Discover the Best Kids Cooking Classes Near Me
Cooking with kids is a great way to bond as a young family and teaches independence to young children. Cooking is a great creative outlet for kids and young families to learn together, including learning how to measure ingredients, shop for meal planning, and save money on buying takeout. It’s also a wonderful way to get young children involved in household chores and duties to maintain their independence.
Cooking has been a popular art for thousands of years, from making homemade pasta to bread and more, it infuses culture, food, and sense of taste to achieve tasty meals. Not only is cooking far more nutritious, but it saves money on buying takeout and allows for quality time with family.
Cooking classes with kids are available across the country, with the guidance of experienced instructors and delicious unique recipes. Cooking with kids involves creativity, patience, and guidance from an adult, but helps kids learn the necessary skills in life from a young age. Cooking can be challenging, collaborative, and fun for kids, including enhancing their language and mathematical skills. CourseHorse offers a variety of cooking classes with kids, from desserts to pizza, there’s fun to be had for families of all sorts.
Why Your Kids Should Learn Cooking
Cooking with kids is a great way to teach young children to take part in household duties and chores, including making dinner from home instead of ordering takeout, and it allows young children to take part in meal planning from a young age. The benefit of teaching children how to cook is engaging their other senses, especially for picky and fussy eaters. Other benefits include teaching children how to measure ingredients and improving their mathematical skills. Cooking is an essential life skill that children can learn to gain a sense of responsibility and healthy eating habits.
While picky eaters might be hesitant to try something new, learning cooking may open up young kids to trying out something they made themselves. Experiencing other senses with cooking may convince them to try other vegetables and ingredients they wouldn’t normally eat. Explaining concepts such as how food changes with temperature or how certain foods are healthier than others can be very beneficial for nutrition. Learning how to cook enhances language, reading, and math skills. Learning to cook as a family also helps with family bonding and creating unique traditions and cultures around food. Cooking with kids is also a wonderful way to introduce them to new foods, ingredients, and experiences. Cooking is a fun creative outlet and hobby for young families and kids alike.
5 Ways to Learn Kids Cooking
The best way for children to learn cooking is through live in-person cooking classes and online courses. The benefit of taking live in-person cooking classes with kids is learning in a live, demonstration-style environment with hands-on approaches and feedback from expert culinary instructors. While learning cooking with kids can be challenging, patience and compassion go a long way. Young parents may find cooking classes with kids to be highly beneficial for picky eaters because kids are exposed to new foods, techniques, and creative habits.
Some of the best ways to teach kids cooking are through online classes and Youtube videos, even Pinterest contains fun recipes to try with your children. Watching cooking shows on Netflix is a great way to introduce kids to cooking and baking through shows like MasterChef Junior and Bake Squad. Picking up books from Amazon is another way to find collaborative recipes for families. Books such as The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs and Super Simple Cooking for Kids allow young chefs to make something new once a day.
Even introducing kids to cooking through podcasts, like Mystery Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen, is a creative way to persuade them to try something new. The podcast features a young female chef, and she invites children as guests on the show to cook with her, with fun recipes and unique techniques to please even the pickiest of eaters. Exposing kids to cooking from a young age is a wonderful way to enhance their language and math skills and creativity. The podcast has six seasons, with awards from America’s Test Kitchen.
Other methods of teaching kids cooking include making for an easy clean-up and easing anxiety in adults. Performing tasks and demonstrating basic tasks, such as mixing, measuring, and the different kinds of ingredients, can make cooking less daunting. Working on simple recipes to learn the basics are other methods to teach kids cooking. Simple recipes could include tacos, omelets, quesadillas, and pizza.
In-Person Kids Cooking Classes
There are several options for in-person cooking with kids classes, in multiple locations across the country. Many cities have several options for in-person cooking with kids classes, both for young families and older kids. The perks of learning cooking in-person come with the guidance of experienced culinary professionals and tips to keep your little ones engaged.
A wide variety of cooking with kids classes are available, from making homemade pizza to desserts and summery delights. The variety of dishes in the courses ranges from Italian to French, which is perfect for little ones to learn. The courses are engaging and specifically designed for the enjoyment of little ones and their caregivers.
