Local and regional offers
As well as the big national chains, plenty of local cafés, pubs, hotels and independent restaurants are expected to run family meal deals throughout the summer holidays - and some can be even better value than the headline offers.
Every year we see local venues introducing kids eat free, kids eat for £1 and discounted family dining offers, often alongside extras such as free soft play sessions, activity packs, entertainment or family meal bundles.
Many of these promotions are announced at short notice or only apply at selected locations, so they're not always advertised nationally.
We'll be updating this guide throughout the summer as more regional offers are confirmed, so bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest deals.
In the meantime, it's also worth keeping an eye on your local parenting Facebook groups, shopping centres and your favourite restaurants' social media channels, as that's often where the best last-minute family dining offers first appear.
Money-saving tips for parents during the summer holidays
The best-value offers tend to be the year-round promotions, such as Asda Café's £1 kids' meals and Morrisons Café, where children can eat free with a qualifying adult meal. They're available throughout the school holidays and can make a real difference if you're planning regular days out.
Many restaurants also launch limited-time summer promotions, so it's worth checking back here regularly as we'll be updating this guide whenever new offers are announced.
Before heading out, always check the terms and conditions. Some restaurants require you to download their loyalty app, sign up for a free membership, book in advance or show a voucher to redeem the offer. Others are only available on certain days of the week, at participating restaurants or during your local school holiday dates.
If you're planning to visit a popular family restaurant, it's worth booking ahead during the summer holidays, as many venues get busy at lunchtimes and weekends. And if your child is close to the upper age limit for an offer, it can be helpful to have proof of age with you, just in case.
Finally, if you've spotted a brilliant kids eat free (or kids eat for £1) offer that we've missed, let us know on our Talk board. We'll keep this guide updated throughout the summer with the latest family dining deals across the UK.