15 Times Kids Tried to Start Their Own Business
From homemade crafts to backyard services, these childhood business ventures were ambitious, chaotic, and unforgettable.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Every kid has dreamed of making their own money, and some actually tried. Whether it was selling stuff from the garage, charging neighbors for made-up services, or trying to invent the next big thing, these pint-sized entrepreneurs gave it their all. Here are 15 hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes weird attempts at childhood businesses that prove hustle starts young.
1. The Classic Lemonade Stand
Greg Bulla on Unsplash
No list is complete without this sugary startup. Kids proudly set up folding tables, hand-painted signs, and overpriced cups of lukewarm lemonade.
2. Handmade Bracelets for Sale
Michael Collett on Unsplash
Armed with beads and elastic, kids churned out friendship bracelets like a mini sweatshop. Prices were totally random and usually negotiable.
3. Garage Sale, Kid-Style
Ekaterina Belinskaya on Pexels
Without telling their parents, kids “sold” old toys, books, and household items right from the driveway. Negotiation was optional — everything went for quarters.
4. Lawn Mowing Service with Dad’s Mower
Carl Tronders on Unsplash
The pitch was simple: mow lawns, make bank. The execution? Questionable at best. Uneven cuts, missed patches, and frequent stalling were all part of the charm.
5. Homemade Baked Goods Table
Frank Zhang on Unsplash
Armed with store-bought mix and a lot of sugar, kids turned kitchens into mini bakeries. Muffins, brownies, and cookies were sold to anyone willing to risk a bite.
6. Selling Drawings or “Custom Art”
Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
With crayons and confidence, kids offered portraits and “logo design” to classmates. Some were impressively creative, others… not so much. Parents often became their best (and only) customers.
7. Rent-a-Toy Business
Gryffin Alejandro on Unsplash
Why sell your action figures when you can rent them out for the day? That was the logic behind this short-lived idea. Contracts were verbal, rules were loose, and disputes were guaranteed.
8. Charging Siblings for Chores
cottonbro studio on Pexels
The hustle was strong — convincing little siblings to outsource their chores for a fee. Trash duty? That’ll be 50 cents. It only worked until mom caught on or the sibling unionized.
9. Pet Walking (With Questionable Skills)
Katya Wolf on Pexels
Kids who barely kept a goldfish alive suddenly offered to walk dogs and feed cats. Flyers were made, pitches were rehearsed, and rates were inconsistent.
10. Snow Shoveling for Hire
Alex P on Pexels
After the first snowstorm, kids grabbed shovels and hit the streets. Driveways got cleared, and tips were the ultimate prize. It was cold, tiring, and incredibly satisfying.
11. Creating a School Newspaper or Zine
Biswarup Ganguly on Wikimedia Commons
Armed with clip art, gossip, and a stapler, some kids launched full-blown publications. They charged classmates a quarter or bartered for snacks.
12. Candy Resale Business
Dmitry Mishin on unsplash
Buy in bulk at Costco, sell individually at school. Profit margins? Huge. Risk of getting caught? Even bigger. It was the black market of elementary school and totally thrilling.
13. “Haunted House” Admission Fees
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Transforming basements or garages into spooky attractions was a Halloween favorite. Kids charged friends to walk through creepy setups with fake cobwebs and jump scares.
14. Slime and Putty Sales
cottonbro studio on Pexels
After a YouTube binge, kids got to work mixing glue and glitter in kitchen bowls. Slime jars were sold to classmates like they were precious gems.
15. Selling “Magic Potions” in the Backyard
Jan Ranft on Unsplash
Usually just colored water, soap, and random leaves in a mason jar. Kids swore they could grant wishes or give powers. Priced anywhere from a nickel to a dollar, depending on the pitch.