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Welcome to the pre-registration for for our Niagara Children's Business Fair for 2025!
Niagara Children's Business Fair St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Saturday, October 18, 2025
1:00PM - 3:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children 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.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, 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
Lori Punton
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.8 (14)
The Niagara Children's Business Fair holds a special place in my heart because it gives young entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their unique businesses they have created. Our goal is to support them every step of the way, helping them take pride in their work and develop their talents.
11 booths participating
Baked Goods by Tia
Khloe’s Kreations
And 9 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.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 45 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.
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.
ALSO - must be no older than 14 years of age by the fair date (open to all entrepreneurs 6 - 14)
ALSO - must be no older than 14 years of age by the fair date (open to all entrepreneurs 6 - 14)
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?
More than one business? 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. HOWEVER, OUR CATAGORY OF BEAD MAKING IS FULL.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We have limited availabilities to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
There are limited spaces that we can offer electricity
What are the rules?
This event is for young entrepreneurs ages 6 - 14 years old. At the time of the event, the young entrepreneur must be 14 (so depending on their birthday, will determine whether they qualify to take part)
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.
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 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.
