APPLICATIONS UPDATE: Applications for the 2025 Naperville Children's Business Fair open April 1st!
As seen on FOX NEWS, NCTV17, and Patch ... the 5th Annual Naperville Children's Business Fair! This event, run by local high school students, features a unique opportunity for children ages 5-14 to test the waters of entrepreneurship - through starting their own businesses and selling products and services at our one day, farmers market type event. Our past four fairs have been a huge success, with over 500 kidpreneurs and 350 businesses positively impacting an estimated 5000+ community members.
During the fair, participants are able to showcase their businesses to the local community, and receive feedbackfrombothhigh school judgesandlocal business professionals! At the end, awards will be given out, and a group picture will be taken.
What the community had to say about last year's fair:
Very exciting opportunity for young people to get involved, start a business, and really make a positive contribution to our business community.
- Steve Chirico, Naperville mayor
My daughter had such a great time! She learned SO many life lessons through this experience. We are so grateful!
- Parent
For me it really helped me get my business off of the ground and get a good base of customers!
Prior to our fair, we host 3 prefair events at the Nichols Library in Downtown Naperville. Each event includes committee-led activities and lessons that teach our young entrepreneurs the basics of finance, marketing, and more. We also bring in guest speakers, from business professionals to past participants, to discuss their experiences and offer advice! These tips and tricks are extremely helpful when it comes time for the actual fair in August.
Last year, we brought in cameras to take professional photos of kidpreneurs and their products to help promote them on social media!
We're Zaid, Paul, Hiba, Aiden, Zahra, Prakruthi, Tai, and Athena!
We're a committee of local high schoolers from Naperville Central and Naperville North passionate about business. We're so excited to be hosting this year's fair and can't wait to impact hundreds of young kidpreneurs!
We will only be accepting businesses selling original, handmade items. Unfortunately, this means that resellers will not be able to participate.
Tents will not be provided, but are strongly encouraged, as the fair will be taking place outdoors. If you don't have a tent, we will try to put you under shade, especially businesses with perishable goods.
We'll be hosting three prefair workshops at the Nichols Library Community Room (lower level), where kidpreneurs can learn from past participants, hear guest speakers, and do hands on activities to help improve their businesses for the fair! **Dates and times TBD
During the fair, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses and receive feedback from both high school judges and local business professionals! Awards will be given out at the end, as well as a group picture.
Why should I participate?
First off - it's incredibly FUN. You'll be able to meet tons of new friends and interact with experienced mentors along the way!
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!
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 10 days in advance and contact us through this website, or napervillebusinessfair@gmail.com!
What happens after I apply?
We'll be reviewing all applications on a first come, first serve basis and will get back to you within 5 business days. Once you're admitted, get started on your business! If you can, make sure to attend our three prefair workshops (Dates & times TBD) to improve your business (more info above!).
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though if we receive more than 3 similar businesses, we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
What will be provided?
The fair will be an outdoor event. Each business will be provided with an 8' x 2.5' table and 1-3 chairs, depending on the number of kidpreneurs participating. Parents and guardians, please bring your own chairs.
Participants will also be receiving a free kidpreneur bucket hat, a certificate of participation, and a coupon for a free scoop of Jeni's Ice Cream in downtown!
What will NOT be provided?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide overhead tenting to booths. Bringing your own tent is strongly recommended, as this is an outdoor event. There is limited tree cover and the weather on fair day can be very unpredictable.
Electricity, water, and WiFi will not be provided.
Access to Naperville Central bathrooms will be provided for kidpreneurs.
What are the rules?
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 fair.
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.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer wanted to spark a sense of entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
Sno Problems
Pinot's Palette
Naperville Park District
KidsMatter
Naperville Development Partnership
Raising Cane's
Goldfish Swim School
Bradford & Kent
Cinnaholic
Capstone Financial Advisors
Join our mailing list
Participating booths
Contact us
Have a question for us? Contact us below and we will be in touch as soon as possible with
a reply. Thanks for your interest!
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
