How To Run A Lemonade Stand: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Start a Successful Lemonade Stand PDF download Download Article Make, price, and sell delicious lemonade at your very own stand Co-authored by Trent Larsen, CFP®

Last Updated: March 30, 2025 Approved

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  • Planning
    • |
  • Setting Up
    • |
  • Selling
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Trent Larsen, CFP®. Trent Larsen is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) for Insight Wealth Strategies in the Bay Area, California. With over five years of experience, Trent specializes in financial planning and wealth management as well as personalized retirement, tax, and investment planning. Trent holds a BS in Economics from California State University, Chico. He has successfully passed his Series 7 and 66 registrations and holds his CA Life and Health Insurance license and CFP® certification. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 43 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 410,263 times.

There's nothing like an ice-cold glass of lemonade when summer is on its hottest day. A lot of kids have earned money by selling lemonade on sweltering summer days. Finding the right location and advertising your stand are two perfect ways to get lots of business. Most importantly, offer delicious, fresh drinks, such as lemonade, that will keep people coming back for more. You should also sell other treats to keep the customers happy, and possibly convince them to tell their friends about your stand. To find out how to start a successful stand, read on!

Things You Should Know

  • Find a spot where you’re allowed to set up a stand and where you see a lot of foot traffic.
  • Set a price for your lemonade that’s around $0.25-$1.00. Then, make an inviting, colorful sign that advertises your lemonade.
  • Talk to people as they walk by and politely ask them if they want a cup of lemonade.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Planning

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  1. Step 1 See where you're allowed to set up a stand. 1 See where you're allowed to set up a stand. Did you know there are laws about where you can set up a stand? Before you even start considering setting up, make sure it isn't against the rules in your area. To find out if you're allowed to set up a stand, see if you need to get a permit or comply with any laws.[1]
    • Ask your parents to find out whether you can set up a stand. Let them know that you need a permit in many states.
    • Or find out yourself by calling your local Better Business Bureau to get more information.[2]
  2. Step 2 Choose a popular spot. 2 Choose a popular spot. If you live on a dead-end street or a small road, you might want to try a place that gets more foot traffic. Intersections are also good spots, since you have people passing from more than one direction. Make sure the spot you choose is safe. Don't set up too close to streets or highways.
    • Setting up in your front yard or home area is a great option. This works especially if you live on a busy street or in a big apartment complex. Plus, you would be able to get supplies easily rather than carrying them all the way to another location.
    • Be careful about setting up in public parks or outside sporting events. Many states have passed laws against letting people sell lemonade in these areas without any sort of permission.[3]
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  3. Step 3 See if any friends or neighbors want to get involved. 3 See if any friends or neighbors want to get involved. Try to have someone help you so you can take turns doing different jobs. It's also more fun to have someone else there.
    • If you are planning a long day of selling, make sure you seriously trust the person taking shifts not to steal any money. An untrustworthy business-partner can ruin your stand!
  4. Step 4 Bring water and snacks for the people running the stand (you and maybe others). 4 Bring water and snacks for the people running the stand (you and maybe others). If it's a long day and you're thirsty, you'll end up drinking all the lemonade and eating all the snacks (if you made any).
  5. Step 5 Think of a fair price. 5 Think of a fair price. You would want to make it not too expensive so no one would buy your products, and not too cheap so you would barely make any money. If you're using fresh lemons, fresh ice, and large glasses, you could probably charge $1.00 to $1.25 per cup. If you're using a powdered mix and serving up small glasses, people probably won't pay more than $0.25 to $0.50. Often, lemonade stands are either under- or overpriced, and the kids running them don't earn much money. Be sure to start out with some coins and bills for change.
  6. Step 6 Make a sign 6 Make a sign. Get some poster board and markers so you can make a big, inviting, and colorful sign to hang on your stand. The sign should say what you're selling and how much it costs. Use cheerful hand lettering that's neatly done. You might want to draw a picture of lemons or lemonade to make your sign more attractive.
    • You can also make signs to post around the neighborhood. Tell people where to go to buy lemonade.
    • If you do this, make sure you take down the signs when you take down your stand.
  7. Step 7 Have a plan on what exactly you will sell. 7 Have a plan on what exactly you will sell. This can include:
    • Multiple flavors of lemonade
    • Other beverages (such as soda)
    • Small treats (either homemade or store-bought) such as cookies
  8. Step 8 Try adding some comforts for your customers. 8 Try adding some comforts for your customers. If it is a very hot day outside, you should consider putting up some shade, chairs, and foldable tables too. You won't believe how much more inviting your stand would look. If you can, you could even get a TV or a large tablet and hang it up so customers can watch any programs such as sports games going on. Get creative! The more creative, the more likely people will come to your stand!
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Setting Up

