An image of a young girl cooking at The Real Food Academy's weekend and afterschool programs - kids activities.

Kids After-School & Weekend Programs

Cooking is a creative, unique way for children to engage with important academic concepts like science and math. At our weekend and after-school programs, kids learn to cook and develop valuable life skills, all in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Day & Time
Wednesdays at 4:30 - 6:00pm
Price
$350/Course or $45/Day
Duration
1.5 Hours Over 10 Weeks
Skill Level
Beginner+
A young chef at a Real Food Academy cooking class - we offer educational kids activities.

Kids Activities

Fun and Education Awaits at The Real Food Academy!

Looking for exciting kids activities ? The Real Food Academy offers kids a unique and enriching opportunity through our weekend and after-school cooking programs.

Designed specifically for children, our hands-on classes allow kids to have fun and be creative, all while learning technical cooking skills like following recipes, measuring, and safe kitchen practices. Through these engaging activities, kids explore the world of cooking in a way that sparks their curiosity and teaches them lessons they’ll carry into the future.

At The Real Food Academy, we use only real, nutritious foods in our recipes. Our goal is to give your little ones the knowledge, tools, and experience they need to make smart choices for their health and have a blast while learning.

The Real Food Academy cooking class green logo.

The Real Food Academy

Select a Location Below

Florida

The Real Food Academy Miami

The Real Food Academy Miami

Address

570-A NE 81st St
Miami, FL 33138

Hear From Real Customers

March 27, 2024

Amazing Time

"It was an amazing experience as always my kids had a good time and learned new cooking techniques, I love the place and very much recommend."

— Vivian Urquijo

October 11, 2023

Fun Cooking Experience

"My son enjoyed his first hands-on cooking class!!! He can’t wait to return back to learn healthy food facts and try new cooking recipes! Thank you!!!”

— Gerry Li

October 2, 2023

Class Saturday

"Mi hija de 5 años fue FELIZ con su clase de cocina! el ambiente super recomendable y profesional. Soy pastelera y recomiendo 100% este lugar =) GRACIAS! y seguramente volveremos con mi hija a sus clases.”

— Juliana Cantarella

October 1, 2023

Food Truck

"My crew enjoy the cooking class and would like to come again”

— Juliana Cantarella

June 4, 2023

Magic

"Today when I saw my daughter clapping her hands I knew that was a sign of a satisfactory accomplishment. She was so into the class. The praises from the chefs encouraged her confidence and motivated her to want know more. My daughter has Asperger Syndrome and it’s difficult for her socially. However, the smiles and claps from her today was simply priceless. Thank you.”

— Marie ST

May 17, 2023

Excellent

“My daughter really enjoyed her class, all was very organized, fun, healthy, pretty… we will be back for sure as many times as we can… she wants to be a chef :)”

— Adela

May 10, 2023

Great fun!

“My children thoroughly enjoyed the Saturday morning class. They even tried cauliflower! We will definitely return it’s a great way to spend time cooking, learning and eating!”

— Wendy

April 26, 2023

Cooking Class

“My daughter had such an amazing time in the class. She loved being there and being part of the group.”

— Mariana Ramirez

April 5, 2023

Awesome!!!

“My both daughters (5 & 9) enjoyed a lot the Saturday class!! Definitely we are going to back!! Super organized, clean, healthy and the staff very nice.”

— Frida

March 12, 2023

Great activity for kids!

“My daughter enjoyed doing the class and made 3 impressive food items. It was all themed which was fun! Highly recommend!”

— Brittany Faw

March 8, 2023

Saturday Kids Classes

Very happy to see how u lead the kids during the whole class.”

— Lizette

March 5, 2023

Great Class

My kid loves it”

— Athena

April 7, 2024

Excellent class!

"Valeria went today to the sushi class for kids and she loved it! She wants to go back next week."

— Jennifer Swanton

May 5, 2024

Amazing Class

"My daughter really enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo themed Saturday class. Everything she made was delicious and used healthy ingredients."

