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Applications are OPEN!!! Registration closes April 30th
Acton Children's Business Fair Bowie, Maryland
Sunday, May 7, 2023
12:15PM - 3:30PM
This fair has ended
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About the fair
We're excited to announce the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business at our one day fair! We invite children ages 6-14 to apply for a booth at our fair.
There is a $15 entry fee for each business. This provides one 6' or 8' table and swag bag for every child.
May 7th, 2023 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm!
Set up will begin at 12:15pm. No entry will be allow prior. Game time is set for 1:05pm.
There is a $15 entry fee for each business. This provides one 6' or 8' table and swag bag for every child.
May 7th, 2023 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm!
Set up will begin at 12:15pm. No entry will be allow prior. Game time is set for 1:05pm.
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. Imagine having thousands of potential customers viewing your business!
Children are asked to not compete with the stadium concessions. We have a limited amount of spaces availalbe for food businesses. If selling food, children will need to adhere to the Maryland Food Cottage Laws.
Children are asked to not compete with the stadium concessions. We have a limited amount of spaces availalbe for food businesses. If selling food, children will need to adhere to the Maryland Food Cottage Laws.
We will host up to 50 booths at our 3rd event. We return to a game day event at the Bowie Baysox stadium. Run your business and watch a game!
This event is sponsored by The Patuxent School, an 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.
What would it be like to go to a school like the Children's Business Fair every day?
The Patuxent School, an Acton Academy combines mixed-age classrooms, real-world projects, character development, self-directed academic core skills, and socratic style discussions to reimagine education! Our mission is to help every child find their calling to change the world. Find more info here!
What would it be like to go to a school like the Children's Business Fair every day?
The Patuxent School, an Acton Academy combines mixed-age classrooms, real-world projects, character development, self-directed academic core skills, and socratic style discussions to reimagine education! Our mission is to help every child find their calling to change the world. Find more info here!
Our fair has earned local recognition and has been featured in local media. We're excited to meet your kidpreneur at the fair!
Hosted by
Ed Hanko
🗓️ Started hosting in 2021
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
We are a mom & dad who discovered Acton Academy and decided to start one right here in Prince George's County. We're also a team of passionate entrepreneurs, coaches, mentors, and parents, who believe children can learn outside of a desk and tests. This fair is one way we deliver on our promises to make learning fun!
33 booths participating
Boyd Books
Bracelets By Lexi
And 31 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children 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 50 businesses.
What is the cost?
There is a $15 booth fee for each business. This covers providing a table and every child received a swag bag!
What can I sell?
Google or Youtube "Children's Business Fair" for ideas. There are hundreds of examples to be seen. This event is for joy & fun. Seek something that is exciting for you to make or create. There is a limited number of tables available for food sales. Children will need to adhere to the Maryland Food Cottage Laws and not compete with stadium concessions (a cotton candy, hotdog, or peanut selling business wouldn't be approved, while homemade chocolate chip cookies would be). Once you submit your application you will receive notice within a few days on approval status. Prepackaged foods being resold will not be allowed. Encourage your child to make their own item versus selling bags of Cheetos for this event.
What is the cost?
There is a $15 booth fee for each business. This covers providing a table and every child received a swag bag!
What can I sell?
Google or Youtube "Children's Business Fair" for ideas. There are hundreds of examples to be seen. This event is for joy & fun. Seek something that is exciting for you to make or create. There is a limited number of tables available for food sales. Children will need to adhere to the Maryland Food Cottage Laws and not compete with stadium concessions (a cotton candy, hotdog, or peanut selling business wouldn't be approved, while homemade chocolate chip cookies would be). Once you submit your application you will receive notice within a few days on approval status. Prepackaged foods being resold will not be allowed. Encourage your child to make their own item versus selling bags of Cheetos for this event.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills. If you need help coming up with a business idea, Google or Youtube "Children's Business Fair" to see past fairs and lots of ideas.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application 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. No siblings under the minimum age of 6 may participate.
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. We will also do our best to not place similiar businesses next to each other.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be on the main concourse of the stadium. Most of the tables are in a covered area. Each business will be given space with an 6 or 8-foot table. Chairs will need to be brought for your use. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
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 competition. This event is for the children. Inspire them to try and even possilbly fail! They will learn through the process.
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 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.
