Written by Katy Mann with contributions by Sara Keller
Are your little kids as obsessed with Master Chef Jr. or the Junior Baking Show as mine are? Ever since we saw these kid cooks mastering the kitchen on television, my kids have been obsessed with learning to cook. I’ve searched high and low to find all of the places that offer kids cooking classes near me so that my children can learn all about baking and cooking for themselves. We even found some classes that take place in a kid-sized kitchen! Not only did we find all of these classes, we’ve tried most of them out so we can tell you all about them.
This guide to cooking classes for kids is possible because of a partnership with Sprouts Cooking School in Carmel. Sprouts is the cooking school that my own children attend. We’re proud to work so closely with Sprouts!
Kids Cooking Classes Near Me
All cooking class times, dates, and costs listed are accurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. Please verify these details with the venue directly.
Sprouts Cooking School for Kids
Sprouts Cooking School for KidsSprouts Cooking School is the only cooking school in Indiana that’s just for children. Kids ages 3–13 learn basic culinary skills using kitchen tools that are child-sized. Through hands-on experiences and guided instruction, your kids will create delicious dishes in the special Sprouts kitchen that’s designed for children and pre-teens. In addition to monthly workshops, Sprouts Cooking School offers one-time classes, birthday parties, Kids’ Night Out events, parent and child classes, summer camps, spring break camps, and school’s out camps.
My children, ages 6 & 8 have participated in Sprouts Cooking School and loved it! As fans of the Master Chef Jr. series, they were elated with the feeling of independence and having a space that was designed just for kids their age. They loved learning new techniques and creating food that they could enjoy and recreate in our home kitchen.
The teachers were kind and patient and learning to cook with other students was a treat! As a parent, I appreciated how happy they were to go to class each week and how excited they were to come home and cook their Sprouts recipes at home and try new ones. And that child-sized kitchen? It’s pretty magnificent.
Program Particulars: Pricing varies by program type, starting at $59. There are multiple class levels divided by age: Tiny Sprouts (ages 3-5), Junior Sprouts (6-8), and Tweens (9-13). Sign up for the Sprouts Cooking School Summer Camps or one- time kids cooking classes near me.
Maggiano’s Little Italy Kids Cooking Class
Every month, Maggiano’s opens its doors for a children’s cooking class in the restaurant. Children begin arriving at 9 am for registration and at 9:15 a.m., the chef will teach kids ages 5-11 how to make a famous Maggiano’s dish. Adults must supervise and participate. Following the cooking lesson, a breakfast buffet is served for all participants.
Program Particulars: Children and their adults need a ticket for the Maggiano’s kids’ cooking class. Tickets include a breakfast buffet. Tickets are $30 each.
Sur La Table Kids Cooking Classes
Sur La Table offers Family Fun Cooking Classes for children ages 7 and up and their adult. Each participant, adult and child, must purchase their seat in the class for these kids cooking classes near me. Classes are about 2–2.5 hours and are limited to 16 students per class. Adults will work with their children and other pairs of students in a group of four to create dishes. All participants will taste every dish.
Sur La Table also hosts a Kids and Teens Summer Series featuring several 5-day series of classes centered around specific themes. Recent topics have included global cuisines, baking, and “Better Than Takeout” meals.
Program Particulars: The kids’ classes are designed for students ages 7-11 and kids ages 12-17 can participate in the teen options. Classes are about 2-2.5 hours in length and are limited to 16 students per class.
Katsumi’s Teaching Kitchen
Does your child love sushi or simply trying global cuisine? Introduce your kids to Japanese cooking at Katsumi’s Teaching Kitchen in Beech Grove. Class offerings cover sushi, Japanese street food, and kids’ bento boxes. With the exception of the bento box classes, these lessons are technically designed for adults, but children as young as 6 can register.
Program Particulars: For most class options, children 6 and up can participate. Your 2.5-hour class costs $110.
Rick’s Cooking School
Rick is a Fishers-based, self-taught chef who now runs his own meal catering and delivery service. He also teaches custom cooking classes, either at his location or yours. Rick can teach from his own stock of recipes or help you and your kids elevate your own family favorites.
Program Particulars: Contact Rick to discuss your learning goals for either yourself, your kids, or your group.
Macaron Bar Macrons For Kids Baking Class
Kids aged 8–12 years old love this introduction to macaron baking at Indy’s Macaron Bar on Mass Ave. These kids cooking classes near me are designed with kids in mind so they’re 100% hands-on and interactive. Kids will take home as many macarons as they can make. An adult parent or guardian must stay to supervise the entire class time. This 2.5-hour class is offered approximately once per month but private group classes can also be scheduled.
Program Particulars: Macrons for Kids is $75 per child and is due in advance. Your child’s program fee includes instruction and supplies to make as many macrons as you can during class time. You get to take those home!
The Indianapolis Public Library
One of our favorite places to get our kids connected to food and nutrition is the Indianapolis Public Library. Almost every month there’s some type of free children’s cooking class or food-themed programming at all of the local libraries. I’ve seen everything from a Zany Noodles class for kids ages 6 and up, to Teen Cooking Made Easy, to a children’s veggie class.
Program Particulars: Activities at the Indianapolis Public Libraries are free for everyone. For some of these kids cooking classes near me, expect a class size limit and pre-registration requirements.
Kids Cooking Classes We Hope to See Return
These wonderful culinary education options for kids not-so-mysteriously disappeared sometime during or after 2020 and have not returned. We’ll keep an eye out for news of upcoming kids cooking classes near me and update you here.
Junior Chef Cooking Classes at Williams Sonoma
Panera Bakers In Training
Nestle Inn Bed & Breakfast
Jo-Ann Stores Kids & Teens Foodcrafting Classes
Joann Fabrics offers several levels of cake and cookie decorating classes for kids interested in learning piping techniques and learning to work with a decorating bag with tips. Joann cooking classes are typically meant for children ages 8 and up and are about 90 minutes to two hours long. Currently, you can find virtual tutorials from Joann Stores online.
If you’d like to see your favorite kids cooking class near me added to this list, drop us an email info@indywithkids.com or tag us in a photo on Instagram!
Looking for classes for your musical child? Try SC Music Place for big kids or The Music Playhouse for your littles.
Drop in for weekend classes and activities at these local stores.
5 thoughts on “Kids Cooking Classes Near Me | Fun Venues Where Little Chefs Learn to Cook”
Great info! The Irsay YMCA also offers classes for children and adults!!!! They are amazing!
Pingback: Mass Ave with Kids: 10 Family Friendly Things to Do on Mass Ave
Pingback: 31 Things to do in May in Indy
Pingback: Pictures of the Gorgeous Sprouts Cooking School for Kids
Pingback: 101 Days of Summer in Indy | 101 Things to do with your kids