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📣 At the end of the event, awards and trophies will be presented. Please register only once per booth. Each booth may include up to three participants, but only one business may be represented per booth.
Munfordville Children's Business Fair
Saturday, April 25, 2026
8:00AM - 12:00PM
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
Darcy Howell
🗓️ Started hosting in 2025
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (6)
Meet Your Host
Hi! I’m Darcy, a homeschooling mom who loves hands-on, real-world learning. As a homeschool group moderator and event planner, I’m passionate about creating opportunities that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and confidence. From organizing group activities to exploring skills like crafting, woodworking, and freeze-drying foods, I believe learning should be fun, engaging, and full of possibilities!.
Why We’re Hosting This Fair
Alongside my teen and fellow homeschool moms, I wanted to create a space where kids become entrepreneurs for a day. This fair is more than just selling—it’s about learning business skills, gaining confidence, and seeing ideas come to life. Whether crafting, baking, or innovating, young entrepreneurs get hands-on experience in a fun, supportive environment. We can’t wait to see their creativity in action!
22 booths participating
Z Best Nacho’s
DEA’s Sweet Shoppee
And 20 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 30 businesses.
What is on the application?
We will accept up to 30 businesses.
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?
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.
Is there a vendor fee?
Yes! A $15 booth fee is required for each vendor to secure your spot and must be paid at the time of application. Applications without payment will not be accepted. If a vendor is not approved, the fee will be refunded. However, the fee is nonrefundable for approved vendors who choose not to attend the fair.
What age groups are accepted?
The age groups are between 7 to 17 years old. This is to allow the child to be old enough to self-manage their booth. Although we would like to allow children younger than the age group to be a part of the business experience, it will, unfortunately cause a distraction that takes away from the older child's experience.
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.
Is there a vendor fee?
Yes! A $15 booth fee is required for each vendor to secure your spot and must be paid at the time of application. Applications without payment will not be accepted. If a vendor is not approved, the fee will be refunded. However, the fee is nonrefundable for approved vendors who choose not to attend the fair.
What age groups are accepted?
The age groups are between 7 to 17 years old. This is to allow the child to be old enough to self-manage their booth. Although we would like to allow children younger than the age group to be a part of the business experience, it will, unfortunately cause a distraction that takes away from the older child's experience.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Our goal is to have only one business of each type unless there is a clear and distinctive difference between them. For example, two cupcake businesses may be allowed if they offer unique products or themes. If a similar business has already registered, we will notify later applicants so they can adjust their idea if needed.
Our goal is to have only one business of each type unless there is a clear and distinctive difference between them. For example, two cupcake businesses may be allowed if they offer unique products or themes. If a similar business has already registered, we will notify later applicants so they can adjust their idea if needed.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be held indoors with booths set up throughout the facility. Each business will be given a 6 ft table and 1 chair per child. Parents will not be allowed behind the booths unless approved for special needs through the host. Participants may bring their own tablecloths and decorations if they wish.
The fair will be held indoors with booths set up throughout the facility. Each business will be given a 6 ft table and 1 chair per child. Parents will not be allowed behind the booths unless approved for special needs through the host. Participants may bring their own tablecloths and decorations if they wish.
Will electricity be available?
Electricity is very limited and not guaranteed, so businesses should plan accordingly. Only small electric generators are allowed if needed.
Electricity is very limited and not guaranteed, so businesses should plan accordingly. Only small electric generators are allowed if needed.
What Are the Rules?
This event is designed to give children real, hands-on experience operating their own business. The purpose of the fair is to help young entrepreneurs develop confidence, responsibility, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and integrity through direct interaction with customers.
To protect that learning experience, the following guidelines apply:
Child Participation & Responsibility
- Children must be the primary operators of their booth.
- They are responsible for interacting with customers, explaining their product or service, and handling sales transactions.
- The booth space belongs to the child entrepreneur.
Young children (under age 8) may have parents assist with initial booth setup only. Once the fair officially begins, the child assumes full responsibility for operating the booth.
Vendor Conduct & Respect
All participants are expected to demonstrate respectful and professional behavior.
- Be respectful of neighboring vendors.
- Do not attempt to undermine another booth.
- Do not attempt to draw customers away from neighboring vendors in a disruptive or aggressive manner.
- Do not speak negatively about another child’s business or products.
Healthy competition is encouraged. Disrespectful or manipulative behavior is not.
If a participant is found attempting to interfere with another vendor’s sales or intentionally undermining another booth, they will be automatically disqualified from award consideration and prize eligibility. Serious or repeated violations may result in removal from the event and ineligibility to participate in future fairs.
This event is designed to build character as well as business skills.
Parent Involvement
Parents are not permitted inside the booth space once the event begins.
- Parents may not manage sales.
- Parents may not handle money.
- Parents may not assist with customer interactions during operating hours.
Parents are welcome to observe and support from designated seating areas within the fair space.
If a child must briefly step away for restroom use or another necessary break, a parent may stand in front of the booth space to monitor the products. During this time, the parent may not conduct sales, speak on behalf of the business, or manage transactions. They may simply oversee the booth until the child returns.
This structure ensures that children remain the true business operators while maintaining appropriate supervision when needed.
Night-Before Setup Policy
To support families while protecting the integrity of the event, booth setup will take place the evening before the fair.
Parents who wish to assist their child with booth setup may do so during the designated setup time the night before the event.
Parents will not be permitted to assist with setup on the morning of the event.
This policy is in place to prevent misunderstandings or reports of parents participating in booth operations during active sales hours, which could result in disqualification. Because no sales are permitted the night before the event, there is no risk of parent involvement affecting the integrity of the competition.
Sales may only occur during official event hours. This ensures the fair remains 100% child-owned and child-operated.
Booth Attendance Policy
Children are expected to remain at their booth throughout the duration of the event.
Vendors may not leave their booth to shop during fair hours. This event is designed to build entrepreneurial skills such as commitment, customer service, and sales responsibility. Shopping is a skill most children already possess; operating a business is the focus of this experience.
If a vendor needs to step away briefly:
- A “5 Minute – I’ll Be Back” sign may be used.
- Absences must be brief and limited to restroom use or urgent matters.
- Extended absences are not permitted.
Vendors may request a designated fair worker to temporarily monitor the booth during brief absences. This helps limit away time and reinforces the purpose of the event — building real business skills through active participation.
Preparation Expectations
Parents are encouraged to prepare their child for the fair in advance.
If a child may need support with skills such as:
- Counting change
- Making a sale
- Explaining their product or service
- Greeting customers
- Answering questions
Parents should practice mock sales at home prior to the event. Running simple practice scenarios builds confidence and reduces anxiety during the fair.
Parents may also help their child create a small reference sheet to keep at their booth. This may include:
- Product prices
- Simple product descriptions
- Change reminders
- A greeting script
This event is not a test. Reference sheets are encouraged if they help the child feel secure and supported. Having notes available allows students to problem-solve independently while still having a guide when needed.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is growth.
Why These Rules Matter
The structure of this event is intentional. Children grow the most when they:
- Speak directly to customers
- Answer questions independently
- Solve problems in real time
- Practice responsibility
- Demonstrate integrity and respect
These guidelines ensure every participant has the opportunity to experience authentic entrepreneurship in a supportive, structured, and fair environment.
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.
