Children’s Entrepreneur Markets: Turning Hobbies into Small Businesses

Does your child love baking cookies? Maybe she can’t stop making friendship bracelets. Or perhaps he picked up crocheting and has endless ideas for plush creatures to make. Whatever your kid’s hobby is, have you considered selling their products at a local makers’ market? Those traditional market environments aren’t geared toward kids, and the vending fees can get expensive. That’s where Children’s Entrepreneur Market comes in. Here’s what to know about how to join in.

What is Children’s Entrepreneur Market?

Children’s Entrepreneur Market is an award-winning nonprofit that gives kids ages 5–17 “the opportunity to learn hands-on about the free market, how to run a business, the value of money,” says Tyler Chanthachone, Fort Worth manager and Texas supervisor for Children’s Entrepreneur Market. “We want them to have that positive learning experience.”

In short, it’s kids’ entrepreneurship in action. Originally founded in Utah, the markets have expanded into 42 states, with plans to expand into all 50 by the end of 2025. It’s been in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a few years now, and when Chanthachone heard about it last year, she knew she had to get involved.

She’s worked with kids for nearly 20 years and has seen them make keychains, bracelets and food to sell to their friends. “I just literally thought of all those kids in the past almost 20 years—all these kids would have loved the opportunity to make profit on their inspirations,” she says.

What types of things do kids sell at these markets?

And kids can sell just about anything, though local markets may have some constraints, like no food vendors at food-focused events. Some upcoming DFW markets include vendors selling jewelry, dog treats, crocheted goods, 3-D printed items, artwork, tumblers, even a child selling books he’s written. Some kids even sell services like glitter hair extensions and face painting.

Why should my child participate at a Children’s Entrepreneur Market?

Beyond the fact that your child will earn money for pursuing their passion, vending at one of the markets gives kids experience in creating, pricing, and marketing their products. And because parents are not allowed to answer questions, take payments, prepare and serve food or generally engage with customers, participating in the markets can also boost kids’ communication, time management, critical thinking, planning, resilience and confidence—all essential life skills.

“Parents will come up afterwards and they’re like, I don’t know who that kid is. My kid is not that kid. They light up, they become a different person, and it’s so great hearing from parents that their shy child just became extroverted, selling what they love to do,” Chanthachone says. “Seeing those kids light up when they talk to customers, it’s amazing. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something like that?”

In fact, it’s such a positive experience that Chanthachone hopes when her 2-year-old is older “he’ll have the entrepreneurial spirit” and want to get involved.

When are the Children’s Entrepreneur Markets in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Children’s Entrepreneur Markets are typically launched twice per year, in the spring and in the fall, according to Chanthachone. The spring markets in DFW kickoff in early May and are held weekends through mid-June.

The organizers partner with established community events—typically ones that are free to the public like WataugaFest and Irving Fusion—for each Children’s Entrepreneur Market. That way, “we know that there’s going to be a lot of foot traffic to provide the kids with customers so they can solely focus on their product, their pricing and their sales pitch,” Chanthachone says. “We want the kids to succeed.”

There are six markets coming up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including:

TERRELL
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025; 11am–2pm
Where: Terrell’s Taco Festival
Downtown Terrell, 102 W. Moore Ave., Terrell, Texas
Registration is still open for this market, however food vendors are not allowed. 

LITTLE ELM
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025; 11am–2pm
Where: The Lawn at the Lakefront
125 Main Street, Little Elm, Texas 

WATAUGA
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025; 10am–2pm and 4–8pm
Sunday, May 18, noon–5pm
Where: WataugaFest at Capp Smith Park
5800 Robin Drive, Watauga, Texas
Registration is still open for this market (Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday); food vendors must follow Texas Cottage Food Law.

IRVING
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025; 2–6pm
Where: Irving Fusion at Heritage Park
217 S. Main St., Irving, Texas

WATAUGA
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025; 8:30–11:30am
Where: Watauga’s Family Field Day at Watauga Community Center
7901 Indian Springs Road, Watauga, Texas
Registration is still open for this market; food vendors must follow Texas Cottage Food Law. 

MCKINNEY
When: Saturday, June 14, 2025; 4–8pm
Where: McKinney’s Juneteenth Celebration at Finch Park
301 Standifer St., McKinney, Texas

How can we become a vendor?

If your little one has ample supply of their craft, it’s not too late to register for a few of the DFW Children’s Entrepreneur Markets happening this spring (each booth is $25). The Terrell and both Watauga markets have spots available, and you can register your child up to 24 hours before the event starts, according to Chanthachone.

If waiting until the fall is more on par with your little one’s timeline, Chanthachone says registration for those will begin in early August.

“I hope that [families] all come out, and even if they don’t participate at the first one, they’ll be inspired and participate at the next one,” she adds.

Who knows, your child might get inspired enough that they find their future career. For more information and to learn when registrations open for the next round of markets, visit childrensentrepreneurmarket.com, follow the nonprofit on Instagram @childrensentrepreneurmarket and on Facebook @ChildrenEntrepreneursTexas.

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Top photo courtesy Tyler Chanthachone