Sensory Fun in the Kitchen: Making Pizza with Chef Greyson
There’s something magical about turning simple ingredients into something delicious — especially when tiny hands and big smiles are leading the way! Today, Chef Greyson took over the kitchen to make homemade pizza from scratch, using Trader Joe’s pizza dough, pizza sauce, and two kinds of shredded mozzarella cheese.
This activity wasn’t just about dinner — it was about connection, confidence, and sensory exploration.
👐 Step 1: Feeling the Dough
Greyson started by kneading the soft pizza dough. The slightly cool, stretchy texture gave her hands plenty of sensory feedback — a perfect blend of pressure and movement that helps calm and focus the body. She pressed, flattened, and shaped it until it felt just right.
Sensory tip: Dough play can be grounding and joyful for autistic kids. It offers deep-pressure input that supports regulation while encouraging fine-motor strength and creativity.
Kneading the dough — excellent deep-pressure input.
Shaping the dough on the board.
Chef Greyson smiling with her dough masterpiece.
🍅 Step 2: Spreading the Sauce
Next came the smooth and fragrant pizza sauce. Greyson scooped it up with a spoon and spread it in big circles across the dough, watching the bright red color swirl and shine. The repetitive motion and vibrant visual cues made this part especially engaging.
Close-up of the sauce being swirled in circles.
Spreading the sauce edge to edge.
🧀 Step 3: Adding the Cheese
Two types of mozzarella — part-skim and whole-milk — made for a fun texture contrast. Greyson sprinkled, pinched, and spread fluffy cheese until every inch was covered. The light crackle of shredded cheese and the satisfying sprinkle motion kept her focused and proud.
Presenting a bowl of shredded mozzarella.
Sprinkling cheese by the handful — great fine-motor work.
Finishing touches of cheese.
🔥 Step 4: Baking and Waiting
The hardest part was waiting! As the pizza baked, the kitchen filled with warm, buttery, cheesy aromas. Greyson watched through the oven window, counting down the minutes until her masterpiece was ready.
Pizza topped and ready for the oven.
🍽️ Step 5: The Big Reveal
When the pizza came out golden and bubbly, Greyson’s excitement said it all. The crust crisped beautifully, the cheese melted into a perfect blanket, and the taste? Absolute perfection — straight from Chef Greyson’s heart.
Chef Greyson with the finished pizza — golden and bubbly!
💜 Why Cooking Together Matters
Cooking gives children — especially those with sensory sensitivities — a way to explore textures, smells, and sounds in a fun, low-pressure setting. Each step builds independence, body awareness, and self-esteem. And when it’s done with love (and a little flour on the counter), it becomes a memory that nourishes everyone.
🌟 Try It at Home
- 1 Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough (or any premade dough)
- 1 jar of Pizza Sauce
- 2 cups of shredded Mozzarella (mix of varieties adds fun!)
Let your child lead the way, focus on the process more than perfection, and enjoy the sensory adventure together.
