Children's Business Fair - Carol Stream, Illinois
Saturday, October 3, 2026
1:00PM - 3:30PM
Applications are closed
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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 Agapao Academy Homeschool Hybrid, 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.
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Aaron Clark
🗓️ Started hosting in 2025
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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 25 businesses.
We will accept up to 25 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 entries 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 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 an outdoor event. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. In case of weather, the fair will be moved inside.
The fair will be an outdoor event. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. In case of weather, the fair will be moved inside.
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.
Who are we?
We are Aaron and Julia Clark. We started Agapao Academy Homeschool Hybrid in the fall of 2023. We are a faith based 3 day drop off for homeschool families. Learners are encouraged to have good character and work on being independent learners. Mornings are spent doing academic work and afternoons are spent working on group and independent study of different themes each session. Our children have participated in Acton Business Fairs and love the experience and learning that comes from the events.
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.
Who are we?
We are Aaron and Julia Clark. We started Agapao Academy Homeschool Hybrid in the fall of 2023. We are a faith based 3 day drop off for homeschool families. Learners are encouraged to have good character and work on being independent learners. Mornings are spent doing academic work and afternoons are spent working on group and independent study of different themes each session. Our children have participated in Acton Business Fairs and love the experience and learning that comes from the events.
