Lemonade stands are a great way for children to earn money, learn basic business principles and make friends all over the neighborhood. There are a lot of ways to bring in business but never forget the most important tool for success: a good product. Real lemons, real sugar and plenty of ice keep customers happy.

Decorating the Stand

A couple of wooden crates and a handwritten sign can be a good way to start, but add some color. Balloons, colored construction paper cut-outs and flags make a lemonade stand more noticeable. Don't hesitate to be downright jazzy. Make flags out of old towels colored with Sharpie markers. Or, with a parent's approval and supervision, add some paint to the stand so it stands out. Make it the talk of the neighborhood.

Add Music

Bring along your music player and plenty of batteries. Play the really good stuff or put it on a popular radio station. Be careful, though, not to crank it up too loud. No need to make the neighbors angry. If the next house is close by, ask the neighbor for permission to play your music. Find the right balance between attracting attention and being a neighborhood nuisance.

Sell More than Lemonade

Add cookies, cakes, pastries and crunchy snacks to your lemonade stand. If you make your own, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap or wax paper. Don't sell anything, though, that does not do well in the summer heat. Fruit or other foods out of the refrigerator might not last long at the stand. Also, consider offering free items with the lemonade. If a customer buys two lemonades, include a free cookie. That keeps customers coming back, and the word will spread about the great stand you're operating.

Treat the Stand Like a Business

When you get a customer, treat him like a customer, not just a neighborhood kid getting some lemonade. Be polite, be direct and be professional. It might be hard to believe, but when you sell lemonade and get money for your work you are a professional lemonade stand proprietor. Keep regular hours. Avoid leaving the stand unattended while you do other things. If your sign is out, then you are open for business. Treat customers respectfully but don't let them talk you out of your product. No money, no sale. Before you know it, all the neighborhood kids will want to go to the lemonade stand where they are treated like a customer and not a nuisance.

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Making a Lemonade Stand

Kids starting a business