Are your kids bored this Summer? Looking for a way to get them to get off the computer, stop playing CityVille, and get a little fresh air and sunshine? Organizing a neighborhood lemonade stand might be the perfect answer. A lemonade stand is a fun activity that teaches kids some valuable lessons about hard work, entrepreneurship, as well as some basic math skills. And just as important, it’s a fun way to beat the heat and bring the neighborhood together.
All it takes to put together a winning lemonade stand is a pitcher of lemonade, some cups, a table, a few chairs, and a nice big sign to advertise the goods. If your kids are going to be sitting directly out in the sun, it’s a good idea to include a patio or beach umbrella into the setup, or at least some hats and plenty of sunscreen.
What about the lemonade? If you’re making a stand for the neighborhood, our advice is to go as authentic as possible. Here’s a great formula for winning lemonade from Simply Recipes.
Perfect Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)
Method
- Make simple syrup by heating up the sugar and water in a saucepan. Let the sugar dissolve completely.
- While it’s dissolving, extract lemon juice from lemons using a juicer. You’ll need about 4-6 lemons.
- Add the juice and the sugar water to a pitcher. Dilute with the cold water. Refrigerate for about a half hour.
- Serve with ice and add lemon slices for garnish and additional flavor.
Now that you’ve got your lemonade, it’s time to pick a spot. It’s best to find a location that’s near a main street but set far enough back from traffic so that safety doesn’t need to be a major concern. Encourage the kids in your neighborhood to be part of the planning process. It’s a great opportunity to have them involved in establishing the price of the lemonade and of course creating the sign for the stand itself. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can work with them to prepare and sell extra goodies at the stand (a great chance to learn about impulse buys!) Chocolate chip cookies are a great choice, but there’s no end to the possibilities here.
Done right, a lemonade stand can be a great way to get the kids outside, meet the neighborhood, and learn something in the process.