December 3rd, 2009
Meals For Nothing (and Your Chips For Free)
New apps make dining long on conversation, short on price
Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to save money, but suddenly it’s 6pm, the kids are getting hungry, and no one’s even thought about what’s for dinner. So, the options are either braving Day Three of those reheated pasta leftovers, or trying to find a good, quick place to eat where they won’t roll their eyes at your, um, enthusiastic brood.
Luckily, Kids Eat For has come to the rescue. It’s a new site and mobile app (iPhone/Android) that finds all the restaurants near you that offer “kids eat free” deals. Plus, Kids Eat For includes reviews from Yelp for each restaurant, so you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. All major metropolitan areas are covered, and they even have exclusive deals – yes, that means you get to whisper secret passwords to get the deal.
But wait, you need more than just cheap food. Don’t forget about that seemingly super slo-mo time spent keeping the kids entertained until the food actually arrives. When crayons just won’t cut it, try Family Matters, an iPhone/Touch app that’s designed to spark imagination and conversation. Using a mix of games, challenges, and open-ended questions (“What would be another good name for this restaurant?”), Family Matters makes the time fly by. Need anymore incentive? For December, 50% of the proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
There you have it: a recipe for a fun, cheap, and delicious dinner. And you won’t even have to do the dishes.