📣
Registration is now open!
Citizens Academy Children's Business Fair
Saturday, May 23, 2026
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own business!
Children develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
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
Thomas Morse
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.6 (20)
Thomas is the guide and owner of Citizens Academy. He loves good stories and dark coffee. Or maybe dark stories and good coffee. Either way, he's excited to meet you on your adventure!
35 booths participating
Eva Kearns Books
Crochet Crafts & Keychains
And 33 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 children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
The Acton Children's Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children 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.
We will accept up to 60 businesses.
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.
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.
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 entrants know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entrants 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 event under popup tents. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be an outdoor event under popup tents. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
How are you advertising the event?
Citizens Academy will do some limited advertising for community awareness, but just like any business, your young entrepreneur is expected to advertise their own business. Please encourage them to tell friends, family, and their local community about their business and the Children's Business Fair. If you are traveling from further away, how could your entrepreneur still bring customers interested in their product or service to this fair?
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
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.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
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.
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.
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