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  1. Step 1 Set up a card table and chairs. 1 Set up a card table and chairs. A small card table should be big enough to fit your lemonade pitcher, glasses, napkins, and any treats you're offering. Get a chair for each person who will be running the stand with you. To attract more customers, use a pretty (but not distracting) tablecloth, and tape your sign to the front. Bright colors will get people to look at your table, and they'll think, "Hey, it seems like they put in a lot of effort making that stand! I bet the drinks and snacks taste as good as this stand looks!" .
  2. Step 2 Make lemonade. 2 Make lemonade. Not all lemonade is created equal. It's worth coming up with a tasty recipe so you don't disappoint your customers. Be sure to sample each batch to make sure it has just the right amount of sweet and sour flavors before you try to sell it. Always serve your lemonade with ice to keep it cold. Here are three ways to make lemonade:[4]
    • Make it from scratch with fresh-squeezed lemons. For one gallon of lemonade, you need 2 cups of fresh lemon juice and 2 cups of white sugar. Mix well so the sugar dissolves.
    • Make it from concentrate. You can buy a can of frozen lemonade concentrate in the freezer aisle of your grocery store. Mix it with water according to the instructions on the package.
    • Make it from powder. Get a can of powdered lemonade. Follow the instructions to dissolve the powder in cold water.
  3. Step 3 Don't use disposable cups or napkins. 3 Don't use disposable cups or napkins. Small paper cups are a popular choice, but they are bad for the environment as they will have to be burnt in waste disposal plant that pollutes the air. Ask your parents for old lemonade glasses, bring dishwasher fluid and a dishcloth and find a location near a public fountain where you can do your dishes when you run out of clean glasses. Don't give people napkins, but refer them to a public drinking fountain or toilet. Make sure to properly clean the glasses or customers won't come back!
  4. Step 4 Sell other treats if you want. 4 Sell other treats if you want. Why stop at lemonade? Since you're setting up a stand, you might as well offer other treats, too. Cookies, brownies and other baked goods are fun to sell. You could also offer a bigger variety of drinks. Strawberry lemonade, iced tea or fruit punch are refreshing drinks customers might enjoy. Some websites let you sign up to start a lemonade stand or bake stand, and donate part of your profit to help end hunger.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Selling

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  1. Step 1 Talk to people who pass by. 1 Talk to people who pass by. If you sit quietly, they may not feel encouraged to come to your table and buy lemonade. Smile and say, "would you like a cup of lemonade?" That way people will notice your table and be more likely to buy something. Be prepared to answer questions if they ask. Make sure to talk loudly. Even if they don't buy anything, don't be shy to say "Have a good day!".
  2. Step 2 Be polite. 2 Be polite. Potential customers won't want to buy anything if you get irritated with them. If they have kids, talk to them and pay them a compliment. If they are just adults, act joyful and polite and just be yourself. If they decide not to buy anything, just smile and politely tell them "Have a good day!" as they leave.
  3. Step 3 Use good manners when you make a sale. 3 Use good manners when you make a sale. When customers want to buy some lemonade, carefully pour a cup and hand it to them with a napkin. Once they have the lemonade in their hands, take their money and place it in your cash register. Don't forget to thank them. After all, they just bought something from your lemonade stand. With luck, they'll tell their friends to visit your stand. Remember to always be nice to your customers, a common expression is "the customer is always right." While they're good exceptions to this rule (like a customer asking you to fire a completely professional employee), it is a good guideline.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I know if I should write down or draw out a menu? Community Answer Community Answer If you have multiple things for sale, at different prices, a menu is very helpful. It can be customized, and under each item can list things people might be allergic to. Menus also can have combos and labels like "Chocolate brownies are best with fruit punch" to make people want to buy both. You can even throw in some combos, like, "Buy two drink and treat pairs, get one free". Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 90 Helpful 456
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Tips

