In addition to birthday freebies, a birthday also usually includes gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions for Best First Birthday Gifts and more in our Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.

As the parent, you will need to register the birthday kids—and oftentimes yourself, too, before adding your children as family members. Sign up now for the below birthday freebies, and the coupons and emails will start rolling in while you are busy planning their big birthday party!

Food Birthday Freebies: Where Kids Eat Free on Their Birthday

1. Cold Stone Creamery

Multiple locations nationwide
When you join Cold Stone Creamery's eClub, you get a BOGO (buy one creation, get one creation free) free birthday coupon. Coupon valid 7 days before your birthday and 7 days after your birthday. Must be 18 years old or older to sign up.

2. Starbucks

Multiple locations nationwide
This one is for kids 13 and up, because you have to sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program. Simply sign up, and your reward will pop up in your app. You can redeem it for a beverage, food item, or pre-bottled drink.

Hot tip: If you haven't signed up for the rewards program yet, you can enter the birthday of your under-13 child and give the birthday freebie to them! (You must sign up for the reward program at least a week before your birthday and make one in-app purchase.)

3. Denny's

Multiple locations nationwide
Denny's Rewards members get "a delicious birthday gift." Free drinks and kids eat free rewards also apply throughout the year

4. Red Robin

Multiple locations nationwide
Add your kids ages 17 and under to your Red Robin Royalty account; you get a free gourmet burger during your birthday month and kids on your account get a free kids' meal in their birthday month!

 
Everyone loves a birthday freebie of free ice cream! Photo courtesy of Baskin Robbins

6. Baskin Robbins

Multiple locations nationwide
An adult must register and then add additional family members. But this one's not just for kids—all listed family members (up to 5) receive free ice cream coupons on their birthdays.

6. Corner Bakery

Multiple locations nationwide
Join the eClub and get a free pastry during your birthday month—whether that means cookies, cake, bars, or something else. You must be over 18 to register, but you can slip that cookie to your kid. 

7. Jimmy John's

Multiple locations nationwide
Jimmy John's Rewards members get a free surprise reward on their birthday each year. I signed up and got a free sandwich last year!

Birthday pretzels are free on your birthday. Photo courtesy of Auntie Anne's

8. Auntie Anne's

Multiple locations nationwide
Does your kid have a smartphone? They can get a free pretzel during their birthday month by signing up with the Pretzel Perks rewards program. 

9. Baja Fresh

Multiple locations nationwide
Kids 13 and up can sign up for Club Baja, and in addition to coupons throughout the year, they'll get a special birthday treat.

10. Ben & Jerry's

Multiple locations nationwide

Sign up for the Flavor Fanatics rewards program at least a month before your birthday to receive a "cone-gratulatory" scoop on the big day.

 
Cupcake pancakes are the birthday freebie at IHOP! Photo courtesy of International House of Pancakes

11. IHOP

Multiple locations nationwide
What kid (or adult) doesn't love free pancakes? Kids 13 and up can register for the rewards program and get free pancakes on their birthday.

12. Olive Garden

Multiple locations nationwide
Grown-ups can sign up on the Olive Garden website for its eClub and get a free dessert. The restaurant's website says guests can receive a complimentary dessert in the restaurant on their birthday and encourages customers to sign up for the club.

13. Pizza Hut

Multiple locations nationwide
It's not free pizza, but it's free birthday treats nonetheless. Kids 13 and up can sign up for the rewards program on the website and get a coupon for free cinnamon sticks on their birthday. 

14. Benihana

Multiple locations nationwide
Enroll kids 12 and under in the Kabuki Kids Klub and they'll get a complimentary mug with the purchase of a kid's meal the month of their birthday. Once they're over 12, the birthday gift is a free meal (for adults, too!).

 
Head to the Sprinkles ATM near you for this birthday freebie. Photo courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes

15. Sprinkles Cupcakes

Stores and cupcake ATMs in Arizona, California, D.C., Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Utah
Sign up for the Sprinkles perks program and visit at least 1 time to get your free birthday cupcake reward. Visit 40 times in a year to get a baker's dozen free on your special day!

16. Applebee's

Multiple locations nationwide
Club Applebee's members get a free dessert with $15 purchase.

17. Hard Rock Cafe

Multiple locations nationwide
Visit one of the local Hard Rock Cafes and score a free birthday dessert if you're a member of its rewards program. 

18. BurgerFi

Multiple locations across the East Coast, Midwest, and Southeast
BurgerFi Rewards members receive exclusive offers and promotions, including double point days, a free frozen custard milkshake on your birthday, and more.

19. California Pizza Kitchen

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for this West Coast chain's CPK Rewards loyalty program, and you'll get a free dessert coupon during your child's (or your!) birthday month.

