We won’t bore you with the teaching kids to love cooking at an early age encourages healthy eating habits school of thought. Or the kids are more likely to eat the foods they prepare mantra. You’ve heard it before and we know you probably already incorporate cooking with your kids at home as best you can. But what we will say is for all those budding Julia Child enthusiasts, there are tons of opportunities in the greater Indianapolis area.
Here it is: Our Cooking Classes For Kids Indianapolis Guide. We’ll keep close watch on these and refresh it when possible. But bottom line: There are plenty of spots for kids to chop, whisk and sift until their heart’s content.
Sprouts Cooking School
Indy Mom Stephanie Drewry is owner of Sprouts Cooking School for kids.
Launched by Indy mom Stephanie Drewry, Sprouts Cooking School has nailed the market for youthful cooking fun. Stephanie delivers with seasonal courses tailored to kids ages 3-11, all taught out of the comfort of her home kitchen. Registration runs around $49/child but includes instruction in a few recipes, info to take home and a vibrant group setting. Drewry is also expanding her love of introducing kids to cooking with a specialized YouTube video channel. Check the Sprouts website for plenty of recipe options to make at home and stay tuned for a special Indy’s Child write-up of our own visit to Sprouts!
More info: Visit sproutscookingschool.com/ for a full list of upcoming classes.
Williams-Sonoma
CityKid Eleanore tries her hand at a recent Williams Sonoma Junior Chef Series class. Photo credit: CityMom Stacy Poca.
Williams Sonoma offers FREE weekly Junior Chef classes where kids learn delicious recipes with “plenty of tasting along the way.” Classes coincide with the season and are scheduled every Saturday. All require advanced registration – spots fill up FAST! – and the month’s schedule is announced on the W-S website at the end of the month prior. Additionally, Williams Sonoma offers cooking “parties” that benefit No Kid Hungry. These classes run for $30, and kids get to take home certain appliances used during the class. Classes vary in skill for kids ages 5-13 so check the fine print.
More info: Call {317} 848-1431 or visit williams-sonoma.com.
Gourmet Girlfriends
After a stint of teaching classes with various Indianapolis Public Library branches, Gourmet Girlfriends now focuses on in-home cooking opportunities. Schedule a special “Kids In The Kitchen” session {starting at $20/child} which includes a kitchen craft, fun recipes and more.
More info: Call {317} 440-5503 or visit yourgourmetgirlfriends.com.
Joann Fabrics
Wilton Kids Woodland Critter Cupcakes photo credit: Joann.com
Not your traditional cooking course, but Joann Fabrics offers oodles of kids cake and cupcake decorating classes. Budding bakers will learn basic decorating techniques with buttercream icing {yum!}. A supply list is provided prior to class. Costs usually run $35/child.
More info: Call your local store location or visit joann.com/classes/kids-and-teen-classes/.
Georgetown Market’s “Edible Indy’s Kids’ Table” cooking classes
Hosted at Georgetown Market, this special series by Edible Indy connects kids with healthy, scratchmade recipes with local ingredients. Kids learn what goes into recipe, where the products come from and even meet the local people behind the local products! Only 20 spots are available per class, and registration is required on Eventbrite.
More info: Visit the Eventbrite page.
Artisano’s Kid’s Class-Hands-On
Artisano’s hands on classes, hosted by Chef Gordon Gomila, run periodically throughout the year. The classes are recommended for ages eight and over, and all classes require a child and adult. During the class kids are able to make the food, eat the food, and celebrate with some ice cream. All classes are limited to 8 pairs so registration is required on Eventbrite.
More info: Visit the Eventbrite page or call 317-251-4100
Healthy Hands Cooking Class with Greenfield Parks
A monthly class for kids age 5-13 through Greenfield Parks – these 2-hour hands-on classes are $25/child per class for Greenfield residents and $28/child per class for those outside the city limits.
More info: Call the Greenfield Parks at {317} 477-4340 or on their website.
240sweet
Road trip to Columbus for a little fun with Sam and Alexa, the owners of 240sweet, a gourmet marshmallow business. “Interactive Art Of Marshmallow Making” classes are available for ages 6+. Fun includes how to make, cut and powder your own marshmallows and each participant goes home with a bag of their own treats. Advanced registration required. Watch for a future write-up as Indy’s Child hits the road for a class with 240sweet!
More info: Call {812} 372-9898 or visit 240sweet.com.
The Gallery Pastry Shop
The Gallery Pastry Shop holds kids’ pastry classes in the spring and fall. Chef Ben was an instructor at The Chef’s Academy for 5 years along with 15+ years in the industry and wants to teach kids tips and tricks to making fabulous pastry at home. The classes run for two hours, and while parents are not required to stay, the Gallery asks that a parent be present at the beginning of the class and 15 prior to the end. There is a limit of 10 students per class. Advanced registration and a $25 deposit are required. The remaining $25 is paid upon arrival for the class.
More info: Call {317} 820-5526 or visit thegallerypastryshop.com.
Sur La Table Clay Terrace
After popular request, Sur La Table has just starting to launch children and family cooking classes. While in the summer they offer weeklong camps for kids, in the fall they are running a Family Fun: Back to School series. These classes is for children and their special adult to cook and learn together. The recipes used in these classes are geared toward young learners. The class runs for two hours and is $49 per person. Advanced registration is required.
More info: Visit the Clay Terrace location website or call {317} 575-0969
Panera Bakers-In-Training
Panera Bakers-In-Training photo credits: Panerabread.com
A hit with Scout and school groups, Panera offers a ‘bakers in training’ class to teach bread-making and cookie decorating. Registration is $20/child and requires a 3-week notice to schedule. This program is available at multiple Indianapolis locations.
More info: Visit panerabread.com/en-us/company/bakers-in-training to get started.
For younger kiddos – or those just showing interest in cooking – here are places around Indianapolis where kids can decorate or prepare their own food:
Mellow Mushroom Pizza
Located in Carmel, Mellow Mushroom offers pizza decorating ‘parties’ to groups as small as 5. Each guest receives a small pizza to decorate as they please, then pizzas are shipped off for baking while you wait.
More info: Call {317} 846-2400 or visit in person at 2340 E. 116th Street, Carmel.
Jack’s Donuts
Advanced reservations are required for this fun, kids-focused activity. Groups can arrive at Jack’s, learn about the donut-making process and decorate their own for a small fee. Call your local store for more details and to arrange.
More info: Call your closest location or visit jacksdonuts.com/.
Other places to keep close watch on – they occasionally offer food prep, decorating or other fun kid-oriented cooking programs:
- Whole Foods Clay Terrace: 14598 Clay Terrace Blvd, Carmel. {317} 569-1517
- Whole Foods Nora: 1300 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis. {317} 706-0900
- Pottery Barn Kids at the Fashion Mall: 8702 Keystone Xing, Indianapolis. {317} 569-9144
- Nestle Inn Bed & Breakfast {no 2016 kids classes currently planned}: 637 N. East Street, Indianapolis. {317} 610-5210
- Market District will offer kids cooking programs at their Carmel-based location – adult classes are just getting off the ground. Stay tuned for more details: 11505 N. Illinois St, Carmel. {317} 569-0171
- CityWay YMCA has a teaching kitchen as part of their facility with some classes scheduled and more to come. Keep eyes glued to their online schedule for details: 430 S. Alabama Street, Indianapolis. {317} 955-9622
Indy’s Child does our best to verify information such as what’s posted above but sometimes details change! We highly recommend contacting the program you are interested in for more information.
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