Young Entrepreneurs Take Over Kiwanis Youth Park: Kids Markets Debuts in Stuart This November
The Treasure Coast is about to get a whole lot more entrepreneurial. This November, the nationally recognized Kids Markets movement makes its highly anticipated debut in Stuart, offering local children the chance to experience the thrill of running their own business.
Scheduled for Friday, November 6, at Kiwanis Youth Park, the event will coincide with Stuart’s beloved First Friday Art Walk. The market will feature booths run entirely by children ages 5–17, selling everything from handmade crafts and slime to lemonade and services.
The debut is the result of a natural fit for local educator Amber Thompson. As the owner and operator of Discovery Junction Nature School, a nature-based homeschool program serving the area, Thompson is deeply embedded in the local education community.
“Honestly, it came together pretty organically,” said Thompson, who serves as the Market Manager for the Stuart location. “I saw a post that Kids Markets was looking for Market Managers. I applied, and it felt like a really natural fit with the work I was already doing. I love the idea of kids getting the chance to actually create something, sell it, talk to customers, handle their own money, and experience what it’s like to run a small business.”
After connecting with Stuart’s First Friday Art Walk organizers through outreach efforts across the Treasure Coast and Brevard, the vision for a local market became a reality.
Real Markets. Real Customers. Run Entirely by Kids.
Unlike a typical school project or lemonade stand, Kids Markets are designed to simulate a real-world commerce environment. According to the organization's mission, these are "real markets with real customers, run entirely by kids."
While parents are required to be present, they are encouraged to step back. The children are the CEOs, responsible for creating their products, setting up their booths, interacting with customers, and handling their own sales.
“The kids participating are the entrepreneurs,” Thompson emphasized. “Parents are there with them, but the kids are the ones creating their products or services, setting up their booths, interacting with customers, and making their sales.”
A Nationwide Movement Growing Local Roots
The Stuart event is part of a massive nationwide movement. To date, Kids Markets has hosted over 2,200 markets in 676 cities, generating more than $8.8 million in revenue for youth entrepreneurs. The organization provides a free curriculum to help children prepare, focusing on skills that go beyond the bottom line—such as confidence, communication, and resilience.
The impact is felt by families across the country. As one parent, Sonyta So, noted of a recent market, “It truly brought out their confidence... It sparked a new side of entrepreneurship in them. I love how Kids Markets fosters children building independence and knowing that they truly can achieve anything as long as they don't give up and show up.”
Looking to the Future
For Thompson, the November 6 debut is just the beginning. She hopes the Stuart community will embrace the event so the market can become a staple of the local calendar.
“We’re hoping the Stuart market gets a great response because I would love to see this become something we can offer monthly in the area,” said Thompson. “November 6 is our first one, so right now I’m really focused on getting the word out and connecting with local families and organizations.”
Event Details:
• What: Kids Market Stuart (Kid-run business booths)
• When: Friday, November 6 (Times TBD)
• Where: Kiwanis Youth Park, Stuart, FL (In conjunction with First Friday Art Walk)
• Who: Youth ages 5–17
For families interested in registering a young entrepreneur for the November 6 event, or for local organizations looking to get involved, please visit https://kidsmarkets.com/markets/stuart-2
About Kids Markets
Kids Markets is a nationwide initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. By providing a platform for children aged 5–17 to launch businesses and sell real products for real money, the organization fosters creativity, financial literacy, and social skills. With thousands of markets hosted nationwide, Kids Markets continues to spark the entrepreneurial spirit in communities across the country.