Are your little kids as obsessed with Master Chef Jr. 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 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!
Children’s Cooking Classes
Sprouts Cooking School for Kids
Sprouts 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 camp and school’s out camp.
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 $49. 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.
Junior Chef Cooking Classes at Williams Sonoma
Each month, Williams Sonoma offers an in store cooking class for children ages 8 -13. Children will learn to bake, make special entrees or sides and more. Our favorite cooking classes are the American Girl themed classes. At the first cooking class that my daughter attended at Williams Sonoma was where she learned to make dumplings and wontons. They were delicious and are so good every time she makes them at home.
Program Particulars: Jr. Chef Cooking classes are generally $15-40 per person, depending on the lesson or technique. Each class includes a take home product that is used in the class so you can continue with your new skill at home.
Jo-Ann Stores Kids & Teens Foodcrafting Classes
Joann Fabrics offers several levels of 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.
Program Particulars: Classes for kids are generally $30-35 per person. Students will also need to purchase supplies prior to the class as well as bring items from home.
Maggiano’s Little Italy Kids Cooking Class
Every month, Maggiano’s opens their doors for a children’s cooking class in the restaurant. Children begin arriving at 9am for registration and at 9:30 a.m., the chef will teach kids age three and up 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. Children’s tickets are $30 and adult tickets are $15.
Nestle Inn Bed & Breakfast
The popular downtown Indy bed & breakfast, Nestle Inn, is host to several Kids in the Kitchen cooking classes each year. Children age nine and up will work alongside chefs from the Chef’s Academy to learn specialty skills and meal preparation. The Kids in the Kitchen cooking classes at Nestle Inn are very popular and fill up quickly.
Program Particulars: Fees for the children’s cooking class are generally $65 per person. Check the Nestle Inn Bed and Breakfast website for a current schedule.
Sur La Table Kids Cooking Classes
Sur La Table offers Family Fun Cooking Classes for children age 8 and up and their adult. Each participant, adult and child must purchase their seat in the class. Classes are about 2 – 2 1/2 hours and are limited to 16 students per class. Adults will work with their children and other pairs of students a group of four to create dishes. All participants will taste every dish.
Panera Bakers In Training
The Panera BIT Kids is an introduction to the culinary skill of baking. Children ages 5-12 years old are given their own cotton baking hat and apron to wear while they observe the creation of three popular Panera baked goods. Kids will be given a back of house tour, sample items from the Panera Kid’s Menu and then decorate their own cookie with tips and instructions from a Panera baker during this two hour experience.
Program Particulars: These classes are available when scheduled for a group of 10-15 children, three weeks in advance and during the hours of 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. This is a great field trip for scout groups, small classes, homeschool groups and other youth groups. There is a $20 fee per child and there must be one adult chaperone per 5 children.
Jack’s Donuts Tours and Donut Decorating
Some Jack’s Donuts locations offer Donut Tours where a group of kids can get together for a tour of the kitchen, make their own donut holes, eat donut homes and then decorate their own donut. The tour typically includes a milk or juice for each child.
Program Particulars: Grab a group of friends and call the location nearest you to schedule. When we participated at the Carmel location, the fee was $6 per child and included juice or milk with a donut to decorate.
Macaron Bar Macrons For Kids Baking Class
Kids age 8 – 12 years old love this introduction to macaron baking at Indy’s Macaron Bar on Mass Ave. This class is designed for kids in mind so it’s 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 1/2 hour class is offered approximately once per month but private group classes can also be scheduled.
Program Particulars: Macrons for Kids is $65 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 the class time, then 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 at 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, Teen Cooking Made Easy to a children’s veggie class.
Program Particulars: Activities at the Indianapolis Public Libraries are free for everyone. For some events, expect a class size limit and pre-registration requirements.
If you’d like to see your favorite children’s cooking class added to this list, drop us an email info@indywithkids.com or tag us in a photo on Instagram!
5 thoughts on “Cooking Classes for Kids: Places Where Little Chefs Can Learn to Cook”
Great info! The Irsay YMCA also offers classes for children and adults!!!! They are amazing!
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