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Original poster

To let the kids setup a lemonade stand?

169 replies

Thenonstopcleaner · 20/05/2026 20:38

DS and DD 9 & 7 are begging me to allow them to set up a lemonade stand this weekend. Some little kids on our street were selling their toys the other day just for pocket money and we bought some bits from them. So I am guessing this is where the idea has came from! I have said the only way I will let them do it is if the money goes to charity.
Both not happy about that at all! But that’s the only way.

Im not 100% keen on the idea and I know DH will flat out say no. Is it a bit cruel to say no?They aren’t very confident kids so I think it would be great for them.

(I remember painting nails for 20p out the front at a kid but everyone seemed much kinder back then).

OP posts:
Ohrrrrrly · 20/05/2026 23:51

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:46

Yes they do HTH 🤷🏻‍♀️

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They don’t. HTHYEM 🤷🏻‍♀️🤓🤪

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:48

Terrellium · 20/05/2026 23:40

There, in the first paragraph of @todayImstruggling post, you have pretty much everything that’s wrong with the modern world. Strict, literal application of the rules, zero common sense or discretion.

We’re talking about a couple of kids doing something for an hour or two, for fun. They aren’t going into competition with Coca-Cola, they aren’t seeking to put the local shop out of business.

Still, much better for them to be inside watching a screen, not engaging with anyone, so it’s all for the best.

Edited

Nope those rules are there for damn good reason. Only idiots would think otherwise.

Grapefruitwarrior · 20/05/2026 23:47

Terrellium · 20/05/2026 23:44

If you had a nut or other allergy, why would you buy something from two kids in the street?

I fully support proper labelling and transparency regarding ingredients in food products, but there does also need to be some element of personal responsibility in this kind of scenario.

Edited
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No. But I am not a child. Children may well do exactly this.

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:46

Ohrrrrrly · 20/05/2026 23:43

No they don’t FFS. Jesus, take me back to the nineties 🙏🏻

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Yes they do HTH 🤷🏻‍♀️

jeffgoldblum · 20/05/2026 23:46

Are you American in the USA ? If so possibly yes , if you are not then No .

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:45

Grapefruitwarrior · 20/05/2026 23:41

in my head allergy risks? Accidental contamination? No idea but I’d be too freaked out in case my kid had some random peanut butter on their fingers or something 🫣

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Fair point, but actually even under current environmental health regs you run some risk of a server having peanut butter on their fingers from a snack

Terrellium · 20/05/2026 23:44

Grapefruitwarrior · 20/05/2026 23:41

in my head allergy risks? Accidental contamination? No idea but I’d be too freaked out in case my kid had some random peanut butter on their fingers or something 🫣

Show quote history

If you had a nut or other allergy, why would you buy something from two kids in the street?

I fully support proper labelling and transparency regarding ingredients in food products, but there does also need to be some element of personal responsibility in this kind of scenario.

Ohrrrrrly · 20/05/2026 23:43

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:33

No. They need a food hygiene certificate and insurance plus a license to sell at the side of the road. These things are in place for a reason. Being a child doesn’t exempt you from following the rules regardless of whether you think the rules are correct or not.

A child near me has just been shut down by the council for making and selling dog treats both from home and at a local market because he didn’t have the correct licenses and insurance. His mother is irate about it on local Facebook pages that her precious son has to follow the rules just like everyone else and can no longer undercut others because they haven’t forked out the ££££s to get said licenses and insurance.

No they don’t FFS. Jesus, take me back to the nineties 🙏🏻

dinnerdateeee · 20/05/2026 23:43

My kids had the odd bake sale for charity at the end of our close pre covid.

Raised plenty of money

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:42

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:33

No. They need a food hygiene certificate and insurance plus a license to sell at the side of the road. These things are in place for a reason. Being a child doesn’t exempt you from following the rules regardless of whether you think the rules are correct or not.

A child near me has just been shut down by the council for making and selling dog treats both from home and at a local market because he didn’t have the correct licenses and insurance. His mother is irate about it on local Facebook pages that her precious son has to follow the rules just like everyone else and can no longer undercut others because they haven’t forked out the ££££s to get said licenses and insurance.

This does seem to be a set of circumstances where parents have not done a cursory bit of due diligence on licensing, environmental health, street trading law. It’s all there to read online and shouldn’t prohibit a lemonade stall running or a school fete cake stall for that matter

Grapefruitwarrior · 20/05/2026 23:41

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:01

Why do you feel they need public liability insurance. Could you outline the risks?

