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Cooking Classes for Kids in Chicago: A Baker's Dozen of the Best Culinary Experiences in the City and Suburbs

Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table
Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table
8/7/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Eating with kids is always an adventure—one day they'll consume anything you put in front of them; the next day it's exclusively plain pasta with a sprinkle of parm. But once kids get involved in cooking, the story changes. Many local culinary schools and cooking shops have added cooking classes for kids to their calendars, and once kids learn what kinds of food are out there and how healthy foods can taste good, they become more interested in participating in the cooking, and the eating.

Parents love these cooking classes for kids because it takes the onus of cooking off them—and, sometimes, lessens clean-up time! Our list offers cooking classes for kids as young as 3 with an adult or 5 without an adult. We suggest starting with a single class instead of a full-week camp to gauge interest, especially for younger children. Culinary classes can get expensive, but they'll be worth it for kids who have a true interest in learning how to cook for themselves. Learning a life skill can be rewarding for both little chefs and their parents!

Here's our list of favorite culinary classes for kids in and around Chicago!

Learning to make pasta in a cooking class. Photo courtesy of the Schoolhouse Kitchen and Studio
Learning to make pasta in a cooking class. Photo courtesy of the Schoolhouse Kitchen and Studio

Top Kids' Cooking Classes In and Around Chicago

The Kids' Table

Wicker Park
The Kids' Table in Wicker Park offers in-person and virtual cooking classes for kids as young as 2. Teachers focus on helping kids prepare real food by measuring, mixing, smelling, chopping, and tasting. The foods that are good for kids can taste good, too! Vegetarian and allergy friendly options are available. READ MORE

Oui Chef

Lincoln Park
Oui Chef is both a response to the head chef's direction in the kitchen and a description of the little chefs budding here. Kids ages 18 months to 15 years can take ongoing 75-minute weekly classes, or preschoolers can take one-off classes to get started and gauge interest in cooking. Each season, Oui Chef classes present a different theme. READ MORE

The Chopping Block

Lincoln Square
At the Chopping Block, chefs realize that there is more emphasis on food in families in the modern day. They aim to teach kids about different ingredients and show them how to make everything from international cuisine to vegan and gluten free dishes to tasty pastries. Classes and camps are available for kids ages 7 and up in the Lincoln Square location.  READ MORE

Kidz Can Cook

Edison Park
Families are busy these days, and one way kids can help out is by learning how to cook or prep their own lunches. Kidz Can Cook gives kids this culinary ability in its classes for children ages five and up. Little chefs can sign up for a week-long camp or class or a Try-It one-off class where they learn two or three simple recipes. READ MORE

iCook After School

Ravenswood
iCook After School is a fun, hands-on program to teach kids culinary skills, recipe reading, and nutritional values in a fun environment. Elementary and middle school kids can learn to make meals and snacks that are tasty and healthy.  READ MORE

Taste Buds Kitchen

Bannockburn
Taste Buds Kitchen's local franchise in north suburban Bannockburn offers Mommy & Me classes for kids ages 2-8, family classes, and drop-off classes for kids ages 6 and up. Pick a one-time class to learn to make a specific dish, or a semester-long class to cover a variety of culinary skills.  READ MORE

Cook, Cork and Fork

Palatine
Kids can learn to cook together with their parents or in a culinary boot camp setting at this Northwest suburban kitchen. Family classes offer a range of recipes from ravioli to brunch, while boot camps for 7-11 or 12-18 year-olds teach many recipes and techniques over several days of summer, winter, or spring break. READ MORE

Sur La Table Cooking Classes & Camps

Mag Mile, Skokie, and Naperville
Kids and teens can enjoy summer and winter break cooking camps at Sur La Table locations along the Mag Mile, at Old Orchard Mall, or in Downtown Naperville. Kids classes are designed for young chefs and cover themes like Global Flavors or Bake Shop, while tweens and teens can take classes like Advanced Baking, Adventurous Recipes, and World Bakes. READ MORE

Marcel's Culinary Experience

Glen Ellyn
Professional chef educators teach kids ages six and up how to cook in single classes, two-day camps, or week long sessions at this downtown Glen Ellyn culinary store. Marcel's emphasizes that it's not just the ingredients that make great food, it's the people. READ MORE

The Wilton School

Darien
Pastry chefs as little as age 5 can learn to bake and decorate cakes with their families, while those 10 and up can attend classes themselves. Single-day and multi-day classes are taught in a state-of-the art class room with workstations for decorating. READ MORE

The Kitchen Table

Wheaton
Junior Young Chefs (ages 3-7), Young Chefs (ages 8-12) and Young Teen Chefs (ages 11-15) can learn how to cook everything from sauces to lasagna to breakfast to cakes at this culinary class destination in Wheaton. Three- and four-day camps give little cooks a chance to perfect their craft. READ MORE

Kidinary Cooking Academy

Plainfield
With childhood obesity on the rise Kidnary Academy aims to help children learn how to live a healthy lifestyle by cooking foods they like for themselves. One class at a time, kids will learn to make healthy decisions that feed their mind, body, and spirit. The nut-free and allergy-friendly cooking classes include kids as young as three years old. READ MORE

Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio

River Forest
Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio gives little culinary artists a place to learn and perfect their craft. After school or summer camp classes for kids ages 5-15 teach baking and international cuisine. Preschool cooking classes with parents revolve around a story. Teens and tweens can also take homesteading classes to learn crafts and cooking together.  READ MORE

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