How to play the lemonade stand game
- Check the forecast. Hot, sunny days bring more thirsty customers than cloudy or rainy days. Watch for special events like a parade or a new competitor across the street.
- Buy supplies. Every cup of lemonade needs lemons, sugar, a cup and ice. The game shows how many cups you can make and which supply you need more of. Ice melts at the end of each day.
- Set your price. Each cup costs about 25 cents in supplies. Charge more and you earn more per cup, but fewer people buy.
- Open the stand and read the day's results: customers, cups sold, money from sales, costs and profit.
After 14 days you get a season score. Try to beat your best season!
What kids learn
- Profit = sales − costs. Money from sales is not all profit, because supplies cost money too.
- Supply and demand. When many people want lemonade, like on a hot day, you can sell more and charge more.
- Pricing. Too high and customers walk away; too low and you leave money on the table.
- Inventory and waste. Buying too much ice wastes money, and buying too little means lost sales.
- Planning when things are uncertain. Forecasts are sometimes wrong, just like in a real business.
Tips for parents and teachers
Play the first few days together and ask questions: "Why do you think fewer people bought today?" "How much did one cup cost you?" Older kids can keep a simple notebook of price, weather and profit to find the best price for each kind of day. The game is free, needs no account and saves progress only in this browser.
Frequently asked questions
What age is the lemonade stand game for?
It is designed for kids about 7 to 12 years old, but teens and adults enjoy finding the best strategy too. Younger children can play with a parent.
Does the game use real money?
No. All money in the game is pretend. Nothing is bought or sold, and no personal information is collected.
What is a good price for lemonade?
In the game, supplies cost about 25 cents per cup. On hot days customers accept higher prices, around $1.25 to $1.50, while on rainy days a lower price works better. Experiment to find the best price for each kind of weather.