20. Jamba Juice

Multiple locations nationwide
Join Jamba's rewards program to receive a free small smoothie on your birthday.

21. Red Lobster

Multiple locations nationwide
Parents can join a rewards program that lets you earn freebies for every dollar you spend, plus a free appetizer or dessert on your birthday.

Here's an extra treat: this copycat recipe of the Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits is delicious! Make them for birthdays or any day. Your kids will adore them.

 
Join Dairy Queen's Blizzard Fan Club and enjoy a free birthday Blizzard! Photo courtesy of Sunny Daze and Dairy Queen

22. Dairy Queen

Multiple locations nationwide
Sure it's tradition to have cake on your birthday, but you can also get a free Blizzard for your birthday when you join the Blizzard Fan Club.

23. Edible Arrangements

Multiple locations nationwide
Because fruit doesn't lose its nutritional value when it's dipped in chocolate, you can count this free treat as a healthful part of your kid's birthday. All you need to do is join the rewards program before your birthday month to receive a free six-piece chocolate-dipped fruit box.

24. Einstein's Bagels

Multiple locations nationwide
Get a free egg sandwich with purchase on your birthday (or your kid's birthday) when you sign up to be a member of the Schmear Society.

25. Houlihan's

Multiple locations in the Midwest, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
Sign up for the email club to earn a free entree on your birthday!

26. Noodles & Company

Multiple locations nationwide
Members of Noodles & Company's rewards program get a special reward emailed to them on their birthdays. Members who have just joined get a free dessert, while big spenders can earn their way up to a free entree.

27. Panera Bread

Multiple locations nationwide
Join the My Panera program for a free bakery item on your birthday. (Some of us worked our first job here and maybe can still get the employee discount, just sayin' we are big Panera fans around here!)

28. Buffalo Wild Wings

Multiple locations nationwide
Blazin' Reward members get six free wings during their birthday month. Maybe go mild for the kids.

29. Chipotle

Multiple locations nationwide
Get a surprise (in the past it's been free chips and guac) with a purchase on your birthday for being a Chipotle rewards member.

 
Isn't pizza the perfect birthday freebie? The only thing better than pizza is free pizza. Photo courtesy of Sbarro

30. Sbarro

Multiple locations nationwide
Become a Sbarro Rewards member to receive a free XL slice of pizza with a $5 purchase on your birthday or up to a week before it.

31. Papa John's Pizza

Multiple locations nationwide
Anyone of any age can become a Papa reward member and receive a coupon for a free dessert on their birthday (the coupon is valid for your birthday month).

32. Chili's

Multiple locations nationwide
Anyone with an email address can sign up for My Chili's Rewards for a free dessert on their birthday and free chips and salsa on any visit.

33. Culver's

Multiple locations in the Midwest, Southeast, and Texas
MyCulver's allows customers to sign up multiple birthdays so that every family member can get a free one-scoop sundae on their birthday.

34. Maggiano's

Multiple locations nationwide
There's no year required when you enter your birthday on Maggiano's eClub registration, so even kids can get a birthday surprise. Rewards may vary, but could include a $10 gift card.

35. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Multiple locations  nationwide
Sign up for Splendid Rewards and you'll get a free scoop on your birthday, plus you can earn rewards every time you purchase something at Jeni's, including scoop and cone upgrades and early access to new flavors.

 
Join the eClub and receive a birthday freebie of a bundtlet! Photo courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes

36. Nothing Bundt Cakes

Multiple locations nationwide
Kids ages 13 and older can sign up for the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub to receive a free bundtlet on their birthday.

37. Crumbl Cookies

Multiple locations nationwide
Use the Crumbl rewards app to collect crumbs to redeem for rewards and to get a voucher for a free cookie on your birthday.

38. 16 Handles

Multiple locations in New York, New Jersey Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Connecticut, and South Carolina
It would be hard to pass up a birthday treat from a chain named after a John Hughes movie and birthday candles. Get $5 in free frozen yogurt for your birthday when you sign up for rewards.

39. Carvel

Multiple locations nationwide
Fudgie Fanatics get a free cone on their birthday from this fun chain of ice cream shops. 

40. Checkers

Multiple locations nationwide
Join the rewards program at least a month before your birthday and make at least one purchase in the year before your birthday to receive a birthday reward, like a free milkshake.

41. Cheesecake Factory

Multiple locations nationwide
Cheesecake rewards offers members a free slice of cheesecake (with purchase) within two weeks of their birthday. Sign up at least a month before your birthday to ensure you get the reward added to your account.

42. Potbelly

Multiple locations nationwide
Join Potbelly Perks to get a free cookie on your birthday (if you go just a few times) or work your way up to a free milkshake (if you're a frequent flier). 

43. Sweetgreen

Multiple locations nationwide
Download the Sweetgreen app or create an online account and you are entered in the Sweetpass program which comes with all kinds of savings and rewards as well as a Birthday Gift Reward in the form of a discount for up to $10 in value.

