Celebrating a child’s birthday can sometimes feel like planning a wedding. There’s the party, the food, the special “actual” birthday breakfast-lunch-snack-dinner, the special treats for their classroom, and — of course — the presents. It can be overwhelming and expensive. By the time the adult birthdays roll around, we’re often so done with celebrating that we tend to ignore them. I’m frugal to a fault but love to celebrate birthdays (including my own!) with gusto, and I’m here to tell you those two inclinations don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Thanks to all the birthday freebies and discounts offered by local businesses, anyone’s birthday can feel absolutely lavish without breaking the bank. Pick out your favorites from the list below, and plan a birthday freebie scavenger hunt. As a bonus, the special person will get lots of extra “Happy Birthday!” greetings when you pick up the goods. 

A Few Tips

  • If the birthday honoree is a grown-up, don’t forget to bring ID. Nothing’s worse than expecting free donuts and having to leave empty-handed. 
  • Many of these offers require trading your email for the freebies, usually one birthday entry per e-mail address. 
  • Offerings are always subject to change, so maybe call it a “birthday surprise” until you’re sure it’s still a free meal and not a free mint, if you know what I mean.

Breakfast

Pip’s Donuts – Head over to Pip’s on the big day and pick up not one, not two, but a DOZEN completely free donuts on the birthday or up to seven days after. 

Dutch Bros. Coffee – Free drink on your birthday when you sign up for their app.

IHOP – Free pancakes on your birthday, when you join MY IHOP.

Krispy Kreme – Free food on your birthday (varies) when you sign up for Krispy Kreme rewards.

Peet’s Coffee – Earn 25 points on your birthday and a free baked good or drink on your Peetnik Rewards Anniversary when signed up for the reward program.

Starbucks – Free drink or food item of your choice on your birthday with My Starbucks Rewards.

The Waffle Window – Sign up for their Waffle Club email list and get a voucher for a free waffle on your birthday. 

Meals

Abby’s Legendary Pizza – Sign up for e-club and get a surprise on your birthday (in the past this has been a mini pizza).

Baja Fresh – Special offer on your birthday when you sign up for Club Baja.

Black Bear Diner – Sign up for their e-club and get a free meal now and another on your birthday.

Firehouse Subs – Free medium sub on your birthday when you sign up for Firehouse Rewards.

Jersey Mike’s – Free sub on your birthday when signed up for MyMikes rewards.

Old Spaghetti Factory – Join their birthday kids’ club and get a free kids’ meal on your child’s birthday, and a free treat on their half-birthday! 12 and under only.

P.F. Chang’s – Complimentary dessert or appetizer during your birthday month when you are signed up for the rewards program.

Pietro’s Pizza – Free birthday gift (in the past this has been a free meal) when you sign up for their VIP club. They also do anniversary gifts!

Red Robin – Register and receive a free birthday burger on your child’s birthday.

Black Angus Steakhouse – Free dessert when you sign up for their Prime Club, plus a free steak dinner on your first birthday as a Prime Club Member.

Benihana – Register for The Chef’s Table and receive a complimentary $30 Benihana birthday certificate during the month of your birthday.

Buffalo Wild Wings – 6 free wings during your birthday month.

Einstein Bros Bagels – Free egg sandwich with purchase within 14 days of your birthday when you join the Shmear Society.

Hotlips Pizza – Free slice on your birthday.

Auntie Anne’s – Free pretzel reward on your birthday when you sign up for rewards.

Wetzels Pretzels – Free pretzel on your birthday when you download the app.

Mando’s Food Truck – Free meal valued up to $15.

Activities

Build-a-Bear Workshop – Sign up for their Bonus Club, and bring your child in during their birthday month to “count their candles,” and “pay their age” for a birthday stuffed animal. Not free, but this means your three-year-old will only pay $3.00 for a new stuffy. 

Mud Puddles Toys and Books – Sign up for their Birthday Club in store, and your child (12 and under) will receive a postcard gift card worth $5 for in-store shopping. 

Flex & Flow – Enter your birthdate to take a free yoga or HIIT class in their Portland studio on or up to 7 days after your birthday.

Redbox – $2 reward code on your birthday with Redbox Perks.

Float On – Get a half-priced float on the week of your birthday. Call to schedule; don’t book online to get the deal.

Sweets and Sips

Nico’s Ice Cream – Free birthday scoop.

Favela Brazilian Cafe – Free brigadeiro (chocolate ball).

Tita’s Kitchen Peruvian Cuisine – Free churro on your birthday, Troutdale location only.

Kulfi – Free pop on your birthday.

A&W – Free Root Beer Float when you join the Mug Club.

Dairy Hill Ice Cream – Free scoop when you are signed up for text alerts and rewards.

Baskin Robbins – Free ice cream scoop on your birthday when you sign up for the birthday club.

Cold Stone Creamery – BOGO coupon on your account up to 7 days prior to your birthday.

Ben & Jerry’s – free scoop on your birthday month when signed up as a Flavor Fanatic.

Burgerville – Download the app and get a free reward on your birthday, typically a treat or shake.

Cloud City Ice Cream – Get a free scoop on your birthday, ID required. 

Fat Cupcake – Free full-size cupcake on your birthday.

La Provence & Petite Provence – Free birthday reward, typically free dessert with dine-in purchase, when you sign up for Club Provence.

Panera Bread – Surprise on your birthday, when you are signed up for MyPanera (this has been a free pastry in the past).

Pastini – Free slice of tiramisu on your birthday.

Rogue – Free birthday beer when you join Rogue Nation.

Shari’s – Free pie on your birthday; bonus points if your birthday is on a Tuesday, because kids eat free on Tuesdays all year long (with purchase of one adult meal per free kid’s meal).

Subway – Free surprise on your birthday, when signed up for rewards.

Applebees – Free birthday dessert for members of their email club.

Urban Farmer – Free item (typically dessert) on your birthday when you sign up to receive emails.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse – Free Pizookie when you sign up and on your birthday.

Del Taco – Free regular size shake when you join Del Yeah Rewards.

Edible Arrangements – Free 12 count chocolate dipped fruit box for your birthday.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt – Free $5 froyo on your birthday, when you sign up for perks.

Melting Pot – Free signature dipped strawberries when you sign up and birthday vouchers.

Cinnabon – 16oz Cold Brew for your birthday

Jamba Juice – Free birthday smoothie with 15 point minimum to qualify.

Xico Mexican Restaurant – Free dessert, typically flan, on special occasions.

Fogo de Chão – Complimentary dessert at the end of your meal, which will be served with a candle and “Happy Birthday” written on the plate. You will also receive a birthday coupon when you sign up for their e-club.

Mikes Drive-In – Subscribe to emails and get a free sundae for your birthday.

Happy treat hunting! 

Wish your freebie was on this list? Send us a DM on Instagram and we’ll add it!

Looking for a party venue? Our birthday directory is full of local businesses ready to make celebrating your child a breeze.

Meg Asby
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