There’s something magical about pizza that brings children together. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an end-of-term achievement, or just fancy throwing a fun gathering, a pizza party is always a hit with kids. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to organise, endlessly customisable, and provides built-in entertainment as children create their own culinary masterpieces.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to host a memorable pizza party that kids will be talking about for weeks.
FREE Printables in the blog, plus pizza recipes at the bottom.
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This pizza party decorations bundle has it all, check it out.
Planning Your Pizza Party
Setting the Date and Guest List
Start planning 3-4 weeks in advance to give parents plenty of notice. Consider the age range of your guests, as this will influence your activity choices and supervision needs. For younger children (ages 4-7), keep the group smaller (6-8 children) and the party shorter (2 hours). Older children (ages 8-12) can manage larger groups and longer parties (2-3 hours).
Ideal party schedule:
- 11:30am-1:30pm for a lunch party
- 4:00pm-6:00pm for a tea party
- 2:00pm-5:00pm for an afternoon celebration
This bunting is personalised with your photos!
Budgeting Basics
A pizza party can be remarkably affordable. Budget approximately £8-12 per child, which should cover ingredients for pizza making, drinks, a simple dessert, and decorations. You’ll save money by making pizzas from scratch rather than ordering takeaway, and children find the making process far more exciting anyway.
Labels to personalise your pizza boxes!
Creative Invitation Ideas
Your invitations set the tone for the party. Here are some fun ideas:
DIY Pizza Box Invitations
Print mini pizza box templates on card stock, fold them up, and write party details inside. Add a round piece of red paper as the “pizza” with white paper “cheese” and toppings cut from coloured paper.
Pizza Slice Style
Cut invitations into pizza slice shapes from yellow or beige card. Use markers to add toppings and write details like: “You’re invited to a PIZZA the action! Join [Child’s name] for a pizza party!”
You can purchase quite cheaply some digital invitations that you can download and print out, or send by phone. like these ones from Etsy.
Digital Options
For a quick, eco-friendly option, create a digital invitation featuring pizza emojis or clipart. Include a fun tagline like “Let’s get this party started… one slice at a time!”
Essential information to include:
- Date, time, and full address with postcode
- Drop-off and pick-up times
- RSVP date and contact details
- Dress code (suggest casual clothes or aprons, as things might get messy)
- Dietary requirements question
- Whether siblings are invited
Shopping List Essentials
For the Pizzas (per child)
- 125g pizza dough (shop-bought or homemade)
- 60ml passata or pizza sauce
- 50g grated mozzarella
- Assorted toppings (see recipe section)
Additional Items
- Disposable plates, cups, and napkins (pizza-themed if possible)
- Plastic tablecloths for easy cleanup
- Aprons or old t-shirts for messy hands
- Kitchen roll and wet wipes
- Drinks (squash, juice boxes, or water)
- Plain flour for dusting
- Olive oil
These will be handy to protect your furniture and help[ with the mess!
Go to the bottom of the blog for the Perfect Pizza Recipe
Catering for Dietary Requirements
In today’s diverse world, it’s essential to accommodate various dietary needs. When sending invitations, always ask about allergies and dietary restrictions.
Gluten-Free Options
Use gluten-free pizza bases (readily available at most supermarkets) or make separate dough using gluten-free flour. Keep one area of your topping station gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
Dairy-Free Options
Offer dairy-free cheese alternatives like violife or simply let children load up on vegetables. Many children enjoy “white pizza” with just olive oil, garlic, and vegetables.
Vegetarian and Vegan
Most toppings are naturally vegetarian. For vegan children, combine gluten-free bases with dairy-free cheese and plenty of vegetable toppings. Check that your passata contains no hidden animal products.
Allergy Considerations
- Keep ingredients in original packaging so parents can check labels if needed
- Label each topping clearly
- Consider having children with severe allergies make their pizza first to avoid cross-contamination
- Have wet wipes readily available
- Brief other parents about allergies when they arrive
Top tip: Keep one pizza completely plain (just cheese and tomato) for fussy eaters or children with multiple allergies.
Printable games for a pizza party.
Party Activities and Games
Before the Pizzas Go in the Oven (20-30 minutes)
Pizza Box Decorating Provide plain white paper plates and art supplies. Children can design their own “pizza box” to hold their finished pizza or take home as a craft.
Pizza-Themed Charades Write pizza-related words on slips of paper (chef, oven, rolling pin, stretching dough, eating pizza) and have children act them out.
Pizza Balance Relay Create teams and have children race while balancing a paper plate (their “pizza”) on their head. For added difficulty, place a beanbag or soft toy on the plate.
These white Pizza Boxes are great to draw on.
While Pizzas Are Cooking (20-30 minutes)
Musical Pizza Slices Like musical chairs, but with paper pizza slices placed on the floor. This keeps the theme going and burns off energy.
Pizza Ingredient Memory Game Display various topping items on a tray for 30 seconds, then cover them. Children write down as many as they can remember. The child with the most correct wins a small prize.
Pizza Pictionary Divide into teams. Children take turns drawing pizza-related words while their team guesses.
Story Time For younger children, gather them for a pizza-themed book like “Pete’s a Pizza” by William Steig or “Pizza Pig” by Diana Murray.
Available at Waterstones.
After Eating (20-30 minutes)
Pizza Chef Certificates Present each child with a “Master Pizza Chef” certificate you’ve prepared in advance. Children love receiving official recognition!
Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza A twist on pin the tail on the donkey. Blindfold children and have them try to place a paper pepperoni on a large pizza poster.
Pizza Dance Party Play energetic music and let children dance off their meal. You could even teach them a simple “pizza making” dance with hand movements mimicking kneading, rolling, and tossing dough.
