Birthday Freebies Roundup

I thought it would be fun to create this roundup of free things to do and eat on your birthday. I’ve updated the list by checking to make sure all the current offers are still valid, added some new offers to some of the categories and created a new section specifically for kids.

There are so many cool opportunities out there and I hope you all can take advantage of some of these. This just goes to show you that celebrating your birthday doesn’t have to be expensive. It can actually be free.

I’d like to share some awesome freebies that anyone can take advantage of on your special day. It only happens once a year, so let’s milk it! Food, retailers, and entertainment plenty to do to help celebrate your birthday. Here are some great offers to take advantage of.

Go To Breakfast

Going to a free breakfast on your birthday is a must if you are able to do so. There is an endless variety of breakfast spots from popular restaurant chains like IHOP to small diners and cafes in your neighborhood that will offer you free breakfast on your glow day. Trust me on this.

Some restaurants may require you to sign up through a rewards club of some sort where they offer you coupons throughout the year along with a free birthday meal. Definitely join these if you are interested in receiving the voucher and make sure you follow the proper directions in order to receive your freebie. I usually go to Denny’s for a free grand slam on my birthday (which includes two eggs, two slices of bacon, two sausage links, and two pancakes) and they only require a state ID in order to receive it.

This year, I’ll probably go to IHOP, since there’s one very close to my house. IHOP requires that I join the Pancake Revolution and print out their voucher for a free breakfast in order to receive it on my birthday. Very doable. The last breakfast spot is Waffle House, who offers a free birthday waffle to customers who sign for their regulars club.

If you’re in a rush and don’t have time for a sit-down breakfast, you can always stop by your nearest Krispy Kreme for a free donut or Einstein Bagels for a free bagel. Just make sure you sign up for their rewards club here.

Not a big breakfast fan but want a good cup of coffee? If you are a member of Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, you can get a free coffee on your special day. Our Starbucks always has a long drive-thru line so it will be nice to get a free drink after all the waiting I have done over the years.

Caribou Coffee also has a free birthday treat for people who join their perks membership program.

Desserts, Snacks, Meals

Okay, I love breakfast so it gets its’ own category, but you can practically eat and snack for free throughout your entire birthday if you really wanted to. There are numerous restaurants that offer free birthday entrees, burgers, sandwiches, cakes, desserts, ice-cream and more. Here are just a few:

When you join the Red Lobster rewards club you will receive a free surprise on your birthday. I’ll let you guys know what the surprise is next week 🙂

If you’re looking for a good burger or sandwich, Ruby Tuesday, Sonny’s BBQ, Steak & Shake, Red Robin, Johnny Rockets, Backyard Burger and Firehouse Subs all have you covered. Those are all quality restaurants with quality rewards for the birthday person.

A free appetizer at Joe’s Crab Shack sounds so good about right now, YUM. Don Pablos also gives you a $10 gift card to use on your birthday when you sign up for their Habeneros Rewards Club and Houlihan’s offers you a free entree on your birthday. If you want to go all out and have your entire meal free, check out bd’s Mongolian Grill.

If you are in one of the 21 states that have a Jack in the box make sure to visit a local restaurant and celebrate your birthday by picking up your two free tacos. Don’t like tacos? How about submarine sandwiches? Jersey Mike’s Sub gives email club subscribers a free regular sub and a 22oz fountain drink to help celebrate their birthday.

For dessert, no need to buy cake and ice cream. You’ll get free chocolate covered strawberries from the Melting Pot when you sign up for their Club Fondue. Longhorn Steakhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Baskin Robbins, Culvers, Dairy Queen, Olive Garden, and On The Border all offer a tasty treat.

That’s not all though Pizza Hut, Dippin Dots,  Nothing Bundt Cakes, TGI Fridays, Cheesecake Factory, and Sprinkles, also offer sweet birthday desserts.  Sprinkles goes a step farther then some of the others on the list. If the rewards member visits the restaurant 40+ times in a calendar year you would not only receive a cupcake on your half birthday but a dozen cupcakes on your birthday!

