The best blog for hungry Moms without any clue what to feed the “hangry” kids… Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a little helper in the kitchen? To help YOU prepare the meals? Take a quick read (it takes less time to read this than to read their entire menu) of this Hungry Mom's Guide to kid-friendly culinary classes at Maggiano’s Little Italy.
Dinnertime is either a triumph or a struggle in my house. No inbetween. Food is either “too spicy,” “not salty enough,” or “ugh, I just don’t like this!” I found that involving my son and my daughter in the cooking process made them more invested in the meal itself. Thank goodness we can all agree on one dining experience: Maggianos.
Maggiano’s Little Italy is a “fancier” chain restaurant that boasts old-time Italian decor and authentic dishes named after Nonno and Nonna. The best part about this restaurant is that, even though there are dozens of locations peppered across the country, dining in makes you feel like you’re in a unique neighborhood spot.
With this in mind, Maggiano’s hosts a variety of cooking classes for kids aged 5-12. Each month, a Maggiano’s chef will welcome your child upon a 9:30am Saturday arrival. Guests will customize their own chef hat to wear throughout the experience, and receive an apron they can take home. Kids will also take home a recipe card. Tickets vary in price depending on class topic- ranging from $20-$35, which also includes a buffet lunch. This fits not only the hungry mom’s budget, but also the single-mom’s, like me. Children must attend with an adult, which I definitely don’t mind doing because just being a part-time observer of this class has enhanced my own culinary skills and techniques.
Cooking is not only a fun activity for kids, it also has a variety of benefits that can aid their growth and development. Maggiano’s two-hour classes touch upon each aspect of these benefits in a kid-friendly format.
Cooking classes for children can teach them about nutritious kid-friendly eating habits and how to prepare healthy meals. Maggiano’s chefs do an amazing job in connecting the nutrition of the ingredients to the healthy food intake guidelines for kids. During class, they learn how to read recipes and understand what they are putting in their bodies. Additionally, kids are taught about portion sizes. Kids will become more curious about trying new food and healthy ingredients when presented in this format, which can lead to a lifelong habit of eating healthy.
Cooking helps children develop important life skills such as planning, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management. These fundamental skills help them in their future life by improving their confidence and independence, empowering them to be able to take on more endeavors and challenges. Maggiano’s staff does an amazing job coming up with innovative and appealing kid-friendly recipes.
Cooking classes can be a great way to spend quality time with your children while having fun in someone else’s kitchen. Your child can learn from your experience while you work together, have a good laugh with each other, and make delectable dishes that you can share and enjoy together. The idea behind having a parent present at the classes is not only for safety purposes, but also that you and your child can recreate the delicacies at home.
Cooking is more than just a mundane chore. It can be a creative and imaginative outlet for kids to express themselves while building beautiful memories with family and friends. As they cook and prepare food, they develop a sense of pride and confidence in their creation which they can share with others and cherish for years to come.
Cooking classes also provide an opportunity for children to learn about different cultures by exploring and trying out new foods and cuisines. By learning about different food traditions and practices, children gain a better understanding and appreciation for diversity, which is essential for becoming more knowledgeable global citizens.
Cooking is a valuable life skill that can have numerous benefits for children. By enrolling your kids in a cooking class, not only will they learn how to create delicious meals, but they will also gain social, mental, and physical advantages that can aid them in their adult life. So, go ahead and book a cooking class with your kids, get your cooking aprons on, and enjoy a delightful time cooking and bonding with them. Now, Hungry Mommas… book that class for your child so you can take a turn asking the daily question, “What’s for dinner?!?”
Kid-friendly programming
Kid-friendly staff
Kid-friendly entertainment
Kid-friendly, age-appropriate crafts and cuisine
Kid-friendly pricing
Kid-friendly environment
Kid-friendly special events
Kid-friendly accessibility
Kid-friendly confidence boosts
Kid-approved memories
Kid Approved by KFV
Ample parking
Online ticket purchase through Eventbrite Website
Clean family-friendly restrooms
Dana H