Parents could spend up to £1,300 during the school break on holidays, days out, activities and food according to research by Vodafone, which has surveyed its customers about the true cost of summer for families.

If you want to treat the kids over the next few weeks, while keeping a close eye on the pennies and pounds, here's some free meal deals for pubs and restaurants in Kent that might help you enjoy a meal out without breaking the bank:

M&S

This is not just any meal deal, it's an M&S kids deal and will give children an entire meal for free in any of its 350 cafes.

Parents can claim the £3.95 meal, which includes a main, snack, piece of fruit and a drink, when an adult spends £3.50 on their own food or drink.

The offer runs until August 6.

Brewers Fayre and Beefeater

You don't need to be staying at a neighbouring Premier Inn to make use of this fantastic 'all you can eat' offer from Whitbread that will set up your family for the day. It is available at both its Brewers Fayre and Beefeater venues.

Two children can enjoy an unlimited breakfast of both hot and cold options with each adult purchasing their own meal.

The family restaurant and pub chain, which has recently started to reintroduce its breakfast buffet service, says the offer is available during both weekdays and weekends.

For more information about breakfast at Brewers Fayre branches see here and for Beefeater click here.

Morrisons

The Morrisons cafe deal lets kids eat free all day, every day, until September 5, says the supermarket chain.

With every adult meal over £4.50 customers will be entitled to a free children's meal.

The offer is running at Morrisons cafes across the country and is available for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Each children's meal also includes a piece of fruit and a drink.

Ali Lyons, Head of Cafes at Morrisons said: “We know that feeding the whole family during the summer holidays can quickly add up and so we’re pleased to be running our Kids Eat Free All Day deal."

For more information and the menu click here.

Asda

Kids can tuck in for nothing on any day at Asda cafes, when accompanying adults spend £4 on their own drink or snack.

Families can choose from any of the cafe's Kids Meals including both hot meal options and the cold pick and mix selection.

The offer is valid throughout August during cafe opening hours and available to all children under the age of 16. Full details here.

Hungry Horse

Hungry Horse pubs are running their own kids eat free offer from 8am until noon each day.

The promotion, available for breakfast and brunch servings, is available every day through the summer holidays.
A free child's meal is given away with every full paying adult ordering their own breakfast. More information here.

Tesco

Tesco cafes are offering a free kids meal deal or breakfast this summer and you only need to spend £3.50 on a drink, snack or meal for yourself to claim.

The offer, says the supermarket, is available every day until September 1 and can be claimed on children's meals from either the hot or cold food sections.

For more news on big brands and good places to enjoy a tasty bite, head to our Eat, Drink, Shop section

For more reviews on places to eat in Kent, click here