To let the kids setup a lemonade stand?

[Thenonstopcleaner]

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).

They absolutely do not have to if it is sporadic and on private land. They can sell from their front garden.

In reality, no one is fining kids for selling lemonade on the pavement in front of their house. Rare occasions of this get bad press and councils don’t want that. Communities speak up when this has happened in the past, and rightly so.

Wow!!! Just wow!!! Happy to be a killjoy if it prevents children from potential severe illness or prevents a similar horrific situation which close friends were in when their then 3 year old daughter had an anaphylactic reaction due to negligence on the part of a food business which has left her with severe brain damage and lifelong disability.

So damn right I’m happy to be a killjoy joy!

Yes it is and it's one of my all time favorite childhood experiences for my kids growing up as British American kids, along with Halloween. They once raised over $2000 for a local family who had lost everything in a house fire (also very American) selling lemonade, homemade cakes and bad coffee (I know it was bad coffee as I made it and I don't drink coffee). And their memory of that is nothing to do with how much money they raised but all about how much fun they had, how many people they talked to and how many times they managed to upsell the bad lemonade/coffee.

Let them do it, OP and fire up that entrepreneurial spirt!

A food business is very different to a couple of primary school kids selling lemonade on the street. You know this.

Really need a laugh reaction on here 🤣

@LifeIsAMeatball I would absolutely stop for a ginger beer stall ! We used to make it as kids and still remains my favourite hot day drink ever (although I may top it up with a wee dram of something on occasion 😉)
Lemonade made in UK ? With real lemons ? And the rest....wouldn't it be more expensive than you/kids could sell it for ?

Doesn’t sound terribly hygienic

A local child was selling chocolate cake from a trestle table in front of their house. After a concerned neighbour purchased a slice, analysis revealed it to contain less than the EU mandated 20% cocoa solids, therefore it should have been called "chocolate flavour cake". The authorities were duly informed and the offending child hauled off to jail, and rightfully so.

The kids across the road did this last summer, even a policeman stopped and got himself a lemonade the kids were giddy with excitement. They sold out if I remember correctly so I suppose it depends on where you are but I don't see any harm in it.

I adored doing this. Me and my friends spent all day out front selling bags of apples from my garden for 50p. Kept us quiet for hours.

Aww do it . yep it's American but that doesn't mean it's bad. All kids should experience the joy of setting up a lemonade stand (and be allowed to keep the money). I can walk down any Street in my neighborhood in the spring summer and there will be kids with a lemonade stand. Usually 50c a cup and if you're lucky they'll have rice crispy treats and cookies too.

Yes it is kids making lemonade from a mix.

It's not about the quality of the lemonade.

I'm in the US and kids do it in my area all summer long. People out walking sometimes leave a few coins even if they don't want anything to drink.

Oy vey....

Eyeroll...

Yes, God forbid any wholesome fun should sneak its way across the Atlantic and cause the stiff upper lip to (I can barely type this horrible word...) smile.

...shudder...

I would totally buy stuff from kids' pop-up shops. It's great to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit!

Now this thread's here and it's a long weekend, I'll make sure I've got some coins in case you've inspired a family round my way 🙂

Let them do it. Don’t just say no because you can. This is really one of those times where you pick your battles. Don’t understand why they have to give money to charity. Do you give your wages to charity? Let them have a bit of fun, they will have lovely memories

My little girl and her friends do this and all the neighbours come out and buy their wee glasses of juice or sweets. I think it’s lovely

My kids used to do this, it was great fun, and I let them keep the money. They sold avocados and stuff from thier Uncles farm, sometimes old toys and books. We met a lot of neighbours this way! Let them play shops, why not?

God people on here can be miserable. This is very common in Australia where it seems like every second house has a lemon tree. No one is buying it because they love terrible lemonade, they do it because its cute to see kids out showing a bit of initiative and nice to have a chat.

Usually I will buy a cup, have a small sip, say how delicious it is and pour it out around the corner. And if no one comes then that is just a life lesson and not the end of the world. It's how kids learn to deal with disappointment.

I bet you’re a health and safety inspector and lots of fun at parties.

I don’t know why some posters are making such a fuss and being all dramatic about ‘what’s wrong with the world.’ It’s just to me it’s taking advantage of people’s kindness a bit.

I don’t mind my kindness ‘being taken advantage of.’

The upcoming generation need encouragement, and anything that helps foster an entrepreneurial spirit is a good thing!

I think this thread shows a massive class divide, when I grew up, poor area, working class (and I live in a similar area now near a council estate) this is not uncommon, not new, not 'American'. Its just kids playing out on the street

In more well to do areas, you dont see kids playing out and playing games or trying to sell stuff from stands.

And that’s fine @Bikenutz but it does have the potential to make people feel uncomfortable and obligated into buying whatever they are selling because they are children and it’s that which I don’t really like.

It isn’t a massive deal or anything but I think when you’re asking people you know for cash (even if you only know them in passing, as neighbours or whatever) it is a bit grabby and awkward.

Obviously some don’t agree and have fond memories of doing this as children and that’s fine but things are different now and I don’t think there being a bit of hesitation over things like this is a sign of the downfall of society! It’s a sign society has changed, sure, but if society hadn’t changed at all in 30/40 years it would be surprising.