Where Greater Boston kids launch their first real business — one-day children's business fairs (kids make it, brand it and sell it; parents stay behind the booth), Lemonade Day stands, and entrepreneurship programs for older kids and teens. Ages 4–18. Every listing links straight to the organizer.
One-day kid-run markets, mostly in the Acton Children's Business Fair network: kids build a brand, make a product and sell it themselves (a parent caught selling gets the booth disqualified). Ages 4–18, up to 3 kids per business, ~$25 to register. Upcoming fairs are listed first; fairs already held come back annually — confirm next year's date on the fair's own page.
The classic first business, taught properly — a free program that walks kids through the whole arc before they ever pour a cup.
Structured programs where kids and teens learn business skills over a semester or year, not just one market day.
Tell us how it went — we're collecting first-business stories and fairs we've missed.
Massachusetts hosts several fairs in the Acton Children's Business Fair network — one-day markets where kids create a brand, make a product and sell to real customers. Upcoming 2026 dates: Springfield (Aug 22), Marlborough (Sep 4), Ashland (Sep 12) and the flagship Acton fair at Nara Park (Sep 26, 100+ booths). Newton (The Street, Chestnut Hill), Weston-Wayland (each May) and Waltham (each June) run annually. Registration is per business, typically around $25.
Most fairs accept ages 4–18, with up to 3 kids per business. The rule that matters: kids run the booth. Parents may help with the application and sit with younger children, but if a parent is found selling, the business is disqualified. Kids must have made the product (or contributed the biggest share of its creation).
Lemonade Day is a free national program that teaches kids to start, own and operate their own business — a lemonade stand. Kids learn to set goals, build a business plan, secure an investor, create a product, make a profit and give back, then open their stand for real customers.
Junior Achievement of Greater Boston runs K–12 programs in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy, led by volunteer mentors. Its capstone JA Company Program has high schoolers form a real company — identify a community need, create a product, sell stock and manage sales, marketing and finance. Younger kids can start with Lemonade Day or a children's business fair booth.