The major cities, such as New York City and Los Angeles, offer several options for in-person cooking with kids' classes. One of the workshops offered is Classic French Countryside, taught by Taste Buds Kitchen. The workshop is two hours, located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, and is required to bring your materials. The workshop features a menu of braised chicken, lyonnaise potatoes, green salad, and handmade crepes. The workshop size is limited to groups of 20, with caregivers needing to be 21 and over.
The second workshop for cooking with kids in-person in New York City is the Pizza Perfection workshop, taught by Taste Buds Kitchen. This hands-on style workshop forms connections with children and young parents, creating their mini pizzas. The workshop focuses on mastering the perfect dough with kneading yeast and homemade tomato sauce. The menu is vegetarian and egg free, perfect for little ones with allergy sensitivities. The price is $59 per two children and a caregiver. The price of supplies and materials is included.
Another workshop in Los Angeles is the Summer Celebration Cake Pops, taught by Cakery by Syd. The workshop is aimed at young kids, starting at age thirteen and up. The average class size is about 7 people, starting at $55 per person. The workshop focuses on making delicious, fun cake pops, with perfect consistency, flavor, and shapes. The workshop also provides instructions on how to get your chocolate to the right consistency, color, and temperature for decorating cake pops.
Another workshop is the Virtual Cooking Camp for Kids, taught by Home Cooking New York. This workshop is aimed towards older children, 10 and up. The workshop is two hours long, at the cost of $250 per person. The first day features a menu of Mexican cuisine, with learning how to make chicken enchiladas, the second day features Spanish-style Paella, the third day features Korean Bulgogi bowls, and the fourth day is a summery-themed slow-roasted salmon with tomatoes, zucchini, and dill. Students provide the cost of ingredients and equipment, but all recipes are included in the course.
Chicago offers several options for in-person kids' cooking classes, such as the Kids’ Camp: Global Cuisine, taught by The Chopping Block Lincoln Square. The cooking camp consists of five days of learning hands-on cooking and with lots of eating enjoyment, too. The first day features Mexican food, with chicken enchiladas and tres leches cake with strawberries, and the second day is making individual Neapolitan pizzas with summer berry crostata with gelato. The third day is about French cuisine, consisting of a menu of croque monsieurs, roasted potatoes, and lemon pot pie. The fourth day features a Japanese menu of tempura, sushi, and matcha-sesame cookies. The fifth day features a menu of bacon-wrapped dates, cheese empanadas, baked ghost cheese, and rice pudding.
The Teen 3-Day Mini Camp: Gluten-Free and Vegetarian is great for kids with food allergies and sensitivities. The camp offers a healthy menu with seasonal and gluten-free ingredients, focused on knife skills, classic techniques, organization, and working cleanly and safely while in the kitchen. Day 1 consists of a menu of cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin muffins, buckwheat pancakes, and potato breakfast bowls with scrambled eggs. Day 2 consists of a menu of potato-leek soup, cucumber salad, brownie cookies, and iced tea. Day 3 consists of making gluten-free pizza, antipasto salad, cauliflower bites, chocolate cake, and Italian cream soda. The workshop is great for kids between 12 and 16, starting at $460 per person.
In Chicago, there are several wonderful options for in-person cooking with kids' courses. Another such option is the Teen Boot Camp: Kitchen Concepts. The camp is five days long, starting at $1,552.50 per person, and aimed towards older teens from 12-16 years old. The camp includes knife skills, outdoor grilling, and food from around the world. The menu ranges from a delicious hearty brunch of eggs benedict and turnovers to American basics and vegetarian-friendly Italian cuisine. The menu also includes Southern comfort meals of gumbo, grits, and mac n cheese. The camp is held by the Chopping Block Lincoln Square, in Northern Chicago.
There are many options for our young teenage chefs, from learning to bake to cooking different types of dishes, the choices surely won’t disappoint. The first workshop Teen Chefs - Breakfast of Champions, stars a delicious menu of chocolate chip pancakes and veggie frittata. The course welcomes learners of all levels, aimed at kids ages 13-17. The camp is two days long, starting at $153 per person. The course is taught by Pans on Fire, a specialized cooking school geared towards teaching young adults cooking and baking.
