ANNOUNCEMENT (October 20, 2025): Break out the mixing bowls and sort those measuring cups! Cooking with Kids returns Thursday, October 23, after school from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration is now open for chefs 9-12 years of age with a signed permission slip and waiver on file. Class size is limited to 6 students for safety and instructional purposes. Don’t miss out on signing up your little chef now! Drop in at the circulation desk or call 785-336-2377. Registration note: If your child must miss a session they are signed up for due to illness or unexpected scheduling issues, please let us know as soon as possible so we can try to get one of our waiting list participants substituted in for their spot. Thank you!
REPORT (October 16, 2025)
What’s sticky, sweet, and fun to eat (unless you have a severe allergy)? Peanut Butter of course! And in this session, our cooking crew had the opportunity to make not one, not two, but THREE different recipes using this protein packed powerhouse! Facilitator Deb Haverkamp also used the opportunity to introduce and discuss various baking pans and why a recipe might call for one type or size over another. To demonstrate, the kids made Peanut Butter Sheet Brownies and Peanut Butter Granola Bars. While those products took turns baking, the kids also made Peanut Butter Energy Balls. The cooking crew did a fantastic job and managed to get all three projects plus the cleanup done with their fun but focused approach to the session. Thanks to our participants as always, and of course a special thanks to our facilitator, Librarian Deb Haverkamp, who does such a great job organizing and teaching these classes!
REPORT (October 9, 2025)
Fall brings tailgating and football parties, so what better time to introduce the kids to party snacks than cozy season? For this session the Cooking Crew did Barbecue Kielbasa Bites, Ranch Seasoned Oyster Crackers, and Pickle Cheeseburger Skewers (think carb-friendly burger kabobs). We had talked about doing buffalo wings, but then we realized that making them from scratch like we prefer to do would take too much time. We considered nacho dip, but recognized there that the traditional method doesn’t require enough steps or effort to really benefit the kids learning. Both are classic game day options, but we’ll have to leave them for the kids to learn at home.
REPORT (September 19, 2025)
In the realm of personal favorites, we love anything that’s heavy on the vegetables or fruits. The kids love anything that involves chopping. It’s a match made in heaven. So, of course, any chance to make fruit pizza is a winning concept all around. Likewise, every opportunity we get to demonstrate how most recipes can be halved in the amount of sugar and still be amazing is a big educational win for everybody too! The Cooking Crew also whipped up a pepperoni cheese dip that was a big hit, served with garlic Parmesan pretzel chips. Thanks to our Cooking with Kids Crew for doing such a great job (and sharing with the Librarians back in the main building)! And, of course, special thanks to Librarian Deb Haverkamp for making this patron favorite program what it is!
REPORT (September 11, 2025)
Some entrees are so tasty you’d never guess they were easy to do, but our Cooking with Kids Crew made this classic restaurant favorite and blew the tortillas right off the competition! Chicken fajitas with sauteed onion and pepper were a big hit with our cooking crew, and simple enough they were eager to try it again at home! Thanks to our participants for joining us this week, and a special thanks, as always, to Librarian Deb Haverkamp for making this fun and educational program possible!
REPORT (September 4, 2025)
Orchard fresh and ready to go, these apples got the Cooking with Kids treatment and received a major glow up just in time for fall! This session, the cooking crew baked a classic apple crisp and whipped up an apple dip so yummy it made this acrophobic librarian want to climb a tree and get more apples! Fantastic job crew! Hopefully you’ve found a new seasonal favorite like so many cooks before you! And special thanks to Librarian Deb Haverkamp for making this session possible!
