Lemonade Stand with a Twist!

By Guest Blogger, Heather McLeod:

Heather McLeod is from www.twistentertaining.com, a free daily email newsletter and website showcasing what is hot and downright fun in entertaining right now! We love this site and hope that you will check it out. Thank you, Heather for your fun ideas.

There is something nostalgic about seeing budding entrepreneurs on the sidewalk selling lemonade on a blistering hot summer day. We also think it is a bit, um, overdone?! Here at Twist Entertaining we are all about keeping our kids entertained while throwing in something educational at the same time, but we also like to give things a little something extra. Seriously, has no one given this stale sell by the side of the road a makeover yet? Well, we are here to share our ideas for a “Lemonade Stand with a Twist.”

Twist Tip ~ We always believe in giving back and this is a great opportunity to teach your children about business while also giving a portion or all of their profits to a charitable organization that is close to their heart.

The Candy Stand
A whimsical and colorful Candy Stand reminiscent of Willy Wonka gone crazy or the Candy Land board game will surely stand out on the sidewalk, putting the other lemonade stands to shame!

On The Menu: Think hard or gummy candy; candy that will stand up to the heat. So, no chocolate at this candy stand. What adult and child wouldn’t clamor for a bag of Swedish Fish, Jelly Beans, Gummy-Bears or Worms, Starbursts, Lollipops, etc. Check out www.candywarehouse.com for fabulous candy that can be purchased in bulk. Remember it is hot, so everyone wants to cool off with a beverage but make it colorful and fun. Perhaps see what your local wholesale/ bulk grocery store has to offer. Pile up on the vibrantly colored juice boxes in buckets filled with ice and watch them disappear, for a profit of course. This is always a good call for old-fashioned Kool Aide too!

Presentation is Everything: Purchase a handful of cellophane bags and colorful ribbon in candy-like stripes or polka dots from your local craft store or check out www.ribbonfactory.com. Have your kids package small bags of candy and tie a bow around the adorable bags with ribbon or raffia and place a sticker or tie on a little tag to indicate the price. We suggest lining up the candy treats in colorful cardboard boxes that the kids have painted or perhaps display them in fun, plastic beach buckets. Too cute.

Location, Location, Location: The design and location of your candy stand are as important as the product. Have the kids get their creative juices flowing by designing their “storefront” and the signage to get the crowds coming to their hip candy stand.
• Customers have to find it, so have the mini-moguls paint signs with arrows that look like giant lollipops or peppermint candies. Candy stripes and color abound in this shop and they should have tons of fun creating this venue.
• Location is huge, so have the kids think about where there is a lot of people traffic on that particular day. What about near the local pool or neighborhood festival, dog park, etc. If you would like to put the stand in a public place make sure to ask permission first.

Thanks again, Heather. And look for Part II (next Monday) for additional twists on the Lemondade Stand.