Teaching kids about money early can make a big difference in how they grow up to manage it. That’s how the Kid-Made Market came to life—thanks to one mom’s creative idea. When her youngest son had his heart set on some new LEGO sets, she saw an opportunity to teach him about saving, spending, and investing money. Rather than just buying the sets for him, she and her husband decided to help him learn the value of earning them himself.
With farmers markets being popular at the time, the family thought, why not create a space where kids could run their own market? This one would be completely run by kids, with no fees, so they could keep 100% of their earnings. And so, the Kid-Made Market was born. Now, after nine years, it’s become a beloved community event in Roanoke and the surrounding areas, giving kids hands-on experience in the world of business. There are usually two markets per year: one in the spring and one in the fall, and the treasures they bring are always fun and exciting.
The market welcomes kids aged 17 and younger to set up booths and sell their own handmade products. From crocheted creations to seasonal snacks, each young entrepreneur brings their unique talents and creativity to the event. Melody, for example, is a 17-year-old who’s been a part of the market since she was just 8. She started reluctantly—her parents nudged her into participating—but over the years, she grew to enjoy it. Now, through her business Melody’s Marvels, she sells beautifully crocheted goods and her wildly popular mini pineapple upside-down cakes, which almost always sell out. “I’ve learned a lot about interacting with strangers, and I think Kid-Made Market helped start bringing me out of my shell!” she says.
Micaiah, 14, joined the market after watching his sister Melody participate. With Micaiah’s Masterpieces, he sells paintings and handmade greeting cards, learning how to adjust his products to match what people are interested in. For Micaiah, it's about more than just the sales—it's about figuring out how to turn his passion for art into a future career.
And Gloria, at 11, runs Gloria’s Gifts and Goodies, offering sewing projects, seasonal treats, and drinks. She’s learned valuable skills like making change and interacting with new customers. Gloria dreams of using her love for baking to help others, and she hopes to someday become an author and train service dogs.
These are just a few of the many stories that have grown out of the Kid-Made Market. It’s not just about the money (though saving up for that special toy or funding their hobbies is a definite perk!). It’s about gaining the confidence to interact with others, learning how to manage a business, and figuring out how to adapt when things don’t go as planned.
Now, the community is excited to host the 9th year of the Kid-Made Market, and we’d love for you to join in the fun! Whether you’re shopping for the upcoming holidays or just want to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, come out and see what these kids have to offer.
Join us on October 26th from 10 AM to 1 PM on the lawn of 3716 Colonial Ave., Roanoke, VA 24018. It’s a fantastic opportunity to find unique gifts and support these talented kids. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage our community’s youngest members to dream big!
For more information about the event, head over to the Kid-Made Market Facebook page. We can’t wait to see you there, supporting these young dreamers!
* Thank you to Melissa Young of Kid-Made Market, Melody, Micaiah, and Gloria for providing content for this story.
ChatGPT was used for editing of punctuation and grammar in this article.
