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The Junior Entrepenuer Challenge
Can You Turn $10 into $20?
TWEENS (11 - 14 YEARS)
8/19/20262 min read
Hand your tween $10 and a simple challenge: turn it into more. This is one of the most powerful, real-world activities you can do with a young person - and I absolutely love it. Whether they set up a lemonade stand, run a garage sale, make something to sell or list an item on Facebook Marketplace, the lessons they learn will stay with them forever.
This isn't just an activity. This is the beginning of a business mindset.
Why This Works
At 11–14, tweens are developing their understanding of how the world works - including money, value and enterprise. The $10 Challenge gives them a safe, supported space to experiment with real business concepts: buying low, adding value, marketing, customer service.
The pride of turning $10 into $20 (or more!) is extraordinary.
Activity Details
Age Group: Tweens 11–14
Time: Half day to full day
Difficulty: Medium
What You Need
$10 starting capital
Notebook for planning
Whatever materials their chosen method requires
A supportive adult to guide (not do!)
Possible Approaches
Lemonade stand
Garage sale (using items from around the home)
Homemade baked goods to sell
Simple craft to sell (friendship bracelets, bookmarks)
Facebook Marketplace listing (with adult account)
Car wash service for neighbours
Steps
Sit down together and brainstorm ideas for turning $10 into more. Write them all down without judging any of them.
Choose the idea that feels most achievable and exciting.
Plan it out - what do they need to buy? What will they charge? Who are their customers?
Help them set up (but let them lead) and launch their venture.
At the end of the day, count the takings together and calculate the profit.
Celebrate the result (whatever it is) and talk about what they'd do differently next time.
Kim's Tips 💕
Your job is to advise, not take over - resist the urge to step in!
Talk about the concept of profit vs revenue - this is real financial literacy
Even if they don't double their money, the learning is priceless
A simple cash tin makes it feel like a real business - find one on my Amazon storefront!
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This post is part of my Tweens Activity Hub - packed with ideas for 11–14 year olds.
With love, Kim xx
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