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St. Charles Children's Business Fair
Saturday, May 31, 2025
8:00AM - 12:15PM
This fair has ended
Rated 5.0★ by participating families
We believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk 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.
Award Certificates and prizes will be presented for “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Business Idea,” “Most Impressive Display”, and "Most Impressive PItch".
Eliza Rivas
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (3)
32 booths participating
Taylor the Treat Maker
Adora's Adorables!
And 30 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market allows children to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We are capped at 40 children’s businesses.
Is there a cost? $7 vendor fee
(can be paid through Venmo, mailed in, or brought the morning of. Please address checks to:
Lighthouse International: an Acton Academy
5718 Lake St. Louis Blvd, Lake St Louis, MO 63367
Where should I begin?
Check out the links below. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs, research business ideas, and play games to hone your business skills.
https://www.fundera.com/blog/kid-entrepreneurs
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5051-young-entrepreneurs.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-child-entrepreneurs-2019-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGUfWA-Xco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCGM7FiCGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI0nIZA68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKXe41X-Pc
What is "Profit"? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxH6LGayF8U
Business Ideas
101 Kid Business Ideas (https://lulingcc.org/documents/101_kids_ideas.pdf)
https://www.pinterest.com/childrensbusinessfair/
How to write a business plan (https://bizkids.com/wp-content/uploads/Kids-Business-Plan.pdf)
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop Game - Play Game (https://www.coolmathgames.com/0-coffee-shop)
Price Point Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/pricepoint/)
Galactic Zappers Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/galacticzappers/)
Robo Rush Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/roborush/)
Fistful of Dollars Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/fistfulofdollars/)
Lemonade Stand-Off Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/lemonadestandoff/)
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online AT THIS SITE only, NOT through the farmer’s market. Please submit ONE application for each business. Children working as a group in one business should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business. Siblings who are selling different things should register separately.
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 already had a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How is payment made?
Each business can bring a cash box (WITH change) OR accept electronic payments with QR codes posted. A great discussion question would be how customer receipts will be handled!
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor event. Each business will BRING THEIR OWN 4-6' table, a canopy tent (if desired - 40lbs weight required for each tent leg), lawn chairs, and table covering/decorations. A water bottle and snacks may also be a good idea.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide electricity to businesses. However, businesses have previously brought small generators.
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, or if the product and/or display has received noticeable adult assistance, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition. For competition purposes, products must be child-made or heavily customized/personalized by the child. Store-bought items may not be presented as child-made, and non-customized products (water bottles, sodas, snacks) may not be sold as they compete with the actual Farmer's Market vendors. Lighthouse International will provide a goodie bag to each child's business.
Parents of younger children may sit at the back of the booth, but the children themselves should be responsible for setting up, interacting with customers, and handling sales. NO adults should be interacting with customers on behalf of the business (selling, accepting payment, packaging, or delivering)
Parents may assist their children in filling out the application, but we expect the children to complete as much of it as possible on their own.
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. Over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees are now at the Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin.
