Engaging Kids in Making Pizza

There’s no denying that using a pizza oven and cooking using a live flame is a fun thing to do for us adults. We were always told as kids, ‘Don’t play with fire!’, but pizza ovens allow us to do just that. So, getting your children involved might not sound like the most responsible thing to do, right? Of course, we’re not suggesting you let them loose with lighting the fire and launching the pizzas, but getting them involved with making the dough, sauce and topping the pizzas is an amazing way to foster creativity and teamwork, as well as providing valuable learning opportunities. Let’s find out how…

Let’s Get Messy!

Making pizza dough isn’t often the cleanest job, even for adults! But getting the children to help takes the mess to a whole new level. But fear not, allowing them to get involved with making the dough has a huge number of benefits. And after all, the mess can be cleaned up. (More about that later!). 

Kids love getting their hands in the flour, kneading the dough, and feeling it come together. Measuring out ingredients like flour, yeast, and water is also a great way for children to practice basic maths skills like counting and ratios. It also gives children a basic science lesson, as the yeast gets to work and the fermentation process takes place, you can explain how the carbon dioxide is created within the dough, which makes it light and aerated. Whether or not they’ll listen to that bit is another matter altogether, though!

Let’s Get Creative

Allowing kids to choose their own toppings and come up with their own flavour combinations is a fantastic way to get them thinking creatively. It also gives them the freedom to create their own pizza, rather than being ‘given what they’re given’. This in itself encourages them to get involved and to be more engaged with the process. You can even challenge them to try two or three toppings they might not usually choose, to explore new flavours and develop their own ideas of what works and what doesn’t. 

Who Said Cleaning Is Boring?

Once the dough is made, it’s time to clean up. You can make this into a little challenge or game for younger children, for example, getting them to clean up by the time their favourite song finishes. Don’t be afraid of the mess, though. Flour on the counter and dough sticking to their little fingers is all part of the creative chaos that makes the experience memorable. Kids tend to love getting involved with washing up the bowls and utensils, which has the added bonus that you don’t have to do it! Win, win!

Teamwork & Social Skills

Pizza making is a fantastic way to teach kids the importance of teamwork and communication. When children work together to create a pizza, they learn to share tasks, such as stretching the dough, spreading the sauce, and choosing toppings. It’s also a brilliant way for them to collaborate on ideas, as well as practice patience as they wait for each other’s pizzas to be made before starting their own.

Getting Their 5 a Day!

Pizza gets a bad rap for being super unhealthy, and sure, from your local takeaway, that’s more than fair. But fresh, homemade pizza is actually a great way to sneak in some of the good stuff into your children’s diets. Think about adding fresh veggies such as peppers, mushrooms, and even thinly sliced courgettes work great on pizza. A good pizza sauce made properly has zero additives, and it basically pure tomatoes, with added basil and a little olive oil. Try to go sparingly with the mozzarella, too. Pizza shouldn’t be topped with a mountain of cheese. Just a few torn pieces of fresh buffalo mozzarella is perfect.

Final Thoughts

Engaging kids in making fresh pizza is not only a fun and creative activity but also a wonderful opportunity for them to develop new skills, build teamwork, and learn about healthy eating. It’s a great way to bond as a family and introduce your children to the joys of cooking. So, next time you fire up the pizza oven, drag the kids away from the screens and get them involved. Trust us, they’ll love it!

If you’ve not yet bought a pizza oven, or are thinking about upgrading, feel free to get in touch at 01423 608648 or send us an email at sales@thepizzaovenshop.com. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help you elevate your outdoor cooking game.