  • If you are putting up signs by the road, make sure the letters are big enough to be seen by people in their cars. Thanks Helpful 56 Not Helpful 4
  • If you want to sell more lemonade, make homemade lemonade. In the cooler you put the ice in, store cut lemon slices or mint sprigs for decoration. Thanks Helpful 52 Not Helpful 5
  • Make sure you don't leave the lemonade out long enough so all the ice melts. Make sure your mom or dad will make another batch or two. And don't forget to taste it. Thanks Helpful 43 Not Helpful 10
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Make a sign that has a goal number of sales or amount of money that you want to make, then make another sign where you can mark off how far you’ve gotten. This can entice customers to help you make your goal.
  • Keep your stand clean and always wash your hands before you make the lemonade. You don't want other people to get sick, and customers will likely be drawn to a neat and tidy stand.
  • Use the colors red and yellow on your stand, since they’re appetizing.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Make sure the money is in a safe place. Use a register that you can latch shut, and always have at least one person at the stand at all times. Thanks Helpful 110 Not Helpful 15
  • If you make baked goodies, make sure you have made the recipe right. Try them before you sell them. Thanks Helpful 202 Not Helpful 46
  • Make sure that your products are not too overpriced or underpriced. You want to make a profit, right? Charge about 25 cents to 75 cents per cup, and $1 to $2.50 for baked goods (if you sell baked goods, too) Thanks Helpful 107 Not Helpful 23
  • Avoid setting up your stand in public places. There are many laws prohibiting you from setting up your stand in places such as near stores, parks, parking lots, houses that are not yours, and businesses and rec areas without any permission, especially if you live in the U.S. Thanks Helpful 93 Not Helpful 22
  • Test your lemonade first. Those lemons you used in your lemonade could have expired over two months and you wouldn't even know it. Test to make sure your product is safe and tasty. Thanks Helpful 81 Not Helpful 25
  • Never try to set up things on your own. Have an older sibling or parent help you set up the lemonade stand, especially if you are going to set up tents and foldable tables. Otherwise, you seriously risk injury. Thanks Helpful 73 Not Helpful 34
  • Make sure to take down everything when you are finished with the stand, you don't want any animals coming to mess it up, especially if you live in a rural area. Thanks Helpful 63 Not Helpful 28
  • Never leave the stand unattended. This will not only risk your potential customers drawn being away, but people may be tempted to try and steal your money. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 6
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Things You'll Need

  • Sturdy table (metallic, if possible)
  • Tablecloth
  • Chairs
  • Posterboard
  • Markers
  • Tape
  • Pitcher
  • Lemons
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Ice
  • Glasses
  • Money register
  • Extra cash and coins for change
  • Jar for donations or tips
  • Plates, if needed

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/5-legal-issues-with-your-kids-lemonade-stand/
  2. ↑ https://www.bbb.org/
  3. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/08/03/the-inexplicable-war-on-lemonade-stands/2/
  4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/classic-lemonade-0

About This Article

Trent Larsen, CFP® Co-authored by: Trent Larsen, CFP® Certified Financial Planner This article was co-authored by Trent Larsen, CFP®. Trent Larsen is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) for Insight Wealth Strategies in the Bay Area, California. With over five years of experience, Trent specializes in financial planning and wealth management as well as personalized retirement, tax, and investment planning. Trent holds a BS in Economics from California State University, Chico. He has successfully passed his Series 7 and 66 registrations and holds his CA Life and Health Insurance license and CFP® certification. This article has been viewed 410,263 times. 24 votes - 82% Co-authors: 161 Updated: March 30, 2025 Views: 410,263 Categories: Youth Businesses Article SummaryX

To start a lemonade stand, first ask your parents to check if you need a permit to sell in your city. Then, mix up a big batch of lemonade! You can make it with fresh lemons and sugar and charge $1 per cup, or mix a store-bought powder with water and charge $0.25-$0.50 each. Set up a card table on a popular street and set out paper cups, a sign to advertise, and a big pitcher of your lemonade. As people pass by, say, “Would you like a cup of lemonade?” Be polite and say thank you when someone buys a cup, and wish them a nice day even if they don’t. To learn more about what to provide your customers besides lemonade, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Trent Larsen, CFP® Co-authored by: Trent Larsen, CFP® Certified Financial Planner Co-authors: 161 Updated: March 30, 2025 Views: 410,263 82% of readers found this article helpful. 24 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote Vivienne Walsh

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Jul 14, 2017

"My sister wanted to earn a small amount of money for something she wanted. I suggested a lemonade stand, so we..." more Rated this article: Fiona D.

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Jun 30, 2025

"My siblings and I were bored and sweaty on a summer day, so we decided to have a lemonade stand for fun. After..." more Emelia Martin

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"Me and my brother want a hover board so we are trying to save money to buy it. We decided to have a lemonade stand..." more Louka Tafta

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"I thought about opening a lemonade stand and was looking at some websites. Suddenly I read this article and it..." more Rated this article: Billy Plumet

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"I'm making a lemonade stand of my own and it is booming because of you, great tips and tricks for a lemonade..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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