Wondering what the best kids’ meals are for your money? Check out what our budget-conscious team recommends!
When time is tight and appetites are growing, fast food can be a convenient solution, but which kids’ meals actually offer good value? We’ve compared popular options to highlight the best picks that balance price, portion size, and kid-friendly appeal.
Here are our top picks for the best kids meals:
- McDonald’s – best for picky eaters
- Wendy’s – best for tight budgets
- Chick-Fil-A – best for busy parents
- Chipotle – best tasting
- Subway – most nutritious
- Culver’s – best value
- LongHorn Steakhouse – best restaurant kids meal
1. McDonalds Happy Meals are always a safe bet for picky eaters.
Happy Meal $5.99 – $8.19
Choose between kids hamburger, 4 or 6-piece chicken nuggets. Includes French fries or apple slices and a choice of milk, apple juice, or a fountain drink.
If the kid-approved classics, chicken nuggets, and fries (or apple slices) aren’t enough, the iconic smiling Happy Meal box will surely encourage kiddos to take a bite!
2. On a tight budget? You need to know about the best Wendy’s kids meal deal!
Wendy’s Kids Meal $4.79 – $4.89 (possibly $1.99 after 4 PM)
Choose between 4-piece spicy or plain nuggets, kids hamburger or cheeseburger. Includes natural cut fries or apple slices, a drink and a toy.
Did you know that some Wendy’s locations offer $1.99 kids meals after 4 PM? However, even if your location doesn’t, the classic kids meal is UNDER $5 and even includes top-tier toys like previously-offered, Play-Doh, Crayola, and more!
3. For parents in a rush, Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru and kids meal makes it a fast food MVP.
Chick-Fil-A Kids Meal $6.89 – $7.39
Choose between kids 5-piece crispy or grilled nuggets or 2-piece strips, with fruit cup, mac & cheese, fries, potato wedges, or applesauce, plus a drink!
If you’ve ever been through CFA’s drive-thru, then you can appreciate their freakishly fast service! This means busy parents can get the kids fed and onto sports practice in no time with happy bellies!
Try Hip Sidekick, Kelli’s, AWESOME hack: “I’m a big fan of Chick-Fil-A’s kids meal… for myself. 🙈 I order the 2 chicken strips meal that comes with fries, and instead of the toy, I request a cup of ice cream. Then, I ask for an empty large drink cup (if I don’t have my own reusable) and add the ice cream to my kid-sized Dr. Pepper (without ice) for a float.”
4. Chipotle serves up the best-tasting kids meal with fresh flavors even grown-ups envy.
Kids Build-Your-Own Meal $5.70
The build your own includes choice of meat, guacamole or queso, and two toppings with a pair of crispy corn or soft flour Tortillas. Includes fruit or kids’ chips and organic juice or milk.
Surely we’re not the only ones who have opted for a Chipotle kids meal for ourselves? 🤭 You get flavorful food, and for the price, you can’t beat it!
Hip Sidekick, Melinda, said it best: “100% without a doubt, Chipotle kids meals! I don’t feel super guilty about my kids eating this food – I wish they eliminated seed oils but I feel WAY better about Chipotle over other fast food. Plus the value can’t be beat! I myself often order Chipotle kids meals – it’s plenty of food for the price!”
5. Subway serves up the most nutritious kids meal with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Subway Kids Meal $5.99
Choose between Black Forest Ham, Oven-Roasted Turkey, or Veggie Delight. Each sandwich is placed on freshly baked multigrain bread with meat, a choice of cheese, and veggies. Includes side of applesauce and low-fat milk or Honest juice. Total calories: 400- 500.
For parents looking for healthy “fast food” on-the-go, Subway offers hearty wholegrain bread, protein-packed oven-roasted turkey, piled high with as many veggies as the kids would like!
We’re keeping you up to date on the latest Subway coupons!
6. Looking for the best value kids meal? Culver’s delivers big portions without the big price.
Culver’s Kids Meal $6.29
Choose between a kids ButterBurger or ButterBurger with Cheese, 2-Piece Buffalo or Regular Chicken Tenders, Grilled Cheese, or Corn Dog. Plus you can pick one of 12 sides, and get a drink and a scoop of frozen custard!
If you’re looking for the biggest bang for your buck, Culver’s & their iconic butter burger + scoop of custard will fill you up! You also get a choice of 12 sides – everything from a fresh side salad to chili, and their delicious cheese curds (for a small upcharge).
Hip Sidekick, Liz, said it best: I think Culver’s has the best kids meal for the price/amount of food! If you get the burger, it’s literally the same size as the adult burger and you can still add extra toppings to it. Plus, you’ll get a coupon on the kids meal bag that you can redeem for a FREE cup of ice cream! You can choose the flavor of the day or vanilla with one topping. AND you get a prize coupon; when you’ve collected 10, you can redeem them for a toy like a basketball, football, plush, etc. or even choose a free kids meal!
BONUS! This kids meal might surprise you!
LongHorn Steakhouse’s Under 12 Kids Meal $6.99 – $9.99
Choose between kids mac & cheese, hamburger, sirloin, chicken tenders, or grilled chicken tenders. Choose from 10 sides (most are free) and a drink! Plus, each meal includes a bread roll!
At LongHorn Steakhouse, the kids sirloin steak is the same size as the adult version – the difference is the adult version will cost ya $16.99+! It does not come with a salad, but you do get to choose a side and a bread loaf.
“LongHorn kids meals are legit! The burger is full size and the steak is the same size as a regular adult one, plus you get a side, drink, and bread. I order it for curbside pickup for me my kid. The adult version of the same thing is a LOT more. The only difference is it doesn’t come with a salad.” – Hip Sidekick, Angela
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