The Latest
February 06, 2025

Where Every Family Matters

The Benefits of Cooking with Kids

Cooking is fun for you, right? Let kids in on the action so they can gain all the benefits from learning to cook, too!

Cooking with kids has more benefits than you think! Not only do they get one-on-one time with you, they learn an important skill. Also, it's science! So much so that there's even a UK curriculum that focuses solely on cooking as a tool for STEAM.

One of the skills a child should learn is cooking. It’s a life skill needed once he moves out of the house, but learning to cook can start early. So, don't hold back. Sign your child up for a cooking class! Here’s a handy roundup of local cooking classes for kids.

Local Cooking Classes

Cooking with Kids
at Rutherford County Farmer’s Market
315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro
615-898-7710
May 10 is opening day of the Farmer's Market. There's a free Seasonal Eating (last Tuesday of each month) class for all ages takes place in the Lane Agri-Park Community Center classroom at the market on select days during the summer. Kids are introduced to the joys of cooking with fun and healthy snacks with Cooking with Kids on July 2 and Aug. 6 is Cooking with Kids.

Curious Kitchen
1602 W. Northfield Blvd., Murfreesboro
615-956-6077
Kids ages 6 – 15 participate in a three-hour class to learn the finer points of food preparation, keeping a clean work space, recipes and measuring ingredients. They learn to make appetizers, salads, sauces, breakfast dishes as well as pasta, vegetables, rice, potatoes, fish, meats, soups and desserts, too. In addition to classes, camps are available, too.

Culinary Camp
at Green Door Gourmet
7007 River Road Pike, Nashville
615-942-7169
Rising 3rd – 6th graders can sign up for Culinary Camp that takes place July 8 – 12 or July 15 – 19 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Kids learn to create vegetarian meals with in-season produce straight from the fields and other featured local ingredients. Campers also learn basic culinary techniques such as food and knife safety skills. Cost is $215.

Homeschool Class: Heritage Cooking/Camp Cooking
at Historic Mansker's Station
705 Caldwell Drive, Goodlettsville
615-859-3678

Ages 8 – 14 can cook a meal in the fort's compound on Wednesday, April 3 from 1 – 3 p.m.

Junior Chef Classes
at Williams-Sonoma
Green Hills Mall

2126 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville
615-292-5066
— OR —
CoolSprings Galleria
1800 Galleria Blvd., Franklin
615-771-0427
Kids ages 8 – 13 learn to make delicious recipes from main courses to desserts and snacks, with plenty of tasting along the way. There’s even a Peter Rabbit Easter Baking Party on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. (cost is $30 per person) and an Easter Egg Decorating class on Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. (cost is $20 per child).

MCS Chef Academy
Classes take place at different Murfreesboro City Schools
A professional chef works with students in grades 4 – 6 at Overall Creek, Scales and Erma Siegel Elementary. The students learn intermediate cooking skills and techniques during weekly classes for six weeks beginning in October. They learn kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation, and cooking techniques and presentation. Students also compete for a chance to represent their school in an Iron chef cook-off at the end of the session.

Salud! Cooking School
at Whole Foods
4021 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville

615-440-5117
Whole Foods offers recreational culinary education for all ages on the second floor. Kids watch demonstration, participate in hands-on cooking and more led by in-store instructors as well as area chefs, artisans and authors.

Snack Attack
at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro
615-890-2300
Ages 3 and older create easy, healthy snacks and participate in the cooking (and eating), too. Recipes and nutritional information available to take home. Class happens Mondays at 4 p.m.

Summer “Kids Cook” Classes
at 12 South Farmers Market
3000 Granny White Pike, Nashville
MarySelf@12SouthFarmersMarket.com
Kids ages 8 – 12 learn healthy eating, how to eat through the seasons, get to know a farmer and gain hands-on experience as they prepare locally grown ingredients available at the market. Each class includes a guided market tour, small group instruction, sample tastings and recipes to take home. It’s FREE, too, but the classes only happen in June and July.

Sur la Table Summer Series for Kids
211 Franklin Road, Ste. 155, Brentwood
culinary@surlatable.com
Offers a five-day camp for kids 8 – 12 as well as for teens. Young chefs practice essential kitchen skills and master the fundamentals of cooking. More information will be available on their site.

About the Author