Questions, answered.

The Wichita Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one‑day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

Any child between the ages of 6 and 12 who has a business idea they want to bring to life.

The fair happens once a year on a Saturday in the fall, along Bradley Fair Parkway in Wichita. The market runs for three hours in the morning, with setup beforehand.

You’ll find this year’s date and times on our homepage.

No. The fair is free to attend and open to all of Wichita. Bring friends, family and neighbors. The more shoppers, the better the day for our young entrepreneurs.

Wonder does. We’re a school right here in Wichita serving children ages 3 to 18.

We start with a Montessori preschool and lead into a modern one‑room schoolhouse for elementary through high school, where learners hold Socratic discussions, take on real‑world apprenticeships, and work on hands‑on projects.

We’re dedicated to inspiring each child to see life as a Hero’s Journey, where someone with curiosity and character can find a calling that changes the world.

Learn more about Wonder

The idea to host a Children’s Business Fair first originated from Acton Academy in Austin, TX. Since its inception in 2007, the fair has grown into the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America.

Wonder is bringing the event to Wichita to help children discover their entrepreneurial abilities and showcase their startups to the community. The fair is designed to encourage children to take risks, solve problems, and use innovative thinking.

Start with our resources page. Read tips for starting a business and business ideas for children, and play games to hone your business skills.

The application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.

Apply for a booth

The application asks children to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:

• What product or service do you plan to sell?
• What price will you charge for each product or service? How much will each one cost you?
• How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with those costs, how will you pay that person back?
• How will you advertise or market your business before the fair?
• At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?

Applications typically close in August. Check our homepage for this year’s date, and apply early so your child has plenty of time to prepare.

You’ll get a confirmation email right away. Once your application is accepted, the $10 booth fee is charged and you’ll start receiving emails with everything you need to prepare.

Booth numbers and arrival details go out by email in the final week before the fair.

Yes. Children can sell products they make or services they provide. Both kinds of businesses do well at the fair.

Yes. Submit one application per business. Siblings can run their own businesses or team up on one, with up to 3 children per business.

We do our best to place siblings side by side so parents can help with setup and watch both children.

Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will do our best to separate similar businesses.

Start with cost. Add up what your child spent on materials and packaging, then divide by how many items it made. That’s the cost per item.

A good rule of thumb is to price at two to three times the cost, rounded to a whole dollar so making change is easy. Then ask: would a shopper walking by pay that without thinking twice?

Shoppers love a low-price item ($1 to $3) and a bundle deal, like “3 for $8.”

Pick a sales goal, then divide it by your price. A $300 goal at $3 each means about 100 items.

The market is busy and moves fast, so plan for a full morning of shoppers. Make a small test batch first so your child knows how long each one takes, and bring a little extra of your best seller.

The fair provides the tent and one 8‑foot table. Families bring everything else:

• Chairs for your child and any team members
• A tablecloth and a booth sign with your business name and prices
• All of your inventory, plus bags or packaging
• A cash box with change and a printed payment QR code
• Tape, clips and zip ties for signs
• Water, snacks and sunscreen
• A wagon or cart, since you may park some distance from your booth

Each business chooses its own payment methods. Cash, Venmo, Square and Cash App are all welcome, and most businesses take more than one.

Many shoppers don’t carry cash, so we recommend offering a digital option. Bring small bills for change and test your QR code before fair day.

Yes. Products should be made by the children, not by parents. A homemade look is expected and welcome.

Judges ask children to explain how they made their product, and businesses that are clearly adult‑made are not considered for awards.

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.

Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.

Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.

The fair will be a tented outdoor event with 100+ booths. Each business will be given a 10’x10’ tent with one 8‑foot table.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.

There is a $10 booth fee. The money is used for cash prizes awarded in each age group (6–7, 8–10, and 11–12) based on the following categories:

• Highest Business Potential
• Most Original Business Idea
• Best Presentation / Creativity

Judging is a friendly conversation at the booth, not a stage pitch. After the market opens, judges from the community walk the parkway, stop at booths and ask children a few questions.

Questions worth practicing at home:

• Tell me about your business. What do you sell?
• How did you come up with the idea?
• Show me how you made this.
• How did you decide on your price?

Winners are announced at the awards ceremony after the market closes.

Your child does. Every dollar earned at the booth belongs to the business. It’s a great time to sit down together afterward, subtract expenses and figure out the profit.

Yes, please plan to. Pack up your booth when the market closes, then head to the stage. Winners are announced for every age group, and it’s a fun way to celebrate everyone’s hard work.

Yes. Restrooms and a medical tent are on site. Their locations are included in the fair-day details we email before the fair.