It's no secret that most of us have had to tighten our purse strings over the last few months due to the cost of living crisis and monumental hike in energy bills. And with the February half term upon us, the luxury of eating out in the middle of the working week with your family may be a thing of the past as we find ways to make ends meet. However, restaurants and supermarket cafes have set up schemes to lend a helping hand with some great deals to help eating out that little bit easier.
From free meals to major discounted dishes, lots of well-known names are helping families this February half term - and some of these discounts aren't just for kids, but adults too. Expect places like YO! Sushi, Marks and Sparks, Ikea and more - you won't be limited in the delicious options this half term for places to take your kids out that won't break the bank.
And so, with that in mind, we've taken a look at some of the places offering these cheaper than chips deals in Wales and listed them below, to save you the work.
READ MORE: February half term 2023: 16 free things to do in Wales with all the family
And if you are a business generously feeding kids for free over the half term, please get in touch via email: eve.rowlands@walesonline.co.uk.
Marco Pierre White
On the sixth floor of Dominion Arcade, Marco Pierre White's Cardiff restaurant is offering free meals for kids this half term. Those who come in with their parents can enjoy a starter and a main or a main and a dessert for free. This deal is valid for children under 12 years of age.
Morrisons Cafe
Morrisons are offering free meals for anyone under the age of 16 when one adult meal worth £4.49 or more is purchased. This kid's meal includes a piece of fruit and a drink as well as one meal from the kid's menu. One adult meal = one free kid's meal.
For more information, see here.
Asda
Kids can eat for just £1 in Asda as part of an initiative that is running until March 18 and has no minimum spend from adults in order to get the deal and the kid's meals can be hot or cold.
Children under 18 months will also receive a free pouch of Ella's baby food with any purchase and those over 60 can get Asda's 'soup and roll' offer for the same price (£1) until March also.
Dobbies
Garden centre chain Dobbies is offering kids to eat for free with an adult traditional breakfast or main course. The deal includes the kid's lunch menu or pick 'n' mix deal, breakfasts and a drink and is available all day, every day. There is a Dobbies in Swansea and Wrexham.
Marks and Spencer
Children can eat for free at Marks and Spencer cafes when adults spend £5 or more. The children get a free kid's meal which includes a main - cheesy tomato pasta, anyone? Or maybe a jacket potato with sausage and beans - a side, a drink, and a piece of fruit.
Tesco
From Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24, Tesco is offering free kids' meals when shoppers spend at least 60p and have a Clubcard. Included in the deal is the kid's breakfast, the kid's hot meal deal which includes veg, a side and a drink, and the kid's cold pick and mix deal which includes a sandwich, fruit, two snacks and one drink.
Dunelm
A constant offer that's too good to miss is this from Dunelm's Pausa cafe, which isn't limited to half term only. Kids eat free all day every day, with one free children's menu being made available for every £4 spent by an adult in the cafe. These meals can include a sandwich, a Cawston Press juice box, jelly squeeze and other such snacks.
YO! Sushi
When visitng this restaurant with your family, during half term (from Monday, Feburary 20 until Friday, February 24), kids can eat for free all day when dining with a full-paying adult if they spend over £10. Why not indulge them in one of Yo!'s kiddo bento boxes for free?
Ikea
While this offer isn't for a completely free meal, it's for one pretty darn cheap. Kids can enjoy a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce and an accompanying soft drink for a mere 95p! Any other meal of the kids menu will crank it up to £1.50 - what a bargain.
This is available in all Ikea restaurants every day from 11am.
Bella Italia
This ongoing offer from Bella Italia allows kids to eat for £1 between 4-6pm Monday through to Thursday with the purchase of an adult main. This includes a whopping three course meal and a drink and is aimed at kids between the ages of two to 11 years old.
Yours kids can also choose between having a smaller or larger portion with this deal.
Premier Inn
Did you know that you don't actually have to be a guest to enjoy a meal at a Premier Inn hotel's restaurant? If you go for breakfast, your kids can eat for completely free - provided an adult orders a full Premier Inn Breakfast.
The criteria is your kids have to be under 16 and it covers up to two of them! For more information, see the website.
Bill's
Between Monday, February 20 and Friday, February 24, up to two kids can eat for completely free if one adult orders any main dish - at any time of day. Including items like Bill's famous buttermilk pancakes, mac & cheese and fish fingers and chips. Sounds delicious.
Frankie & Benny’s
With a unique QR that must be shown on your phone or tablet at the restaurant, you can get your child one free kid's meal from the children's menu. All you need to do is sign up to Frankie and Benny's via the website and you'll be sent this code - as reported by Retail Times.
Toby Carvery
This limited time offer - between the Mondy and Friday of the February half term in England and Wales - offers kids a children's main meal, carvery or brekkie for a quid. It does not include a drink or dessert and is only valid for kids under ten. It must be redeemed with the purchase of an adult meal, but two adults = two free kids meals.
Farmhouse Inns
This company, which has branches across Wales - under different names like The Cedar Tree and Redwood Farm - is offering its email subscribers two children's meals for £1 respectively between Monday, February 20 and Saturday, February 25. As with the rest of the deals, children must be accompanied by a paying adult to receive the discount. Read up on this deal here.
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