15 Kid-Friendly Deals

A slew of kid-oriented deals will make entertaining the kids this summer a lot more affordable.

Families looking to take a week-long vacation can find packages that include free meals, activities and accommodations for children. Restaurants and movie chains are sponsoring days of the week when kids can either eat a meal or see a movie for free. Even Broadway shows are cutting kids some slack on admission prices.

Appealing to families with children is yet another way struggling companies are hoping to lure customers. After all, parents are a good target audience. A recent study by consumer market research firm Mintel International found that even as parents cut back on expenses, they "are not willing to deprive their children." “Families are still spending on kids, but [when] they are, they’re looking for bargains,” says Chris Haack, a senior analyst at Mintel International.

With fewer international tourists and business travelers, travel-related businesses in particular, are relying on leisure travelers to help maintain their bottom line, says Bjorn Hanson, a professor of hospitality and tourism management at New York University. “If consensus forecasts are correct, this will be the best year for discounts in this economic cycle," he says.

From vacation packages to free meals, here are some of the latest kid-friendly deals being offered: