How to Set Up a Successful Lemonade Stand
A lemonade stand is an iconic and memorable childhood activity for many youngsters. When the weather starts to warm up, kids run to the kitchen to whip up a refreshing batch of lemonade to sell to local community members. If your child is interested in participating in this time-honored tradition, continue reading to learn how to set up a successful lemonade stand.
Gather Your Ingredients
The first step you’ll need for a lemonade stand is homemade lemonade! Your customers will appreciate the use of fresh ingredients, but if you’re in a pinch, a powdered mix does the trick. You’ll also need plenty of ice on hand to keep your beverages as cold as possible.
Mix Up Your Flavors
If you want to take your lemonade stand to the next level, consider offering a variety of flavors. In addition to regular lemonade, pink lemonade and strawberry lemonade are two popular choices. People will enjoy having the option to choose between different options.
Drinkware Options
Younger children may find it difficult to pour lemonade from a pitcher. You can purchase affordable mason jars with lids and prepackage the beverages. Doing so ensures every customer gets the same amount, and it will be easier for individuals to drink on the go.
Decorate Your Stand
The next step in knowing how to set up a successful lemonade stand is to create an eye-catching stand. Your stand can be a simple folding table, but it should be colorfully decorated to attract as much attention as possible.
Join the Fun
Work with your child to create a fun sign, and consider adding special touches to the table, such as a hanging garland or a glass bowl of lemons. You can even decorate the drink dispenser with streamers or removable washi tape.
Choose Your Time and Location
Your first inclination may be to host your lemonade stand directly in front of your house. However, if you don’t get a lot of foot traffic, it might not be the best choice. Consider setting up shop on a main thoroughfare in your neighborhood to attract as many customers as possible.
Additionally, you’ll want to open your lemonade stand at the right date and time. A weekend or a weekday after work hours is ideal because people will be out and about. Opening during the afternoon hours, when the sun is hottest, makes your crisp lemonade even more desirable.
Make It a Fundraiser
If your community is having a summer festival, you can even ask permission to set up your stand at the event. When it comes to fun summer fundraiser activities, a lemonade stand tops the list. If you partner with your child’s school or a local organization, you can raise money for a good cause and have fun at the same time. Even if you don’t officially collaborate with a group, you can encourage your child to donate some of the proceeds to a meaningful charity. Doing so teaches your little one about the importance of helping those who are less fortunate.
A lemonade stand is a great opportunity for your child to experience the business world in a low-pressure setting. Plus, it’s a nice chance to interact with neighbors and potentially raise money for a worthy cause.
Photo – Maximiliano Carrizo
