It is summer time and the kids are out of school. One way to preoccupy them during the warm summer months is to introduce them to the joys of entrepreneurship.
One way to make this summer memorable for them is to help them start a business – one that they enjoy and are passionate about. A summer business venture can teach them the basics of business. They get to have a taste of becoming a business owner. It will be a great exercise to expose them to the value of hard work and dedication. They’ll also start learning about money, even the concept of cash flow. Plus, it will help them take pride in their creations and work.
Here are some summer business ideas for kids:
1. Online Retailing.
With your help, your child can create an online store and start selling on the Web. The key is choosing the right items to sell, preferably products that resonate with them. One option is to choose items that they think will resonate with other kids in their age group. Read the story of Hannah Altman: A 10-Year Old CEO’s Success with Pencil Toppers .
An easier way will be to become an affiliate for other companies. This will allow the kid to earn commission from the sale, without spending money for inventory. This is the business model followed by the 15-year old entrepreneur Lachy Groom with his iPadCaseFinder.com website.
2. Lemonade Stand.
The neighborhood lemonade stand is the most common business for kids in the summer. It is a fun, easy business for kids.
Easy to setup, your child needs to make a refreshing pitcher of lemonade (may need the help of adults) and sell it by the cup. The key is to find a high traffic area to set up the stand. The stand can be a simple table with chairs for the kids (umbrella preferred) or more complex with a wooden stand. The price of a lemonade cup can be anywhere from $0.25 to even a dollar, depending on how hot is it that day. However, check with your local county if there are any restrictions or tax implications for a seemingly simple business like a kid’s lemonade stand (the last thing you want is for your kid to be slapped with a fine for operating a business without a license.)
3. Pet sitting business.
During summer, some people go off on vacations but choose to leave their pets behind. If your kid loves pets and is capable of taking care of pets, one option is to start a pet sitting business. Your kid can take the dog for a walk, feed the cat or birds, and just make sure that the pets are being taken care of. For ideas, read the article “How to Develop a Pet Sitting Brand” .
4. Online video.
If your kid is adept in creating and editing videos, your child can use the skill to make money. Your kid can make short videos and upload them to the massively popular Youtube. If the videos are able to attract a sizeable audience, your kid can join the Youtube Partner Program http://www.youtube.com/partners and start earning from the videos through advertising. Read the article “8 Ways to Earn Money from Online Videos”.
5. T-Shirt Design Business.
If your kid is pretty crafty and artistic, one option is to start designing t-shirts. Your kid can make it as colorful as he/she wants, even full of wacky design ideas. The key is to highlight that these are unique and one-of-a-kind t-shirts. You can then sell them online such as eBay or the handmade auction site Etsy.com. Another way is to approach a small boutique owner in your area and check if they would be interested in selling your kid’s t-shirts.
For any of the above business ideas, parental guidance is important (even necessary). Think of this time as a way you can bond even more with your kids. And have fun while doing it!
These are great ideas to keep children occupied while school is out. Encouraging them to do business can help teach them the value of money, initiative and responsibility.
Hi,
All the parents think over it that what to d in summer vocations to keep their children busy. The ways that you provided are really good and appreciative. Your kids may keep themselves busy in a positive way of earning by adopting such an activity. It is good for their personal grooming as they get serious in their professions by the start of their lives in learning institutes (school, collage or universities etc.). Try to indulge your kids in that category of workings that they actually like or take interest in it. Once again I would like to say you thanks on providing such a nice post.
Thanks for dropping by Kevin! Many kids are now computer savvy, even at a young age. The computer and the Web offers a lot of business options for kids.
And don’t forget that if you have a Mac you can use the iLife software that comes bundled with each Mac to start a digital business. Use GarageBand to record podcasts and do interviews and record music. You can use iMovie to do instructional videos. How about iPhoto to do kids photo albums. If you own iWork office suite you can write your own book using Pages.
Hope this helps.
Kevin