Kids Cooking Classes Near Me

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FAQs:

Why Should You Teach Younger Kids to Cook?

When you teach your kids to cook at a young age, you give them many gifts. You give them a sense of achievement and accomplishment which comes from seeing themselves take a step towards independence. You also give them the chance to choose and create healthy meals for themselves and their families when they grow up. This will have enormous future payoffs in terms of being able to lead a healthier lifestyle and even save money in the long run. When children learn to cook, they also start to understand exactly what goes into the meals they eat. As they measure out the butter for a cookie recipe, they will see and feel for themselves how much butter is used as opposed to a healthier snack like a bowl of fruit and yogurt. Learning to cook and understanding the basic building blocks of most recipes will allow them to make better and more informed choices about the food they eat in the future.

Why are Kids' Cooking Classes Important?

Children's cooking classes are important because cooking learn an important life skill, sometimes in a professional environment with people trained to teach cooking. Also, cooking classes with kids learn how to safely and correctly handle knives — which is an important part of cooking. Lastly, learning to cook gives kids confidence and also teaches them about nutrition and how to cook in healthy ways.

Is Cooking Cognitive Development for Kids?

Cooking is an interesting and multi-sensory activity. It helps children of all ages develop cognitive skills and abilities. Through cooking, children can learn to follow instructions, solve problems and make predictions and observations. Cooking is a great opportunity for children to understand and apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and language. Children can be encouraged to count or measure the ingredients, observe the changing forms of food, or even read a recipe while they are helping to prepare a dish.

How Do I Get My Child to Start Cooking?

Start small. Choosing a simple side dish, salad or snack is a manageable way to start getting your kids comfortable in the kitchen. You can pick something easy to make that doesn’t involve the oven or stove, like a smoothie or hummus recipe.

How Do Kids Learn to Cook?

Sign them up for a cooking class in person or online. Let them choose the recipe and be completely in charge. Let them create their own recipe even if it sounds gross – some kids need to ease into it and get comfortable doing things their own way before they’re willing to follow directions and make a real recipe.

What Age Should My Child Be When They Start Cooking? 

The sooner the better! There is no age limit to when toddlers can start observing and helping in the kitchen. They can begin watching you cook meals when they are young. And slowly let them take over any skills they find an interest in and are capable of doing.  Really, you can adapt a task for any age!

Does My Child Need Previous Experience in the Kitchen?

Experience is not required, and there are different online classes for every type of mini-chef. Some programs will offer classes to kids with a range of experience while others are better suited for those with a more advanced skill set. Speak to the program organizers before booking your child.

Why Should Your Child Enroll in Cooking Classes?

Cooking classes offer many benefits for children beyond just learning how to make delicious treats. From developing life skills and healthy eating habits to promoting cultural awareness and family bonding, enrolling your child in cooking and baking classes can be a great investment in their future. By following the tips for enrolling your child in cooking classes, you can help ensure that they have a positive and rewarding experience. Researching local classes or programs, considering your child’s interests and age, and looking for classes that fit your schedule and budget are all important factors to consider. So why not consider enrolling your child in a cooking class today? Who knows, it may even inspire a lifelong passion for culinary arts!

Are Kids Cooking Classes Worth It?

Cooking classes are worth it because it teaches your kids important life skills like cooking meals for themselves, how to handle cooking utensils and important nutrition information, and even help them understand the lifecycle of food.

Top 10 Reasons to Teach Kids How to Cook

There's no need to pretend that teaching a child how to cook is an easy task — unless you're a culinary instructor that does it for a living. It takes patience to teach a kid how to use a knife safely, how to wash fruits and vegetables properly, and how to follow a recipe without taking any shortcuts.

However, the time invested in teaching your children how to cook is time well-spent. It not only provides you with quiet moments to bond with your youngster but also offers myriad other benefits, including boosting confidence, teaching math and science, and imparting wisdom on other cultures.

1. Cooking together provides quality family time: Cooking time is a bonding time for parents and children. It often allows kids to relax and share what's going on in their lives, even if they're otherwise reticent to open up to a parent.

2. Preparing food helps kids appreciate their parents: It might seem sometimes that kids think meals come out of nowhere. Teaching a child how to cook helps them understand how much time and effort it takes for a parent to make a healthy, tasty meal for the family.

3. Cooking expands their palates: When a child cooks a new food or dish on their own. they are more likely to eat it — or at least try it. They may not eat all of it. They may not eat any of it the first time you make it together. Over time, though, kids will get comfortable with the idea of new foods and, eventually, they will start to try them.

