Looking for a simple way to keep kids entertained and well-fed on game day? This winning combo of pizza and cookie decorating is perfect. Cookie decorating gives the kids a fun activity, while mini pizzas satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Here’s how I pull it together so everyone has a great time.
(Thank you to Red Baron Pizza for sponsoring this post. All content and opinions are my own.)
Game day is all about family, friends, and food. We’re a household that plays, watches, and tailgates around football, so I’m always looking for ways to streamline the day. Two of the biggest challenges are feeding kids who can be picky and giving them something engaging to do while adults watch the game.
Does your child get picky about game day foods? Mine eats a lot but avoids spicy appetizers. He loves cheese dip and bacon-wrapped chicken but shy away from very spicy options. The one thing he always devours is pizza.
Mini pizzas are a fail-safe kid-approved option. I picked up small Red Baron pizzas—perfectly sized for little hands. A box of 32 makes serving easy and keeps everyone happy without a lot of fuss.
Alongside pizza, kids love a creative snack—cookies! Setting up a cookie decorating station lets you socialize and watch the big game while the children stay busy and entertained.
Prep is simple and keeps kids occupied so you can relax. Set up and decorate the table before the game starts. Lay out decorating supplies, then let the kids express themselves and have fun.
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Cookies. Bake football-shaped sugar cookies or pick up plain, undecorated cookies from a local bakery. Choose shapes that fit the theme to make decorating more fun.
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Icing. Make royal icing using meringue powder and follow the recipe directions. Divide the icing into bowls, tint with food coloring, and pour into squirt-top bottles for easy decorating.
Must Have…
Sprinkles, plastic spoons, and paper plates. Use small cups for sprinkles, plastic spoons for scooping, and paper plates as decorating stations. These simple items keep things tidy and make cleanup easier.
Let their creativity shine while you enjoy the game.
Kids can snack and play at the same time, which keeps the energy positive and the adults focused on the game.
Don’t stress about a little mess when they’re this happy—it’s all part of the fun.
You’ll know the day was a success when you see smiles like this.
Cleanup can wait until after the game—let the kids enjoy themselves for now.
Don’t forget a kids’ hydration station.
Keeping kids hydrated is essential on game day—set out water, juice boxes, or flavored water so they can help themselves.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN! With these easy ideas you can make game day simple and enjoyable: serve kid-friendly pizzas and set up a cookie decorating station to keep the little ones entertained.
BIG HUGE GIANT THANK YOU to my neighbors for a fabulous time. Thank you Katie and Courtney for a great day!!!