Back To School Event #4: Kids Eat Free at IHOP {$25 Gift Card Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, JC!}

When it comes to back-to-school time, kids are always the focus - which makes sense, right? After all, they're the ones that have to get up, get dressed, get out the door with their lunch and their backpack, make it through the day, go to after school activities, do their homework, get some sleep, and do it all the next day.

As any parent can tell you, that's true... to an extent. Because although kids are the ones hopping on the school bus or sitting at the desks, it is the moms and dads that are the ones who tirelessly work behind the scenes to make sure it all happens. Who is acting as the alarm clock, packing the lunches and driving to the activities?

Fortunately, there are companies and places out there that realize that hard working parents are superheroes this time of year and often need a break from the hustle and bustle. Which is why the Kids Eat Free promotion going on at IHOP is a great way to take a night off of cooking and have a delicious meal for the whole family!

That's right, free!

Running through August 31^st, every day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. children 12 and under can order any item off the "Just for Kids" menu for free with every purchase of an adult entrée. Every item on the IHOP kids menu – from the signature Rooty Jr to the crispy chicken strips to the Create-A-Face Pancake – are SIMPLE & FIT selections that are under 600 calories, and lunch and dinner items are served with fresh fruit.

So not only is your child's meal free, but it is delicious and healthy as well! And, adding to the fun, children will receive an exclusive "Spy Kids" themed activity book packed with adventures for the whole family, as well as a special section filled with valuable back-to-school coupons, including special offers from retailers of name-brand shoes and clothing.

When it comes to getting kids prepared for the start of the school year, I appreciate that IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is doing something to give parents a break with the return of its popular Kids Eat Free promotion. Throw in the "Spy Kids" activity book with money-saving coupons for back-to-school purchases and it's a win-win!

But, wait! For even more winning, families also have a chance to win their own action-packed adventure with the launch of the IHOP "Spy Kids" Sweepstakes. Running from August 1^st - September 31^st, enter for a chance to win one grand prize family trip for four to Troublemaker Studio in Austin, Texas for a meet and greet with Spy Kids writer and director, Robert Rodriguez.

The grand prize winner also receives passes to nearby family attractions, including Schliterbahn Water Park and the Austin Children’s Museum, plus a DVD prize pack and IHOP gift cards. Four first place winners will receive a movie studio swag bag filled with DVDs and other promotional items, as well as IHOP gift cards. To enter for a chance to win and for official rules visit their sweepstakes page.

Thanks to their generosity, one person will be ready for a yummy meal (and their kids can eat free!) soon, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift card to IHOP!

Be sure to visit the IHOP giveaways on An Island Life, A Frugal Friend and Planes, Trains and Taxi Cabs as well for even more chances to win a great gift card!

To enter to win: Tell me what makes you a superhero during this time of year.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like IHOP on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN a $25 IHOP gift card and have a delicious meal today! http://bit.ly/qkNgKG @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if your put our Back To School button up on your blog (find the code over in the sidebar). Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 26th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to IHOP for providing a $25 gift card for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.