be active until the end of 2022, in a bid to tackle holiday hunger. Children aged 16 and under can access a hot or cold meal for just £1.
Meals include mac ‘n cheese with a salad, chicken nuggets and chips, full English breakfast, pancakes with maple syrup and a cold selection of sandwiches, fruit, drink and more.
Full T&Cs here.
Beefeater and Brewers Fayre
Two children can eat a free breakfast with every adult breakfast purchased. This offer is available at any Beefeater or Brewers’ Fayre branch and includes their delicious unlimited all-you-can-eat breakfast. So, whether your little ones fancy a full English or a more continental option, there is bound to be something they enjoy.
This means if you plus a friend or a partner purchase a breakfast, four children can get a free breakfast. There is currently no end date to this scheme as of yet, but it is currently available for all customers to enjoy.
Full T&Cs here.
Purezza
If you fancy a light lunch or a spot of dinner, why not visit vegan Italian favourite Purezza? Children under the age of 10 can get a delicious free mini pizza with a topping of their choice! These mouth-watering options include mushrooms, courgette and vegan sausage.
Only one child can get this offer per adult who is dining. However, all other children can dine for just £5. Full T&Cs here.
Dobbies
Garden centres can provide a surprising amount of fun for kids. From the wonderful colours of blossoming flowers to water fountains, shrubs and the wildlife they bring, children can become immersed in the magical surroundings nature brings.
From 12 noon every day, kids eat free at Dobbies garden centres with the purchase of an adult meal. Children can choose from their lunch menu or their pick ’n’ mix’ menu, plus get a free drink.
Offer available at all Dobbies restaurants with the exception of Andover, Lelant, Marple, Reading, York and Anchorwood.
Full T&Cs here.
Marks and Spencer
High street staple Marks and Spencer (M&S) are offering a free Kids’ Munch Menu main (usually £3.95) when you spend £5 or more in a single transaction on adult food and drink. Breakfast is served until 11am, with lunch being served from 11am to close.
You can also get a free snack and drink for your child with their meal. Your little one can choose from pancakes with blueberries and honey to a ham and cheese toastie. Plus, there are plenty of crowd pleasers such as delicious pizzas, cheese and tomato pasta and sandwiches.
This offer is available until 28th October in England and Scotland, and from Monday 31st October to Friday 4th November in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Read the full T&Cs here.
Shrimp & Grill
If you live in London or happen to be visiting the capital city, why not try this American inspired menu? Kids under the age of 10 eat free between 12pm and 5pm every single day. One child can eat free per adult who orders a main, up to two children per family. However, soft drinks are excluded from this.
You can also get a full day parking for just £17.50 in Leicester Square car park Q with a Shrimp & Grill receipt. This could save you over £30 on parking!
Full T&Cs here.
Bella Italia
Family favourite Bella Italia lets kids eat for just £1 on Monday to Thursday with the purchase of an adult meal. This is available for children aged 2-11 years and is available between 4pm and 6pm.
Plus, this offer includes three delicious courses and a Cawston’s Pressed Fruit Water. For just £1! You can’t go wrong. Full T&Cs here.
Morrisons
Why not roll your weekly shop and a meal out into one with Morrisons? They have a great deal where one child can eat a free lunch or dinner when you spend £4.99 on one adult meal. Children up to the age of 16 can redeem this offer and get a delicious free meal.
One free kids’ meal can be redeemed per adult but excludes menu specials. Full T&Cs here.
Heathrow Airport
If you are jetting off this October half term and want to avoid the extortionate airport restaurant costs, make note of the restaurants with a kids eat free offer. From 22rd to 30th October 2022, kids can eat free at participating restaurants.
There may be a minimum spend at some restaurants and the age limit may differ between restaurants. Explore all participating restaurants, the terminals in which they are located and the full T&Cs here.
Yo! Sushi
If your little ones are under the age of 10, they can get a Kiddo Meal Deal Bento Box. The offer is valid all day, Monday to Friday until 28th October 2022. However, it is only available with a £10 adult spend. A maximum of three children can eat for free per booking.
Full T&Cs here.
Dunelm
The Pausa café, located in Dunelm stores across the UK is offering free meals for children after 3pm. Kids can get a free mini main, two snacks and a drink for every £4 spent in the café. There is currently no end date on this offer.
Hungry Horse
At Hungry Horse restaurants, children can get a free breakfast every day, served until 12pm. A children’s breakfast must be ordered in conjunction with an adult’s breakfast. Even better, is that two children’s breakfasts can be purchased per one adult breakfast.
Full T&Cs here.
Sizzling Pubs
Sizzling Pubs is the parent company of many pubs across the UK. Your local may be a Sizzling Pub without you knowing it! You can find your nearest pub here.
Your kids can eat for just £1 from Monday to Friday with the purchase on one adult meal. This offer is valid from 3pm to 7pm every weekday.
Full T&Cs here.
Tesco cafe
At supermarket giant Tesco, kids can eat free all half term, every half term at its cafes. The supermarket introduced this initiative during the summer holidays, and has renewed the scheme for the October half-term.
In the scheme, parents can claim one free child’s meal worth up to £3.25 when they spend at least 60p on a fresh piece of fruit. You must be a club card holder to take part in the scheme, which runs on weekdays until 28th October in England, Scotland and NI and from October 31st and November 4th in Wales.
Angus steakhouse
During the school holiday, kids under the age of 10 can eat for free with the purchase of one adult main course. If you are heading to the big smoke for any reason, it may well be worth keeping this deal in mind! Offer is valid 12pm to 5pm from Monday to Friday.
IKEA
If you are browsing for new furniture or want to spruce up your home, IKEA is often the first place people think of to visit. Now, the furniture giant are offering children’s meals from 95p. This offer is valid all day, everyday from 11am.
An item from the children’s menu is just 95p. However, for just £1.50 you can get a combo meal. This includes a hot meal, jelly, a drink and a piece of fruit. Always double check your local store is participating first!
The real greek
Every Sunday, children can eat for free at The Real Greek restaurants, when £10 is spent by an adult. Whether your child is in the mood for a mouthwatering souvlaki wrap with halloumi or would rather a mezzo selection, something is bound to tickle their fancy.
One free kids meal per adult can be redeemed and is available to all children under the age of 12. Full T&Cs here.
Frankie and benny’s
American Italian favourite Frankie and Benny’s are opting for something a little different this October half-term. Instead of kids eating for free – adults can eat for nothing instead! Parents can now save during the Autumn holiday, with the usual offer flipped on it’s head to allow parents to save on themselves.
Of course, you must be dining with a child to redeem this offer. The child must be under the age of 11. Guests can choose one free adult’s meal for every child set menu paid for. Your little ones can choose a drink, main, side and dessert for £6.49, whilst big eaters are charged at £7.99.
To redeem the offer, sign up to the Frankie and Benny’s email via their website. You will then be sent a QR code to use between 24th and 28th October 2022 in England. Dates in Scotland, Wales and NI may vary, so double check the website to be sure.
