If your kids have caught the baking bug, there’s no time like the holidays to encourage them to roll up their sleeves, grab those measuring cups and get busy in the kitchen. From gingerbread house construction to cookies, cocoa and more, we’ve found eight of the NYC’s best holiday baking classes for kids.
1. Taste Buds Kitchen’s Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops
The family-focused Chelsea cooking school is hosting its signature Gingerbread House Decorating classes for kids aged 2 to 10 (plus their parent partners) during the month of December. Design and decorate your own house using all kinds of yummy goodies like pretzels and Swedish fish.
When: Every Sat., Sun., and Wed. between Dec. 7-22. Check the website for specific times.
Cost: $40/drop in student
Go: Taste Buds Kitchen, 109 West 27th St., 10th Fl., Chelsea, 212-242-2248
2. The Art Farm In The City Holiday Baking Classes
As part of The Art Farm In The City’s Farm Foodies series, Chef Sylvie will be teaching several different holiday-themed baking classes for kids ages 2-8. Choose from red velvet graham crackers, gingerbread pull-apart bread or holiday cookies.
When: Every Mon. and Thurs. in Dec., 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Every Sat. in Dec., 9-10 a.m.
Cost: $40/parent-child pair
Go: The Art Farm In The City, 419 E. 91st St. (between York and 1st Ave.), Yorkville, 212-410-3117
3. Institute of Culinary Education’s Gingerbread House For Parents and Kids
The perfect way for you and your kids ages five and up to get into the holiday spirit together, ICE is offering a series of gingerbread house workshops in mid-December. You’ll begin by making and baking the dough, and eventually you’ll head home with a festive, sugar-studded masterpiece.
When: Multiple classes per day during the weekends of Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22; Check the website for exact times.
Cost: $65/parent-child pair
Go: Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd St., Flatiron
4. Dough Re Me Kids Holiday Warmth
Brooklyn-based Dough Re Me will offer its “Holiday Warmth”-themed class for two age groups (4-8 and 9-14) on Sunday, Dec. 15. Kids will learn to elevate a winter favorite to new heights when they whip up homemade marshmallows and hot cocoa (with parent-approved Jacques Torres chocolate!).
When: Sun., Dec. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for kids ages 4-8; 1:30-3:30 p.m. for kids ages 9-12
Cost: $60
Go: Dough Re Me Kids, 70 Washington St., DUMBO, romy@doughremekids.com
5. Freshmade NYC’s Holiday Baking Series
Your little sweet tooth can take his pick from a wide selection of cookie (and other confection)-making classes at Freshmade with “Chloe Doughy” between Dec. 2 and Jan. 5. With everything from Miniature Magic Pies for tiny tots ages 2 to 4 to glitzy New Year’s Disco Ball Cookies for big kids from 8 to 12, there’s something to appeal to everyone.
When: Multiple classes per day from Dec. 2-Jan. 5. Check the website for specifics.
Cost: $60
Go: Freshmade NYC, 636 Broadway, 5th Fl., SoHo, 212-475-0500
6. FIAF Holiday Cooking Workshop With Sylvie Berger
Give your holiday helpers a taste of Christmas dessert en Francais at the French Institute Alliance Francaise’s holiday cooking workshop. Kids ages 5 and up will learn to bake and decorate the traditional Buche de Noel at the bilingual workshop.
When: Sat., Dec. 7 at 3:15 p.m.
Cost: $10/adults; $15/kids
Go: FIAF, 22 East 60th St., Lenox Hill, 212-355-6100
7. New York Hall of Science’s Gingerbread House Workshop
Kids can create their own gingerbread houses at the NYSCI on the afternoons of Dec. 7 or Dec. 28. Chef Jon Lovitch, the mastermind behind the Hall of Science’s massive annual Gingerbread Lane display (which is a must-see by the way!), will lead these special workshops, which will help kids make their own edible house using a kit.
When: Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 28, 2-4 p.m.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission, registration is limited
Go: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, Corona
8. Young Chefs Academy Holiday Gingerbread House Decorating Class
The Forest Hills-based Young Chefs Academy is offering a gingerbread house class for kids ages 4 and up, and they can participate with or without you present. Be sure to book right away, as sessions are already filling up, and each confection is handmade from scratch for you so it must be prepared well in advance.
When: Multiple dates and times from Dec. 13-22
Cost: $55 for kids and accompanying adults (or $45 for Young Chefs Academy members)
Go: Young Chefs Academy Forest Hills, 108-10 72nd Ave., 2nd Floor, Forest Hills, 718-268-0343
What do your kids love baking at the holidays?
Images courtesy of Taste Buds Kitchen and Chloe Doughy
To find other family activities and events going on in NYC this Christmas season click here!
