As the school summer holidays begin, we have some great ways for families to save in and around Brighton.
At this time of year, children are looking forward to a nice long break from school during the summer holidays, but for parents, it can sometimes feel like a long six weeks, especially if they are juggling budgets and childcare costs.
School breaks can be expensive, with free school meals not always offered and childcare extortionate, but there are some deals in the local area that might be useful if you’re looking to save cash while still treating your kids to a meal out.
We’ve put together a list of local restaurants and cafes where kids can eat for free over the summer holidays. In addition, we’ve added some extra links at the end for free or low-cost childcare and travel, which will all hopefully help during the current cost of living issues.
However, it’s worth saying that with some of the free meal offers you do have to buy a full adult’s meal in order to access the free kids’ meals.
So be sure to check the terms and conditions with all the places mentioned before you visit, just to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Local offers
All of these offers are available in branches in and around Sussex:
Up to two kids can eat free all day from Thursday 25 June to Tuesday 1 September (excluding Saturday and Sunday), when one adult orders any main dish (breakfast, lunch or dinner but excluding the Heritage, Set Menu, Group Dining Menu and Celebration Menu).
Kids Eat Free all day every day from Monday 20 July to Tuesday 1 September when you purchase an adult main course at this great Italian staple.
Children can get a free three-course Bambini mean with every adult main course from Friday 17 July until Sunday 6 September.
All you need to do is download the Zizzi app and join their free Zillionaires’ Club before your visits.
Children can eat for free all year round at this colourful eatery. Anyone aged 12 or under can eat for free whenever an adult orders a main course from the a la carte menu.
A bit like Zizzi, all you need to do is download the Las Iguanas free app before you go and show the offer to your server.
From 17 July to 6 September, up to two kids eat free with every adult meal ordered. Just download the free ASK Perks rewards app to get your code.
Kids can get a free bento meal during the summer holidays when you purchase any regular-sized adult ramen. The offer is available Monday to Friday 12-6pm and Saturday and Sunday 3-6pm until 31 August 2026.
Children 12 and under receive a free kids pizza for every full-priced adult main meal you buy. This offer is available Monday to Thursday when you dine-in, and applies to individual kids pizzas rather than the extended children’s menu.
And if you are travelling around the UK this summer, there are even more cafes and restaurants that offer free or discounted meals. Take a look at a list here.
More support
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Funded by the Department for Education, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides free activities during the longer school holidays. It is for those who are school aged in Reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals.
Use the links below to access information on the options for different areas of Sussex:
Up to four children under the age of 19, accompanied by an adult or concessionary pass holder, can travel free for journeys wholly within the Brighton & Hove City Council area (excluding night services) or for 50p each within the wider East Sussex area (excluding night services).
Other ideas
Brighton and Hove Museums have lots of events going on during the summer holidays, including some free play days and events.
Little Sussex is a free, monthly newsletter that helps parents find fun things to do with their children in Sussex, including many free activities, especially during the holidays.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on listing websites like Visit Brighton, Family Grapevine and ABC Magazine to see what other offers and activities are taking place in and around the county.
We hope this goes some way to helping you budget throughout the summer holidays. And here’s hoping for some nice weather for lots of opportunities for playing outside or at the beach!
