Have you ever stopped and wondered where the kids’ cooking classes are near me? Look no further, teaching kids basic cooking skills and getting them excited about real food can start right in your own kitchen!
Cooking with kids not only creates special memories, but it also builds confidence, teaches life skills, and encourages healthy eating habits. Cooking with kids might require some planning. This blog provides tips to make your own kids cooking session a success and prepare you for K12’s virtual cooking session with Kids Cook! on November 14th and November 15th .
K12 is excited to partner with Kids Cook! for an interactive cooking session designed for all students in grades K-5th and 6-12th. On November 14th, K-5th grade students will cook tasty chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. On November 15th, 6-12th grade students will cook yummy skillet apple crips. Both sessions will meet at 2:30 PM ET, you can learn more and find the shopping list in the Kids Cook! newsletter.
Students don’t have to attend a K12 powered school to participate in the Kids Cook! cooking sessions and you can register for here for K-5th Kids Cook! on November 14th or 6th-12th Kids Cook! on November 15th.
Choose Recipes Kids Will Enjoy
Young chefs are sometimes picky eaters so it’s important to select recipes kids will enjoy cooking and eating! When choosing recipes for kids to cook, incorporate foods they are already familiar with such as their favorite fruits or vegetables. Choosing recipes that are nutritious can also promote healthy eating habits. Lastly, consider choosing recipes that let kids be creative, like cutting fun shapes or decorating with frosting or sprinkles.
For a Fun Fall Cooking Session Consider Dishes That Are:
- Easy to prepare
- Made with familiar ingredients
- Feature seasonal foods like cinnamon, apples, or pumpkins
- Fun to make and tasty like skillet apple crisp or chocolate chip pumpkin muffins
Tools and Ingredients
Having the right tools is essential for both kids and adults in the kitchen. Using child-friendly utensils can make it easier and safer for small hands to hold and use. Kid friendly knives are a great way to teach basic cutting skills while building confidence in the kitchen. One option is a nylon knife which mimics the shape and weight of a chef’s knife but without the sharp edge. Another option is a safety knife that has a metal blade and a blunt edge, a great tool to practice safe knife holding.
Spatulas, bowls, and measuring cups are necessary tools for most recipes. Kids cooking will benefit from using a small spatula for small hands, or silicon spatulas that are easy to hold, are flexible, and usually come in fun and bright colors.
Visual measuring cups have distinct markings making it easier for kids to follow the correct measurements. Consider using colorful visual measuring cups when hosting or participating in a kids cooking session.
To keep clothes clean and tidy, opt for a fun apron to wear while baking or cooking. A helpful tool for kids in the kitchen is a step stool. This can help keep your student safe when reaching over the counter or stove, plus it builds confidence and independence in the kitchen!
Mise en Place
Mise en place is a common cooking term that is French for ‘putting in place’. It’s a standard cooking practice of organizing and preparing all the necessary ingredients and tools before starting to bake or cook. Some examples of practicing mise en place are measuring out the herbs and spices, chopping produce, preheating the oven or air fryer, and setting out bowls and equipment. Practicing mise en place is helpful for kids (and adults) when cooking because it helps everyone stay organized, helps prevent accidents and keeps everyone stay focused.
Keeping Kids Engaged and Safe
Kids’ cooking can be a fun and educational experience, keep reading for tips on how to help keep them engaged and safe in the kitchen.
Age-Appropriate Tasks – some easy and fun kitchen tasks for kids are washing produce, measuring, and stirring.
Demonstrate Proper Techniques – teach kids how to properly hold utensils like big spoons and small knives. It can also be fun to demonstrate different baking techniques like kneading, sifting, and rolling out dough.
Review Kitchen Rules – When cooking with kids it’s important to follow safety rules in the kitchen. Families may have different kitchen rules depending on the age of the young chefs and the tools or equipment available. Some common kitchen rules for kids include the 3-5 rule, which recommends kids stay 3-5 feet away from heat such as from an oven, stove, toaster or air fryer. Another good rule is to wait 3-5 minutes before tasting anything hot.
Supervise Closely – always ensure proper supervision in the kitchen. Sharp utensils, a hot stove, boiling water, and electrical appliances are just some of the potentially dangerous tools in the kitchen. Always supervise kids in the kitchen to minimize injuries or accidents.
Allow Mistakes – cooking should be fun! Everyone makes mistakes in the kitchen so it’s important to allow mistakes but show guidance as appropriate.
Icing on the Cake
Cooking with kids is an exciting way to spend quality time while teaching real-world skills and building confidence. With some prep and patience, your kids cooking session will be both fun and educational.
Choosing fun and familiar recipes, equipping kids with the right tools, and guiding them through the practice of mise en place provides a pleasant and safe environment for students to learn in the kitchen.
Remember to encourage their creativity, allow for mistakes, and always ensure proper supervision.
Now it’s time to tie on those aprons, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create something special because you are now ready to turn your kitchen into the best kids cooking class around!
Be sure to register for the upcoming Kids Cook! sessions. Students don’t have to attend a K12-powered school to participate in the Kids Cook! cooking sessions. You can register for here for K-5th Kids Cook! on November 14th or 6th-12th Kids Cook! on November 15th.
