The Maple Valley Children's Business Fair (MVCBF) is a great
opportunity for kids in Maple Valley, WA to learn about starting a
business in a safe, low risk environment. Participating will help
young entrepreneurs learn the basics of creating a business plan,
advertising, and selling their products or services for real money
— a hands-on experience you can't get in a classroom.
The MVCBF is a hands-on opportunity for young people to learn what
running a business actually feels like — pricing, pitching, packaging,
and persuading.
★
A real business plan
Each entrepreneur develops their concept, calculates costs, sets
prices, and creates branding before opening day. It's a complete
crash course in how a small business works.
✿
Low risk, big reward
The MVCBF is a safe environment to try, fail, learn, and try
again. Some kids sell out, others learn what didn't work. Everyone
leaves smarter than they arrived.
◆
Hands-on, not hypothetical
This isn't a simulation or homework. Customers walk in with real
money, ask real questions, and walk out with real products. The
lessons stick because the stakes are real.
Our impact
By the numbers.
30
Young entrepreneurs supported
$4,100
Earned by kid businesses
300+
Community attendees
In their own words
What our community says.
"
Everyone was really nice, it was well organized — and I sold
out of my products!
Young Entrepreneur
"
The host did a wonderful job, I felt inspired by the kids
running their businesses.
Community Member
"
The quality of visitors and the amount of sales was beyond
what we expected.
Parent of Vendor
"
Selling items and interacting with other entrepreneurs.
Young Entrepreneur
"
Seeing all the products and ideas that children come up with —
it's something else.
Community Member
"
This will make my daughter more confident.
Parent
"
My kid learned a lot about the business structure and being an
entrepreneur. There are not a lot of programs like this where
I feel sets children up for real world experiences and truly
appreciate the program, effort and opportunity this provided.
Thank you!
Parent
"
I loved the community feeling.
Attendee
"
Making Money.
Young Entrepreneur
Made possible by
Our 2026 local sponsors.
The MVCBF runs on the generosity of these community-minded businesses.
Their support keeps the fair accessible.
Sponsor Interest
Submitting this form is not a commitment — it simply lets us know
you're interested so we can reach out and discuss sponsorship
opportunities with you.
🌻
Thank you!
We've received your interest and will be in touch soon to chat
about sponsorship opportunities.
Honor roll
Our 2026 winners.
Three categories, three stand-out young business owners — recognized
by a panel of local business owners and judges.
★
Highest Potential
Winner Name
— business name —
To be announced
✿
Most Creative
Winner Name
— business name —
To be announced
◆
Most Original Idea
Winner Name
— business name —
To be announced
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Event Details
The Children's Business Fair will take place at the Greater Maple
Valley Community Center, just across from the Maple Valley
Library.
The Fair will be held on
Saturday, April 11, 2026, from
12–3pm.
The fair will be an indoor event, held in the Main Hall of the
Greater Maple Valley Community Center.
Chairs will be provided, however there is a limited number of
tables available. Contact us at
mvbizkidsfair@gmail.com
if you would like a table provided to you.
Application Process
Anyone between the ages of 8–15 years old can apply.
The deadline is March 15th at 11:59pm. The form will close at that
time and late applications will not be accepted. There will be an
option to join the waitlist.
Submit pictures of you doing the work or of a flyer your business
has. For example, if you run a lawn care company, submit pictures
of you raking a lawn, or submit a flyer advertising the lawn care
services you offer.
We will let market forces play out, though we will do our best to
limit the same business. Applicants should be aware that there may
be other businesses with the same business idea.
Yes. Please email
mvkidsbizfair@gmail.com
with your other email and we will provide you with the same list
of questions on the form that you can answer and email back. This
will not weigh in on whether or not you are accepted.
Acceptance & Fees
Up to 20 vendors will be accepted.
You will find out by March 18, 2026.
Yes, there is a $20 fee per business. The fee is used to cover
location costs, as well as for prizes for award winners. No
refunds will be provided.
The registration fee is due within 3 days after you receive the
payment link.
Don't miss the next one
Be first in line.
The next MVCBF date hasn't been announced yet. Add your young
entrepreneur to the waitlist and we'll let you know the moment
registration opens.
From hand-poured candles to 3D-printed dragons, polymer-clay earrings
to chocolate-covered everything — thirty kids ran businesses and
brought their best to the community center floor. Every product was
made, branded, and sold by the entrepreneur themselves.
