What You Need for an After-School Club Kitchen

After-school clubs are an essential part of enrichment for kids. Not only can they provide respite from the strains that can come with home life and the difficulties that come with learning in school, but they can also encourage hobbies, increase confidence, and be a safe space for children to explore.

If you are thinking about running an after-school club or are already doing so but want ideas on how to improve it, an after-school club kitchen might just be what you need.

This piece is going to look at what you need for an after-school club kitchen, so read on to find out more.

What Are You Using Your Kitchen For?

First and foremost, it is important to think about what you want to use your kitchen for. If you are planning on providing hot meals that you are making on-site, then you will need to have a license to do so. However, if you are just providing facilities so people can make food themselves, then the rules can often be a little different.

It is also worth considering if you want to use the kitchen for something like cookery classes, as that will require different licensing and permission. Once you have sorted that, you can then start looking at the physical elements you need to create the perfect afterschool club kitchen.

A Microwave

A microwave is one of the most useful gadgets you can have in a kitchen. For those who will want hot food or have their own to heat up, having a microwave could be the difference between a child having a hot meal that day over sandwiches and snacks, which can be less nutritious and much less warming.

There are also lots of different recipes that have been adapted for the microwave now, which means something like mug cakes could be a fun activity.

A Kettle or Hot Water Dispenser

A hot drink on tap is a must for kids, teens, and adults, especially in the winter, which is why a kettle is an invaluable item to have on hand. That being said, depending on how many participants you have in your after-school club, or how long it runs for, you might benefit from getting your hands on a hot water dispenser. This is a particularly great move if you live in a cold area, or if the building can get cold at times. If you have a large club to run with parents included, then a hot water dispenser can carry much of the tea-making burden.

Snacks

Having snacks on hand that people can either contribute to or dive into is an essential part of any after-school club. You don’t know how long someone has gone without eating something and being able to replenish energy levels is essential. Plus, let’s be honest, what is any kitchen without snacks?

These are just 3 essentials for an after-school club kitchen that can make a significant positive difference to the experience.