Let's bring pasta, play and sharing to pediatric wards
Smile and Make Pasta conducts free creative fresh pasta workshops for children and youth hospitalized in pediatric wards.
Through flour, water and natural ingredients, we offer moments of lightness, listening and connection in places where silence, fear and waiting often reign.
In our workshops - Pasta Labs - children return to play, express themselves, create and even taste other flavors and smells.
Pasta becomes a powerful tool, nourishing not only the body but also the imagination and the heart.
What we do
Because we know what it's like to face an illness as a child.
Because creativity can support the journey of care.
Because no child should feel alone, even in the hospital.
With our pasta therapy:
we reduce stress and fear
We stimulate manual skills, sense of self and communication
We create bonds between children, families and caregivers
let's bring back a hint of normalcy and home where it's lacking
Why we do it
Turin - permanent workshop at UGI House
Where we are
How do we make it possible?
All of our workshops are free for families and hospitals.
They are made possible through the support of:
private donors
partner companies and foundations
trained volunteers
solidarity events
public calls and territorial networks
What we have done so far
Our timeline
2022 - The first pilot laboratory in Milan is born and crowdfunding starts
2023 - Crowdfunding reaches goal in just two months. The association is officially born and the first network of volunteer "pasta makers" and potential locations takes shape
2024 - First permanent laboratory opens at UGI House in Turin, Italy
2025 - Volunteer trainings, fundraising events, and a second pilot project at Casa Giglio begin. First public calls for proposals are planned
Our first workshop
"Dearest Alessandra, I am Sara's mom, a little girl who recently finished her treatment at the institute .. I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful experience you were able to give Sara (and myself), it was a joyful and carefree time."
Sara's mom
Our numbers 123
Our numbers 123
Active cities
5 (Turin, Milan, Cuneo, Bologna, Palermo)
👧Over 150 children involved
👨👩👧 More than 300 Parents involved
About 2,000 people reached with events
🌱 About 1,000 Indirect beneficiaries
🤝 15 (including 3 Pasta maker(s)) Trained volunteers .
🧁 14 Workshops carried out
🏥2 Partner facilities (UGI House, Lily House)
🎨 14 Types of dough created.
Our goals for 2025
Activate new laboratories in at least 2 new pediatric facilities
Create a nationally replicable model
Launch a digital platform for volunteer training
Expand the network of partners and supporters to ensure continuity and impact
Making the association sustainable