GRANITEVILLE — Young entrepreneurs will take center stage this Mother’s Day as the Children’s Entrepreneur Market returns to Good Pickin’ Farm as part of a larger community celebration.
The market will be held Sunday, May 10, alongside the farm’s “Muffins for Mom” Mother’s Day 5K, bringing together local families, runners and youth vendors for a day of shopping and activities.
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market, which operates at locations across the country, gives kids ages 5 to 17 the opportunity to run their own small businesses, from creating products to selling them in a real-world setting.
“Essentially, it’s helping kids learn important skills like critical thinking, problem solving, how free markets work all in a really safe community environment,” Nicole Bucher, the Worcester market manager said.
The market will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with a kids fun run scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and the 5K beginning at 10 a.m. The event is hosted by Good Pickin’ Farm and will also feature activities including a petting zoo, hayrides, lawn games, live music and food.
While the race requires registration, the market is open to the public, allowing attendees to shop and explore after the run.
Bucher said the program is designed to give children hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, from developing ideas to interacting with customers.
“It allows the kids to dip their toes into what entrepreneurship can feel like from creating the product and pricing to marketing,” she said. “It builds their confidence and their resilience at the same time.”
Vendors sell a wide range of items, including handmade jewelry, artwork, crocheted goods and prepackaged baked items. Some participants also offer services such as face painting.
The market has seen steady growth since launching in Massachusetts last year, with about 42 vendors participating in the Westford event in 2025. Bucher said she expects a similar or larger turnout this year as registration typically increases closer to the event.
Beyond sales, Bucher said one of the most rewarding aspects is watching young participants grow throughout the day.
“At the beginning, they’re really nervous and timid,” she said. “And then as the day goes on, they get so comfortable with those interactions.”
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market began about eight years ago in Utah and has rapidly expanded, with plans to operate in all 50 states by the end of the year.
Organizers intentionally partner with established community events to ensure strong attendance and give young vendors the opportunity to interact with customers.
“We team up with established events so there’s natural foot traffic,” Bucher said.
Bucher also emphasized the importance of allowing children to take the lead, encouraging parents to step back during the event.
“We want parents sitting back in a chair and reading and being a fly on the wall,” she said. “We want the kids to know how to handle all the money transactions, how to handle conversations with people, how to go through that experience themselves.”
For first-time participants, Bucher said the most important step is simply getting started.
“Just doing it,” Bucher said. “It ignites some new ideas in them. So then the next time they came back, they have new products and they’d change their display a little bit, or they’d change their techniques.”
Admission to the market is free. Registration for vendors remains open until the day before the event unless spots fill earlier.
