Island Children's Market 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
1:00PM - 3:00PM
Applications are closed
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About the fair
APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 ISLAND CHILDREN'S MARKET WILL OPEN IN APRIL 2026
Observe the opportunity for kids to launch their very own startup business!
Observe the opportunity for kids 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 around 20 booths at our third annual Island Children's Market.
Application will close October 3rd.
Info for Fair Participants:
When: October 17th, 2026
Booth Set up from 12:30-12:45pm
Sneak Preview Shopping 12:45-1pm
Open to Public 1:00pm-3pm @ the South Padre Island Community Center.
This year we will have three area business owners walk around and interview each young entrepreneur. They will have the difficult job deciding which business will receive the Island Children's Market Outstanding Entrepreneur Award. Each business will considered on the following criteria:
-Presentation
Application will close October 3rd.
Info for Fair Participants:
When: October 17th, 2026
Booth Set up from 12:30-12:45pm
Sneak Preview Shopping 12:45-1pm
Open to Public 1:00pm-3pm @ the South Padre Island Community Center.
This year we will have three area business owners walk around and interview each young entrepreneur. They will have the difficult job deciding which business will receive the Island Children's Market Outstanding Entrepreneur Award. Each business will considered on the following criteria:
-Presentation
-Originality
-Salesmanship
Every registered business will receive a participation certificate.
This event is sponsored by the Acton School of Business, The Waves Jiujitsu Academy, Woolverton Realty, S.O.S. Services and the generous support of our local donors 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 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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Frequently asked questions
What is the South Padre Island Children’s Business Fair?
The South Padre Island Children’s Business Fair inspires kiddos to discover their inner entrepreneur: the entrepreneurial energy was electric last year and we're looking forward to doing it again!
The South Padre Island Children’s Business Fair inspires kiddos to discover their inner entrepreneur: the entrepreneurial energy was electric last year and we're looking forward to doing it again!
How many businesses will you accept?
For our second fair, we will accept around 20 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.
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.
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:
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.
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 entirely indoors at the South Padre Island Community Center. Each business will be given a table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
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. Parents may support but ultimately children should run the show.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents may support but ultimately children should run the show.
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?
There is a wave of entrepreneurial spirit taking off across the United States and Children's Markets can also be found across the world. Initially 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.
There is a wave of entrepreneurial spirit taking off across the United States and Children's Markets can also be found across the world. Initially 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.
