Why Be a Kid Entrepreneur
Create and test a simple kid business plan, design a small product or service, set prices, and learn earning, saving, and giving responsibly.
About this activity
Create and test a simple kid business plan, design a small product or service, set prices, and learn earning, saving, and giving responsibly.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Think of one simple product or service you could make or do for other people today.
- 2
Step 2
Pick a short fun name for your business and write it at the top of your paper.
- 3
Step 3
Draw a quick sketch of your product or write the steps of the service you will offer.
- 4
Step 4
Write the materials needed to make one product on your paper.
- 5
Step 5
Calculate the total cost to make one item by estimating each material cost and adding them.
- 6
Step 6
Choose a selling price that is higher than your cost so you can earn a small profit.
- 7
Step 7
Make one prototype of your product or perform the service once as a test.
- 8
Step 8
Create a small price tag and a simple sign that shows what your product is and how much it costs.
- 9
Step 9
Decide where and when you will show or sell your product to friends or family.
- 10
Step 10
Practice one short sentence that tells why someone should buy your product.
- 11
Step 11
With an adult's help, show your product to a customer.
- 12
Step 12
If the customer buys it, accept the payment with your adult helper.
- 13
Step 13
Count the money you earned and write the total amount on your paper.
- 14
Step 14
Label three envelopes Save Spend Give and put your money into them using the amounts you choose.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo and a short note about your business and what you learned on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I run the "Why Be a Kid Entrepreneur" activity with my child?
Start by brainstorming simple product or service ideas together (lemonade, handmade bookmarks, pet walking). Help your child draft a one-page plan: idea, target customer, materials, price, and goal. Design a prototype, set a fair price, and do a small test sale to family or neighbors. Track sales, count earnings, decide how to split money for saving, spending, and giving, then reflect on lessons learned.
What materials are needed for the "Why Be a Kid Entrepreneur" activity?
Gather basic supplies: paper and pencils for the plan, markers or crayons for design, simple craft materials for a product, containers or labels, play money or a simple cash box, calculator or phone app, and a notebook to track sales and costs. Optional: a camera to take product photos and permission slips for selling in public spaces. Adult supervision and a safe workspace are essential.
What ages is "Why Be a Kid Entrepreneur" suitable for?
This activity suits a wide age range: ages 5–8 can do guided brainstorming, basic pricing, and supervised selling; ages 9–12 can create a simple business plan, set prices, and manage sales with some independence; teens 13+ can handle more complex planning, marketing, and budgeting. Adjust the level of adult support and complexity based on the child’s maturity and experience.
What are the benefits of doing "Why Be a Kid Entrepreneur" with my child?
The activity builds practical skills: basic money sense, math, planning, creativity, communication, and problem-solving. It boosts confidence, responsibility, and teamwork when parents participate. Splitting earnings into saving, spending, and giving teaches financial habits and empathy. Small setbacks teach resilience and critical thinking, making the experience both educational and empowering.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of specialty craft supplies, price tags, or envelopes if we don't have them at home?
Use recycled cardboard or cereal-box pieces and markers for your prototype and sign, index cards or folded scrap paper for price tags, and any small folded paper or an old envelope labeled Save/Spend/Give for step 12.
My prototype fell apart during the test—what should I do?
If your prototype breaks during the test in step 6, simplify the design, pick sturdier materials listed in your 'materials needed', and test again before showing customers.
How can I change this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, focus on choosing a fun name, drawing the product, role-playing the sale with an adult helper for counting and envelopes (steps 2–4 and 11–12), while older kids should calculate exact costs, set a profit margin, make multiple prototypes, and write a polished DIY.org post (steps 5–6 and 13).
How can we make the mini-business project more exciting or personal?
Personalize it by designing a simple logo and colorful sign (steps 2 and 7), offering small custom options during your prototype in step 6, and keeping a short sales-and-feedback note to improve before posting on DIY.org (steps 11–13).