Birthday freebies for kids on Long Island
When you're a kid, your birthday is the most special day of the year. You are showered with gifts and love and made to feel like a little queen or king for the day. There are also many celebrations with family, friends and even in school.
But if a child's birthday falls on a different day than his or her party, there are many things parents can do to help make it an extra special day -- for free.
Here are some places on Long Island to help make your child's birthday a little sweeter -- some, you just pop in; others, you register for on a national website. (If you have privacy concerns, check the site's policy.)
Long Island Aquarium
Credit: Thomas A. Ferrara
AGES All WHERE 431 East Main St, Riverhead INFO 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com THE DEAL: Guests can get free admission within seven days of their birthdays. (Tickets must be purchased at the aquarium, proof of birthday required.)
Chili's
Credit: Brinker International
AGES All WHERE Click " Locations" on the Chili's main site to find a restaurant near you INFO chilis.com THE DEAL: Guests who sign up for "My Chili's + Plenti Rewards" score coupons in the mail, including one for a free dessert on their birthday.
Olive Garden
Credit: Olive Garden
AGES All WHERE Click "Find a Restaurant" to find a location near you INFO olivegarden.com THE DEAL: Members of the Olive Garden eClub get a free dessert on birthdays (one item only, up to $8.50).
Cold Stone Creamery
Credit: Cold Stone Creamery via Facebook
AGES All WHERE Visit the website to find location near you INFO coldstonecreamery.com THE DEAL: Join the Cold Stone eClub to receive a buy one/ get one free coupon emailed to you.
Jersey Mike's Subs
Credit: Jersey Mike’s Subs
AGES All WHERE Visit the website to find locations near you INFO jerseymikes.com THE DEAL: A coupon for a free regular sub and 22-ounce fountain drink will be emailed in time for your birthday.
Denny's
Credit: Denny's
AGES All WHERE 371 Old Country Rd., Carle Place; 143 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon; 255 Centereach Mall, Centereach INFO dennys.com THE DEAL: Guests can get a complimentary original Grand Slam -- two pancakes, two strips of bacon, two eggs and two sausage links -- on their birthday. (Proof of birthday is required.)
P.F. Chang's
Credit: Bruce Gilbert
AGES All WHERE 1504 Old Country Rd., Westbury; 160 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station; 476 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove INFO pfchangs.com THE DEAL: Sign your kids up for P.F. Chang's rewards program and they will receive a free appetizer or signature dessert during their birth month.
Barnes & Noble
Credit: Ian J. Stark
AGES 12 and under WHERE Click "Find a Store" for location information INFO barnesandnoble.com THE DEAL: Sign up for the free Kids' Club and enter your child's birthday. You'll receive an email coupon for a free cupcake from the Barnes & Noble cafe on your child's birthday.
Panera Bread
Credit: Handout
AGES All WHERE Visit website for locations INFO panerabread.com THE DEAL: Register your children with Panera Bread's "My Panera" rewards program and they can receive a free cookie on their birthdays.
Baskin-Robbins
Credit: Baskin-Robbins
AGES All WHERE Click on "Find A Shop" to locate one in your area INFO baskinrobbins.com THE DEAL: Join the Birthday Club and receive a 2.5-ounce scoop of your favorite ice cream on your birthday. Keep an eye out for an email with a $3 off a cake coupon (minimum $15 purchase) about a month before the birthday.
Benihana
Credit: Handout
AGES 12 and under WHERE 2105 Northern Blvd., Manhasset and 920 Merchant's Concourse, Westbury INFO benihana.com/kabukikids THE DEAL: Fill out the form on the website with your child's information to receive a postcard that entitles them to a free souvenir mug with the purchase of any Kabuki Kids meal.
Boston Market
Credit: AP
AGES 12 and under WHERE search for the Long Island location near you on the restaurant chain's INFO Bostonmarket.com THE DEAL: Sign your kids up for the VIP club and receive a birthday coupon for a free kid's meal.
IHOP
Credit: Newsday
AGES All WHERE Click on "locations" to find an IHOP near you INFO ihop.com THE DEAL: Sign up on the restaurant chain's website for a free stack of pancakes on your birthday.
Red Robin
Credit: Red Robin
AGES All WHERE 125 Old Country Rd., Carle Place; 2405 Merrick Rd., Bellmore; 1035 Montauk Hwy., West Babylon INFO redrobin.com THE DEAL: Join the e-club and receive a free burger on your birthday.
Bowlmor
Credit: Bruce Gilbert
AGES All WHERE 895 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville INFO 631-271-1180; bowlmor.com THE DEAL: On the website, enter your email for special offers. About a month before your birthday, you'll receive an email for one free game and shoe rental.
Paint A Piece
Credit: Johnny Milano
AGES All WHERE 6126 Jericho Tpke., Commack INFO 631-486-6969; paintapiecepottery.com THE DEAL: If you head to Paint a Piece on your child's birthday, the birthday child will receive a 4-by-4-inch tile to paint.
