Free kids' menu template for UK pubs, cafés and restaurants
Updated 20 October 2026
Copy the free kids' menu template below, set one price for a main, a side and a drink, and print it on A5 in big type, or make it in our free menu maker and download a PDF. It's built the way family pubs and cafés sell to children: a few simple choices, one meal price, smaller portions of adult dishes, and an allergen line parents can see at once. It also covers the UK calorie rule, which treats children's menus differently from adult ones. Then offer the same kids' meal online with the choices built in.
In short
- One price, three choices: "Any main, side and drink £[__]" is quicker for parents than a list of separate prices.
- Calories: businesses in England with 250 or more employees must show kcal on children's menus, but don't need the "Adults need around 2000 kcal a day" statement on a page or menu that only lists children's food.
- Allergens: parents ask first, so put the allergy notice at the top and "Contains:" under each dish.
- Big type, few words: A5 with the Bold board design reads easily for children and parents.
Make this template in the free menu maker
| Setting | Kids' menu |
|---|---|
| Design | Bold board, or Café for a softer look |
| Size | A5 (the A4 layout printed smaller) |
| Currency | £ |
| Sections | Mains, sides, drinks, puddings |
| Foot line | Allergy notice and the age range, such as "For children under 12" |
In the printable menu maker, paste one item per line. Leave the mains, sides and drinks without prices if they're part of a meal deal, and put the meal price at the top as its own line ("Kids' meal: main, side and drink 7.95").
Copy-ready kids' menu template
[YOUR VENUE] KIDS' MENU (for children under [12]) Pick a main, a side and a drink · £[__] · Add a pudding · £[__]
Food allergies or intolerances? Please tell us before you order. We'll check every dish for you.
1. PICK A MAIN Fish fingers (Contains: fish, gluten) · Chicken goujons (Contains: gluten, egg) · Mini margherita pizza (V) (Contains: gluten, milk) · Pasta with tomato sauce (V) · Mini roast (Sundays)
2. PICK A SIDE Chips (V) · Mash (V) · Peas (V) · Beans (V) · Salad (V)
3. PICK A DRINK Fruit juice · Milk · Water · Squash
PUDDINGS · Ice cream (V) (Contains: milk) · Fruit pot (V)
(V) vegetarian · Prices include VAT. Calories (if you show them): add the kcal after each dish. No 2000 kcal statement is needed on a kids-only menu.
Add a back page for colouring or a puzzle if you print one; keep the menu side clean so parents can read it fast.
UK rules for children's menus
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Calories on kids' menus | For businesses with 250+ employees in England: show kcal per portion. The "Adults need around 2000 kcal a day" statement isn't needed on a menu, or a page, that only lists food for children (DHSC guidance) |
| Online and delivery | The calorie rule covers food sold on websites and apps too, for the same businesses |
| Allergens | All 14, in writing or with a sign to ask; for online and phone orders, before the order and again on delivery |
| Prices | Including VAT; food eaten in is standard-rated at 20%, and hot takeaway food too |
Smaller businesses don't have to show calories, but many family venues do. See calorie labelling on menus. Build the allergen detail first with the free allergen chart maker.
The same kids' meal online
On Menuthere, make the kids' meal one dish with its price, then add three required single-choice groups: "Pick a main", "Pick a side" and "Pick a drink". Customers can't add it to the basket until they've picked all three. Tag the 14 allergens and the kcal on each option's dish on every plan, including Free. See add-ons and choices and allergens and nutrition.
"Kids eat for £1" or half-price days. Run them as an item offer on the kids' meal for chosen days (Lite). See create an item offer.
More layouts: pub menu template, breakfast menu template and all UK menu templates.
FAQs
Is this kids' menu template free?
Yes. Copy the layout into Word or Google Docs, or make it in the free menu maker and download a PDF, with no sign-up or watermark.
Do kids' menus need calories in the UK?
Only for businesses with 250 or more employees in England. They must show kcal per portion on children's menus, but don't need the "Adults need around 2000 kcal a day" statement on a menu or page that only lists children's food.
What should a kids' menu include?
A few simple mains, sides and drinks, one meal price, an allergy notice at the top and "Contains:" under each dish. Say the age range, such as under 12.
What size should a kids' menu be?
A5 is the usual size: the A4 layout printed smaller. Use big type and few words, and keep any colouring or puzzles on the back.
Can parents order a kids' meal online?
Yes, on Menuthere. Make the meal one dish with required "Pick a main", "Pick a side" and "Pick a drink" choices, and the order shows all three on the kitchen ticket.
Sources (3)
- DHSC, Calorie labelling in the out of home sector: implementation guidance ("Children's menus are required to display calorie information. However, they are not required to display the statement 'adults need around 2000 kcal a day'…"; 250+ employees; websites and apps covered; in force 6 April 2022): gov.uk/government/publications/calorie-labelling-in-the-out-of-home-sector/calorie-labelling-in-the-out-of-home-sector-implementation-guidance (accessed 20 Oct 2026)
- FSA, Allergen guidance for food businesses (updated 17 July 2026; 14 allergens; distance selling §3.2): gov.uk/government/publications/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses (accessed 20 Oct 2026)
- HMRC, VAT Notice 709/1 (on-premises consumption and hot takeaway food standard-rated): gov.uk/guidance/catering-takeaway-food-and-vat-notice-7091 (accessed 20 Oct 2026)