Lemonade Stand

What you need:

• paper
• markers
• streamers or balloons
• pitchers
• child-size table and chairs or big blocks
• large spoon
• small cups
• box or jar for money
• ice (optional)
• tape

What to do:

1. Help your child write out the words LEMONADE STAND (and the price) onto a sign for the stand. Encourage her to add decorations such as yellow streamers or balloons that will catch people's attention.
2. Use the recipe below to make lemonade together. Draw the ingredients and write the numbers for the amounts of each onto a large picture recipe. Invite your child to read it as you make the lemonade.
3. Time to open for business! Invite your child to select a place outdoors to set up. Talk about how to be friendly when greeting people and how to not be too anxious to make a "sale." Remind your child that some people will not buy the lemonade — and that is okay. Ask an older sibling or grandparent to help kids with making change, but keep it simply priced (10¢ or 25¢ per cup).
4. Once the big event is over, ask what she'd like to do with the money she has earned.

Learning benefits:

• strengthens math skills
• provides practice with literacy
• encourages social development

Recipes:

• For traditional lemonade, mix the juice of four lemons with 1 cup of sugar and 6 cups of water.
• Make pretty-in-pink lemonade by mixing in a very small amount of cranberry juice.
• Got mint? Add fresh sprigs to each glass as a delicious garnish.
• For low-sugar lemonade, mix 1 cup lemon juice, 2 cups white grape juice, and 3 quarts water.