Read on for an easy recipe for making child-friendly pizza at home! It’s not only healthy and fun but there are many benefits! 

Cooking with young children is a fun and educational activity that benefits their overall development. Involving kids in the kitchen helps them to learn essential life skills, improve their cognitive abilities, and foster their creativity. One of the simplest and most popular dishes to make with young children is pizza. 

Here’s why cooking with kids is beneficial and how making pizza can be a fun and educational experience for them:

• Teaches life skills: hand washing, hygiene, food prep, measurement, food choices – there are so many life skills you can cover in a simple cooking activity! 
• Encourages creativity: Cooking with your children provides a platform for them to express their creativity. From selecting toppings to decorating their pizzas, children have the opportunity to showcase their imagination. This helps to develop their creative skills and self-expression.
• Enhances problem-solving skills: Cooking involves problem-solving, and making pizza is no exception. Children learn to measure ingredients, mix them together, and deal with obstacles that arise in the kitchen. This experience helps them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Improves fine motor skills: Making pizza requires various hand movements, such as kneading dough, spreading sauce, and cutting toppings. These actions help to improve the children’s fine motor skills, which is important for their overall development.
• Enhances mathematical skills: Cooking involves counting, measuring, and following recipes. These activities help children develop their numerical skills and provide a fun way to practise basic maths.
• Promotes healthy eating habits: Cooking with children can help promote healthy eating habits. By making their own pizza, children are more likely to try new ingredients and appreciate healthy foods. This is a great opportunity to educate them about the importance of a balanced diet and healthy eating habits.

Here is our easy recipe for child-friendly pizza:

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough – make your own or buy pre-prepared! 
• Pizza sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Toppings of your choice (e.g., ham, salami, roast vegetables, pineapple)

Stuck for ideas for pizza toppings? Here are some ideas to try.

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C.
• Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface.
• Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
• Add the toppings of your choice.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
• Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Top tip: rather than making one large pizza, it can be fun to make mini pizzas to try different topping combinations! 

Cooking with young children can be a fun and educational experience that helps to enhance their cognitive, fine motor, and creative skills. Making pizza is an excellent way to involve kids in the kitchen and help them develop essential life skills. 

Don’t be afraid to involve your little ones in the kitchen and let the cooking adventures begin!