Children’s Cooking Workshop Checklist

A children’s cooking workshop runs smoothly when the planning is finished before the first child arrives. Choose recipes that fit the available ovens, hot plates and preparation time, then confirm registrations, dietary requirements and parent contacts. Shopping and kitchen preparation need to happen in stages: store chilled ingredients safely, portion ingredients and test the equipment before setup. On the day, leave enough time for handwashing, attendance, workstation checks and a calm start.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set theme and recipes
2 people
Reserve venue and kitchen
Send invitations
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Check parent contacts
Create recipe cards
2 people
Set up workstations
2 people
Check the shopping list
Do the shopping
2 people
Set up non-perishable supplies
Check fresh ingredients
Keep ingredients refrigerated
Wash fruits and vegetables
2 people
Prepare workstations
3 people
Portion ingredients
3 people
Test ovens and cooktops
Chill drinks
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
Hang decorations
2 people
Lay out recipe cards
Carry out hygiene inspection
2 people

Event

Receive participants
3 people
Register attendance
Have hands washed
2 people
Explain safety rules
2 people
Demonstrate recipes
2 people
Assign children to workstations
3 people
Prepare dough and bases
3 people
Cut vegetables and toppings
4 people
Finish pizzas and snacks
4 people
Operate ovens and cooktops
2 people
Refill drinks
Clean work tables between uses
2 people
Serve dishes
3 people
Taste together and chat afterward
3 people
Hand out certificates
Hand children over to their parents
2 people

Aftercare

Pack leftovers safely
2 people
Collect and sort waste
2 people
Wash dishes and kitchen utensils
3 people
Thoroughly clean the worksheets
2 people
Clean the floor
Clean refrigerators and ovens
2 people
Clear tables and chairs
3 people
Remove decorations
2 people
Count and check materials
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Store leftover groceries

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 4
Beer tablesqty 2
Chairsqty 24
Service table

Tableware

Children's platesqty 24
Bowlsqty 24
Drinking glassesqty 24
Mugsqty 12
Cutlery setsqty 24

Kitchen

Apronsqty 20
Chef hatsqty 20
Cutting boardsqty 12
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 6
Measuring spoonsqty 6
Rolling pinsqty 8
Wooden spoonsqty 12
Rubber spatulasqty 12
Kitchen knivesqty 8
Vegetable peelersqty 6
Baking traysqty 8
Oven mittsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 4
Ladlesqty 4

Equipment

Ovensqty 2
Hot platesqty 2
Coolersqty 2
Kitchen scaleqty 2
Timerqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Paper garlandsqty 4
Name stickersqty 30
Recipe cardsqty 24
Certificatesqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Floor mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Choose recipes that can be completed within the session time and test the oven or hot plate settings beforehand. Keep at least 15 minutes available for introductions, handwashing and explaining the recipe cards.
Close registrations early enough to check dietary requirements and parent contacts. A practical deadline is 3–5 days before the workshop, so you can adjust recipes and shopping quantities.
Buy non-perishable supplies first, but leave fresh ingredients until 1 day before the workshop. Keep chilled items refrigerated or in coolers until they are needed at the workstations.
Set up one workstation per small group and portion ingredients before participants arrive. Put measuring cups, spoons, mixing bowls and recipe cards where children can reach them without crossing the cooking area.
Check safety and hygiene immediately before opening the room: wash fruits and vegetables, inspect cutting boards and utensils, test timers and oven mitts, and make sure every child washes their hands on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a children’s cooking workshop?: Start planning 3–4 weeks ahead to choose recipes, reserve the venue and send invitations. Confirm registrations and dietary requirements 3–5 days before the workshop, then shop for fresh ingredients 1 day before.
How much time do I need to set up a children’s cooking workshop?: Allow 60–90 minutes for tables, chairs, decorations, workstations, recipe cards and ingredient portions. Test ovens and hot plates before children arrive, and reserve another 15 minutes for handwashing and attendance.
How do I organise ingredients for a children’s cooking class?: Check the shopping list twice: once before buying and again after delivery. Store chilled ingredients immediately, wash fruit and vegetables before use, and portion ingredients into bowls or containers for each workstation.
What equipment does a children’s cooking workshop need?: Plan one complete basic tool set for each workstation, including a mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, a wooden spoon or spatula, and a cutting board. Add shared equipment such as ovens, hot plates, timers and coolers, and provide one apron and chef hat per child if required.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.