APPLY
We will accept applications for the 2026 Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC through Wednesday, April 1.
Please read the application guidelines, selection criteria, and rules for participation before completing the application.
Application Guidelines
1. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
2. Applicants must be between the ages of 6 and 14 on the date of the business fair.
3. Parents may help their child fill out the application, if necessary, but we expect children to do as much as possible by themselves.
4. You will receive an email confirming that we received your application. If you don’t receive an email confirmation it means we either didn’t receive your application or that your email address in the application was incorrect.
5. We will collect a $10 participation fee from all accepted businesses. The fee will be collected at the start of the business fair, when the young entrepreneurs check in.
Selection Criteria
When selecting businesses to participate in the business fair, we look for:
1. Complete applications, with all questions answered.
2. Evidence that the application and the business are the work of the child and not the adult—we don’t expect polished applications!
3. Plans by the young entrepreneur to pay back any loans/financial assistance he/she may receive.
If we receive more applications than we have space for, we will randomly select participants from among all of the applications that meet the above criteria while also seeking, as much as possible, to have a balance of ages at the business fair.
Please Note: This event is designed to give children the experience of creating a business and selling a product or service. Adults, please remember to keep this about the children. Let the application and the business reflect your child at her/his best, not your best. Let your child make mistakes and learn from them. Let your child problem solve and come up with his/her own solutions. Your job is to maintain enthusiasm and provide encouragement. Read the business fair rules.
Rules for Participation
This event is designed to give children the experience of creating and selling a product or service. Parents may provide minimal help to their children if necessary, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
Children should be responsible for all aspects of their business, including (but not limited to):
Coming up with their business idea.
Making their products.
Marketing their business and designing their booth.
Checking in to the business fair and paying the registration fee.
Setting up.
Interacting with customers.
Sales.
Paying back any loans/financial assistance received.
Parents may not make products, create marketing materials (for example, signs, price lists, and booth decorations), or sell (for example, parents may not greet customers, answer customer questions, or make transactions).
Children whose parents fail to follow the rules will be disqualified from participating in future business fairs.
Per the fire marshal, generators and open flames are not permitted.