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Come to see our 100+ businesses this year!
Acton Children's Business Fair Mechanicsburg, PA
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10:00AM - 1:00PM
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About the fair
An opportunity for children ages 5-16 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. If they have an already established business, this is the perfect event for more publicity!
When?
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where?
Strock Enterprises, Inc.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where?
Strock Enterprises, Inc.
729 Williams Grove Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
This event is sponsored by Threefold Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy and the generous support of our sponsors and 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.
How to Participate? (Applications open in January)
How to Participate? (Applications open in January)
- Click on the APPLY TO THE FAIR button to submit your business idea. It is free to send an application. We may get in touch with you for more details.
- Once your booth is approved and the booth fee is received, your spot is confirmed and you can get started with making your products to sell at the fair.
Spaces are limited, so start your application soon! Application deadline is March 30, 2025.
Is there a competition?
Yes. Prizes will be awarded in each age group for highest business potential, most original idea, and most impressive presentation. See the FAQ for more information.
Yes. Prizes will be awarded in each age group for highest business potential, most original idea, and most impressive presentation. See the FAQ for more information.
Need Inspiration for your business?
There are many videos on YouTube which can give you great ideas on what to make, how to setup your booth, etc.
Check some of them out here:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=childrens+business+fair
Is there a ticket/charge to simply attend the event?
No. This is a free event.
We encourage you to invite all your friends and family to come and experience the exuberance of young budding entrepreneurs. INVITE EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
What is Threefold Schoolhouse?
Threefold Schoolhouse is an innovative, mixed-age, learner-driven environment for ages 5-16.
At Threefold Schoolhouse, entrepreneurship forms a big part of our curriculum, and we wanted to bring the opportunity to be an entrepreneur to the community through the Acton Children's Business Fair.
If you would like to find out more about the school, please check us out at: www.threefoldschoolhouse.org
I have more questions!
We have a more elaborate FAQ section. Please check if your question is answered there.
If it's not, please use the Contact Us link at the top of the page.
Hosted by
Charissa Mitchell
🗓️ Started hosting in 2020
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We are hosting our 6th Annual Children's Business Fair in 2025! Every year gets bigger and better... We cannot wait to see you there!
112 booths participating
Jettas Beaded Bliss
Purrfect Perlers + Picture Frames
And 110 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 whether it is day one of their business or they are already very established. All are invited to participate!
How many businesses will you accept?
We will be accepting 150 businesses!
Where should I begin?
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?
The 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. APPLICATIONS OPENING IN JANUARY
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 covered outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with either an 8-foot or 6-foot table. Tablecloths and chairs will not be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths. You are welcome to bring 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, 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 setting 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.
Our incredible sponsors
Barry & Beth Goodling
Brian & Tera Jones
John and Cameron Soroko
Chris and Heidi Bingaman
