Should You Let Your Kids Run a Lemonade Stand This Summer?

Running a lemonade stand on a hot summer day is a popular first job for kids. The lessons a child learns are very valuable. It is up to you as a parent to decide if your child having a lemonade stand in your neighborhood is safe and practical.

You can work with your child to determine a location for the best traffic, create a list of items needed to make and sell the lemonade or whatever else they decide to sell, and develop a budget for expenses.

• Creates an entrepreneurial mindset: Your child will be their own boss, create their own prices, and run the whole show. It is a great way to introduce them to running their own business.
• Flexibility: Your child will be able to choose the day and time of the lemonade sale.
• Various ages: Your older child could use the help of his/her younger siblings to create the lemonade. They will have to keep in mind that if they take the help, they will also have to give them part of his profits.
• Limited start-up costs: The cost of the ingredients for lemonade is low. Your child will be able to easily make back in what they spent on ingredients after selling a few cups of lemonade.
• Creates credibility: A lemonade stand is a great way for your child to meet people that live in your neighborhood. They might notice his/her hardworking spirit and offer to pay him/her to do work around their house to earn more money.

• Limited business: Running a lemonade stand a couple times throughout the summer could be fun. However, there probably isn't enough business to run it regularly throughout the summer and make a profit.
• Location: Setting up a lemonade stand by a near by biking trail or summer event will be the most profitable compared to a front lawn in a rural area. Be aware of the limitations with each area.
• Weather: The success of a lemonade stand will also be based on the weather. On a super hot day, sales are sure to be high. But on a rainy day, your best option is to skip the sale.
• Limited pay: A lemonade stand might be fun, but if your child is trying save money for a large purchase, they might want to explore different ways to earn money.

• Profit and loss: Your children will learn about pricing products to make back what they spent on ingredients and earn a profit.
• Making business decisions: They will be able to make business and management decisions that will determine the success of his/her business and see the impact of those decisions.
• Teamwork: If your child decides to run the business with others, they will learn how to work and play together. After all, teamwork does make the dream work!