You finally got a babysitter. Date night is happening. But before you walk out the door, you need to answer the most important question of the evening: what are the kids eating? The answer is pizza. It’s always pizza. The babysitter doesn’t want to cook, you don’t want them using your stove, and the kids will be happy for the rest of the night. Here’s how to handle the food so you can actually enjoy your evening without worrying about what’s happening at home.
Why Pizza Is the Babysitter’s Best Friend
The babysitter-pizza connection is one of the oldest partnerships in parenting. It works because it solves every problem that food creates during a babysitting night — for the sitter, the kids, and the parents.
- No cooking required: The babysitter doesn’t need to know where your pans are, how your stove works, or what your kids are allowed to eat. Pizza removes all of those variables. It shows up, everyone eats, done
- No dishes: Eat from the box, wipe hands on napkins, throw away the box. The babysitter’s job is watching your kids, not scrubbing your kitchen. Pizza generates zero dishes
- Kids are instantly happy: Pizza is the universal mood-setter for children. When the boxes hit the table, the “I miss mommy” complaints stop immediately. It’s not bribery — it’s strategic food deployment
- Portion control is automatic: Each kid eats 1–2 slices. The babysitter eats 2–3. Nobody overeats, nobody undereats, and there’s no argument about “how much” because slices are self-portioning
- Allergen control: You know exactly what’s in the pizza because you ordered it. The babysitter doesn’t have to guess ingredients or check labels — you’ve already handled that by choosing the order. Check our allergen guide if needed
- Cool parent factor: The babysitter tells their friends “the family I sit for orders Godfather’s Pizza” and your kids tell their friends “we get pizza when the babysitter comes.” Everyone’s reputation improves
Pre-Order Before You Leave
The key to a seamless babysitter pizza night is ordering before the babysitter arrives — or at most, within the first 10 minutes of their shift. Here’s the exact sequence:
- Step 1 — Order at 4:30 PM: Order online in the afternoon. Set the delivery time for 30 minutes after the babysitter is supposed to arrive. This gives the sitter time to get settled before the food shows up
- Step 2 — Leave a note: Write down the order confirmation on the counter: “Pizza arriving at 6:30 PM. Pepperoni and cheese. There’s also breadsticks in the box.” The babysitter knows what’s coming and when
- Step 3 — Include delivery details: Leave your address visible (some babysitters don’t know your house number), make sure the porch light is on, and note any gate codes if you’re in a gated community. Include a $5 cash tip for the driver if you didn’t add it online
- Step 4 — Walk out the door: The food is ordered, the sitter is briefed, the kids will be fed. Go enjoy your evening. You’ve handled everything
- Pizza ordered online with scheduled delivery time
- Order confirmation visible on the counter
- Porch light on for the delivery driver
- Gate code noted if applicable
- Cash tip for driver if not added online
- Paper towels accessible (kids + pizza = mess)
- Drinks in the fridge for the kids
What to Order
Keep it simple. The babysitter is not running a dinner party — they’re surviving the evening and keeping your children alive. The food should require zero decisions from them.
| Scenario | Best Order | Cost | Feeds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kid + sitter | Medium pepperoni | ~$18 | 2 (+ leftovers) | Simplest possible order |
| 2 kids + sitter | Large pepperoni + breadsticks | ~$28 | 3 | Breadsticks = kid crowd-pleaser |
| 3–4 kids + sitter | Build Your Own Feast | $35.99 | 4–6 | Specialty for sitter, 1-topping for kids |
| 4+ kids (party sitter) | 2 large + sides + dessert | ~$55 | 6–8 | Monkey Bread = instant hero status |
- For 1–2 kids: A large pepperoni or cheese pizza is the safe bet — universally loved, easy to serve, and gives the sitter leftover slices without needing to order a separate meal for themselves. Add breadsticks ($6.99) because kids love dipping things
- For 3–4 kids: A Build Your Own Feast at $35.99 — the large specialty pizza goes to the babysitter (they deserve real food for giving up their Friday night), the large pepperoni goes to the kids, and the side feeds everyone. The sitter gets variety they didn’t have to think about
- Including the babysitter’s preferences: If you know your regular sitter likes a specific pizza, order it for them. They’re watching your kids — feeding them something they actually enjoy (not just leftover pepperoni) is the minimum. The Classic Combo or Bacon Cheeseburger are crowd pleasers for adults
- Dessert strategy: Cinnamon Monkey Bread ($7.79) served after dinner is the babysitter’s trump card for bedtime negotiations. “If you brush your teeth and get in pajamas, we can have Monkey Bread.” Compliance rate: extremely high
Budget It Into Date Night
Date night already has costs — babysitter fee, dinner reservations, activity/movie, and whatever else you’re doing. Adding a pizza order is cheaper than the alternative and prevents problems.
