Lemonade Stand:
The Classic Kid Business

Nothing beats ice-cold lemonade in the summer! And people love to buy it from a kid running a lemonade stand. Parents running errands. Other kids riding bikes or playing ball. Everyone needs a refreshing drink! Add that to the money lessons that can be learned, and you've got a great business for kids.

So, how do kids provide great products and service while making money? With a good plan and a little help from Mom and Dad.

There are some short steps to a successful lemonade stand. Here are the highlights.

• Figure out if you are doing this for your own business or for charity. The answer to this question may impact how you handle the rest of the steps!
• Determine the location: Focus on safety and good foot traffic.
• Plan the stand: How is your stand going to be constructed? What are you going to sell? What will the prices be?
• Get the supplies: It pays to be prepared and well-stocked.
Take a look at our checklist to get going in the right direction.
• Pick the date: This could depend on where you will be located - especially if you are planning it to coincide with neighborhood events, ball games or picnics. Be sure to check the weather, too!
• Make the signs: Signs are needed for your stand as well as to direct customers your way. Make sure they can be read from a distance and lead the way. Get some hints on signs that do the job.

SET...

• Set up the stand: Make sure it's sturdy enough to handle the supplies you plan to place on it as well as customers leaning on it. See our Custom Lemonade Stand page for ideas.
• Mix the recipes: Traditional lemonade? Other flavors? What about green lemonade?
• Put out the signs: The signs should be easily seen by the people you expect to attract as customers. It is a good idea to have someone help you by looking at your sign from various angles before it gets hung.

GO!
Open up your stand and have a blast! And if you think you have one of the best stands then pop on over to Inc.'s Best Lemonade Stand contest and submit your entry!