Best make-your-own-pizza spots for kids in NYC

Treat the kiddos to a DIY pizza night with a hands-on Pizza! Pizza! class at the Institute of Culinary Education. The top-notch culinary school offers professional instruction for parents and kids (ages 9 and up) in a 3-hour crash course. They’ll come away knowing the secrets to kneading and stretching dough, whipping up super-fresh sauce and more. Your tot’s taste buds are in for a treat—you’ll get to make and try several varieties of pizza, including classic cheese, white pizza, veggie pizza, spinach-and-cheese Stromboli and even a sweet dessert pizza topped with Nutella and banana. Make sure you have at least one adult for every two kids. Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty St, 3^rd floor (212-847-0770, recreational.ice.edu). Classes offered on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; visit website for schedule and registration. $95 per person.

Watching talented pizzaiolos pull perfect pies out of fancy coal- or wood-burning ovens might make it seem impossible to replicate the process at home, but this cooking school proves it can be done. Friendly owners Mark and Jenny Bello host weekend workshops, walking adults and children (recommended ages 10 and up) through the steps of putting together top-notch pizza using typical home kitchen appliances. Learn to make dough and sauce from scratch, how to form the crust and more. Register the family to take part in a group class, or even book a 4-hour private class for your clan. Aprons and take-home instructional booklets are provided, and beverages are available for purchase to wash down your cheesy creations. 371 Grand St (212-228-5483, pizzaschool.com). Saturdays and Sundays at 12pm. $195 per person, $295 for a two-person team; private classes for 16 from $2,200.

UNO Pizzeria & Grill

You may think it’s blasphemous to eat at a chain pizzeria with so many mom-and-pop options in the city, but the interactive workshops offered at UNO’s Upper West Side location are too fun to pass up. Families can tie on aprons and learn from the pros how to cook deep-dish pizza—a Chicago specialty. From shaping the dough in deep-dish pans to crushing the tomatoes by hand for a stellar sauce, the kids will be involved every step of the way. You’ll chow down on your masterpieces, along with a salad and drink, plus take home the recipe to make again at home.  Don’t forget that on Tuesdays, one kid eats free per paying adult at most locations—bonus! UNO Pizzeria & Grill, 432 Columbus Ave (508-561-9292, unos.com/cookingclasses). Saturdays, time TBA. $45 per person.

This family-owned mini-chain in Staten Island is a favorite spot to grab a pie with the kids, with plenty of fun activities and a special children’s menu for little ones (unheard of at most NYC pizzerias). Beyond that, the kitchen opens its doors to customers for fun Pizza Seminars led by master Chef Joe each week. He’ll walk the students through nine key steps in the pizza-making process, and then let them feast on their creations, while Mom and Dad enjoy their meal. Reservations are required, so make sure to call ahead, and stick around for live music by Music With Patrick after the seminars at the Westerleigh location. Jimmy Max of Westerleigh, 280 Watchogue Rd, Staten Island (718-983-6715) Ÿ Jimmy Max of Great Kills, 150 Greaves Ln, Staten Island (718-984-6299) Ÿjimmymax.com. Monday and Tuesdays from 5–7:30pm. Free with adult meal purchase.