Kids eat free (or cheap) in New Castle County
A straight-talk guide, because this is the category that goes stale fastest: kids-eat-free deals get added, dropped, and changed all the time, and they vary by individual location even at chains. So treat the list below as a starting point, not gospel — we link the source for each, and the golden rule is always call the restaurant to confirm before you count on it. These are the standing deals around New Castle County that have been reliable enough to plan around.
Good to know
- • Kid Shelleen's (Trolley Square, Wilmington): kids' meals are $5 for ages 10 and under on select Monday-night "Family Fun Nights," roughly 5:30–7:30 PM. Not free, but a cheap, easy weeknight out at a genuinely kid-friendly spot. source
- • BBC Tavern and Grill (Greenville): kids 12 and under eat free from 4–6 PM on Sundays, one child's meal per paying adult. A solid early-Sunday-dinner option. source
- • National chains around the county (IHOP, Denny's, Red Robin, and similar) often run kids-eat-free nights, but the day and the rules are set per location — the Newark IHOP's deal won't necessarily match another's. Always confirm with the specific restaurant before you go. source
- • Because these promos churn, the most reliable move is a current-deal directory: Kids Eat Free's Delaware page (and its app) and the Delaware To Do roundup both track participating restaurants by city and day — check one of those right before you plan dinner. source
Questions parents ask
Where do kids eat free near Wilmington?
Standing options around New Castle County include Kid Shelleen's $5 kids' meals on select Monday Family Fun Nights and BBC Tavern's free kids' meals (12 and under) on Sunday afternoons, plus rotating kids-eat-free nights at national chains like IHOP and Red Robin. Deals change often, so confirm with the restaurant before you go.
Why don't you list every kids-eat-free deal?
Because they'd be wrong within weeks. Restaurant promotions get added, dropped, and changed constantly, and even chain deals vary by location. We'd rather point you to a few reliable ones plus a current directory than hand you a long list that's half stale. Always call ahead.
What's the cheapest family meal option that isn't a restaurant deal?
For a genuinely free outing with food in the mix, pair a free museum night or a park trip with a packed picnic. See our free museum days and free things to do guides for the no-cost playbook.
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Checked against each place’s current info.
Admission and hours come straight from each place’s guide. Last reviewed June 17, 2026. Confirm anything dated on the source before you go.