4. Making a meal boosts confidence: When kids can say, "I made it myself," they feel a sense of accomplishment. Even more, when other family members say they liked what the child cooked, he or she feels a sense of pride and achievement. That can lead to the child becoming more self-confident in other areas of their life, too.

5. Following a recipe teaches math: Cooking teaches kids everything from fractions to temperatures to geometry. Is a 1/2 cup bigger than a 1/4 cup? What's the difference between the temperature of baking and broiling? What's a 9x13 pan versus a 9x9 pan?

6. Understanding a recipe improves reading comprehension: Cooking is one of the best ways to show kids that reading offers tangible results. Following step-by-step instructions to get to a finished result is an important reading skill, and using that skill to cook shows a kid that reading has very practical benefits.

7. The process of cooking food demonstrates chemistry principles: Take, for example, the browning of marshmallows on top of brownies — it's chemistry at a level that a child can understand.

8. Grocery shopping communicates where food comes from: Part of cooking is shopping. When you cook together, kids learn that pizza doesn't have to come from a restaurant and spaghetti sauce doesn't have to come from a jar. One of the easiest and most enjoyable things to cook with kids is bread. Many kids think bread is a raw ingredient, but just showing them that they can make bread in their own homes is a revelation You don't even have to make it by hand. The act of adding ingredients to a bread machine and getting a loaf of delicious warm bread three hours later is enough to make an impression.

9. Choosing recipes educates on culture: It is far more interesting to teach kids about the Lunar New Year by making an authentic recipe than by giving them a history lesson.

10. Cooking imparts a basic but important life skill: When the kids are out of the house, you won't need to worry about them as much if you're sure they know how to cook. Their budget won't be hit as hard by constant take-out meals, and you will be fairly certain that they're not living on a diet of take-out food or fast food, exclusively.

Cooking Skills Every Kid Should Learn by Age 10

Below are some essential kitchen skills we think kids should have by age 10. It's divided by age group, but every kid is different, so use your best judgment on your child's ability and readiness. An adult should always supervise steps that involve hot or sharp tools, or other equipment that must be handled with caution. Happy cooking!

Under 3 Years Old

Toddlers may not be ready to "cook" but that doesn't mean they aren't primed to have some fun in the kitchen! For young kids, one of the biggest challenges is being able to see and reach the counter safely. Find a good, sturdy stool that they can stand on, preferably one with rails to prevent falls. To avoid accidents, place the stool in a safe area away from the stove, and keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach.

1. Sensory Play

You can feed their curiosity by letting them play, wash and "make" food alongside you. If you've got unbreakable bowls, a little water, and some utensils, that's enough to get your little ones going on their own pretend "soups." Help them pour ingredients into bowls. Let them stir, feel, taste and explore little pieces of what you're cooking. Ask them what they think of it. How does it taste? Smell? Encourage them to use their senses, and let them watch you if they're curious.

2. Washing Produce

If you have a little one who just really wants a job, washing produce is a great place to start. Little kids love water (just have some towels ready), and an easy-to-use salad spinner is a great foolproof kitchen utensil that's great for young kids.

Ages 3-5

1. Knife Skills 101

You may be surprised to find knife skills suggested for such a young age group, but it's arguably one of the most important skills to master. A 3-year-old can practice knife skills by cutting soft foods-think strawberries or cucumbers-using a dull knife, such as a butter knife or plastic knife. (You know your child best, so judge accordingly.) Here, you can teach them how to hold a knife-by the handle only, not touching the blade-and how to pass a knife from one person to another safely: handle toward the person you're passing it to, with the blade pointing away from them.

2. Open-Face Fun

Sandwiches, English muffin (or bagel) pizzas, and regular-size pizzas are great for this age group. Spreading ingredients like peanut butter or tomato sauce on top of small pieces of bread is a doable task for most young kids, and letting them pick their own toppings is a great way to give them a little control and creative license. You don't have to stick to the open-face theme, but doing so lets them admire their creations.

3. Smoothies

Smoothies are great for kids creatively, mostly because the combinations are endless and they're all pretty much guaranteed to be delicious. Strawberry and peaches? Great! Blueberry and banana? Awesome! Have two or three different types of frozen fruit on hand to get you started. All you need to add at this point is liquid (and anything else you or your child may want to add). You can have your child pour all of the ingredients into the blender, and have them press the buttons too (with the supervision of course).

4. Baking Basics

Baking can be finicky, but oddly, also great for small kids. With the younger set, start with the basics: in baking, there are wet ingredients and dry ingredients. Have them name and mix the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, etc.) and then the wet ingredients (water, oil, eggs, etc.), and then teach them how to mix them together. If you have a little tornado on your hands, here is a great place to teach them control. Mixing is gentle, and one hand is ALWAYS on the bowl, with the other doing the mixing so everything doesn't end up on the floor.

