Tesco issues new ‘kids eat free’ rule in 330 stores

Tesco has extended its Kids Eat Free scheme, which kicked off on June 25 and will now run until September 1. The supermarket says the scheme is aimed at helping families during a time when budgets are tight, especially over the summer holidays.

The Café and The Coffee Shops scheme will run in over 330 participating Tesco stores, seven days a week. The deal includes one free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with any full price adult purchase when they scan their Tesco Clubcard.

Meanwhile, the adult purchase doesn’t have to be a full meal, and can be something as small as an apple costing just 65 pence. There is also no limit to the number of kids’ meals you can redeem. The offer is subject to availability, and kids’ meals may vary in Cafés. For example, Tesco’s T&C state that the Kids’ Pick ‘N’ Mix Deal may be the only option available in some Cafés, which consists of one sandwich, one drink, one fruit item and a choice of two snacks.

Some of the popular Tesco Café menu items for kids include Egg & Soldiers, Beans & Soldiers and Pancakes. Meanwhile, hot main meals include choices such as Omega 3 Fish Fingers, Baked Chicken Strips and Pork Sausages.

Tesco is also cutting the full prices of children’s meals in The Café and The Coffee Shop over the summer months, supported by the UK Government’s decision to slash VAT across children’s meals, activities, and days out as part of their Great British Summer Savings.

“We know that household budgets can be really stretched, especially over the long summer holiday, so offering free meals to children during this time is just one of the ways we can support families,” said Claire De Silva, head of communities at Tesco.

Children will be able to pick up free apples at checkouts in more than 800 large Tesco stores and 77 of its large Express stores, while Click & Collect customers will also be given free apples for their children at selected stores.

Additionally, more than 500 schools received free fruit and veg this year to help pupils get more of their 5-a-day. This scheme kicked off in 2024, and 15.7 million portions of fruit and veg have been donated since.

Tesco is also helping customers to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays by allowing them to exchange their Clubcard vouchers with Tesco Reward Partners, including family favourites such as PizzaExpress and Cineworld.