Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to bring a little spookiness into the kitchen! One of the easiest, most festive Halloween activities you can do with little ones is making mummy pizza with kids. It’s simple, delicious, and only requires a few ingredients you probably already have at home. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get kids involved in the cooking process, which is beneficial in so many ways. Let’s get started with this fun Halloween recipe, then dive into why cooking together is such a valuable activity for children.

Why Making Mummy Pizza with Kids is So Much Fun!

Kids love hands-on activities, especially when they get to be creative and a little messy. Making mummy pizza not only checks those boxes but also introduces kids to simple cooking skills in a safe, exciting way. And since it’s Halloween-themed, the spooky look of these mini pizzas will have them even more eager to participate! Whether it’s folding the “bandages” of dough over the pizza or carefully placing olive slices for eyes, every step of making these mummy pizzas is something kids can enjoy.

Easy Mummy Pizza Recipe

This mummy pizza recipe uses ingredients you probably already have on hand, making it a convenient Halloween treat. It’s great for both quick snack times and as a Halloween party favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 Pillsbury pizza crust
• 8 tablespoons of tomato sauce
• 6 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella
• 4 black olives, sliced in half
• Pre-sliced salami or pepperoni (optional)
• Sausage or diced ham (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Dough
   Start by dividing the Pillsbury pizza crust into four equal sections. Shape each section into a square. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece a bit more, creating a larger surface for toppings.
2. Add the Sauce
   Place each dough square on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce (or any pizza sauce you have) in the center of each square.
3. Top with Cheese and Protein
   Sprinkle each pizza with 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella. If your kids love toppings, let them add a few slices of pepperoni, some diced ham, or even sausage. This adds more “texture” to their spooky mummies!
4. Create the Mummy Look
   Slice the edges of each dough square into one-inch strips using a pizza cutter, kid-friendly scissors, or a plastic knife. Carefully fold the strips toward the center of the pizza, one at a time, overlapping them slightly to create a “bandaged” look.
5. Add the Eyes
   Place two black olive slices at the top of each pizza to act as mummy eyes. Your kids will love carefully putting these in place, completing the face of each mummy.
6. Bake
   Preheat the oven to 450°F (250°C). Bake the mummy pizzas for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dough is golden brown.

Pro Tip: Let your kids use a pastry brush to “paint” the sauce on the dough. It’s a simple touch, but it adds a sense of ownership for them.

Benefits of Making and Cooking with Kids

Cooking together goes beyond just creating a meal. When kids are involved in cooking, it’s actually helping them develop essential life skills. Here are some of the top benefits of making mummy pizza with kids, especially for Halloween:

1. Increased Appetite and Willingness to Try New Foods

Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat food they’ve helped prepare. When they’re hands-on, touching ingredients, and seeing the transformation of food, their interest in the meal skyrockets. This is especially helpful for picky eaters; kids are more likely to taste what they’ve helped make. So, with each slice of mummy pizza, you’re helping them explore new flavors and ingredients!

2. Creativity Boost

There’s no limit to the creativity involved in cooking. As kids fold their mummy “bandages” over the cheese or carefully place olives as eyes, they’re learning to approach food in a creative, playful way. Allow them to decide where to place toppings, what pattern to follow, or how to add their own spooky flair. Cooking can easily become a platform for children to express themselves.

3. Hands-On Learning and Motor Skills

Cooking involves plenty of fine motor skills that can benefit younger children. Rolling dough, spooning sauce, sprinkling cheese, and arranging toppings all require hand-eye coordination and practice with motor control. And with a safe setup, they’re mastering these skills in a low-pressure, fun environment. Plus, measuring out ingredients helps reinforce basic math skills like counting and fractions.

4. Building Confidence and Responsibility

When kids participate in meal prep, they feel a sense of accomplishment. Knowing that they had a hand in creating a part of the meal boosts their confidence and makes them more willing to take on other tasks. Teaching kids how to make something as simple as mummy pizza also reinforces responsibility, showing them that food preparation and kitchen safety are essential skills they can carry forward in life.

5. Quality Family Time

In our busy schedules, spending quality time with our kids can sometimes be a challenge. Cooking together, however, offers an easy way to bond and make lasting memories. Halloween-themed recipes like mummy pizza make it even more exciting, as you get to celebrate the holiday together in a delicious way.

Additional Tips for a Fun Mummy Pizza-Making Session

• Let Kids Choose Toppings: Give them options for toppings. They can go with classic cheese or add extras like diced bell peppers or even pineapples for a quirky twist.
• Make it a Cooking Lesson: Use this opportunity to talk about where ingredients come from or why certain foods are good for us. Make it educational but keep it fun and simple.
• Safety First: While cooking, emphasize kitchen safety. Teach them the basics, like handling a plastic knife or being cautious around hot ovens, so they feel secure.
• Add Extra Spooky Fun: If you’re looking for a little extra Halloween flair, add a few drops of green or purple food coloring to the cheese for a ghoulish look, or try serving the pizzas with a side of “bloody” marinara for dipping.

Wrapping Up Your Halloween Mummy Pizza Adventure

Cooking Halloween mummy pizza with kids is not only about creating a tasty treat but also about building essential life skills, confidence, and family bonds. With just a few simple ingredients, you’re creating an experience that your kids will remember—and hopefully, look forward to doing again! Whether it’s Halloween or just a fun family night in, making mummy pizza with kids is an activity that combines food, fun, and a touch of creativity.

Let the kitchen become your haunted workshop, and watch as your kids’ excitement grows with every slice of dough they fold and every olive they place. Halloween just got a lot tastier, and with these mummy pizzas, it’s a celebration they won’t forget!

Interested in more cooking recipes to make with kids? Check out my post on small-batch, kid-friendly chunky Lotus Biscoff cookies recipe here.