44. Smashburger

Multiple locations nationwide
Smash Rewards members get a free reward on their birthday (plus get a free burger just for downloading the app to enroll).

45. Chick-fil-A

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for the Chick-fil-A One rewards program and get a different reward based on your membership tier. Little chickies get a chocolate chip cookie while big hens can get a free entree, with several levels in between. 

46. Cinnabon

Multiple locations nationwide
Download the Cinnabon app to receive a free cold brew (for you) on your birthday and a free mini bon today (for your kiddo) just for signing up!

47. A&W Restaurants

Multiple locations nationwide
Raise a glass to your birthday with a free root beer float when you join the A&W Club.

48. Landry's Brand restaurants

Multiple locations nationwide include the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., McCormick & Schmicks, and Brick House Tavern & Tap
First, join Landry's Select Club on the website. Although it's a $25 one-time per lifetime fee to join, as soon as you join you get a $25 reward—so, it's a wash. By joining the club, you then get annual emails with a free $25 birthday meal coupon that you can use at the restaurants. That's a sweet deal.

Free dinner and a show at Medieval Times on your birthday! Photo courtesy of Medieval Times

Fun Birthday Freebies: Activities and Destinations

49. Medieval Times

Locations in and around Atlanta; Baltimore; Los Angeles; Chicago; Dallas; Lyndenhurst, NJ; Myrtle Beach, SC; Orlando; Scottsdale, AZ; and Toronto
Ye olde dinner and joust offers a free birthday surprise to all members of the Queen's Court—which is medieval for "email list."

50. AMC Theaters

Multiple locations nationwide
AMC Stubs members can get a free large popcorn during their birthday month with the free membership, or popcorn and a drink with the paid membership.

51. Nick Jr.

Sign your child up for Nick Jr.'s free birthday club, and their favorite character celebrates them with a pre-recorded call. Choose from a variety of popular characters ranging from the Paw Patrol gang to Shimmer and Shine, Dora, SpongeBob, and more.

52. American Girl Store

Multiple locations in big cities, or redeem reward online
If your child has hit the American Girl craze phase, be sure to sign up for the store's AG Rewards Program. In addition to earning points on every purchase, your kiddo receives a free gift on their birthday, plus "Birthday Girl" stickers when dining at an on-site Cafe.

Goods Birthday Freebies: Free Stuff on Your Birthday From Retail Stores

53. Children's Place, Gymboree, and Sugar & Jade

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for My Place Rewards, add up to four children (14 and under) to your profile, and they'll receive a 20% off coupon to spend during their birthday month. (If you have a My Place Rewards Credit Card it's a 25% off coupon!)

54. Old Navy

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for Navyist Rewards for a free perk on your birthday. Kids receive a surprise—and so will you if you enter your birthday.

55. Carter's

Multiple locations nationwide
Add your kids to your account and get a free birthday gift for them to enjoy. You can add up to 5 kids to your account, and get a gift for each one!

56. Justice

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for the Club Justice to get a free birthday gift. Parents can add their child's birthday to receive the gift during their birthday month.

57. Sephora

Multiple locations nationwide
Kids who sign up for the rewards program get a free sample size gift in store on their birthday. (To redeem online, must spend $25.) Perfect for teens and tweens!

58. Ulta

Multiple locations nationwide
Similar to Sephora, the free rewards program offers a free birthday gift.

59. Kohl's

Multiple locations nationwide
The Kohl's Rewards program comes with a free birthday gift if you make a purchase prior to your birthday. The gift comes via email and varies, but can be up to a free $10 Kohl's cash coupon.

60. DSW Shoes

Multiple locations nationwide
Birthday kids get a free $5 coupon to use on their birthday if they've signed up for the DSW VIP rewards program. Okay, so maybe $5 won't buy a pair of sneakers, but DSW also offers accessories, socks, and other lower-cost items that equals a fun treat to pick out on their birthday!

61. Macy's

Multiple locations nationwide
No need to sign up for the credit card—Macy's Star Rewards Bronze members still earn a birthday reward that varies per member. You must make a purchase in the year prior to your birthday to receive a reward

62. Famous Footwear

Multiple locations nationwide
Anyone with an email address can sign up for Famous Footwear's rewards program to get a $5 off coupon for new kicks in their birthday month. Like DSW, that won't get you new shoes, but it goes a long way toward cute socks or Crocs charms!

63. CVS

Multiple locations nationwide
Join the CVS Beauty Club for $3 in ExtraBucks on your birthday (for anyone with an email address). This may seem like more of a gift for a grown-up, but CVS offers Hot Wheels, nail polish, coloring books, and candy, all of which make great birthday treats for kids.

Originally published April 14, 2017