Community Resources and Events
Your Community Is a Business Playground
Your neighborhood is full of spaces, people, and events that can help you grow your business. You don’t have to wait for a big opportunity—many local places are ready to support young entrepreneurs. Whether it’s a library table, a school hallway, or a local fair, sharing your ideas with the community helps you learn, connect, and build confidence.
Use your Business by Kids Map to list local places and people who can support your business. Think about where you can go, who can help you, and how you might take your next step outside your home or school.
Organizing or Joining a Kids’ Business Fair
A Kids’ Business Fair is an event where children set up booths and offer products or services. These events can be small (like a few tables at a community center) or large (covering a park or gym with dozens of booths).
Steps to start or join a fair:
- Find a location like a library, park, or school
- Ask a parent, teacher, or librarian to help organize
- Invite other kids to participate
- Create signs and simple flyers
- Invite neighbors, families, and local leaders
At a fair, kids practice selling, explaining, and learning from real feedback. You’ll also meet other creative kids who can inspire new ideas.
Hosting Workshops and Mini Boot Camps
You can organize or join short workshops to build skills and explore business ideas. Workshops can be hosted by kids, parents, teachers, or even friendly local business owners.
Great workshop topics:
- Brainstorming new ideas
- Designing packaging or logos
- Practicing customer service
- Building confidence in speaking
- Creating a basic business plan
A pop-up workshop can happen at a library event, a community day, or even during recess. These events are small but powerful ways to grow together.
Testing Ideas in Public
Before fully launching a product or service, you can run an “Idea Crush Test.” This means showing your idea to a few people and asking for their honest thoughts.
How to run an Idea Crush Test:
- Draw or write your idea
- Show it to a few friends, family members, or community visitors
- Ask questions like “Would you use this?” or “What would make it better?”
- Use their suggestions to improve your idea
Some kids create a small “Idea Test Table” at events or school and invite people to vote or give advice. These conversations can lead to better ideas and new partnerships.
Partnering with Community Spaces
Local spaces want to support kids—if you ask. Libraries, rec centers, art studios, and businesses may allow you to:
- Host a small business showcase
- Set up a kids’ booth or display
- Run a workshop or class
- Join their events with your product or service
Send a short, polite message:
“Hi, I’m starting a small business and looking for ways to share it with my community. Could I set up a table or join an upcoming event?”
Often, you’ll find adults who love helping kids get started.
Creating a Local Support System
A strong business community for kids includes:
- Events where young entrepreneurs can share ideas
- Adults who offer time, tools, or feedback
- Bulletin boards, websites, or news pages that highlight youth businesses
- Schools, libraries, and cities that celebrate kid-led initiatives
You can even propose a “Kids Business Day” to your local city leaders or get featured in a neighborhood newsletter. Over time, these connections create an ecosystem where young creators feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
The Kid-Friendly World Project helps cities design spaces and programs that include kids’ voices. You can be part of that change by making your business part of your community.
Summary Points
- Your community is full of places and people that can support your business.
- Kids’ Business Fairs let young entrepreneurs share ideas and learn from real feedback.
- Workshops and boot camps build confidence and business skills in fun ways.
- Idea Crush Tests help you improve before launching a product or service.
- Local spaces like libraries and parks often support youth-led events and displays.
- A strong community system encourages, celebrates, and connects kid creators.
- Use your map to track local opportunities and reach out to potential partners.