Made by kids. Supported by community.

Kid Made Market is a celebration of young makers and the wonderful things they create with their own hands.

Children are invited to dream up something they’d like to make, spend time learning and creating, and then bring their work to market to sell, share, and trade with their community.

You might find hand-dipped candles, cookies and bread, pottery, knitted treasures, sewn goods, jewelry, artwork, handmade toys, dolls, comic books, garden goods, and more.

How it works

Kids create their goods ahead of the market and decide what they'd like to charge for them. On market day, they'll set up their own little table, display their work, meet customers, handle their sales, and experience what it's like to have someone choose something they made.

And we hope they'll do some shopping, too! One of our favorite parts of the market is watching kids take the money they've earned and wander around to see what the other children have created. Trading between makers is welcome too, as long as both kids are happy with the trade.

Parents and siblings can keep an eye on a table while its maker goes exploring.

What can kids sell?

The simple rule: everything for sale should be made by the child selling it. We’re celebrating handmade work, so assembled kits, LEGO creations, and store-bought or resale items aren’t a fit for this market.

Pottery, baked goods, soap, knitting and crochet, sewn items, drawings and paintings, jewelry, cards, ornaments, handmade toys, woodworking, herbal or garden goods and other creative ideas are all welcome.

We're trying to preserve the magic of walking through a market where the children can genuinely say, “I made this.”

A note for grown-ups

Parents are welcome to help children prepare. But imperfect kid-made work is wonderful here. There is no need to turn a child's idea into a polished adult product. Part of the experience is letting the children figure things out, make mistakes, decide how they want their table to look, talk to customers and feel ownership over what they've created.

Parents who are makers may also bring a small selection of their own handmade goods, but we'd like the children's work to remain the heart of the table and the heart of the market.

Preparing for market day

Before coming, help your child think about what their items will cost and mark prices clearly. Bring whatever they need to create a simple display, along with a cash box or pouch and plenty of small bills/change. Families may also choose to offer an electronic payment option such as a QR code.

If your child is sharing a table with another maker, you can coordinate your displays so everyone has enough room.

Most importantly, let the kids be the shopkeepers as much as they're able. Making the product is only one part of the experience. Selling it is part of the learning too.

Why a Kid Made Market?

Because there's something powerful about a child having an idea and carrying it all the way through:

I imagined this.
I learned how to make it.
I worked at it.
I decided what it was worth.
I offered it to someone else.
And someone wanted something I made.

It's creativity, handwork, practical math, communication, problem-solving and community all wrapped up in one very joyful afternoon.

Our host, Ferment.

On one cold day a few years ago, Ferment Brewing kindly offered their space to us, and we’ve been holding the market there ever since. We are very grateful for their generosity and ask that you consider grabbing dinner there afterward or a beverage during the event. It makes it a bit more enticing for friends and family to come support young makers, knowing they can grab a bite or drink at the same time!