Kids eat free or for £1. Where your family can eat for less this October half term

October half term is an extra expense for parents. Many restaurant and café chains, however, offer a child’s meal free or for £1. We have gathered the offers that, according to a MoneyMagpie roundup of 19 October, apply this year. Conditions vary between chains, and not every branch takes part.

No adult purchase needed: at Asda cafés children under 16 eat for £1 until the end of 2026.

With an adult purchase: Tesco Café – one free child’s meal with any adult purchase, with a Clubcard or the app, until 18 December. Toby Carvery and Harvester – a child’s meal for £1 with an adult main, until 1 November (at Toby Carvery you need to download a voucher in the app first). Las Iguanas and Frankie & Benny’s – a child eats free with a full-price adult main, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 17 October to 1 November. Chiquito – free kids’ meals on the same dates at selected restaurants.

Note, Scotland: half term was earlier here, so some offers have already ended – e.g. at Farmhouse Inns and Hungry Horse the Scottish dates ran from 12 to 23 October, and at Subway from 10 to 16 October.

What it means for you

A family of four can save more than ten pounds on a single outing. Parents who shop at Asda or Tesco anyway gain most – there a free or cheap child’s meal can be combined with everyday shopping.

Our assessment

These are good offers, but they are also marketing: chains count on the adult ordering a more expensive dish and a drink. Before you go, check the conditions in the app or at the specific branch – offers change and cannot be combined with other promotions.

What to do

• Before going out, check in the chain’s app whether your branch is taking part.
• Download the voucher in advance where required (e.g. Toby Carvery).
• Children eligible for free school meals can join free activities with food under the Holiday Activities and Food programme – ask at school or the council.

Source: MoneyMagpie (19.10.2026).