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Health & Fitness

Fun and Nearly-Free At-Home Projects to do With Your Kids: Make a Pizza!

Every parent knows that when you have kids stuck at home during the summer they can be pretty bored and cranky. Why not try having your child make his or her own pizza!

Let's face it, every parent knows that when you have kids stuck at home during the summer they can be pretty bored and cranky.  But not all of us have big budgets to plan family outings and sometimes we can't even afford the gas to go places that are free! So here is a suggestion for an at home project that costs around $10 that is fun for kids ages 2 and up!

Make Your Own Pizza!

All kids like pizza.  Making your own pizza is a rather cost effective and fun way to keep boredom at bay.  You can also involve your kids in making a healthy (yes, pizza can be healthy) snack.

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First the ingredients! 

  1. Pillsbury has ready made pizza dough that is around $3.50 when it isn't on sale. 
  2. Pick out some shredded mozarella or your favorite kind of cheese.  Mozarella is usually available in a version made with skim milk to keep the fat content of the pizza down.  On average the bags of cheese cost around $3.00.
  3. Then all you need is a single can of tomato sauce (usually around 50 cents) and you have your pizza basics. 
  4. You can pick out a variety of fruits and vegetables to top your pizza. Some of my favorites include pineapple, onion, green pepper, red pepper, and mushrooms. 

 

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Next the equipment...

  1. A cookie sheet to bake the pizza on.
  2. A can opener for opening the tomato sauce.
  3. A spoon for spreading the sauce.
  4. A lot of paper towels to clean up after enthusiastic pizza makers.

 

Finally, all you have to do is put the ingredients out and let your kids have at it! For younger children (under the age of 5) it is much easier if you already have the dough spread out on the cookie sheet.  Then let them pour the sauce from a can and spread it with a spoon.  Next they can pile it high with cheese and any of the toppings of their choice. Getting to choose the toppings AND actually put it on the pizza will thrill any kid.

Obviously, the parent will put the pizza into the oven and take it out, but have them set the timer for you! It is a perfect time to clean up the mess, and your child, while the pizza is cooking.

I personally did this with my 2 1/2 year-old daughter and both of us had a blast! She didn't give me any trouble making it, although it was a little messy. This is great for kids who are picky eaters (like mine)...I guarantee they are going to scarf down anything that they had a hand in making.

I will be posting more inexpensive, at-home projects soon so stay tuned!

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