The Playlab Children's Business Fair
Saturday, October 12, 2024
9:00AM - 1:00PM
This fair has ended
Find another fair
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 30 booths at the 1st annual event at the Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab on Saturday, October 12th from 9 am – 1 pm.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Schaeffler, ProVia, Twisted Piston and the generous support of our judges & volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey 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
Lori Colon
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.4 (16)
Hello! My name is Lori, and I am the Founder and CEO of the Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab. This innovative space will be dedicated to nurturing young minds through engaging and interactive experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).
Our Vision
At the Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab, we believe in the power of STEAM education to inspire curiosity and creativity in children. Our goal is to create a dynamic learning environment that encourages exploration and critical thinking. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, children will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of the world around them and develop essential skills for the future.
The Importance of an Entrepreneurial Spirit
A key aspect of STEAM education is fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among young learners. By encouraging children to think like innovators and problem-solvers, we aim to equip them with the confidence and resilience needed to navigate an ever-changing world. Our programs will emphasize creativity, adaptability, and the ability to turn ideas into reality, empowering children to take initiative and make a positive impact in their communities.
What We Offer
The Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab will offer:
- Interactive Exhibits: Our exhibits are designed to engage children in hands-on learning experiences that make complex STEAM concepts accessible and fun.
- Workshops and Classes: We will provide a variety of workshops and classes tailored to different age groups and interests, covering topics such as robotics, coding, engineering challenges, and artistic expression.
- Collaborative Projects: Children will have the chance to work together on projects that encourage teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving.
- Community Events: We plan to host community events that bring families together to celebrate learning and discovery, fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for all.
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming space where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality educational experiences that ignite a lifelong passion for STEAM and encourage children to pursue their interests and dreams.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab, where the future of learning is a hands-on adventure!
12 booths participating
Tays Strings N Things
Charmed by Harper
And 10 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Playlab Children’s Business Fair?
The Playlab 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 here in Wayne County.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 30 businesses.
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. 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 a indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a 10x10 booth size and 1 6ft table. Extra tables, chairs, and table cloths will not be provided, you must provide your own.
Will electricity be available?
We are limited to accommodate businesses requiring electricity, please email our CEO, Lori Colon @ loric.wccsp@gmail.com for electricity needs.
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.
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 original 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.
