PizzaExpress £5 after school club – Kids eat for £5, is this the best on a budget family meal deal?
If you are searching for cheap family meals in the UK that still feel like a treat, the PizzaExpress £5 after school club deal is one to know about. We’ve just come back from Rome where we found lots of authentic places to eat on a budget and it’s fair to say we’re missing dining out and eating pizzas!
The PizzaExpress £5 After School Club menu has quickly become one of our favourite budget family dining finds, especially for those in between moments like after school or during a day out. With selected dishes (see the menu below) for just £5 and the Kids Piccolo menu offering three courses and a babyccino for the same price, it is one of the best kids eat for £5 deals I have come across.
We have been twice to our local Tunbridge Wells restaurant, and it is exactly the kind of simple, affordable experience I am always looking for when it comes to family days out on a budget. You need the app to claim the deal, so make sure you download it before you go. They have a great rewards scheme so it’s an app worth using in my opinion, not just because of this deal.
Why this is one of the best cheap family meals in the UK
Available between 3pm and 5pm, this offer is ideal for that post-school window when everyone is hungry, tired, and you just want something easy without breaking the bank (bonus points for no washing up or meal prep either!). I’ve popped the menu for the deal above if you want a browse. The good news is there are grown-up mains and drinks too.
Do kids eat for £5 for real?
The After School Club menu is a limited time offer where selected dishes are just £5 each, making it a brilliant option for affordable family dining.
Even better, it includes the Kids Piccolo menu, where children get:
- Starter
- Main
- Dessert
- Babyccino
All for just £5
Considering how quickly a family meal out can add up, this genuinely feels like a rare deal that has not been watered down. Ironically, the trick to getting the absolute best value to order water as the kids’ drink.
Our faves are the kids’ piccolo menu, the adult American and the warm veg and chicken bowl.
Why it works so well for families
As someone who is always looking for ways to create those little lifestyle moments without blowing the budget, this ticks so many boxes. Plus the restaurant has fab shaker wall panelling (one of my fave DIYs).
1. It feels like a treat, not a compromise
You are still sitting down in a proper restaurant, with good food and a nice atmosphere, but without the usual price tag that comes with it.
2. Perfect timing for families
The 3 pm to 5 pm slot works brilliantly after school or when you are out for the day and want an early, easy dinner option. As the deal is aimed at families, you can relax and not worry if the kids are loud etc as everyone there is in the same boat.
3. The kids’ offering is genuinely generous
Three courses plus a babyccino for £5 is almost unheard of now. It turns a quick meal into more of an experience for them, which makes it feel like a proper outing. If they drink tap water then there’s no additional costs (except for a tip obvs).
Our experience
We have now been twice in the last few weeks, and both times it has felt like such a win.
The kids loved having their own three-course meal, and the babyccino at the end made it feel extra special. From a parent’s perspective, it is one of those rare situations where you are not mentally adding up the bill while you are eating. I also noticed a cocktail deal where it’s two Aperol Spritz for £14 (usually £9.95 each) so that’s a deal worthy of a Friday after-school treat if I ever saw one!
It is also a great option if you are planning a budget-friendly day out, whether that is shopping, a museum trip, or just a wander into town. Pairing something like this with a free or low-cost activity is exactly how I approach my bespoke on a budget lifestyle.
Download the app now…
If you haven’t already, download the app here and put in my referral code (S985CA) and we’ll both get a free starter!
My “bespoke on a budget” approach
Instead of cutting back on experiences, you are just being smarter about when and how you do them. A mid afternoon meal deal like this lets you enjoy eating out as a family, without it becoming a costly habit. I get a £5 glass of wine, Mr D gets a Peroni and we feel like we’re getting a treat too (aside from a night of endless snack-making and washing up).
It is the same principle I use in interiors, mixing high and low, being intentional, and getting maximum impact for less.
Top tips to make the most of it
- Go early if you can – restaurants can get busy towards 5pm
- Order the kids a jug of tap water (if you’re really sticking to a budget) – as the soft drinks can bump up the bill (£4.25 for a can of Coke!!)
- Pair it with a day out – think parks, museums, or a quick shopping trip
- Check your local restaurant – menus can vary slightly by location
- Watch out for the Peroni! – The Peroni in the offer is the small one, which is usually less than £5 to start with in our PizzaExpress, so the larger one (not in the deal) works out better value.
- Keep an eye on offers – these deals can change, so it is worth using them while they are available
- Make sure you have the app – you need the app to get this deal.
Kids eat for £5 – a weekday win!
If you are searching for cheap family meals or just ways to make your money go further without sacrificing quality time, this is 100 per cent worth trying. I used to save up and use my Tesco vouchers, but while this offer is running and kids eat for £5, I’m going to keep booking our spot at the PizzaExpress £5 after school club.
And honestly, anything that gives you a stress-free family meal out for £5 a kid deserves a spot in your regular rotation – a night off from the kitchen & no washing up for us – woo hoo!
