If there's one way to grab the attention of parents it's by giving them a way to save money.
The summer holidays have always been an expensive affair and that was before the cost of living crisis that's left many families struggling to make ends meet.
So it's not surprising that the words 'kids eat free' or 'kids eat for a quid' are music to the ears of cash-strapped parents.
Read more: Things to do with the kids in and around Manchester this school summer holidays
Yet the thing with these offers is that ultimately some of them are just not very good.
It all sounds wonderful that kids eat free, but when you find out it doesn't include a drink, it only applies to under 8s, and mum or dad have to spend at least a tenner each to qualify for the offer, it soon loses its appeal. It might well make for a decent saving, but if you're watching every penny, then for many it's simply not realistic.
However, find the right place, like we did this week, and you could be onto a winner.
OK so the Asda café might not be your location of choice for a bite to eat, but when you see what kids actually get for £1 you might just change your mind.
And if you are struggling financially, or simply have mouths to feed while you're out shopping, then full bellies is surely the priority anyway.
Depending on which café you visit, they can either get a hot meal - choosing from the likes of fish fingers, chips and peas; chicken nuggets, chips and beans; a breakfast, mac and cheese, or pancakes - or a cold pick and mix, which you can either eat in or take away, so it's ideal if you're planning a picnic.
Not all Asdas have their own café, in Trafford and Leigh, for example there's a McDonald's instead, so you do need to check your local branch first.
It was Asda in Horwich, Bolton, where we visited this week - with my two children choosing the cold option to go.
With the pick and mix, children get a sandwich, a drink, a piece of fruit, a fromage frais yoghurt and a treat item.
Choices are cheese spread or ham for the sandwich, an orange or blackcurrant Capri-Sun, apple or banana and a strawberry yoghurt. Treat items to choose from on our visit were Cadbury fingers, Oreo biscuits or a packet of crisps.
The offer is clearly in demand as some sandwiches had already been made up and were wrapped in clingfilm inside a box, which made getting the lunch even quicker - a couple of minutes if that.
Another plus point of the offer is that it applies to any child 16 or under, so even those with tweens and teens can make use of it, providing it meets their standards that is!
Oh and those with babies don't miss out either, as you can get a free 70g pouch of Ella's Kitchen baby food.
Really there's nothing not to like. They might well prefer a fizzy drink, but most youngsters will drink a Capri-Sun and while there's nothing fancy about the sandwich - just plain white bread buttered and with the filling on - arguably that's how most kids prefer them anyway.
My two polished off everything except the yoghurts, neither are particularly keen despite devouring spoonfuls of the stuff as toddlers, yet they somehow they didn't have the same aversion towards the biscuits.
I was actually gobsmacked by what the deal includes, especially when there is no obligation on parents to buy anything from the café.
I'm sure many will - or there'll be something they need to pick up from the supermarket while they're there - Asda bosses aren't daft. But there's surely little to no profit involved in these £1 lunches and it's definitely one thing they deserve praise for.
With retailers offering price matches and price promises at every turn, wouldn't it be great if other supermarkets followed Asda's lead.
The Kids Eat for £1 initiative is available all day, every day until September 4 in England and Wales, as long as the café is open and dependent on the store, a hot meal or cold meal, or both, will be on offer.
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