A market with stalls run by local children, selling the kinds of items loved by children, will be held in Stanmore Bay this month.
Organiser Karen Miller has two children who attend Stanmore Bay School, Georgia, aged 8 and Oscar, six.
She says the idea of a market for kids, and run by kids, started during last year’s Covid-19 lockdowns.
“When faced with home learning, we got to stop and appreciate the simple things and, like many people, my perspective changed,” Karen says. “I spent much more time in my garden and began to ask myself what I can do to help keep the earth healthy. This brought me back to the kids – who are our hope and our future – and what I could do for them.”
Through her volunteer work at Stanmore Bay School and Silverdale School’s Garden to Table programme, Karen saw an opportunity for a market that could be fun, but also teach children about how a circular economy, reusing and recycling, could work.
She says it is also an opportunity to be young business entrepreneurs.
“They are planning, setting goals and working out budgets for what they are making to sell. They are doing their own marketing and will get first hand experience in customer services, by interacting with people on market day. There is even some maths, and cash handling involved.”
A small group of young musicians will busk at the market, and a coffee cart will also be there for the adults.
Once costs are covered, all excess funds will be donated to the Enviro Kids of Stanmore Bay School, who will also have a plant stall at the market.
Karen says there has been a lot of interest in stalls, which could make the market a regular event.
“I have planted the seed. It is with community support that the growth will happen,” Karen says.
Stanmore Bay Kids’ Market is on at Stanmore Bay Community Hall in Waiora Road, Stanmore Bay (opposite Stanmore Bay School) on Saturday, June 26, 10am-12pm. It is a cash only event. Info, or to book a stall: email stanmorebaykidsmarket@gmail.com