— Monica Barquin-Giarraffa

May 22, 2024

My 5 year boy is in love!

"My son loves everything about cooking and food and loves this class. We drive from the Grove once a month. Thank you for offering this program!"

— Beatriz

June 24, 2024

Amazing party!

"This was such a wonderful birthday party experience for my daughter and her friends! The group of 8 year olds had an amazing time, really enjoyed the actual work of cooking and preparing their own food, and eating the delicious food when it was done! The music was fun, the chef was so patient and caring, and the whole experience couldn't have been better for everyone! Really appreciated the little details too, like the aprons and hats for the kids (which they got to decorate), the ice bowls and cups for water, and the cake tray and cutting. Would highly recommend to friends."

— Yasmine

June 23, 2024

Saturday class

"My granddaughter is here for the summer so I decided to sign her up for cooking classes. Her first class was cupcakes and at the end of the class she was so excited. Decided to sign her up for more classes until the summer is over and she return back home. Next summer I will sign her up for the summer camp."

— YVETTE WRIGHT BROWN

June 17, 2024

Loved the class

"My 8 year old loved the experience and I really enjoyed being able to watch him during the class. He enjoyed every second of class. We will certainly complete more classes. I also loved the emphasis on healthy ingredients."

— Glendys

July 10, 2024

Great for kids

"My kids had a blast! This is a great activity for kids and adults. I will definitely come back with my kids and friends! I loved it."

— Cinthia Ganchozo

After School Programs FAQs

A kitchen is not needed. We can setup in any classroom, cafeteria, etc.

A minimum of 6 but no more than 12 students per class is ideal.

We offer after school programs to kids pre-k to 8th grade.

Sessions can be 8 to 12 weeks.

Classes can be 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes in duration.

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A group of kids at The Real Food Academy's cooking camps.

100%

Hands-On

All our classes are 100% hands-on and, unlike other cooking schools, we are not limited to any one cuisine!

Two young chefs enjoying each others company at our cooking afterschool and weekend programs.

An Exciting Extracurricular

Extracurricular activities are a great way for children to expand their skills beyond the classroom. While traditional after-school activities like sports or music are valuable, not every child is interested in pursuing those paths. Cooking is a fantastic alternative, offering a space for children to express their creativity and learn real-world skills in a non-competitive, supportive environment.

At The Real Food Academy, we believe cooking teaches kids independence, confidence, and responsibility. Our classes provide the perfect opportunity for kids to exercise these abilities in a fun, engaging way that sets them up for lifelong success.

The Real Food Academy reviews plate icon.

Rave Reviews for The Real Food Academy

proud to have a 4.9 star rating & 700+ reviews

  • E Sch

    Great experience! I highly recommend. Class was very fun, immersive, chef Toni was great and very helpful.
  • Eddy Garcia

    Thank you to The Real Food Academy, especially Mayra, Ray and Paolo for making my daughter’s birthday party a memorable one! You all were amazing and the kids had a great time!
  • Tashie-Ann

    We truly enjoyed our experience celebrating our friend birthday. Thank you Chef Tony & Carmen for having us.
  • Not J’ordinary

    I enjoyed this event, the atmosphere was inviting, delicious, and high energy. I recommend for those who are open minded to learning another way of cooking with real, simple ingredients!
  • Immaline Louis

    Great experience, I love it! Chef Toni was a great instructor.
  • Sharief Pereira

    Chef Toni was amazing. Her professionalism and passion totally shined through and I will come again in the future.
  • Nabil Malouli

    Amazing place for kids birthdays. The space is beautiful and the team is awesome!! 👍👍
  • Christian Altamiranda

    Chef Toni was very clear and knowledgeable. She provided us with easy to follow instructions that made this sushi class an amazing experience!
  • Miss Lucas

    I love everything about this experience at The Food Academy. Amazing staff, amazing food and great expertise customer service. I will be back!
  • Bob Bernstein

