15 Fast Food Kids Meals for the Little Ones
Fast food kids meals are a time-honored treat for many kids all over the United States.
They’re convenient, inexpensive, and make the perfect once-in-a-while lunch for the little one in your life.
Whether you have kids, are babysitting, or maybe looking to treat your inner child, a kids meal is a great way to feed them on the go.
Luckily, there are many fast food chains that offer fun meals on their kids’ menus.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best fast food kids meals that will satisfy even the pickiest of palates.
15. Arby’s: Roast Beef Slider Kids Meal
Arby’s is best known for its roast beef sandwiches and curly fries, with over 3,300 locations in the United States.
Arby’s kids menu offers a variety of options, including a child-sized version of their signature roast beef sandwich.
The Roast Beef Slider Kids Meal comes with roast beef and Swiss cheese on a slider-sized bun, curly fries, and a water bottle.
It’s 460 calories and contains 20 grams of fat, 1,050 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
Arby’s kids menu also features Chicken Slider and Chicken Nugget Kids Meals if your kid isn’t a big fan of roast beef.
14. Jersey Mike’s: Kids Meal
Jersey Mike’s is a popular sandwich chain famous for serving New Jersey-style submarine sandwiches.
They operate in over 2,300 locations in the US.
Jersey Mike’s kids menu features child-friendly sizes of their submarine sandwiches.
They recommend that their kids meals are suitable for children ages 8 and under.
A Jersey Mike’s kids meal comes with a kid’s sub, a cookie, and a bottle of water.
The kid’s subs come in flavors like provolone and ham, provolone and turkey, and provolone and salami.
They’re made with white bread, lettuce, and tomato, but you can swap the bread out for wheat bread or rosemary if you’d like.
You can also add or remove any toppings instead of lettuce and tomato.
The cookie can be a chocolate chip or an M&M cookie.
13. Subway: Oven-Roasted Turkey for Kids
Subway is another of the most popular sandwich chains in the US, with over 21,000 locations.
Subway’s kids menu is called the Fresh Fit for Kids.
One of their most popular kids meals is the Oven-Roasted Turkey for Kids.
It’s a 4” sub made with oven-roasted turkey, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and red onions on hearty multigrain bread.
You can add cheese, sauces, and seasonings or change the toppings.
It comes with a side of applesauce and a choice of low-fat milk or Honest Kids’ Fruit Punch.
The Oven-Roasted Turkey for Kids (just the sandwich, not including the sides) is 160 calories and contains 2 grams of fat, 450 milligrams of sodium, and 11 grams of protein.
If your kid doesn’t like turkey, the Fresh Fit for Kids Menu also offers a Black Forest Ham and a Veggie Delite option.
12. Jack in the Box: Cheeseburger Meal
Jack in the Box is an eclectic American fast food chain operating over 2,000 locations in 21 states.
Their kids menu features a variety of child-sized classic fast food items.
One of their most popular kids options is the Cheeseburger Meal.
It’s made with a 100% beef patty, melted American cheese, pickles, ketchup, and mustard on a toasted buttery bun.
It comes with child-sized fries and a bottle of water.
The cheeseburger on its own is 370 calories and contains 21 grams of fat, 880 milligrams of sodium, and 16 grams of protein.
In addition to the Cheeseburger Meal, Jack in the Box’s kids menu offers a Hamburger Meal and a Chicken Nuggets Meal.
11. Panda Express: Orange Chicken Cub Meal
Panda Express is one of the largest Chinese fast food chains in the United States.
They run almost 2,200 locations in 45 states.
Their version of a kids meal is called a Cub Meal.
One of the most beloved options is the Orange Chicken Cub Meal.
It comes with a child-sized serving of orange chicken, ½ side of white rice and super greens, and a water bottle.
The orange chicken (not including the sides) is 370 calories and contains 17 grams of fat, 620 milligrams of sodium, and 19 grams of protein.
In addition to the Orange Chicken, Panda Express offers Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli Beef Cub Meals.
10. Burger King: Cheeseburger King Jr. Meal
Burger King is one of the largest fast food chains operating over 7,000 locations in the US.
They call their kids menu “King Jr.”
One popular King Jr. menu item is the Cheeseburger King Jr. Meal.
