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**APPLICATIONS FILLED IN LESS THAN 7 MINUTES!**
You will not be able to hit submit or click you are not a robot at this time as applications are closed.
Thank you for your interest in the fair! If any spots become available, the green button will be open again.
Applications will be open on January 15th at 4:00pm. Last year we crashed the system and spots sell out FAST! If page shows applications are closed; we are full.
Lovebugs Children's Business Fair Houston/Spring Branch
Saturday, February 14, 2026
10:00AM - 1:00PM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host 60 booths at the annual event at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Saturday February 14th from 10:00am-1:00 pm. Booth fee is $25 per booth.
This event is sponsored by Mrs. Stephanie Walton, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.
Hosted by
Stephanie Walton
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (4)
Mrs. Walton is a passionate art educator of 24 years with a love of seeing students succeed in their dreams! She participated in her first market, at the age of 8 with her mom by her side encouraging her! She learned what it took to talk to people and have them believe in her visions as well. Her students love her class and have been excited to participate in fairs since the first fair she hosted. We are excited to have you join us each year!
78 booths participating
Daydreamer Delights
Sis & String
And 76 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children aged 1st Grade-12th Grade to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 60 businesses. Each booth is $25
Applications will be closed when businesses are full. Please be patient with a response from Mrs. Walton. She will get back to you in one or two days with paper application. As you can imagine, requests come in quickly. She will contact you quickly if there is a problem with your application. Generally, if the products are handmade and within appropriate guidelines, you will be fine.
Applications will be closed when businesses are full. Please be patient with a response from Mrs. Walton. She will get back to you in one or two days with paper application. As you can imagine, requests come in quickly. She will contact you quickly if there is a problem with your application. Generally, if the products are handmade and within appropriate guidelines, you will be fine.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online once application opens in January. 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.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
- 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 if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor/indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth space to set up. Tables/chairs/tents will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity at this time.
*Should inclement weather occur, booths will all be moved indoors and limited space to one 5-6' table each so that all fit.
*Should inclement weather occur, booths will all be moved indoors and limited space to one 5-6' table each so that all fit.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to all the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children aged 1st grade-12th grade 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 where trophies and medals will be awarded for Best Business Idea, Best Spokesman, and Best Display.
ALL items must be hand created. No pre-made/store bought items can be sold as is. For example, you may not sell candy kisses, but you CAN sell Candy Kiss roses that you have created something USING candy kisses. If you have questions, please ask.
**If you decide to do a product dealing with food, you must follow Houston Food Handlers rules which will be sent to you in a paper application.
https://www.statefoodsafety.com/food-handler/texas/state-of-texas
and label all foods according to
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/retail-food-establishments/texas-cottage-food-production
ALL items must be hand created. No pre-made/store bought items can be sold as is. For example, you may not sell candy kisses, but you CAN sell Candy Kiss roses that you have created something USING candy kisses. If you have questions, please ask.
**If you decide to do a product dealing with food, you must follow Houston Food Handlers rules which will be sent to you in a paper application.
https://www.statefoodsafety.com/food-handler/texas/state-of-texas
and label all foods according to
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/retail-food-establishments/texas-cottage-food-production
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales. Yes, of course, parents may help set up tents if they choose to have one. But product display, decoration, set up should be child set up.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves. As soon as your spot is accepted, an official paper application will be emailed to you and is not considered complete until payment has been made.