5. Setting & Clearing the Table

Outside of actual cooking, this a great age group to get motivated to participate in mealtime rituals (and actually help you in the process). While you are likely to get dagger eyes from a teenager, your 3- to 5-year-old may willingly (and enthusiastically) set the table before mealtime. Teach them where utensils go (fork on the left, knife, and spoon on the right, unless you're left-handed, then reverse it), and let them fold and place the napkins. The same goes for after mealtime too. Let them take the plates off the table and back into the kitchen. Will it be perfect? No. But your little one will feel good about helping while taking a small job off your shoulders.

Ages 6-8

1. Stove Basics: Introduce Some Heat

In this age group, you can start to introduce some actual cooking skills. Teach them the basics of using a stove (with your supervision always). Practice turning the stove off and on. A great first "recipe" is scrambled eggs. You can crack an egg or two (always fun), beat them together, and cook them over medium heat slowly without much to do, which is perfect for kids. Use a nonstick skillet and just a teaspoon or two of oil and that should make for a pretty forgiving (and safe) cooking experience.

There are a few cooking safety rules to teach kids that adults may never think about:

- If there is a handle, always keep it pointing away from you to prevent knocking into it.

- Position handles away from other burners to prevent them from getting too hot.

- Always have a pot holder or dry dish towel at the ready-to-grab handles just in case.

2. Lunch Making

Let your kids take responsibility for an entire meal by encouraging them to make their own lunches. Letting them pick and choose what goes into their lunchbox is empowering, and since they are choosing what appeals to them, it's less likely that food will go uneaten. This is a great place to sneak in some basic nutrition lessons too by teaching them the ingredients of a balanced lunch: protein, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

3. Food Presentation

If you have a budding artist on your hands, letting them get creative with food presentation is a great way to get them interested in cooking in general. It can be as simple as arranging berries in a bowl of yogurt to look like something or making a silly face on an open-face sandwich. If your early grade schooler has a younger sibling, have the older child "design" a breakfast or lunch item for the little one to eat and enjoy. If you're having a party or gathering, charge your kid with designing the vegetable platter or suggest creating small bites that look like animals, bugs, or something else in the natural world (Pinterest has tons of ideas for inspiration). Have them decorate and finish a cake or cupcakes. They can keep it simple or make it elaborate, depending on their skill level.

Ages 8-10

1. Sharp Knife Skills

By 8 years old, many kids may be ready to try a real chef's knife with supervision (again, you are the best judge of your child's readiness). Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

- Select a smaller knife to start with if you have one. Most chef knives are around 8 inches long, which is fine, but some are shorter (around 6 inches or so) and may be better for small hands.

- Reinforce the right way to hold a knife (by the bolster, or the place where the blade and handle meet.) The temptation to place a finger along the top of the blade is common, but this destabilizes the knife, so correct them if you see that.

- Teach them to keep their fingers curled under if they are on the cutting board (not flat).

- And remember: this isn't an iron chef competition, so going SLOWLY is always preferred.

2. Breading

By now, kids should have a firm grasp on proper handwashing, so it's a good time to dabble in cooking with meat and to teach them the "standard breading procedure": dipping ingredients like chicken tenders or even veggies in flour, then egg, then a breadcrumb coating before cooking in a pan or in the oven. Once kids master this, they may request to make their own chicken nuggets from scratch rather than opening up a bag from the freezer aisle. When you're working with raw meat, now is a good time to teach kids about cross-contamination, or the concept that once raw meat has touched a surface, it can no longer be used for cooked food unless it's washed thoroughly. Better yet, keep separate, color-coded cutting boards for raw meat and produce.

3. Meal Planning, Shopping & Beyond

By now, in a perfect world, your kids will be ready to be active participants in meal planning. Ask them for their opinions and ideas for a few meals a week and ask them, ahead of time, what portion of the meal they would like to own. If you have a dinner party or birthday celebration coming up, have your kids help with planning the menu and cooking up the meal. Take them to the store with you to gather ingredients, if time allows. Participating in the shopping experience teaches them where to find the most nutritious ingredients for cooking (along the periphery of the store) as well as an early lesson about food costs. If your child seems super passionate about cooking, look for cooking camps or classes geared toward kids. Larger grocery store chains or specialty stores often offer cooking classes for parents and their kids, which can be a great way to foster your child's (and your own) love and appreciation for fresh, delicious food.

