Kid-Appropriate Cooking Classes

Regardless of who you ask, one of the greatest joys of travel is undoubtedly the opportunity to eat cuisine from all over the world. People who really enjoy culinary arts usually take this a step further by enrolling in local cooking classes if their itineraries allow it. Taking cooking classes with young kids, or any kids for that matter, might not seem ideal, but there are plenty of appropriate cooking classes for families of all kinds.

If you are planning the entire trip around what classes the family can take, the most important step is to decide what kind of cuisine is both family-friendly in preparation, taste and destination. Italy is absolutely packed with cooking classes for travelers.

Florence has many cooking class options, and they vary wildly depending on what kind of experience you are looking for. Caf Tour and Travel offers several family-friendly tours, including one focused on handmade pasta and another emphasizing Tuscan cooking for a full dinner experience.

Cooking class with kids. Photo: Dmitrii Klyshnikov | Dreamstime.com

If the family is setting off for Asia, consider stopping in Japan. More specifically, Osaka. Osaka can be compared to Florence for the relative saturation of cooking classes available and the enthusiasm locals have for food. Check out Eat Osaka’s classes. This group offers street food and home cooking classes, ensuring no matter your taste, there is something for the entire family to enjoy. Eat Osaka offers classes in English, making it ideal for tourists.

Another huge destination with plenty of cooking classes is Bangkok. Check out Blue Elephant Bangkok for half-day classes. These range in size from the standard cooking class to intimate, private instructions. The instructors here can offer classes in a bunch of languages, including English, Thai, French and more. With 125 weekly lessons, this restaurant might be one of the most convenient classes your family will find on your entire trip.

When vetting these cooking classes, it is important to check into guidelines set by the specific hosts. Often, alcohol accompanies cooking, so be aware of anything that could create an environment less than friendly for the entire family.

You can get an awesome cooking class experience without traveling to Asia. Latin America is home to its own brand of delicious cuisine well worth experiencing through a class. La Tortilla Cooking School has locations in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico. Each location offers different class types, ranging in length and type of dishes. These include wine, so beware when booking with your family.