|
|
Christian Indie Radio
GetChristianMusic
Solid Walnut Music
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devotionals
|
|
Cartoons
Culture
Family
Games
Health
Homeschooling
Humor
Inspiration
Kids
Men
Ministry
Parenting
Poetry
Teens
Women
|
|
Statement of Faith
Contact Us
|
|
|
|
Homeschooling in the Fast Lane:Kidpreneurs: 5 Home Businesses for Kids
by Marilynn Griffith (Marilynn's bio)
Send this page to a friend
With summer approaching and the paper-and-pencil part of school winding down, many kids will launch their own biz enterprises this summer with much success. If you have a budding businessperson in your home, investigate one of the five Whiz Biz Opportunities listed below for summer savings and fun!
1. CRITTER CRUISING
With the crunch of summer activities and vacations, pets are left pent up and put away. With a flyer on the mailbox in your neighborhood and a few signs on bulletin boards at local businesses, your pooch pushing enterprise can be up and running! My two daughters are forming a dog walking business at this writing. Be careful though, make sure you specify only "nice" dogs are accepted. Younger children should be accompanied by a parent and remember not to enter people's houses that they don't know.
2. MARKET MASTERY
When's the last time you've visited the local flea market? How about the farmer's market? Both are great opportunities for young businesspeople. With flea market booth costs as little as $25 per table per day, the possibilities are limitless! Does someone in your family have a craft they're good at? Do you have a garden, bee hive or other source of natural resources? All these things could translate into cash. Our family has sold soap, lip balm, bath bombs, bath salts, crafts and all sorts of items at various markets and craft fairs. One year we came home with over $300!
3. HOCK THE STOCK
You guessed it, a garage sale! Only this time, Mom and Dad get to watch. Tell kids that if they want new toys and summer items they'll have to make room and money by selling off their old things. If you can, try and save the boxes for all purchases and store them in the attic. A kindly used toy in the box can sell for up to 75% of its original price! Don't forget old books and homeschool supplies. Take odd items and make science kits out them in a bag or box. From Memorial Day to Labor Day is garage sale season, so have as many as you'd like.
4. PARTY HEARTY
Do you have a child who loves to plan celebrations? Let them spend this summer as a party planner! Some families have several children in one month and don't have time to coordinate all the birthday parties summer brings in addition to graduations and weddings. Instead they spend up to $200 on parties at theme restaurants. With a little help, your child could plan party packages with different themes for $50 and under. Remember to take pictures for your portfolio for next year!
5. GRASS BLAST
No kid biz list would be complete without that consummate staple--the lawn business. Don't yawn yet! With the advantages of technology, there's more than enough yard to go around. If the grass is taken, offer to clip the hedges, edge the yard or join up with another young person and bag the grass. Many yard people charge for these items separately or leave them undone. A father and son could also do pressure washing, another summer maintenance chore, on evenings and weekends for some quick bucks.
For more information on young people in business, visit the sites below:
http://www.youthbusiness.com/
Junior Achievement Resource Room
http://www.ja.org/about/about_res_entcent.shtml
Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov
http://www.entrepreneurmag.com/
Copyright 2002, Marilynn Griffith. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Marilynn Griffith: Marilynn Griffith is a freelance writer living in Florida, with her husband and six children. Her recent credits include HONEY FOR A HOMESCHOOLER'S HEART, CRUMBS IN THE KEYBOARD, COMFORT FOR A GRIEVING HEART, PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE, Christian Families Online and more. She is Assistant Editor for the Better Babies Newsletter http://www.bwbainc.homestead.com/BetterBabiesOnline.html |
Send this page to a friend: