Many family-friendly spots offer special treats or experiences for little ones on their special day. Here are some great birthday freebies for kids in Calgary:
Full list:
- Dairy Queen
- Build-A-Bear
- Chapters
- Boston Pizza
- Cineplex
- Toys R Us
- Kids Bowl
- Milestones
- Famoso
- iHop
- Kernels
- Pizza hut
- Chuck E Cheese
- Marble Slab
- The KEG
- Coras
- Jugo Juice
- Lego Store
1. Dairy Queen
Gift: Free ice cream cone or treat
How to Get It: Sign up your child for the Dairy Queen Blizzard Fan Club, and they’ll receive a coupon for a free Blizzard or ice cream treat on their birthday.
Expiration: Typically valid for the week around their birthday, so there’s plenty of time to redeem it.
2. Build-A-Bear Workshop
(unfortunately there is no longer a physical build-a-bear workshop so you’ll need to find a different location for this!)
Gift: Pay your age for a birthday bear
How to Get It: Sign up for the Build-A-Bear Bonus Club and your child can get a special birthday bear for the price of their age! For example, if they’re turning 5, you’ll pay just $5 for the bear.
Expiration: Available during their birthday month.
Pro Tip: The bear comes with a “Happy Birthday” sound inside, making it an extra special keepsake.
3. Chapters Indigo
Gift: $5 birthday gift
How to Get It: Sign up for the Plum Rewards program, and children ages 12 and under will receive a $5 birthday coupon to use on books or toys.
Expiration: The offer is usually valid for their birthday month.
Pro Tip: You can redeem this on books, toys, or craft kits, so it’s a great way to pick up something fun and educational.
4. Boston Pizza Kids Program
Gift: Free kids’ meal
How to Get It: Enroll your child in the Boston Pizza Kids Card program, and they’ll receive a voucher for a free kids’ meal on their birthday.
Expiration: The voucher is valid during their birthday week, so you have a few days to redeem it.
Pro Tip: If you dine in as a family, Boston Pizza often has additional birthday offers for the group.
5. Cineplex Scene Kids
Gift: Free movie ticket
How to Get It: Sign your child up for the Scene+ program, and they can receive a free movie ticket for their birthday.
Expiration: This offer is valid on their birthday, giving your little one a fun movie experience.
Pro Tip: Pair the free ticket with points you’ve earned for concessions or extra tickets for the rest of the family.
6. Toys “R” Us
Gift: Free birthday crown, balloon, and in-store celebration
How to Get It: Join the Toys “R” Us Geoffrey’s Birthday Club, and your child will receive a birthday card in the mail along with an invitation to visit the store for a birthday crown, balloon, and in-store celebration.
Expiration: You can visit the store at any time during their birthday month.
Pro Tip: Sometimes stores offer additional perks or discounts for Geoffrey’s Birthday Club members.
7. Kids Bowl Free Program
Gift: 2 free bowling games
How to Get It: Register your child for the Kids Bowl Free program (available at certain bowling alleys like Century Bowling in Calgary), and they’ll get 2 free games every day during the summer months, including their birthday.
Expiration: Though the free games are summer-long, you can use this perk to celebrate their birthday if it falls in those months.
Pro Tip: Parents can purchase a family pass for discounted rates, so everyone can join the fun.
8. Milestones Kids Program
Gift: Free kids’ meal
How to Get It: Sign up for Milestones Kids Birthday Program, and your child will receive a voucher for a free kids’ meal when dining in.
Expiration: This offer is valid during their birthday week, so you have a bit of flexibility.
Pro Tip: You can pair this with other promotions Milestones may have for parents as well.
9. Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria
Gift: Free kids’ meal
How to Get It: Join the Famoso Kids Club, and your child will receive a coupon for a free kids’ meal on their birthday when dining in.
Expiration: Typically valid for the week of their birthday.
Pro Tip: Famoso is a family-friendly restaurant, making it a great spot for a birthday dinner celebration!
10. iHOP
Gift: Free stack of pancakes
How to Get It: Sign up for the IHOP Pancake Revolution, and your child will receive a coupon for a free birthday stack of pancakes.
Expiration: This freebie is usually available for the week surrounding your child’s birthday.
Pro Tip: IHOP often sends out other promotions and deals throughout the year for kids, so stay signed up!
11. Kernels Popcorn
Gift: Free bag of popcorn
How to Get It: Sign up for the Kernels Popcorn Kernels Club, and your child will get a voucher for a free bag of popcorn on their birthday.
Expiration: The birthday popcorn voucher is valid for a few days around your child’s birthday.
Pro Tip: Kernels also sends out regular offers, so you can enjoy other discounts throughout the year.
12. Pizza Hut
Gift: Free pizza
How to Get It: Join the Pizza Hut Birthday Club, and your child will receive a coupon for a free personal pizza on their birthday.
Expiration: Valid during the birthday week, perfect for a pizza party!
Pro Tip: You can dine in or order for carryout, making it a flexible option for birthday plans.
13. Chuck E. Cheese
Gift: 20 free play points
How to Get It: Enroll your child in the Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Club, and they’ll receive a coupon for 20 free play points, which can be used on arcade games during their visit.
Expiration: The free play points are valid during the week of their birthday.
Pro Tip: Chuck E. Cheese also offers birthday party packages with extra perks, so you can plan a full celebration!
14. Marble Slab Creamery
Gift: Free ice cream cone
How to Get It: Sign up for Marble Slab’s Slab Happy Rewards program, and your child will get a free ice cream cone on their birthday.
Expiration: The birthday coupon is usually valid for a week before and after the birthday.
Pro Tip: Marble Slab has tons of toppings, so your child can customize their cone for a special birthday treat.
15. The Keg Steakhouse (Kids)
Gift: Free kids’ meal dessert
How to Get It: While The Keg doesn’t have an official birthday program for adults, kids who dine in with their family can often receive a complimentary birthday dessert when they celebrate at the restaurant.
Expiration: Valid on the birthday itself or during the week surrounding it.
Pro Tip: Mention that it’s your child’s birthday when you arrive to ensure they receive the birthday treat.
16. Cora’s Breakfast and Lunch
Gift: Free kids’ meal
How to Get It: Cora’s doesn’t have an official birthday club, but some locations offer a free kids’ meal when you bring your child to dine in on their birthday. Call ahead to confirm!
Expiration: Typically available on the birthday itself.
Pro Tip: If your child loves breakfast foods, this is a great way to start the day with a birthday meal!
17. Jugo Juice
Gift: Free smoothie
How to Get It: Sign your child up for the Jugo Juice Rewards program, and they’ll receive a free birthday smoothie.
Expiration: The birthday smoothie voucher is usually valid for the week of their birthday.
Pro Tip: Jugo Juice has tons of healthy and tasty options, so it’s a great treat for active kids!
18. Lego Store
Gift: Free mini figure
How to Get It: Stop by your lego store and tell them it’s your kids birthday! Most stores will allow them to build their own mini figure!
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Extra Birthday Celebration Ideas for Kids:
Local Libraries: Some Calgary public libraries offer special birthday perks for children, including fun events, free books, or activity kits. Check with your local branch for any birthday programs.
Amusement Parks and Zoos: Sometimes places like Calgary Zoo or Calaway Park offer birthday discounts or free admissions for kids on their birthday, so it’s worth calling ahead to see if they have any offers available during your child’s special day.
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Tips for Birthday Freebies for Kids:
Sign up in advance: Some of these programs require registration at least a few weeks before your child’s birthday to ensure they get their reward in time.
Plan ahead: Some offers are valid for the week or even the entire month, so you can plan a birthday week full of freebies and fun experiences.
Call ahead: For events like in-store celebrations at Toys “R” Us, it’s always a good idea to check with the store to ensure availability or book a time if needed.
With these birthday freebies, your little one can have an unforgettable birthday celebration packed with fun activities, treats, and experiences—all for free! 
