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.

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?

The fair will be an outdoor event in the Hidden Hills Black Top. Each business will be provided with a 10x10 feet space to setup their booth. Businesses have to bring their own table, chairs and table cloth. Tents will not be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own as long as you do not infringe on the space of other booths.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are some examples of products and services the kids can sell?
Jewelry, bracelets, earrings, hair accessories, handmade candles, pottery, wall art, sewn bags, quilts, knitted crafts, greeting cards, origami, paper flowers, small wooden crafts, metal art, upcycled clothing, recycled creations, mini canvas paintings, watercolor bookmarks, crochet items, plants/succulents, galaxy jars, bath salts, sugar scrubs, lip balms, scented candles, DIY science kits, 3D-printed products, custom school supplies, pet-sitting or dog-walking services, tutoring services, and fun experience booths like carnival games.

Note: No food or beverage items may be sold.

Two slime 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.
Can the kids sell food and drinks?
Due to county restrictions, baked goods, drinks, or food items are not allowed.

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product, service, or an experience (e.g. carnival games). All products and services should be created or delivered by the children themselves. Products should not be bought and resold as-is.
We will host an info session mid Jan to go over fair details and answer any questions.

Parents of younger children may help with setup and sit in the booth but the children should be responsible 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.

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.