Tips for a Positive Experience of Cooking with Kids

Here are some tips to ensure a positive experience of cooking with your kids:

1. Safety: How much supervising your kids need in the kitchen depends on their age and maturity, especially when cutting and with cooktop and oven tasks. Younger children usually need more direction, while teens may require little supervision. Safety is key.

2. Planning: Make a list of your family's favorite foods. Next, choose a recipe or plan a balanced meal with some of these foods. Write down a list of ingredients to get at the grocery store. Read the nutrition facts labels on food items while shopping to check serving sizes and nutrition.

3. Setting up: Make sure the cooking area fits. A lower table or step stool may be necessary to work comfortably at a counter or reach a cooktop or microwave.

4. Cooking: Teach kids about food safety by washing hands and making sure your prep area is clean. Reading the cooking steps in the recipe and gathering ingredients helps kids learn to read directions and be prepared for the next step in the recipe. Review microwave and oven/stove top buttons and instructions for different types of foods. Using measuring cups and spoons to measure ingredients can help build math skills.

5. Enjoying the meal: Take time as a family to sit and enjoy the meal. Offer many different foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Offer new foods along with foods your children already like to eat. Many children need to be offered new food several times before they will eat it. Show your child that you enjoy eating healthy foods and provide regularly scheduled meals.

6. Learning your way around the kitchen and preparing meals can help kids and teens be more invested in what they are eating. Allowing your kids to help with choosing the foods they eat is one way to show independence and make decisions on their own. Knowing how to prepare a balanced meal as a child can instill healthy eating behaviors as adults.

Food Safety Basics that Kids Should Know

Before you enter the kitchen, cover the ground rules with the children first:

1. Wash hands in warm, soapy water before and after handling food.

2. Pull back long hair, off the shoulders.

3. Keep countertops and working surfaces clean.

4. Teach children to wait until the food is cooked before tasting. Don't let them lick their fingers or put their hands in their mouths, especially when working with raw foods such as cookie dough and raw meat or poultry.

5. Avoid double dipping or putting spoons back into food after using them for tasting.

6. Remember, young cooks need supervision.

7. Follow the four simple steps:

- Wash hands, surfaces, and kitchen utensils.

- Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from cooked and other ready-to-eat foods.

- Cook to proper temperatures.

- Refrigerate promptly to 40°F or lower.

What You Need for Cooking Activities with Kids

It’s good to give your child a choice about what to cook, but it’s also important to make sure the recipe is simple enough, or you’ll end up doing it all yourself while your child watches. You might know a simple dish that you could make with your child. Perhaps it’s something your child likes to eat, like a favorite meal or dessert. Otherwise, look online for child-friendly recipes, or at your library or bookshop for cookbooks for children. Once you’ve decided what to cook, check that you have all the ingredients and equipment you need, plus a clear workspace. You also need plenty of time. Your child is likely to mix and measure very slowly, and you might need to clear up spills as you go. Your child will probably want to taste all the ingredients too!

How to Cook with Kids

1. Talk about the dish before you start. Show your child the ingredients and the recipe, if you’re using one.

2. Let your child do as much as possible. Your child could wash vegetables and fruit, pour and stir, and help with measuring and counting. Your child could even try some easy cutting under careful supervision – for example, cutting soft fruit with a butter knife. You might need to show your child what to do first, then let your child try.

3. Talk about what you’re doing, and introduce words like ‘grate’ and ‘mash’. You can also encourage your child to come up with words to describe flavors and textures, like ‘salty’, ‘crumbly’ or ‘crunchy’.

4. Talk about which foods are healthy and why.

5. Let your child share their dish with friends or family. Praise your child’s cooking and hard work!

Tips for Enrolling Your Child in Cooking Classes

Cooking classes can offer many benefits for children. Once you have decided to enroll your child in these classes, it is important to choose the right program. Here are some tips to help you with the enrollment process:

1. Research local classes or programs

Look for cooking classes offered in your local community. You can start by checking with your child’s school, community center, or local cooking schools. You can also do an online search for cooking classes in your area.

2. Consider your child’s interests and age

When choosing a cooking class, consider your child’s interests and age. Some classes are designed specifically for younger children, while others are tailored for teenagers. Think about what your child enjoys cooking or baking at home and look for classes that align with those interests.

3. Look for classes that fit your schedule and budget

Consider the timing of the classes and whether they fit with your schedule. Some classes may be offered after school or on weekends, while others may be during the day. It is also important to consider the cost of the classes and whether they fit within your budget.

Sources:

Families for Life

The Spruce Eats

Gundersen Health

The Lean Green Bean

Eat Right

Eating Well

Hey Kids

CDC HK

Raising Children

CNN

Very Well Family

Little Cooks Reading Books

Raising Children 101

 

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