    The entire experience from start to finish was flawless. Chef Paulo was very engaging, very informative, and lots of fun, the food exceptional, and the kids had a blast learning proper knife handling technique, building their tomatoe/basil/bufalo towers, making the pasta, and watching the fire explode out of the Bananas Flambe. The adults couldn’t get over how tasty everything was, espicially the turkey meatballs. The premises are immaculate, modern, and free parking is plentiful. 5 stars doesn’t do the experience justice. Bravo!
  • Heidi Reyes

    Great place and the staff are amazing
  • Jacqueline Cabrera

    What an excellent way to start the new year by learning how to cook more healthily. It is a beautiful location and wonderful instruction.
  • Hanna Cohen

    Such a great experience! Loved it a whole lotttt
  • Sharon Somekh, MD

    Amazing evening of cooking, eating, and fun. Chefs Toni and Paolo were so knowledgeable and accommodating. We had a few people in our party with specific dietary needs and each one was treated with such care and consideration. Food was delicious and experience was really fun. Highly recommend for a party or small gathering.
  • Sharon Somekh

    What an amazing place with the BEST staff!! We came a family of 40 to celebrate birthdays. We had so much fun! We enjoyed cooking our meal. Chef Toni, Paulo and the rest of the crew were so friendly, helpful and attentive!!
  • Jenny Somekh

    We had such an awesome experience for a family of 40! Adults and kids all had a fabulous time. The food we made was delicious we all had so much fun!
  • Gillermo Molina

    Maya and Rey were super cute, very polite and professional we really enjoyed the time with them. Definitely we recommend the real food academy.
  • Heather Hudson

    I love coming to this place! I’ve taken classes here multiple times with friends, as a girls night, date night with my fiance and etc— and have always had a great time! The pasta classes are DELICIOUS! There’s more than one. I’ve done 3 different kinds so far. 10/10 :)
  • Dannielle Corpora

    Maria does an amazing job. We had such a great experience and the meals and recipes were delicious. Will be back again.
  • Rene G

    Good wholesome food, good lessons. We had the opportunity to pick our own songs. 10/10

Real Food Blog

An image of The Real Food Academy's winter salad recipe - perfect for the holidays.

5 Must-Try Recipes for a Healthier Holiday Season

Are you looking for delicious and nutritious meals to serve this holiday season? The Real Food Academy team has put together a list of 5 recipes that you can follow step-by-step or use as inspiration for your own holiday creations!

Kids Birthday Party with The Real Food Academy.

65 Ideas for an Unforgettable Kids Birthday Party

At Real Food Academy, we know planning a birthday party can be overwhelming and stressful, but we're here to make it easy and fun. Read on to see a few of our favorite themes to choose from.

Knife Skills Every Beginner Cook Should Know with The Real Food Academy

Knife Skills Every Beginner Cook Should Know

One of the first skills novice chefs need to acquire is proficient knife handling. Learn more about these key knife skills for beginners, brought to you by The Real Food Academy!

4 Essential Tips for Overcoming Anxiety About Cooking with The Real Food Academy.

4 Essential Tips for Overcoming Anxiety About Cooking

With these tips from The Real Food Academy, you'll be able to conquer your fear of the kitchen and enjoy delicious homemade meals in no time.

Essential Tips to Make You a Better Cook with The Real Food Academy.

Essential Tips to Make You a Better Cook

It takes patience and practice to become a great cook. With a few tips from The Real Food Academy, you'll be on your way to creating delicious and impressive dishes in no time.

How to Get the Most Out of a Cooking Class with The Real Food Academy.

How to Get the Most Out of a Cooking Class

At The Real Food Academy, we believe that cooking is about creating an experience. Read on for some tips about how to get the most out of a cooking class!

Real Food Recipes

The Real Food Academy's baked apple cinnamon empanadas recipe.

Baked Apple Cinnamon Empanadas

dessert
latin
The Real Food Academy asian cole slaw recipe.

Asian Cole Slaw

salad
asian
The Real Food Academy avocado fries recipe.