Download this PDF for free – it is A4 size, print as many as you want for the party – but please don’t sell them, they are a gift for you only!
The Main Event: Pizza Making
Setting Up Your Pizza Station
- Cover all surfaces with wipe-clean tablecloths
- Pre-portion dough balls and place in oiled bowls, covered with damp tea towels
- Arrange toppings in small bowls with serving spoons
- Set out rolling pins, flour for dusting, and baking trays
- Prepare sauce in squeeze bottles or small bowls with spoons
- Have aprons or old t-shirts ready
The Pizza-Making Process
Step 1: Gather the children (5 minutes) Bring everyone to the pizza station and give a brief demonstration. Show them how to flatten the dough, add sauce, and choose toppings. Emphasise that there’s no wrong way to make a pizza!
Step 2: Hand washing (5 minutes) This is crucial! Have children wash hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser before starting.
Step 3: Dough shaping (10 minutes) Give each child their dough portion on a floured surface. Let them press, stretch, and roll it into a circle (or any shape they fancy!). Aim for about 15cm diameter and 0.5cm thickness.
Step 4: Sauce and toppings (10 minutes) Children move to the topping station to add sauce and choose their toppings. Encourage creativity but remind them not to overload, as too many toppings can make pizzas soggy.
Step 5: Labeling (2 minutes) Use small pieces of paper tucked under each pizza or write initials in flour on the tray so you know whose is whose.
Step 6: Baking (10-12 minutes) Bake at 220°C (200°C fan)/Gas Mark 7. Depending on your oven size, you may need to do multiple batches. This is when party games come in handy!
Top tip: Have a practice run a few days before to perfect timing and processes.
What’s your Pizza Name?.
Dessert Ideas
After all that savoury goodness, keep dessert simple:
- DIY Ice Cream Sundaes: Set out vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and wafers
- Fruit Platter: Simple, refreshing, and parents appreciate it
- Chocolate Pizza: A shop-bought chocolate pizza sliced into wedges
- Mini Doughnuts: Easy to serve and universally loved
- Birthday Cake: If it’s a birthday party, serve cake after pizza
Party Favour Ideas
Send children home with a small token of appreciation:
- Mini pizza cutter keychain
- Pizza-shaped erasers or stickers
- Small bag of sweets
- Chef’s hat made from paper
- Packet of seeds to grow their own tomatoes or basil
- Their decorated paper plate in a clear cellophane bag
Available at Waterstones.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“I don’t like tomato sauce!” Always have olive oil and garlic as an alternative base, or let them make a “white pizza” with just cheese.
Dough sticking everywhere Keep plenty of flour handy for dusting. If dough is too sticky, it hasn’t proved long enough or needs more flour.
Too many children, not enough oven space Consider asking a neighbour if you can use their oven, or stagger the pizza making so half the children make pizzas in the first batch.
A child is too shy to participate Pair them with a confident friend or have an adult help them one-on-one. Some children prefer watching first.
Cleanup seems overwhelming Use disposable items where possible, keep bin bags handy, and enlist help from any parents who arrive early for pickup.
Pizza themed escape room.
Final Tips for Success
- Prep is everything: The more you prepare in advance, the smoother your party will run
- Embrace the mess: It’s part of the fun! What matters is that children are creating and enjoying themselves
- Take photos: Parents will appreciate photos of their children making pizzas and having fun
- Don’t stress perfection: Wonky pizzas taste just as delicious as perfect ones
- Have backup snacks: Some children may need something to nibble while waiting for pizzas to cook
- Keep it simple: You don’t need elaborate decorations or expensive entertainment. The pizza making is the star attraction
- Enjoy yourself: Your enthusiasm will be contagious. Have fun alongside the children!
Conclusion
Hosting a kids’ pizza party combines creativity, deliciousness, and entertainment in one brilliant package. Children love the hands-on experience of making their own food, and parents appreciate a party that’s engaging, relatively affordable, and accommodates various dietary needs.
The beauty of a pizza party lies in its flexibility. Whether you’re hosting in a small flat or a spacious house, for 6 children or 16, the concept scales beautifully. With a bit of planning and the tips in this guide, you’ll create an event that children remember fondly for years to come.
So roll up your sleeves, dust off that flour, and get ready to host a party that’s a real pizza perfection! After all, everything’s better with pizza.
Buon appetito!
Have you hosted a pizza party before? What activities were the biggest hit with your guests? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Perfect Pizza Recipes
Quick and Easy Pizza Dough
Ingredients (makes 8 children’s pizzas):
- 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 325ml warm water
Method:
- Mix flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre.
- Pour in oil and warm water, then mix until it forms a soft dough.
- Knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp tea towel, and leave in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Knock back the dough and divide into 8 equal portions.
Time-saving tip: Make dough the night before and refrigerate, or purchase fresh dough from your local supermarket’s bakery section.
Simple Pizza Sauce
Ingredients:
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 clove garlic, crushed (optional)
Method: Simply mix all ingredients together in a bowl. No cooking required! This makes enough for 8-10 children’s pizzas.
Topping Station Ideas
Set up a buffet-style topping station with small bowls of various ingredients. Here are child-friendly options:
Proteins:
- Cooked ham, diced
- Pepperoni slices
- Cooked chicken pieces
- Tinned sweetcorn
- Cooked sausage slices
Vegetables:
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Sliced mushrooms
- Diced peppers (red, yellow, green)
- Sweetcorn
- Sliced olives
- Pineapple chunks (for the Hawaiian fans!)
Cheese:
- Grated mozzarella (the star!)
- Grated cheddar
- Mini mozzarella balls
Herbs and extras:
- Dried oregano
- Fresh basil leaves
- Dried chilli flakes (for brave taste buds)