Summer Cooking Program for Kids
Themed week-long programs in Newton & Groton, MA. Real recipes, real skills, real fun — led by professional chefs in a nut-free kitchen.
Summer 2026 has wrapped
Get notified when next summer's weeks open
Our themed weeks fill fastest in early spring — most weeks sell out before we can finalize the schedule. Drop your email and we'll be in touch the moment next summer's dates and pricing open.
Scroll down to see what families chose this year — most weeks sold out.
Why families come back
- Kids build real confidence and real skills — many come home cooking dinner for the family
- Hands-on all day, screen-free, led by professional chefs & culinary educators
- Small groups, grouped by age (typically 6–10 and 11–15) for safety and success
- Take home daily samples, plus recipes to keep cooking
- All aprons, ingredients, supplies, and snacks included
- Welcome email, mid-week photos, and an end-of-week recap with recipes
What families say
“My son has been attending since the start of the program. He started with curiosity and a love for cooking, barely able to hold a knife properly and now he's teaching ME new cooking techniques. The progression has been remarkable.”
Newton parent, 2-year returning student“My daughter has gained incredible confidence in the kitchen. She now cooks dinner for our family once a week and loves experimenting with new recipes. This program has been transformative.”
Brookline parent, returning student“We did the Asian cuisine summer program and my son loved it. They brought home samples of their cooking every day and he loved showing off his work to the family.”
Newton parent“My daughter started last fall with a love of baking and a few basic foods she liked to eat. She progressed quickly and her palate is open to new foods. She brings home things to sample from all over the world. We love the staff and the program!”
Needham parent, returning studentWhat's cooking this summer
Choose from 8 immersive culinary themes designed by our professional chefs. Each week blends hands-on cooking, cultural discovery, and teamwork — inspiring kids to cook with curiosity, skill, and joy.
Taste the Tropics
A vibrant journey through the Caribbean and South America. From plantains to passionfruit, students explore bold flavors shaped by African, Indigenous, and European influences. Every day features a new region and new skills — from seasoning balance to tropical dessert art. Expect sunshine, spice, and serious flavor flair.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
Hibachi & Beyond
High-energy cooking inspired by Asian street food and restaurant culture. Sizzle, stir, and serve. Students learn knife skills, stir-frying, and flavor harmony across cuisines from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and beyond. A fast-paced, fun week that feels like running your own hibachi grill.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
Italian Cucina
Rustic traditions meet elegant plating. From countryside favorites to modern Italian dishes, students move beyond basic noodles to create filled and shaped pastas, garden herb sauces, and elegant presentations. This week celebrates Italy’s art of cooking and presentation — students discover how to season, plate, and savor la dolce vita.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
Rise 'n Shine Breakfast
Morning favorites, mastered. From morning classics to bakery-case masterpieces, students flip, fold, and whisk their way to breakfast perfection — the little chef tricks that make every stack fluffy, every yolk silky, and every pastry golden. At our “Lamination Station” they discover the magic of layering butter and dough to craft the flakiest croissants. Brunch will never be the same.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
Food Lab
Where edible science meets delicious discovery. Caramelization, emulsions, foams, and flavor chemistry — kids experiment with salt, fat, acid, and heat to unlock the secrets behind truly great food. Each day combines science, recipes, and taste-tests to make learning fun and flavorful.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
French Patisserie Baking
A 3-day deep dive into the art of French pastry: croissants, puff pastry, and choux. Students laminate, pipe, and bake their way through patisserie classics, learning the precision and patience behind the world’s most elegant desserts. Peanut- and tree-nut free.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
The Mind of a Baker
A focused week built around the essentials of baking: doughs, batters, and fillings. Students enjoy a balanced mix of sweet and savory recipes — from soft rolls and hand pies to muffins, cookies, and bakery-style bars. Each day highlights a core skill (mixing, kneading, shaping, portioning, assembling) with simple explanations of how ingredients behave and why techniques matter.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
Baking Around the World
A flavorful week built around baking traditions from around the world. Students explore a balanced mix of sweet and savory recipes — from soft pretzels and focaccia to scones, hand pies, conchas, and fruit-filled desserts. Each day highlights a different region or style of baking while building core skills like mixing, shaping, filling, rolling, and working with a variety of doughs and batters. A completely different menu from our Mind of a Baker camp — new experiences for returning bakers, and perfect for first-timers too.
All 2026 sessions of this theme have wrapped
View available weeks & register
Newton
Groton
A day in the program
Each morning starts with a warm welcome and a kitchen briefing. Kids dive into hands-on cooking, practicing new techniques and creating dishes built around the week's theme. Snack breaks keep energy high, and everyone sits down to a shared, family-style lunch they made together. Kids head home each day with samples and stories — and on Friday Challenge Day, they put their creativity and teamwork to the test in a friendly kitchen challenge full of confidence, problem-solving, and laughs.
Supportive, inclusive & accessible
Every child brings their own spark to the kitchen, and we meet them where they are. Before the week begins, families complete a short Student Profile Form to share anything that helps our chefs create a safe, inclusive environment — sensory sensitivities, communication needs, food preferences, social dynamics. Our chefs review every profile beforehand and tailor instruction for success. Our facilities include ADA-compliant restrooms and accessible kitchen workstations.
Good to know
Hours & locations
Newton (53 Winchester St): Mon–Fri, 9:00am–3:00pm.
Groton (491 Main St): Mon–Fri, 9:00am–1:00pm.
Snacks provided daily; kids cook and share a family-style lunch.
What to bring & allergies
Just your child and closed-toe shoes — we provide aprons, ingredients, supplies, and snacks. Long hair tied back. Our kitchen is peanut- and nut-free (we do use coconut). Share allergies and dietary needs on the Student Profile Form; our chefs adapt recipes as needed.
About Third Space Kitchen. We are a recreational kitchen offering culinary education for kids and adults — cooking classes year-round, plus our Summer Cooking Program: a special seasonal version of our regular classes, structured as full-day, themed, week-long sessions led by professional chefs. Third Space Kitchen is not licensed as a recreational camp under Massachusetts regulations (105 CMR 430); our programs are culinary education in a teaching kitchen, not recreational camping or supervision.