Are you looking for something a little different for your kids this summer? Something to get them away from the TV, computer and Wii or Xbox? Try a kids’ cooking class! There are several options available in the Kansas City area.

The Kansas City Culinary Center (kcculinary.com) is located in old downtown Overland Park. They have a fabulous newly expanded facility and several different classes for kids throughout the summer. The bulk of their kids’ classes are geared for ages 9 to 14 - but they do offer a small number of classes for smaller kids, 2 1/2 to 4 and 5 to 8. The classes range from breakfast foods, cookies and cinnamon rolls to shopping and cooking from the farmers’ market, Italian and cake decorating. The Culinary Center is even offering a French food class modeled after the animated movie Ratatouille - this one is for parents and children ages 6 and up. Check out the full schedule on their website for dates and pricing.

A new offering in town is the Young Chefs Academy at 119th St. and Roe in Leawood. There are regularly scheduled weekly classes - you can take just one or sign up for a package or a membership. YCA is also offering week-long mini-camps this summer - each week has a different culinary theme. Kids get to do hands-on food prep, learn cooking and prep techniques, kitchen safety and table setting. They change the menus and recipes weekly and teach the children about taste testing and food rating too! This is also a fun new option for birthday parties! Check out their website at youngchefsacademy.com for details.

Believe it or not, there are some fantastic cooking classes being offered at the Olathe Hy-Vee location (135th Street, east of Mur-Len - near Kohl’s) this summer. Their Kids in the Kitchen program offers a one-hour class for kids in the Hy-Vee dining room ($2 per child!) every three or four days for all of June, July and the first few days of August. Classes include mini pizzas, muffins, smoothies, fruit and cheese kabobs and fruit and yogurt parfaits. Check the KCKidsFun events calendar throughout the summer for the full schedule. Reservations are suggested - call Hy-Vee at 913-780-9339. All classes start at 10:00 a.m.

We checked around with most of the metro’s parks and recreation departments and couldn’t find any other summer cooking classes. But definitely check back with them for cooking classes for kids during their fall and winter sessions. You can usually find some fun classes for bargain prices! Email us here at KCKidsFun - or add a comment to the end of this article - if you run across any other great cooking classes for kids around Kansas City.