Pizza Movie Night: A Fun Tradition For Busy Moms

Picture this: It’s been a hectic week, you’ve got a million things on your plate, and the last thing you want to do is figure out what’s for dinner? AGAIN. That’s where Pizza Movie Night swoops in to save the day! It is such a fun way to end a busy week, and kickstart the weekend!

I declared Friday Night Pizza Movie Nights about 2 years ago now, and I started it for two reasons. One, I didn’t want to have to decide what was for dinner that day. Two, I wanted my daughter to have a childhood memory of fun, and quality family time. (and I wanted that for myself too!) We tried it, and it stuck! Even if the week has been slammed-packed and overwhelming, everyone looks forward to Friday Night Pizza Movie Night in our house.

Rules for Pizza Movie Night:

• Keep it easy!
• Keep it on the same night so it’s on autopilot and everyone knows when it is.
• Family-friendly movies- you decide for what works for your family.
• If you have little kids- you have to set the ground rule that grownups pick the movie! They can offer suggestions, but I do not want to watch Zootopia for the 12th time this week. That rule had to be implemented for us. It’s FAMILY night- so the family picks.
• No phones or tablets during the movie.
• Make it cozy with pillows and blankets easy to grab.
• Popcorn is always a fun bonus treat!

Here’s what Pizza Movie Night Looks Like in Our House:

I usually buy the pre-made pizza dough near the deli usually, from the store. I buy 3 or 4 at a time and place them in the freezer. Friday morning, I set one out, and at dinner time, I shape it with my hands and make the pizza. There’s no real “recipe”. I use whatever is on hand for toppings and I need to use up. Got half a bell pepper and onion- make it supreme. Got ham in the fridge- make it a meat lovers. Got extra chicken in the fridge- make it a BBQ pizza. Don’t worry about it being perfect- it’s about the fun!

Sometimes my daughter helps me make them too. If you have a large family- cut the dough in half and let your kids make their own! (This can get chaotic, but the pride they get in themselves- it’s so worth it!)

While it’s baking- we’re picking the movie. Sometimes this can take A WHILE! Once the pizza has baked and cooled, then we dig in, and start Pizza Movie Night!

The Secret About Pizza Movie Night?

It’s also about giving yourself a break. It’s about removing one decision off your plate. It’s about looking around the room and knowing your family is together in one place at least once a week, because they won’t always be. It’s also about FUN! Which is one of my core values as a mom- to have some fun along the way.

-If you are worried about the cost of pizza movie night- know that we do not order out pizza often. It’s just too expensive. Ordering pizza out is usually a very special treat- we may have ordered out maybe three times in the two years we’ve been doing it. Find those frozen doughs! They are the best!

Movie Ideas for Pizza Movie Night:

This will 100% depend on your family, and what season of motherhood you are in. I have a young elementary-age child, and here are some movies we’ve watched as a family recently:

• The Harry Potter Series
• Jumanji
• Wizard of Oz
• The Parent Trap
• The Sandlot
• Haunted Mansion- original
• The Goonies
• Avatar
• The Longest Yard
• Pirates of the Caribbean Series
• Daddy Day Care
• Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
• Yes Day
• Are We There Yet
• Star Wars
• The Willoughby’s
• The entire Marvel lineup
• Cheaper by the Dozen

And of course, during Holidays, we watch Holiday-themed movies!

Pizza Movie Night is a great way to inject a little fun into your busy season of motherhood!

Life can be hectic and overwhelming at times, but taking the time to slow down, relax, and enjoy each other’s company – even if it’s just for one night a week – can make all the difference.

Everyone in our family looks forward to this tradition! We share it with members of our family when they come to visit in town because they also already know what Friday night is, and they’re excited to get down on it too! It fills my heart up so much when someone casually mentions, it’s pizza night right?!

Grab the easiest pizza to make for your family, pick out your favorite toppings, and get ready to kick off your very own Pizza Movie Night tradition. Trust me, your family will thank you for it – and you’ll thank yourself, too! It has brought my family so much joy.

As always- share this post with a Mama that needs a break, and some joy in her motherhood!

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