Lemonade Stand
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
-Philippians 2:4 (NRSV)
Having a lemonade stand is a quintessential summer activity for many children - I distinctly remember selling cups of lemonade for 25 cents as a child so that I could make enough money for a trip to the comic store later that day! But while a lemonade stand is many kids' first entry point into capitalism, lemonade stands don't all need to be about making a quick buck (which seems to be the going rate these days!). This childhood classic activity can easily be translated into a way to help do good in our world, whether by handing out lemonade for free on a hot day (or hot cocoa on a cold day), or by using the proceeds to fund a donation to a charity.
How You Might Go About This:
For Younger Children
For Older Children
-Philippians 2:4 (NRSV)
Having a lemonade stand is a quintessential summer activity for many children - I distinctly remember selling cups of lemonade for 25 cents as a child so that I could make enough money for a trip to the comic store later that day! But while a lemonade stand is many kids' first entry point into capitalism, lemonade stands don't all need to be about making a quick buck (which seems to be the going rate these days!). This childhood classic activity can easily be translated into a way to help do good in our world, whether by handing out lemonade for free on a hot day (or hot cocoa on a cold day), or by using the proceeds to fund a donation to a charity.
How You Might Go About This:
- Figure out who you'd like to donate this money to (if you're collecting money). Have your child think about the impact that this gift might have. Consider advertising that this is what the money will be going towards in your signage - and perhaps have a countdown poster as you get close to your total goal.
- Tell the kids to have fun with it! Shouting at random people passing by is all part of the fun of the lemonade stand! You can also encourage them to make up fun promotions (free cookie for the 5th visitor, etc.)
- After you're finished, continue your discussion with them about how this money will be used. You can share that many people, both in the U.S. and overseas, live on around $2 per day (hard as that is to believe). If your kids are older, encourage them to think through the ramifications of surviving on the money they just made from the lemonade stand.
For Younger Children
- How did it feel to share the money you earned rather than keeping it? (Or, how did it feel to give it away for free?)
- The Bible says “Do not forget to do good and share with others” (Hebrews 13:16) – why does God think it’s important for us to share what we have with others?
For Older Children
- The Bible says “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all” (Galatians 6:10) – what opportunities do we have that others might not? How can we use those things for good?
- Why do you think people were willing to stop for a lemonade stand, even though they probably had some at home? What does that say about people's generosity? Are there other ways we can encourage them to give?