Score Free Pancakes, Chicken Strips, and More with IHOP’s ‘Kids Eat Free’ Deal

At IHOP, kids eat free daily between 4pm and 10pm. Here’s how to take advantage of this delicious deal and other free coupons. 

There used to be dozens of restaurants around that offered daily deals and discounts to help families enjoy a meal out of the house without breaking the bank. If you had multiple children, parents would be especially inclined to take advantage of ‘kids eat free’ or birthday deals to stretch their penny further.

Unfortunately, offers like these have become less and less common, and with the cost of living steadily increasing, that $3,000 yearly consumer average spent dining out feels tighter than ever for many. Plus, with the availability of third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats and Door Dash, indoor dining deals just haven’t been able to compete.

Lucky for us, there’s still IHOP, America’s favorite family breakfast diner. The IHOP restaurant brand is an American staple loved by kids, adults, and seniors alike. 

What makes IHOP even more lovable is their various ‘kids eat free’ deals (and their IHOP Happy Hour!) that families can take advantage of every day between 4pm and 10pm. Here’s the breakdown of IHOP free kids meals and how to make the most of one of the only remaining sweet restaurant deals.

And for more tasty and affordable meals the whole family will love, check out these 10 Best Restaurant Family Meal Deals Under $20.

The Rise of IHOP

IHOP, or the International House of Pancakes, is an iconic American restaurant chain known for its breakfast foods, particularly its pancakes. The restaurant’s origin dates back to 1957, when brothers Al and Jerry Lapin and their business partner, Albert Kallis, opened a small restaurant in Toluca Lake, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. 

Their idea behind the restaurant was to offer a place where people could enjoy a variety of pancakes from around the world, hence why they chose the name “International House of Pancakes.”

In 1960, the chain began franchising its concept, allowing other entrepreneurs to open their own IHOP restaurants. This move proved to play a significant role in IHOP's growth and expansion across the United States.

Today, the IHOP brand is widely recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere and affordable dining options, including IHOP free kids meals. There are 1,689 IHOP restaurants in the United States, with nearly 13% of them located in California. 

How to Leverage IHOP’s Free Kids Meals

The IHOP ‘Kids Eat Free’ promotion has been around for more than 10 years. With this deal,  kids under 12 can eat free daily between 4pm and 10pm with the purchase of any adult entree. With inflation on the rise, this is a great value for parents looking for inexpensive ways to treat their kids. However, not all IHOP restaurants participate in this deal, so be sure to check with your local IHOP first.
 

What Are Some Other Ways to Save at IHOP?

IHOP offers a multitude of great discounts year-round. Veterans receive 20% off daily and get a free stack of red, white and blue pancakes with the purchase of another full-sized meal. 

Those who dine at IHOP regularly should also consider joining the IHOP rewards membership program. Doing so earns new signups a free stack of pancakes!

Not to mention, you can usually find discounted IHOP gift cards on Raise.com or with your 5% discount if you’re a Target RedCard holder. If you can use a discount to grab a $15 IHOP gift card for a dollar or two less, that’s another great way to save on meals at IHOP.
 

Where Else Can I Get Free Stuff for My Kids?

IHOP isn’t the only place you can score free stuff for your kids. From free books and game tickets to park passes and other restaurant coupons, there are dozens of freebies parents can take advantage of. 

Simply browse our Kids & Moms Freebies section to see all the latest free stuff and deals!

- Erika