Craving a steak dinner? Ponderosa, Keg Steakhouse and Bar and Black Angus Steakhouse all offer some delicious, free options.

I’ve just barely scratched the surface with free food. To find more freebies check out Hey It’s Free or Brad’s Deals.

Complimentary Car Wash

I’m just one of those people who slacks on car washes unless my car absolutely needs it. Blame it on being busy (not) and the rain always does a nice job regularly. If you live in the Phoenix area though,  Cobble Stone Auto Spa offer a free full-service car wash at any of their 11 locations when you sign up for their Rewards Club. It would be nice to find something like this in my area.

Bowling

Bowling is fun, I’ll admit, even though I suck at it. But hey, if it’s free, I’m in! AMF bowling offers free bowling on your birthday and Brunswick Zone will give you two free games. Whether you bowl strikes, spares, turkeys, or gutter balls go test your skills and show your family and friends your game on your birthday.

Retail Rewards and Goodies

Retailers often want to show appreciation for your business by offering up some free gifts on your birthday. I welcome goodies from my favorite brands with open arms. It’s not often that I buy makeup and accessories anymore. Got bigger plans you know. So I love Sephora’s free gifts when you sign up for their Beauty Insider club. As an Ulta customer, you will receive double reward points on all your purchases during your birthday month and will receive a free birthday gift for your day as well.

In other retail freebies news, Old Navy and Famous Footwear both offer free birthdays surprises. Urban Outfitters gives free gifts on half birthdays and birthdays.

If you like Redbox, you’ll receive a free movie rental when you sign up for their newsletter.

If you use Swagbucks, don’t forget about your 50 free Swagbucks!

Fun Outings

Birthday outings are fun, even more so when you don’t have to come out of pocket to have a good time. It is your special day after all. Medieval Times, a Middle Ages-themed dinner and tournament arena with locations across 8 different states and Toronto, offers free admission on your birthday when you join the King’s Court.

The Georgia Aquarium provides complimentary admission to all Georgia residents on their birthday and the Oregon Coast Aquarium offers something similar to local residents. I absolutely love aquariums, zoos and other attractions like these. While I couldn’t find offers like this in every state, I’d encourage you to search for something like this in your area. Who knows what you’ll come up with.

If you like to see new movies, Harkins Theatres has a birthday club that offers you birthday perks like a free medium popcorn with your ID. Cinemark will give you a free concessions coupon to use on your birthday when you sign up for their email club.

I don’t do movie theaters as much anymore but Cinemark seriously has the most affordable movie theaters around in my opinion, with adult tickets starting at just $3.25. Want to watch a movie in the comfort of your home instead of head out to the theater? Red Box will give you a free movie rental for your birthday all you have to do is sign up for the Redbox Play Pass.

Offers for Kids

My son and I are 4 days apart and I love making his birthday a special celebration. I just wish I would have known about some of these offers sooner because some parents (self-included) believe they need to spend a lot of money to do something special with their child on their birthday when that’s usually not the case. It’s ok to do once in a while, but make sure to take advantage of the free activities as well.  There are so many free entertainment offers out there for kids no matter what day it is. Here are a few:

Chuck E. Cheese offers free tokens on your child’s birthday when you sign up for their E-club. You’ll receive 100 Disney Movie reward points on your birthday when you sign up and Dave and Busters will give you $10 in-game money when you buy $10. Toy’s R Us will give your child a free gift card and birthday card when you sign up.

If you want to take memorable photos of your child, JCPenny Portraits has a Birthday Club that provides exclusive offers. Nick Jr makes some children’s dreams come true and offers any Nick Jr Birthday Club member a free birthday wish from their favorite character. Spongebob, Dora, Peter Rabbit, Wally, and Bubble Guppies among others are available to help put a smile on kids face for their birthday.

Kids can eat for free on their special day at restaurants like Chilis, Culvers, Dennys, Texas Roadhouse, Golden Corral, Old Country Buffet, Sbarro along with most of the other restaurants mentioned above.

So there you have it; The best of the best when it comes to birthday freebies. Do you indulge in any birthday freebies on your special day? If so which ones?