Five ways to feed your kids for less this summer – including free and cheap eats at family favourites
Filling hungry tums over the school holidays is a costly business.
As ever, The Sun’s expert Squeeze Team is on hand to help you budget.
Here, Sun Savers editor Leah Milner gives her round up of five ways to save on kids’ meals and snacks over the summer break…
Ikea
If you live near an Ikea, it’s a great place to feed little ones for less.
You can get kids’ pasta and tomato sauce for 95p or other children’s meal options for £1.50.
Plus, sign up for a Family card and worn-out parents can fill up on free teas and coffees to help get through the day.
Kids’ meal deal excludes the Hammersmith branch and order and collection points.
Dunelm
In Dunelm’s Pausa cafes you can get a free kids’ meal deal for every £4 spent.
It includes a mini main, two snacks and a drink. Plus, it runs a bit longer than many of the other deals – until September 19.
Magic bags
Try the TooGoodToGo app, where you can get “magic bags” from shops, cafes and restaurants that are getting rid of food they haven’t sold that day, with prices from around £3 a bag.
It covers places like Greggs, Toby Carvery, Costa, Spar and loads more.
Sun reporter and mum-of-three Lynsey Hope recently gave it a try for a week and bagged loads of amazing bargains.
“I had so much food I was giving it to friends and I saved at least £60 as I needed to buy far less,” she said.
Olio is another app where you can get free food given away by neighbours and local shops.
Hungry Horse
On Mondays, two kids can eat for £1 each with every full-paying adult at Hungry Horse.
Children’s options include a burger or sausages, which each come with two sides – and there are meat-free alternatives.
Plus, you don’t have to spend a penny to get a free three-month Kids’ Pass (normally £14.99) to get discounts on days out at UK attractions.
You just have to sign up to the Hungry Horse email list at one of its pubs or on its website.
Pack a lunch
Taking a day trip? Buying food and drink at motorway services and train stations can blow a huge hole in your budget.
On hot days, freeze drinks before you travel and they’ll help keep the rest of your food chilled too.
Then, shop smarter for your snacks as Aldi has some great dupes of pricier brands.
A multipack of six Snackrite cheese and onion crisps is 99p at Aldi compared to £1.65 for Walkers at Tesco or Sainsbury’s, even with your loyalty card.
Organix carrot cake oaty bars for babies and toddlers are £3 for six at Sainsbury’s but Aldi’s copycat Mamia Oaty Bars are just £1.95 for the same number.
See our full list of restaurants and cafes where kids can eat free or cheap – including M&S and TGI Fridays.