This is probably one of the easiest things to make with a busy toddler-pizza! If you are more ambitious than I am you can make your own dough, or get a pre-made crust like we did! What you will need:
Pizza crust
Sauce
Toppings
Small utensils for spreading sauce (We picked up a pack of child-sized cooking utensils from Hobby Lobby that included lots of useful things).
Small bowls for each topping so your toddler can maximize their independence (and you also won't have to worry about their sticky hands mixing everything together)
Ways this activity aids in development:
Cooking provides a multisensory experience with different textures, tastes, and smells
Your child learns the sequence to a task, as well as understands how incredible it can be to create something yourself.
Promotes pincer grasp and familiarity with utensils as your child pinches to place items like cheese, olives, etc., and also allows opportunity for introduction of items like spatulas!
Builds confidence in your child as they explore how independent they can be with the activity while also having you near by when they may need help.
Here is a link to 20 easy recipes for your child!
Eloise had just as much fun making her pizza as she did eating it!
Tips for cooking with your little one!
Understand the activity will take much longer-your child may enjoy a particular step of the activity (i.e. pouring and spreading the sauce), and breeze through other steps, but knowing this going into the activity to allow for flexibility and know this will also be an activity of patience for you is good knowledge to have going into the activity.
Setting out the materials one step at a time will help if your toddler is especially into reaching for and touching everything at this age!
If your child becomes unsure when touching a new texture, try to have a neutral response. Similar to when a child bumps their head, they will look to you for reassurance (am I okay?). Encourage them to touch, taste, and smell the different ingredients and praise them when interacting with these (remember that these are all new experiences for your child, and the more positive experiences we can build with exploration of new textures, tastes, smells, the more likely they can continue exploring and becoming more familiar and accepting of new foods and experiences!
Lastly, try to have fun! Your child's pizza will likely not be restaurant quality, but similar to when they engage in an art project, allowing the independence to truly make their own creation makes for a proud child and a memorable experience for you both!