Business ideas for kids
These are the twelve starter ideas built into Dreamstand. A kid can pick one to start fast, or dream up their own. Each idea comes with a likely customer and where to find them, and several have a starter supply list with rough costs so the money math is ready to go.
Things kids can make and sell
Slime Shop
Mix up colorful, stretchy slime and sell little tubs.
Who buys: Kids who love fun, squishy stuff
Where to find them: School friends, church kids, the block, family parties
Rough startup cost: about $23.00 for ~10, or $2.30 each.
Bake Sale
Bake cookies or treats and sell them at a stand.
Who buys: Neighbors and grown-ups with a sweet tooth
Where to find them: In front of your house, church events, a yard sale
Rough startup cost: about $15.00 for ~24, or $0.63 each.
Little Store
Run a tiny store with drinks and snacks people want.
Who buys: Thirsty, hungry people passing by
Where to find them: A game, a garage sale, a busy sidewalk (with a grown-up)
Lemonade Stand
The classic! Cold lemonade on a warm day.
Who buys: People walking or driving by who are thirsty
Where to find them: A busy corner, a park, an event (with a grown-up)
Rough startup cost: about $14.00 for ~20, or $0.70 each.
Craft Maker
Make bracelets, cards, or art and sell them.
Who buys: People who love handmade gifts
Where to find them: Craft fairs, church, family, a stand out front
Rough startup cost: about $15.00 for ~15, or $1.00 each.
Garden Goodies
Grow veggies or flowers and sell little bunches.
Who buys: Neighbors who like fresh, homegrown things
Where to find them: Your front yard, a farm stand, church
Rough startup cost: about $15.00 for ~12, or $1.25 each.
Card Company
Design greeting cards for birthdays and holidays.
Who buys: Grown-ups who send cards
Where to find them: Family, church, neighbors, a little stand
Rough startup cost: about $17.00 for ~20, or $0.85 each.
Helpful services kids can offer
Friendly Visits
Visit and cheer up older neighbors — read, talk, help a little.
Who buys: Older neighbors who'd love company (with a grown-up along)
Where to find them: Your street, church, a grandparent's friends
Playdate Helper
Plan and run fun playdates for younger kids.
Who buys: Busy parents of little kids
Where to find them: Family friends, church, your neighborhood
Dog Walking
Walk neighbors' dogs so the pups get exercise.
Who buys: Neighbors with dogs and busy days
Where to find them: Your street, family friends (always with a grown-up)
Tech Helper
Help grandparents and neighbors with their phones.
Who buys: Older folks who want help with their devices
Where to find them: Grandparents, their friends, church (with a grown-up)
Car Wash
Wash cars sparkly clean for the neighbors.
Who buys: Neighbors with dusty cars
Where to find them: Your driveway, family, church parking lot (with a grown-up)
Picking the right idea
- Start with something you already like doing. You'll keep going longer.
- Ask who would love it, and where those people already are.
- Start small. Make a little batch, try selling, and learn from what happens.
- Selling, visiting, dog walking, washing cars: always with a grown-up nearby.
Supply costs are rough planning numbers. Prices vary, and a grown-up can help find deals.
Keep exploring
How it works
Dream it, plan it, try it, log what happened, keep going.
Money math & money jars
Cost, price, and profit, then Save, Give, Grow, and Spend jars.
Guides & supply lists
How-to guides, starter supply lists, and programs for young founders.
Real kid founders
Stories of kids who started young and kept trying.
Ready to try a real idea?
A grown-up creates the family account, adds a young founder, and you pick a dream.
Start your family's Dreamstand