Avocado Fries

snack
Crunch fries on a plate, The Real Food Academy baked fries recipe.

Baked Fries

appetizer
american
The Real Food Academy berry sorbet with super food toppings, try it today!

Berry Sorbet with Super Food Toppings

dessert
italian
The Real Food Academy offers inclusive and fun cooking camps.

Nurture Culinary Creativity

With Real Food Academy’s Camps and Events

A young boy cooking at our weekend and afterschool programs - discover the benefits of choosing kids activities with The Real Food Academy.

The Real Food Academy

Developing Life Skills Through Cooking

At The Real Food Academy, our after-school and weekend programs teach children important life lessons. Here are a few things they can learn through our hands-on activities:

  • Problem Solving: When a recipe doesn’t go as planned, children learn to think on their feet, adjusting ingredients or cooking techniques to achieve the desired result.
  • Time Management: Cooking teaches children to manage their time effectively, as they must balance multiple tasks, like preparing ingredients and cooking dishes, within a set timeframe.
  • Organization: In the kitchen, children develop organizational skills by preparing their workspace, gathering ingredients, and following step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth cooking process.

Dietary Accommodations

Real Flavor for Everyone

At The Real Food Academy, we take pride in crafting culinary experiences that are not only delectable but also safe for every palate. Our dedicated team understands the significance of dietary accommodations, and we go the extra mile to ensure that every participant can savor our creations without worry.

From gluten-free alternatives to nut-free options, we're well-versed in a wide range of allergies and dietary restrictions. Our kitchen is equipped with the latest tools and techniques to prevent cross-contamination, and our instructors are adept at adapting recipes to suit individual needs.

You can trust that at our academy, your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. Join us for a flavorful journey where allergies are never a barrier to delicious dining!

We offer a variety of dietary accommodations, including but not limited to:

Gluten Free
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Nut Free
Soy Free
Soy Free
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
Vegan
Vegan
Two young children cooking together at The Real Food Academy.

Educational Kids Activities

Building Healthy Eating Habits

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At The Real Food Academy, we believe that healthy eating habits start with learning to cook. Our after-school and weekend programs introduce kids to fresh, wholesome ingredients and teach them how to prepare balanced meals. By learning to cook from a young age, children understand what goes into their food, helping them make smarter choices as they grow.

Healthier choices are especially important when considering current trends in children’s diets. In the U.S., over 26% of children and adolescents consume fast food on any given day, with around 14% of their daily calories coming from these meals. ( CDC ) Unfortunately, regular consumption of fast food, which tends to be high in calories, fat, and sodium, contributes to rising obesity rates. As of 2022, approximately 20% of children aged 6-11 years were classified as obese. ( CDC )

By learning how to prepare nutritious meals in a fun and interactive setting, children at The Real Food Academy gain lifelong skills that promote smarter food choices. Our programs aim to reduce reliance on processed and fast foods by empowering kids to cook at home using real ingredients.

Master the Art of Flavor

Additional Cooking Classes at The Real Food Academy

If you're looking for kids activities, choose The Real Food Academy's after-school and weekend programs!

The Real Food Academy

Reserve a Kids Cooking Class Today

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If you’re looking for fun, educational kids activities, The Real Food Academy offers the perfect blend of health, fun, and skill-building.

Our kids’ cooking classes are designed to teach essential life skills and build healthy eating habits. From learning how to prepare balanced meals to discovering the importance of real ingredients, children gain practical knowledge they can use for a lifetime.

Give your child the gift of confidence in the kitchen and a foundation for making smarter food choices. Book an after-school or weekend cooking class for your kid and watch them learn, create, and thrive!

Real Food. Real Connections

Elevate Your Culinary Expertise with Classes at The Real Food Academy

Special Announcements

The Real Food Academy Is Franchising

The Real Food Academy is now offering a fun & family-friendly franchise opportunity. We are expanding and inviting franchisees to join us on our culinary journey! Follow us on Instagram and Learn how you can #inspirelovethroughfood!

Learn More