It comes with a child-sized cheeseburger, made with a beef patty, American cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles on a sesame seed bun.
Burger King’s Kids Meals come with child-sized fries, a kid’s apple juice, and a toy.
A Cheeseburger King Jr. Meal, including the fries and apple juice, is 740 calories and contains 30 grams of fat, 1,270 milligrams of sodium, and 22 grams of protein.
In addition to the Cheeseburger King Jr. Meal, Burger King offers Hamburger and Chicken Nuggets King Jr. Meals.
9. Boston Market: Kid Rotisserie Chicken Nuggets
Boston Market is a fast casual restaurant chain famous for its comfort foods like rotisserie chicken and mac & cheese.
They run over 300 locations in 25 states.
Boston Market’s kids menu features child-sized portions of their popular comfort food favorites.
One of the most popular kids meals from Boston Market is the Kid Rotisserie Chicken Nuggets.
It comes with 5 tenders, all-white meat nuggets of rotisserie-style chicken, your choice of dipping sauce, a child-sized side, cornbread, and a carton of milk.
The side options include mashed potatoes, sweet corn, cilantro lime rice, fresh steamed broccoli, fresh vegetable stuffing, and mac & cheese.
For the dipping sauce, you can choose from Boston Market Sauce, Smoking Flame Sauce, BBQ sauce, and ranch.
In addition to the Kid Rotisserie Chicken Nuggets, Boston Market offers Kid Meatloaf, Kid Roasted Turkey Breast, and Kid Mac & Cheese.
8. Carl’s Jr.: Chicken Stars Kid’s Meal
Carl’s Jr. is best known for its charbroiled hamburgers sold at over 1,000 locations in the West and Southwest states.
Their kids menu is called “Starpals.”
One of the popular items on the Starpals menu is the Chicken Stars Kid’s Meal.
It comes with 4 pieces of signature Chicken Stars or star-shaped chicken nuggets.
It also comes with your choice of dipping sauce, child-sized fries, and a drink.
Not including fries and the drink, a Chicken Stars Kid’s Meal is 180 calories and contains 10 grams of fat, 320 milligrams of sodium, and 9 grams of protein.
In addition to the Chicken Stars Kid’s Meal, Carl’s Jr. offers a Hamburger, Cheeseburger, and 2-Piece Chicken Tender Kid’s Meal.
7. Wendy’s: Kids’ Cheeseburger
Wendy’s is another iconic American fast food chain famous for its burgers.
They operate in nearly 6,000 locations throughout the United States.
Wendy’s kids menu features child-sized servings of some of their popular menu items.
One of the best Wendy’s kids meals is the Kid’s Cheeseburger.
It’s made from a fresh beef patty, melted American cheese, and ketchup on a soft, child-sized bun.
It comes with a side of apple bites or Jr. Natural-Cut Fries, a carton of milk, and a toy.
A Kid’s Cheeseburger with a side of apple bites is 410 calories and contains 16 grams of fat, 620 milligrams of sodium, and 21 grams of protein.
In addition to the Kid’s Cheeseburger, Wendy’s offers a Kid’s Hamburger, 4 Piece Nuggets, and 4 Piece Spicy Nuggets.
6. Popeyes: 4Pc Nuggets Kids Meal
Popeyes is one of the most popular fried chicken chains in the US, with nearly 3,500 locations in 46 states.
Popeyes offers child-sized versions of some of its iconic menu items.
One of their most popular kids meals is the 4Pc Nuggets Kids Meal.
It comes with 4 chicken nuggets, your choice of dipping sauce, a GoGo Squeez Apple Sauce, a Minute Maid Apple Juice, and a toy.
Four Popeyes nuggets (not including the dipping sauce, applesauce, or apple juice) are 190 calories and contain 12 grams of fat, 440 milligrams of sodium, and 11 grams of protein.
In addition to the 4Pc Nuggets Kids Meal, Popeyes offers a Mac & Cheese Kids Meal, a 1Pc Leg Kids Meal, and a 1Pc Tender Kids Meal.
5. Culver’s: Corn Dog Kid’s Meal
Culver’s is an iconic Midwestern fast food chain famous for its signature ButterBurgers, frozen custard, and Wisconsin cheese curds.