Another course taught by Pans on Fire is the Young Chefs Camp: Bakeshop. The course is perfect for young bakers, from 7-11 years old, and starts at $330 per person. The course teaches the ins and outs of baking, from mixing and measuring ingredients to decorating. A healthy snack is provided daily and includes a menu of blueberry muffins, apple hand pie, scones, cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and baked vanilla donuts. The workshop is located in Pleasanton, California.
The workshop Teen Chefs - Cupcakes & Pies, Oh My! Is perfect for kids 11-17 years old. The two-day camp stars a menu of chocolate whoopie pie, blackberry pie, french apple pie, and strawberry cupcakes. The workshop features tips and tricks about baking, including decorating and knife skills. The course is taught by an experienced pastry chef, at Pans on Fire. The cost starts at $153 per person.
Virtual Kids Cooking Classes
Learning from home is one of the many benefits of virtual kids' cooking classes, including flexible schedules and attending courses from the comfort of your own kitchen. Some other benefits include learning classes over video-conferencing software, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. However, virtual kids' cooking classes require gathering ingredients, basic cooking supplies, and buying appliances. But most instructors provide a needed supply list, as well as required ingredients.
The course Virtual Cooking Camp for Kids, 10+ (Session D) is aimed at kids 10 years old and over. The class features a four-day program, with a fun menu ranging from Mexican, Spanish, Korean, and summer dishes. The camp begins at $250 per person, with ingredient lists provided a few weeks in advance. The menu ranges from chicken enchiladas, paella, scallion pancakes, and slow-roaster salmon. The course also allows for a sit-down meal at the end of each session, to enjoy conversation with your classmates.
Private Group Kids Cooking Classes
Booking private group kids' cooking classes is great for teachers, caregivers, and parents alike. Spending time with your kids is enjoyable and stress-free with the help of CourseHorse. CourseHorse offers several benefits for bookings, such as confirmation within 24 hours, no additional fees, and multiple supported online platforms, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype.
A wide variety of cooking, baking, and creative courses are available for young children and their caregivers. It’s a wonderful bonding experience for adults and children alike, especially for young families and new parents. The Virtual Apple Pie Workshop is two hours long, with the chance to make homemade apple pies. The workshop focuses on making the perfect pie dough, apple pie filling, caramel sauce, and apple cider with whipped cream. The needed ingredients need to be purchased in advance, and needed equipment such as rolling pins, parchment paper, knives, and whisks are also needed. The workshop costs $420 for a group of ten people. The workshop is highly kid-friendly, with a fun apple pie recipe and a chance for creativity for parents and kids.
Another workshop perfect for kids and parents is the Virtual Pizza from Scratch, with the cost of materials included. The workshop can be held over Zoom, starting at $105 per person, and runs for an hour and a half. The workshop is the perfect opportunity to make delicious and saucy pizza from scratch from the comfort of your kitchen. The group will learn how to make and roll pizza dough, add toppings of your choice, bake to perfection, and eat delicious pizza with fellow classmates. Kids will surely enjoy the chance to make their own pizza.
Another option for a group workshop is Candy Making: Truffles & Brittle. The workshop is an hour long, starting at $105 per person, with the cost of materials and ingredients included within the cost. The menu consists of dark chocolate truffles with hazelnuts and brittle with peanuts. The ingredients of peanuts, dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and cocoa powder are shipped to participants, along with the needed items of salt, sugar, and baking sheets.
What Will I Need For My Kids to Learn Cooking?
Patience, kindness, and love go a long way in teaching kids how to cook. Children learn valuable life skills by learning baking and cooking skills, especially while learning about responsibility and helping with household chores. More importantly, the cost of ingredients can save money on eating takeout and allow young parents to spend time with their kids. The needed equipment requires access to an oven and basic cooking supplies.
Other cooking supplies include pans, baking sheets, mixers, knives, and bowls. The basics can be found at the dollar store, and ingredients at the grocery store. Shopping and preparing for cooking courses allows your kids to learn and grow with excitement. The cost of ingredients is typically included in the courses.
Is it Difficult for Kids to Learn Cooking?
While it may be difficult to learn cooking skills with your children, the reward of learning is the greatest for young children to learn valuable skills. More importantly, the importance of learning cooking skills achieves greater responsibility and life skills. While having patience with kids while learning can be difficult, the rewards are great for both kids and adults. The skills of learning how to measure ingredients, making food, and eating nutritiously are some of the greatest benefits of taking kids' cooking lessons.