Local and regional offers
Alongside the big national chains, plenty of local cafés, pubs and independent restaurants are also running family meal deals during May half term - and some of them are better value than the headline offers.
We’ve spotted extra kids eat free and kids eat for £1 deals at selected Sizzling Pubs, Hungry Horse venues, soft play cafés and independent restaurants across the UK, with many venues adding extra perks including free soft play access, activity sheets or discounted family meal bundles.
Some standout regional offers include:
It’s also worth checking local parenting Facebook groups, shopping centres and restaurant social channels before heading out, as many venues announce last-minute half term offers that aren’t always advertised nationally.
Money saving tips for parents during May half term
The best value offers in our roundup are Asda (where no adult purchase is required), IKEA’s 95p meals and Morrisons Café, where children can eat free with a low adult spend.
If you’re planning more of a treat meal out, Bill’s and ASK Italian are particularly good value for larger families or solo parents, as both offer up to two free children’s meals per paying adult during selected dates.
Before visiting, it’s always worth double checking the terms and conditions as many restaurants now require loyalty apps, voucher codes or advance booking to redeem the offers. Some deals are only available Monday-Friday during the working week, while others vary depending on your local council’s school holiday dates.
We’d also recommend booking ahead during May half term where possible, especially at larger chain restaurants, and having proof of age handy if your child looks older than the advertised age limit.
And if you’ve spotted another brilliant kids eat free deal we’ve missed, let us know on our Talk board.