Have the best lemonade stand for kids this summer with tips on pricing, lemonade recipes, signage, and other ideas to help your kids have a rockin’ summer.
Lemonade stands for kids have been a symbol of summertime for generations. Many girls and boys have sat outside in the sticky summer heat to sling a few cups of cold sweetness to the neighbors.
And it’s that time of year again! Use these tips and secrets to have the best, rockin’ lemonade stand for kids on the block!
You know the basics – table, chairs, colorful signs, cups, ice, lemonade (of course!), but a few extra ingredients can make your kids’ lemonade stand a huge success.
11 Secrets to a Rockin’ Lemonade Stand for Kids
Work Together on All Aspects of the Business
A lemonade stand gives budding entrepreneurs a taste of what it’s like to run a business. That means purchasing supplies, preparation, sales, breaking down, and cleaning up. You can front your kids the money for supplies but have them pay you back with their earnings.
Promote the Lemonade Stand
Let family, friends, and neighbors know your little entrepreneur is up and running. Our Lemonade Stand Kit includes invitations and signs, making this easy.
Don’t forget to utilize social media! Take a picture of your cutie in front of her stand (if you are comfortable doing so) and post it on social media, so your friends know in real-time that it’s time to stop over for refreshments.
Share Where the Proceeds Will Go
It’s fun for customers to see what the kids are saving up for and might generate more sales (and sometimes even donations). You also might suggest that your kids donate a portion of the proceeds to a philanthropic cause like the local animal shelter or food pantry.
Let customers know how your kids are going to spend their hard-earned money. Are they saving for a new video game? A trip to the water park? A new Barbie?
Stock Your Lemonade Stand Well
Make Fresh Lemonade
It’s extra work, but consider serving fresh-squeezed lemonade if you can. This gives your child an opportunity to learn how to make it from scratch (Yay! Not everything has to come from a package!) Plus, your kid will love receiving compliments on his “secret” lemonade recipe. Check out this super easy homemade lemonade recipe and an entire collection of over 25 lemonade recipes kids can choose from to offer more than just regular lemonade. Use this inexpensive juicer to make the work a little easier.
Sell Other Things Like Water and Baked Goods
Offering options like bottles of water means you’ll probably have something for everyone. At $1 each, for example, your kids will probably make a killing on the water sales alone! Consider selling freshly baked cupcakes. Our Lemonade Stand Kit includes a price list, price signs, and lemonade-themed cupcake toppers.
Consider Large and Small Cup Sizes
Not everyone wants a great big cup o’ lemonade, but they’ll purchase a small one to support the stand. Give options. You may even want to consider pricing the lemonade at donations only. Let customers decide how much they are willing to pay.
Keep Your Lemonade Stand Neat and Clean
On the day of the stand, set up the stand and make it tidy. No one wants to buy lemonade from kids with dirty hands, nails, clothes, etc. Make sure your kids scrub down and change clothes before presenting their goods to the public. You can even make cute kid-size aprons just for the stand.
Be Ready for Spills
When kids pour lemonade into a cup, sticky spills are bound to happen. Make sure you have paper towels or, even better, wet wipes on hand.
Keep a Trash Can Handy
Most stands forget this little convenience for customers. Plus, it makes it so much easier when it’s time for clean-up.
Offer Drive-Up Service
Depending on the safety of the location of your lemonade stand, consider a drive-up option for folks who might not otherwise stop and get out of their car.
Make sure you feature “DRIVE UP SERVICE!” on your sign large enough for drivers to see!
Pay it Forward
Always, always stop at other kids’ lemonade stands, so you put goodwill out into the world for when your own kids set up shop.
Lemonade stands are fun summertime activities and create truly special childhood memories. And, who knows? Perhaps it will ignite your kids’ entrepreneurial spirit for life!