They operate almost 900 locations in 25 states.
Culver’s kids menu is full of child-sized versions of their popular menu items.
One of the unique items on Culver’s kids menu is the Corn Dog Kid’s Meal.
It’s made with a premium hot dog, double-dipped in the honey batter, and deep-fried to a golden crisp.
You can choose from a side of crinkle-cut fries or Mott’s Applesauce and a drink of white milk, chocolate milk, apple juice, or a fountain drink.
In addition, each Culver’s kids meal comes with a free scoop of fresh frozen custard!
A Culver’s corn dog (just the dog, not including the sides, drink, or custard) is 240 calories and contains 14 grams of fat, 500 milligrams of sodium, and 6 grams of protein.
Culver’s kids menu also features a ButterBurger Kid’s Meal, Chicken Tenders Kid’s Meal, and Grilled Cheese Kid’s Meal.
4. Sonic Drive-In: Grilled Cheese Wacky Pack
Sonic Drive-In is an iconic 50s drive-thru-themed fast food chain with over 3,500 locations in 46 states.
They call their kids menu “Wacky Pack Kids Meals.”
One of Sonic’s most popular kids meals is the Grilled Cheese Wacky Pack.
The grilled cheese sandwich is made with melty American cheese on Texas Toast.
You can choose from a side of small fries, small Tots, Tree Top Applesauce, and a drink.
The grilled cheese sandwich (not including the sides and drink) is 430 calories and contains 19 grams of fat, 1,090 milligrams of sodium, and 14 grams of protein.
In addition to the Grilled Cheese Wacky Pack, Sonic offers a Hamburger Wacky Pack, a Crispy Tenders Wacky Pack, a Hot Dog Wacky Pack, and a Corn Dog Wacky Pack.
3. Panera Bread: Kids Signature Mac & Cheese
Panera Bread is one of the best bakery cafe chains, with over 2,000 locations throughout the United States.
Panera’s kids menu is one of the most extensive, offering child-sized versions of their popular soups, pastas, sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizzas.
One of the iconic Panera kids meals is the Kids Signature Mac & Cheese.
It’s made from a child-sized portion of shell pasta in a tangy white cheddar cheese sauce.
It comes with your choice of a side, including French baguette, apple, chips, strawberry yogurt, or mixed berry yogurt.
The mac & cheese (not including the side) is 480 calories and contains 32 grams of fat, 1,150 milligrams of sodium, and 16 grams of protein.
2. Chick-fil-A: 5 Ct Nuggets Kid’s Meal
Chick-fil-A is another beloved fried chicken chain in the US, with over 3,000 locations in 47 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
One of the most popular kids meals at Chick-fil-A is the 5 Ct Nuggets Kid’s Meal.
It comes with five Chick-fil-A Nuggets, your choice of a small side, a child-sized drink, and a toy.
The side options include Buddy Fruits Apple Sauce, mac & cheese, waffle potato fries, or a fruit cup.
The chicken nuggets (not including the side and drink) are 160 calories and contain 7 grams of fat, 760 milligrams of sodium, and 17 grams of protein.
In addition to the 5 Ct Nuggets Kid’s Meal, Chick-fil-A offers 2 Ct Chick-n-Strips and 5 Ct Grilled Nuggets Kid’s Meals.
1. McDonald’s: 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal
The first spot goes to McDonald’s, the world’s most iconic fast food chain that operates over 13,000 locations throughout the US.
McDonald’s iconic kids meals, also known as “Happy Meals,” always come to mind first when you think of fast food kids menus.
One of the most popular Happy Meals is the 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets.
It comes with 4 Chicken McNuggets, a child-sized serving of World Famous Fries, a side of apple slices, a jug of 1% milk, and a toy.
A 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal is 395 calories and contains 17 grams of fat, 500 milligrams of sodium, and 19 grams of protein.
In addition to the 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal, McDonald’s offers a 6 Piece Chicken McNuggets and Hamburger Happy Meals.
Conclusion
If you need to feed a hungry kid on the go, you can’t go wrong with any of these fast food kids meals.
Whether your kid likes burgers, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, or macaroni, there’s sure to be an option on this list that makes the perfect treat for them.