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in my head allergy risks? Accidental contamination? No idea but I’d be too freaked out in case my kid had some random peanut butter on their fingers or something 🫣

Terrellium · 20/05/2026 23:40

There, in the first paragraph of @todayImstruggling post, you have pretty much everything that’s wrong with the modern world. Strict, literal application of the rules, zero common sense or discretion.

We’re talking about a couple of kids doing something for an hour or two, for fun. They aren’t going into competition with Coca-Cola, they aren’t seeking to put the local shop out of business.

Still, much better for them to be inside watching a screen, not engaging with anyone, so it’s all for the best.

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:37

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:33

No. They need a food hygiene certificate and insurance plus a license to sell at the side of the road. These things are in place for a reason. Being a child doesn’t exempt you from following the rules regardless of whether you think the rules are correct or not.

A child near me has just been shut down by the council for making and selling dog treats both from home and at a local market because he didn’t have the correct licenses and insurance. His mother is irate about it on local Facebook pages that her precious son has to follow the rules just like everyone else and can no longer undercut others because they haven’t forked out the ££££s to get said licenses and insurance.

This is inaccurate and depends on the product. I suspect the dog treats triggered env health interest because of the make up of the ingredients.

todayImstruggling · 20/05/2026 23:33

No. They need a food hygiene certificate and insurance plus a license to sell at the side of the road. These things are in place for a reason. Being a child doesn’t exempt you from following the rules regardless of whether you think the rules are correct or not.

A child near me has just been shut down by the council for making and selling dog treats both from home and at a local market because he didn’t have the correct licenses and insurance. His mother is irate about it on local Facebook pages that her precious son has to follow the rules just like everyone else and can no longer undercut others because they haven’t forked out the ££££s to get said licenses and insurance.

Endoadnowarrior · 20/05/2026 23:26

Will there be a duck?

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:26

Mumsnet have hidden my post as suspicious linking to a natural fizzy ginger beer recipe 🤣. I feel truly wild and finally very middle class! Google greek ginger beer with lemon for a nice kids project, promise I’m not dealing your kids crack 🤣

Ohrrrrrly · 20/05/2026 23:25

Oh it’s sad these days. When I was 10 my friend and I made cakes and went door to door selling them. Some people obviously politely said no but most gave us the 20p and thanked us and loved seeing kids having a bit of get up and go about them. They probably binned the cakes 😂 but it was a nice experience.

Kids don’t do stuff like this anymore. Our parents weren’t involved, in fact they were oblivious. We had various money making schemes so we could buy ice cream, sweets and magazines. Good times.

whatcanthematterbe81 · 20/05/2026 23:20

Terrellium · 20/05/2026 23:11

Totally depends on the kind of area you live in, what your neighbours and community are like.

If it was my neighbours I’d pop round and buy a couple just to make the kids happy, because it’s a nice thing to do.

Unfortunately society in general isn’t quite what it was, and a lot of people are miserable as sin, with the social skills of a hermit.

Agreed. Very sad really

whatcanthematterbe81 · 20/05/2026 23:19

It’s cute. If I saw one I would definitely buy some (if I had cash, that’s the problem). It’s harmless and neighbourly. I know round my way everyone would think it’s lovely. At least they’re not sat watching YouTube

Terrellium · 20/05/2026 23:11

Totally depends on the kind of area you live in, what your neighbours and community are like.

If it was my neighbours I’d pop round and buy a couple just to make the kids happy, because it’s a nice thing to do.

Unfortunately society in general isn’t quite what it was, and a lot of people are miserable as sin, with the social skills of a hermit.

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:10

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This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

TheLilacFinch · 20/05/2026 23:03

OonaStubbs · 20/05/2026 22:41

How are they going to take payment now that so few people carry cash? Do they have a card reader?

I was thinking the same?? Two wee girls came to my door trying to sell bracelets and shells and I felt bad turning them away but I never have cash!

LifeIsAMeatball · 20/05/2026 23:01

Grapefruitwarrior · 20/05/2026 22:42

I’m surprised people do this tbh. There’s a reason places selling food/drinks need public liability insurance!

Why do you feel they need public liability insurance. Could you outline the risks?

Tableforjoan · 20/05/2026 22:59

Empress13 · 20/05/2026 22:53

well aren’t you full of the joys of spring! OP I think it sounds a nice idea just wondering who actually carries cash though. Is it homemade lemonade and how much will you charge?

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I also don’t buy cakes from those cake sheds and at least they tend to have a food hygiene rating 😅

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 20/05/2026 22:58

I wouldn’t buy home made as maybe there’s gross hygiene but i would buy cartons or cans, they’ll have to take card payments as no one carries cash though surely