What You'll Learn
Parents are leaning into real‑world skills, and kids are hungry to try. Recent Junior Achievement polling shows strong teen interest in entrepreneurship and hands‑on preparation for future work (including AI‑influenced careers).
🎯 Key Statistic: Children's Entrepreneur Markets report 66,000+ youth participants across 368 cities, giving kids a safe, public place to sell.
Source: Axios Local Report on Kid Vendors (2024)
"Every kid is a Future Founder—start small, learn fast, give back, and keep going."
— Our Philosophy at Little Leaders Launch Pad
Step 1: Pick a Kid‑Sized Business Idea (That Fits Your Child)
Start with passions + local needs. A few 2025‑relevant ideas (pulled from current trend lists and youth programs):
🎨 Trending Kid Business Ideas for 2025:
- Crafts & makers (stickers, jewelry, scrunchies, 3D prints)
- Tutoring or tech help (reading buddies, math, "tiny tech support")
- Pet services (walking, feeding, enrichment toys)
- Content creation (with parent oversight)
- Yard care & seasonal chores (leaf pickup, snow shoveling)
- Pop‑up snacks (baked goods allowed by local cottage‑food rules)
- Event booths at Children's Entrepreneur Markets (check your city)
💡 Pro Tip: If you're looking for "quick ideas," start with the list above. If you want to dive into "how‑to," move fast into the planning phase below. We cover both approaches!
Step 2: Make a One‑Page Plan (So It's a Business, Not a Hobby)
Use this kid‑friendly outline:
📋 Kid Business Plan Template
- Customers: Who will buy (neighbors, classmates' parents, sports teams)?
- Problem solved: What need are you meeting (cute gifts, stress‑free pet care, homework help)?
- USP (what's special): Organic ingredients, school colors, delivery, custom names, or social impact.
- Pricing rule of thumb: Charge at least 2× your cost to cover materials and time, then adjust as demand grows.
- Where to sell: Local fairs, library boards, parent‑run groups, or with parent help online.
- Give back: Donate a portion, volunteer, or teach a mini‑class—purpose builds loyalty.
🤔 How Do Kids Price a Product? Lead with the simple 2×‑cost rule: If materials cost $5, charge at least $10. Add a quick example: "Homemade slime costs $2 to make, sell for $5." Mention competitor price checks for popular items.
Step 3: Brand It (Name, Logo, and One‑Sentence Mission)
- Name: Short, easy to say/spell. Avoid names that box you in ("cupcakes only").
- Logo: Simple shapes you can draw in one color.
- Mission (1 sentence): "I help [who] with [what] by [how]."
"This is where kids light up—they see it's real."
Step 4: Safe, Simple Marketing (That Kids Can Actually Do)
📱 Social Media (with Parents):
- Visual goods → Instagram/TikTok
- Local services → Facebook/Nextdoor (parent‑managed)
📸 Post Ideas:
- Before/after photos
- "How it's made" content
- Quick tips
- Thank‑you shoutouts
📄 Print Marketing:
A one‑page flyer with a bold headline, photo/logo, clear offer, and contact method.
🏪 Local Events:
Search "[city] children entrepreneur market" or farmers' markets. Many cities now host kid‑seller days.
🗺️ SEO Tip for Local Discovery: Add a local search like "Kid Business Ideas in [Your City, State]" with a paragraph about neighborhood needs, common venues, and a note on permits (see Legal/Safety below). This helps families find local opportunities.
Step 5: Run It Like a Pro (Money, Ethics, Wellness)
💰 Track Basics:
- Money in (revenue)
- Money out (expenses)
- What's left (profit)
💡 Split Profit:
- Save some
- Upgrade tools
- Advertise
- Learn a skill
🤝 Be Fair:
- Clear prices
- Honest promises
- Kind customer service
⚖️ Stay Balanced:
School first, then business—sleep, movement, and screen limits keep things fun and sustainable.
Legal & Safety Basics (Parents' Corner)
⚠️ Important: Rules vary by city/state, especially for food stands. Always check your local requirements before starting.
🏛️ State Examples:
- Texas: "Lemonade Stand Bill" (HB 234) legalized kids' lemonade stands statewide.
- Illinois: "Hayli's Law" protects kids' lemonade stands without permits.
- Arizona: 2024 "Lemonade Law" eases rules for occasional youth businesses (≤19).
🏘️ Local Nuance: Some cities exempt non‑TCS (non‑refrigerated) baked goods at home but restrict fresh‑fruit lemonades at events; always confirm locally.
🛡️ Online Safety:
Parents should own accounts, approve posts, and manage DMs. Junior Achievement programs emphasize real‑world responsibility and safe decision‑making.
📚 General Rule: Check your city/state page before selling, especially with food. Requirements differ significantly between locations.
Ready to Launch? 🚀
The combination of increased parental focus on real-world skills, growing kid-friendly marketplaces, and supportive legal frameworks makes 2025 an ideal year to help your child start their entrepreneurial journey.
Remember: start small, learn fast, give back, and keep going. Every successful entrepreneur started somewhere—why not help your child start today?
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Get the Full GuideAbout Lyndsie Damon
Author of Little Leaders Launchpad and entrepreneur since age 6. From selling perfume door-to-door to helping thousands of families through her businesses, Lyndsie knows firsthand how early entrepreneurship builds confidence, character, and life skills.
Read Lyndsie's Full Story