
Naperville Children's Business Fair
Saturday, August 7, 2021
10:00AM - 12:00PM
This fair has ended
Find another fairCome visit our fair this Saturday, 8/7, from 10am-noon at Naperville Central High School to see and support 50+ kid-owned businesses!
This event will take place outdoors, at the front of Naperville Central High School, on Saturday, 8/7, from 10am-12pm.
- The nonprofit fair will consist of 50+ kid-owned businesses, with free participation and attendance.
- Kids first develop their own businesses, create products and services, then open up for customers at our marketplace.
- At the end, winners in each of the age categories will be awarded a prize by experienced judges. All participants will also receive a coupon to Ben and Jerry's Naperville for a free scoop of ice cream!
"If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can't hear them anymore." - Michelle Ruiz, Entrepreneur
Athena Chen
🗓️ Started hosting in 2020
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
We're led by Athena Chen, a Naperville Central High School rising sophmore who participated in a Children's Business Fair several years ago and was inspired by her life-changing experience to start one in her own community.
62 booths participating

Magic jewelry

Weston’s Awesome Applesauce
And 60 others.
Frequently asked questions
Even if you aren't interested in business as a future job, creating and running a business young allows kids to gain a variety of skills for any career, in a very hands-on way:
- Money management
- Organization
- Customer service
- Creative thinking
- Time management
- Leadership
- Communication
- ... and more!
- Develop a business idea! Check out this website for some possible products/services: 101+ Business Ideas for Kids.
- Keep in mind different factors such as cost and advertising when creating your business!
- Guide your child(ren) to creating their own business.
- Let them do the thinking and planning! As much as you'd like to help them, this is a chance for kids to take matters into their own hands.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
- Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business.
- Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information.
- No more than 3 participants per business.
Remember that if you need to back out after applying, please let us know at least 14 days in advance and contact us through this website, or napervillebusinessfair@gmail.com!
- What product or service do you plan to sell?
- What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
- How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
- How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
- At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
What happens after I apply?
We'll be reviewing all applications and will get back to you within 5 business days. Once you're admitted, get started on your business! We'll have a pre-fair Information Session hosted at the Naperville Public Library several weeks before the event, to go over how the fair will work.
- This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
- Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
- Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
Our incredible sponsors

Naperville Central High School Wall Street Society