You know what else a birthday needs? Gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions the 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!

Places 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. 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

3. 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.

 
How about a gourmet burger, for free, on your birthday? Photo courtesy of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.

4. Red Robin

Multiple locations nationwide
Add your kids ages 17 and under to your Red Robin Royalty account to receive a free gourmet burger on their birthday. You get one on yours, too!

 
Everyone loves 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 undisclosed 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 treat birthday treat.

10. Boston Market

Multiple locations nationwide
Kids and adults get a free birthday dessert when they use the Boston Market app on their birthday. Choose a triple chocolate cookie or a chocolate brownie.

 
Try the cupcake pancakes on your birthday! 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
Kids 13 and up can sign up on the Olive Garden website for its eClub and get a free dessert.

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 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 ATM near you for this birthday freebie. Photo courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes, Facebook

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.

16. Applebee's

Multiple locations nationwide
The restaurant offers a freebie for the birthday kid. Because the chain operates as a franchise, the freebie varies from location to location. Expect to nab a free appetizer, entree, or (most likely) dessert. Club Applebee's members get a free dessert with $15 purchase 

17. Au Bon Pain

Multiple locations nationwide
Join this ubiquitous chain's e-club to net a free pastry (for the kiddo) and coffee (for you) just for signing up. You'll also get a free cookie on your birthday.

18. 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. 

19. BurgerFi

Multiple locations across the East Coast, Midwest, and Southeast
BurgerFi Rewards members receive exclusive offers and promotions, including double point days, birthday rewards (usually a free milkshake), and more.

20. 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.

21. Jamba Juice

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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Einstein's Bagels

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

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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!)

29. Buffalo Wild Wings

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

30. Chipotle

Multiple locations nationwide
Get free chips and guac with a purchase on your birthday for being a Chipotle rewards member.

 
Isn't pizza the perfect birthday meal? It's even better when it's free. Photo courtesy of Sbarro

31. Sbarro

Multiple locations nationwide
Become a Sbarro Rewards member to receive a free slice of pizza with a $5 purchase on your birthday.

32. 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).

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Multiple locations  nationwide
No need to join a club or sign up for a rewards program—Jeni's will give anyone a free scoop on their birthday.

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

37. 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.

38. Steak 'n Shake

Multiple locations nationwide
Anyone with an email address can sign up for the Steak 'n Shake Rewards Club, which earns them a free surprise on their birthday. Surprises vary by location as Steak 'n Shake restaurants are franchises.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. Carvel

Multiple locations nationwide

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

42. 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.

43. Cheesecake Factory

Multiple locations nationwide

Cheesecake rewards offers members a free slice of cheesecake 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.

44. Potbelly

Multiple locations nationwide

Join Potbelly Perks to get a free cookie on your birthday. 

45. Sweetgreen

Multiple locations nationwide

Download the Sweetgreen app to get a free Crispy Rice Treat on your birthday. It's made with honey and dates instead of marshmallows--we're fans!

46. Smashburger

Multiple locations nationwide

Smash Rewards members get a free milkshake on their birthday.

RELATED: Free Admission for Kids at SoCal's Biggest Family Attractions

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

Birthday Freebies: Activities and Destinations for Your Kid's Birthday

47. 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."

48. AMC Theaters

Multiple locations nationwide
AMC Stubs members can get a free popcorn during their birthday month with the free membership.

49. Chuck E. Cheese's

Multiple locations nationwide 
If you sign up for Chuck E. Cheese's reward program, you'll receive an email on your child's birthday with coupons for free tokens or gameplay time, plus other special offers throughout the year. Chuck E. Cheese also has half-birthday surprises.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. Redbox

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for Redbox Perks for a free one-night DVD rental during the month of your birthday (or your child's birthday).

Free Stuff on Your Birthday From Retail Stores

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

Multiple locations nationwide
Sign up for myPlace rewards, add up to four children (14 and under) to your profile, and they'll receive a 20 percent off coupon to spend during their birthday month.

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 on their birthday. 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. 

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.

63. The Body Shop

Multiple locations nationwide
Kids who are old enough to have an email address can sign up for The Body Shop Loyalty Club, which earns them a $10 reward to spend on their birthday.

64. 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