Stay in Touch
Subscribe to our exclusive mailing list and receive great stories from the Greatest Gift team
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form
The lemonade stand is a classic small business, typically run by kids who are looking to learn about entrepreneurship and make a bit of money.
Usually located on a sidewalk or front yard on hot summer days, the stand sells cups of cold lemonade for a small fee.
Some lemonade stands sell additional items alongside the lemonade.
Lemonade stands have become a beloved part of American culture.
They are often seen as a symbol of summertime, childhood, and entrepreneurship.
Lemonade stands have become a beloved part of American culture.
Many people have fond memories of setting up a lemonade stand as a child.
It's not uncommon for parents to encourage their own children to do the same.
Lemonade stands have also been embraced by some municipalities as a way to promote community building and economic development.
In fact, some US State legislators have taken action by passing laws to explicitly allow them.
Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey are only three examples of states passing pro-lemonade stand laws in recent years.
These laws aim to promote entrepreneurship and provide a safe and supportive environment for kids to learn about business and money management.
Lemonade stands are often seen as a rite of passage for young entrepreneurs.
They provide an opportunity to learn about business, money management, and customer service.
Operating a lemonade stand is a great way for kids to learn about financial literacy and money management.
Children who run lemonade stands gain valuable experience in setting goals, creating marketing materials, managing finances, and interacting with customers.
Operating a lemonade stand is a great way for kids to learn about financial literacy and money management.
Learning money management skills is a great way to build generational wealth, providing kids with the skills to make their own wealth.
Earning money and deciding how to allocate it can help children understand the value of hard work, budgeting, and saving.
After a successful summer kids may have a good amount of money saved up in their piggy bank.
Learning money management skills is a great way to build generational wealth, providing kids with the skills to make their own wealth.
This is the time to have a conversation with the young business owner about how to use the profits.
One option is to split the profit between save and spend.
Another option could be rolling the profits into the next opportunity.
Consider opening a UTMA account and teaching your kid about investing and compound interest.
By encouraging children to think creatively and responsibly about how they use their earnings, parents can help instill important financial habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Making a lemonade stand is relatively easy and inexpensive.
Here are some steps to follow:
For the stand, you can go as simple as a folding table with a table cloth, or elaborate as building your own wooden lemonade stand with wheels.
As long as you have somewhere to place cups and pitchers, you're good to go.
Decorate it with eye-catching designs and messages advertising your product.
Create a visually appealing and memorable experience for potential customers
You'll need cups, pitchers, and materials to make the lemonade.
Choose between lemonade mix or make your own with fresh lemons, sugar or sweetener, and ice.
Consider offering additional items such as cookies or snacks to attract customers.
Bring enough cash on hand to offer change for your customers.
It's a good idea to bring a mix of bills and coins.
Consider providing a digital payment option, like Venmo or Cashapp.
Choose a location with a lot of foot traffic, such as a busy sidewalk or park.
Make sure you have a permit if necessary.
You may also want to consider setting up an umbrella for shade.
Create posters or signs to attract customers and let them know what you're selling.
Use bright colors and bold lettering to make the signs stand out.
Pour cups of lemonade and collect money from customers.
Be friendly and engaging with potential customers, and consider offering small samples to entice them to buy.
While lemonade stands are generally legal in most parts of the US, some areas may require permits.
The rules can vary depending on the city and state.
It's important to check with local authorities before starting a lemonade stand to ensure compliance with any laws or regulations.
Currently, there are 15 US States that have passed laws that allow minors to open lemonade stands without permits.
A quick online search with your local city or state and the terms "lemonade stand legal" may help you learn more.
Currently, there are 15 US States that have passed laws that allow minors to open lemonade stands without permits.
These 15 States include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Vermont.
If you are in any of the other States, you may still need to get a permit.
Profits made by the stand's owner may have tax obligations if the amounts are large.
Earnings from a lemonade stand may qualify as earned income, a requirement for setting up a Custodial Roth IRA for kids.
To set up a lemonade stand, you'll need cups, pitchers, and materials to make lemonade.
You'll also need a stand. You can set one up with a folding table, or make one out of materials like cardboard boxes, plywood, or PVC piping.
Lastly, you'll need a way to accept payments and make change.
Currently, there are 15 US States that have passed laws that allow minors to open lemonade stands without permits.
Lemonade stands are generally legal in most parts of the US, but the rules can vary depending on the city and state.
Some areas require permits or licenses for food vendors, while others have restrictions on where and when stands can be set up.
It's important to check with local authorities before starting a lemonade stand to ensure compliance with any laws or regulations.
Some successful stands can make hundreds of dollars in a day, while others may only make a few dollars.
The amount of money a lemonade stand can make depends on several factors, such as location, weather, and marketing.
However, even if the stand doesn't make much money, the experience of running a business can be valuable for children.
Starting a lemonade stand as a kid is easy and fun.
You'll need a stand or folding table, a sign to attract customers, materials to make lemonade, and cash to offer as change to customers.
You may need to break into your piggy bank or use some of your allowance to buy the initial materials, but if you manage the stand well, you should have more money coming back!
Remember to get permission from your parents before setting up shop.
Absolutely! Running a lemonade stand is a great way for children to learn about entrepreneurship, money management, and customer service.
Plus, it's a fun and rewarding summer activity that can create lasting memories.
