Business activities that teach kids real skills in under an hour
Each activity is a self-contained learning project. Kids practice pricing, pitching, branding, planning, and customer thinking through fun, hands-on exercises.
- Activities
- 12
- Ages
- 8-13
- Time each
- 15-45 min
3
activities
3
activities
3
activities
3
activities
Creative
Design a product
30-45 minPick a problem and sketch a product that solves it. Draw the product, name it, and write one sentence explaining why someone would want it.
What they learn
Creative problem solving and thinking about what customers need
Materials
Paper · Colored pencils or markers · A problem to solve
Build a brand identity
30 minChoose a business name, pick brand colors, and design a simple logo. Think about what feeling the brand should give customers.
What they learn
Branding, visual identity, and how appearance shapes perception
Materials
Paper · Markers · Examples of brands they like
Create product packaging
20-30 minDesign packaging for a real or imaginary product. Include the product name, a tagline, and a simple illustration. Make it stand out.
What they learn
Presentation, first impressions, and how packaging affects perceived value
Materials
Cardboard or paper bags · Markers · Stickers or tape
Critical thinking
The pricing challenge
20 minTake a product (real or imaginary) and figure out what to charge. Write down what it costs to make, what similar things sell for, and pick a price. Explain why.
What they learn
How pricing works: cost, value, and what customers will pay
Materials
Paper · Pen · A product to price
Profit or loss game
15-20 minGive the child a scenario: "You spent $8 on supplies and sold 5 items at $3 each. Did you make a profit?" Run 5 rounds with different numbers.
What they learn
Revenue minus costs equals profit. Simple math with real meaning.
Materials
Paper · Pen · Optional: play money
Who is your customer?
20 minPick a product or service and describe the person who would buy it. How old are they? What do they care about? Where would you find them?
What they learn
Thinking about customers as real people with specific needs
Materials
Paper · Pen
Social skills
The 60-second pitch
15-20 minPractice explaining a business idea in 60 seconds or less. Include what you sell, who it is for, and why it is useful. Time it.
What they learn
Public speaking, clarity, and selling an idea with confidence
Materials
A timer · A business idea to pitch
Customer interview practice
20 minWrite 5 questions to ask a potential customer about their needs. Then interview a family member or friend. Write down what you learn.
What they learn
Listening, asking good questions, and learning from feedback
Materials
Paper · Pen · A willing interviewee
Negotiation role-play
15 minOne person plays the seller, the other plays the buyer. The buyer tries to get a lower price. The seller explains why the price is fair. Switch roles.
What they learn
Negotiation, defending value, and seeing both sides of a deal
Materials
A product (real or pretend) · Two people
Planning
Business plan in a box
30-45 minFill out a simple one-page plan: What is my idea? Who is my customer? What do I charge? How do I get my first sale? What supplies do I need?
What they learn
Planning, organizing thoughts, and turning an idea into a clear next step
Materials
Business plan template (or blank paper) · Pen
First sale countdown
30 minPlan every step needed to make a first sale. Work backward from the sale: what needs to happen the day before? The week before? Write the checklist.
What they learn
Backward planning, breaking big goals into small steps
Materials
Paper · Pen · A product or service idea
Competitor research
20-30 minFind 3 products or services similar to your idea. Write down what they charge, what makes them good, and what you could do differently.
What they learn
Market awareness, differentiation, and learning from others
Materials
Paper · Pen · Internet access with parent supervision
How these connect to the full curriculum
Each activity maps to skills taught in the Foundra Kids 10-level journey. Try a few activities first, then dive into the full path.
Level 1
What's Your Big Idea?
Dream up something amazing you want to create or sell
Level 2
Who Would Love This?
Figure out who would want to buy what you are making
Level 3
What Makes Yours Special?
Discover what makes your business different from everyone else
Level 4
How Much Should It Cost?
Learn how to pick the perfect price for your product
Level 5
Tell the World
Create a message that makes people excited about your business
Frequently asked questions
Are these activities free?
Most require only paper, pens, and markers. A few suggest optional materials like play money or craft supplies. The goal is learning, not spending.
How long do the activities take?
Most take 15 to 45 minutes. They are designed to fit into an afternoon, a homeschool session, or a weekend family activity.
Can these be used in a classroom?
Yes. Teachers can use these as standalone lessons or combine several into a multi-week entrepreneurship unit. Each activity works for individuals, pairs, or small groups.
What age group are these designed for?
Ages 8 to 13. Younger kids (8-10) do best with creative and hands-on activities. Older kids (11-13) can handle the planning and social skill activities that require more abstract thinking.
Do kids need business experience to do these?
No. Every activity starts from scratch and assumes no prior knowledge. The point is to learn by doing, not to already know the answers.
Keep going
Kid entrepreneur stories
Read about kids who started projects and what they learned along the way.
Business ideas for kids
Turn an activity into a real project with materials, pricing, and customer tips.
Templates and worksheets
Printable business plan, pricing, and profit worksheets for kids.
Business lessons for kids
Short lessons on pricing, profit, marketing, and pitching.
Ready for the full journey?
These activities are a great starting point. Foundra Kids takes the same skills and builds them into a 10-level guided path from first idea to first sale.
10 Levels
Idea to first sale
Achievement Cards
Proof they worked through each step
Business Pack
Save the plan, pitch, and progress in one place