Kids business ideas become much more powerful when children are given the chance to take action in the real world. This Kids Biz Program challenge gave our family a practical way to learn about entrepreneurship, confidence, problem-solving and making money through effort and initiative.
What started as a simple $20 challenge turned into a kerb painting business, more than 60 presold jobs, and a real-life lesson in enterprise.
Kids Business Ideas in Action
We are currently involved in a Kids Biz Program. The program teaches young people, and their parents, about the traits of successful entrepreneurs. It also helps children understand the practical methods and the mindset needed to become more successful, more confident and more open to new ideas.
This is exactly the kind of real-world learning we love at Enterprise for Kids. Children learn so much when they are given the chance to test ideas, solve problems, speak to people, handle money and take responsibility for a project.
A wise man once said:
“The most successful people in life are the ones who ask questions. They’re always learning. They are always growing. They are always pushing.”
This quote from Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, best sums up what my family and I have been doing through the Kids Biz Program. You can learn more about his work through Rich Dad.
Kids Business Ideas Monthly Challenge
Every month, the program sets a challenge that encourages us to take the skills we have learnt and apply them to real-life situations.
In August, our challenge was to take $20 and create a business that would earn a profit. To win the challenge, we had to make the most money from our $20.
This made the challenge much more than a classroom activity. It became a real test of creativity, planning, teamwork and courage.
Our Kerb Painting Kids Business Idea
Naturally, my family was slow to get started. We kept circulating ideas but not actually taking action. Eventually, we came up with one idea that stuck — and from there, it exploded.
Our idea was to paint house numbers on kerbs. This would help visitors, family members and even emergency services find homes more easily.
It was a simple idea, but that is often what makes the best kids business ideas work. The business solved a real problem, was affordable to start, and could be explained clearly to customers.
From a $20 Challenge to Real Profit
We did our fair share of research and planning, and then we took action.
In just five days, we presold over 60 kerb paintings, giving us a profit of about $1000.
Amazingly, we won the challenge for the month. We then spent September painting kerbs and completing the jobs we had sold.
It has been an awesome experience so far, and I swear my artistic ability has improved!
What Kids Can Learn from Business Ideas Like This
This kerb painting challenge taught us much more than how to make money. It helped us learn real enterprise skills, including:
- coming up with a practical business idea
- starting with a small amount of money
- researching and planning before taking action
- talking to customers
- preselling a service
- working as a team
- following through and completing the job
- building confidence through real experience
These are the kinds of lessons that help children grow into capable, resourceful and confident young people.
Why Real Kids Business Ideas Matter
When children are given the chance to run small businesses, they learn in a way that feels exciting and meaningful. They are not just reading about entrepreneurship — they are experiencing it.
Also, they learn that ideas need action. They learn that money is connected to service, value and effort. They learn that confidence grows when they step outside their comfort zone and try something real.
This is why family enterprise stories are such an important part of our website. They show how ordinary moments can become powerful lessons in initiative, responsibility and resilience.
You may also enjoy reading Honey Pot of Gold, another real family enterprise story about Flynn’s honey business, or Financial Education for Kids: Teaching Assets and Liabilities, which explores how children can learn about money through real-life experience.
More Kids Biz Program Adventures Coming Soon
I’m really excited to share our Kids Biz Program September challenge with you. I’ll tell you all about that in my next post.
We also invite you to like our Enterprise for Kids Facebook page.
Key takeaway: Kids business ideas do not need to be complicated. With a small amount of money, a practical idea and the courage to take action, children can learn powerful lessons about entrepreneurship, confidence and real-world responsibility.
Where to Next?
If you enjoyed this family enterprise story, you may also like:
- Honey Pot of Gold — Flynn’s real-life honey enterprise story.
- Financial Education for Kids — a practical lesson about assets, liabilities and children learning about money.
- Family Enterprise Stories — real stories of children learning through business and initiative.
- Kids Business Ideas — practical ideas for helping children start small, real-world enterprises.
- Raise Entrepreneurial Kids — ideas for building initiative, confidence and real-world skills.