- Pizza cost vs alternatives: A pizza order runs $15–$36 depending on kids and sitter. Leaving cash for the sitter to order through a delivery app adds $20–$40 in fees and markups. Leaving nothing and hoping they figure it out leads to texts during your dinner asking “what should the kids eat?” Pre-ordering is the cheapest and smoothest option
- Delivery app markup: If the babysitter orders through DoorDash or Uber Eats, the same pizza that costs $25 from us directly costs $35–$42 through the app after service fees, delivery fees, and tip. Ordering directly from Godfather’s eliminates $10–$17 in markups
- Include it in the babysitter payment: Some parents build pizza into the babysitter rate: “$15/hour plus pizza for you and the kids.” The sitter appreciates the food, and the parent controls the cost by ordering directly instead of leaving a credit card for app orders
- Weekly babysitter = weekly pizza routine: If you have a regular weekly sitter, set up a recurring order — same pizza, same time, same delivery schedule. The sitter knows what to expect, the kids look forward to it, and you don’t think about it at all
Timing the Evening
The timing of the pizza delivery can make or break the babysitter’s evening. Too early and the food gets cold before the sitter arrives. Too late and the kids melt down from hunger.
- Optimal delivery time: 30 minutes after the babysitter arrives. This gives the sitter time to settle in, assess the kids’ mood, and get oriented. When the pizza arrives, it’s a natural transition point — “Okay, dinner time!” — that organizes the evening
- Bedtime pizza window: If the sitter arrives at 6 PM and bedtime is 8:30, pizza at 6:30 gives 2 hours for: eating (20 min), movie/play (60 min), dessert (10 min), pajamas/teeth (15 min), stories/bed (15 min). The schedule flows naturally from the pizza arrival
- Late evening sitters: If the sitter arrives at 8 PM (kids already ate dinner), skip the full pizza order and get breadsticks ($6.99) or Monkey Bread ($7.79) as a snack. Light enough for before bed but special enough that the kids feel like it’s a treat
Order before you leave. Schedule delivery for 30 minutes after the sitter arrives. The kids eat, the sitter relaxes, and you enjoy your evening guilt-free. Order online or call (210) 750-2222. Large pepperoni from ~$15. Build Your Own Feast from $35.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule a pizza delivery for a specific time?
Yes. Our online ordering system lets you set a delivery time. Schedule it for 30 minutes after the babysitter arrives and the food will be there when the kids are ready to eat. You can order hours in advance — the delivery time is locked in when you place the order.
What’s the best pizza for kids?
Pepperoni and cheese are the universal choices. Our mini pizza ($7.99) is personal-sized for younger kids who want “their own.” For 2–3 kids sharing, a large pepperoni gives everyone 2–3 slices with leftovers for the sitter. Breadsticks ($6.99) are the most popular kid side — they love the dipping.
How much should I order for the babysitter and kids?
One large pizza feeds 2–3 kids plus a babysitter comfortably. For 4+ kids, order two large pizzas. Add breadsticks or Cinnamon Monkey Bread for dessert. The Build Your Own Feast ($35.99) is perfect when you want to include a specialty pizza for the sitter alongside a kid-friendly one-topping.
Should I order directly or let the babysitter order?
Order directly yourself before you leave. It’s cheaper (no delivery app markups of $10–$17), faster (delivery time is already scheduled), and the sitter doesn’t have to handle money or food decisions. Leave the order details on the counter and everything is handled.
What if the kids have food allergies?
Check our allergen and ingredient guide before ordering. Common allergens (dairy, gluten, soy) are present in most pizzas. If a child has a severe allergy, note the specific items on the counter for the sitter and make sure the ordered pizza is safe. Our online menu lists ingredients for every item.