As the world evolves and new industries emerge, fostering entrepreneurial skills among youth has become more important than ever. Today’s young minds have the potential to become tomorrow’s innovators, creators, and problem-solvers. Encouraging entrepreneurship in young people provides them with valuable life skills, boosts confidence, and nurtures a mindset that embraces challenges and opportunities. It also lays the groundwork for success in their academic and professional futures, where adaptability and creativity are crucial.
Why Youth Entrepreneurship for the Holidays
Inspiring young people to think like entrepreneurs isn’t just about setting them up for business careers. It’s about equipping them with a versatile toolkit for life. Entrepreneurship fosters essential skills, such as critical thinking, resilience, creativity and the ability to adapt to new situations—valuable qualities in every aspect of life. When young people learn to recognize opportunities, overcome obstacles, and turn ideas into action, they gain confidence and become more prepared to take on future challenges, no matter what path they choose.
Adults and guardians play a significant role in encouraging this entrepreneurial spirit. By supporting youth entrepreneurship, whether through education, resources or opportunities, adults provide validation and guidance. Showing support can spark a young person’s enthusiasm and give them the encouragement they need to explore, take risks and pursue ideas they might not otherwise feel empowered to chase.
To inspire the budding entrepreneur in your life, here is a list of 15 holiday gift ideas that will ignite their creativity, encourage skill-building and bring some fun into the journey. This list includes both tangible gifts as well as subscriptions and experiences, offering a well-rounded set of tools for the aspiring business owner or creator.
15 Gift Ideas for Budding Entrepreneurs
- A Young Entrepreneur Kit is an ideal choice for budding business minds because it usually comes with guides, worksheets and materials for kids to develop their first business concept. Offering hands-on activities that encourage planning, marketing and budgeting, these kits introduce young people to the essentials of entrepreneurship in an accessible, approachable way, making them familiar with the basic steps of creating a business from the ground up. Children find the design aspect exciting and empowering as they develop their own business ideas.
- Consider gifting a Maker Space or STEM Workshop Membership or Trip. Maker spaces provide equipment and instruction for hands-on creation, from robotics to crafting, and encourage young people to explore the process of making something from start to finish. These spaces build problem-solving skills and allow young minds to experiment with product creation, technology, and design. It’s also a chance to get creative and learn alongside other young innovators, making it both a social and educational experience.
- A Graphic Design Software Subscription such as Canva or Adobe Express allows young entrepreneurs to design marketing materials or social media graphics—a crucial entrepreneurial skill. These programs are user-friendly, even for young people, and learning graphic design helps them develop a strong sense of branding and visual communication. With tools to create logos, flyers, and product images, kids enjoy the pride that comes with visually representing their ideas.
- For those ready to explore financial basics, a Kid-Friendly Financial Literacy Book like Kidpreneurs or A Smart Girl’s Guide to Money is a fantastic gift. These books break down concepts like saving, budgeting, and investing, which are foundational to entrepreneurship. Written in age-appropriate language with engaging stories and interactive elements, they make financial literacy enjoyable and accessible to kids, helping them grasp essential business principles from a young age.
- Business simulation board games, like Up Start or Moonpreneur, are perfect for introducing young people to the basics of running a business in a playful, low-pressure setting. These games simulate real-world decision-making and market competition, helping children develop strategic thinking and an understanding of supply and demand. They’re not only educational but fun for the whole family, providing hours of interactive learning.
- An E-Commerce Platform Subscription can allow young entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. These platforms offer secure, user-friendly options for selling crafts, digital products, or other creations. Managing an online store helps young people learn product management, marketing, and customer service skills, which are essential for running a business. Seeing their products appreciated by others and experiencing the thrill of making a sale can be exciting and empowering. Be sure to check regulations about parental guidance when using these sites.
- Online Business Classes are a great gift for young entrepreneurs eager to learn the basics of starting and managing a business. These classes introduce essential business concepts and encourage critical thinking, giving kids a solid foundation in entrepreneurship from the comfort of home. Interactive lessons, quizzes and projects make learning fun and inspire confidence, making this both an educational and enjoyable gift.
- A Monthly Entrepreneurship Activity Box such as Bitsbox or KiwiCo’s Tinker Crate provides a continuous stream of projects that blend creativity and entrepreneurship. These boxes offer monthly activities, from coding apps to building gadgets, which encourage kids to creatively problem-solve. The anticipation of a new surprise each month keeps them excited and learning, and each box provides a new way to experiment and innovate.
- A Business Mentorship Program provides young entrepreneurs with valuable real-world insights and guidance from successful professionals. Mentorship fosters networking skills, industry knowledge and personal development, allowing kids to learn directly from those with experience in their areas of interest. Connecting with mentors gives young people an insider’s view of the industry they’re passionate about, which can be both enlightening and inspiring.
- Entrepreneurship or STEM Camp Enrollment is a kid favorite! Enrolling a young entrepreneur in a business or STEM camp, like Camp BizSmart or iD Tech, offers hands-on experience in innovation, strategy, and teamwork. Camps provide mentorship, real-world challenges, and a community of like-minded peers, helping kids gain essential skills and confidence. Wrapping up a brochure or camp welcome kit makes this gift an exciting experience they’ll look forward to!
- A high-quality, Personalized Planner or Journal can help entrepreneurial kids set goals, track progress, and keep their thoughts organized. Planners with space for daily tasks, weekly goals, and reflection inspire discipline and organization. Adding their name or initials to the cover makes it even more special, giving them a sense of ownership over their ideas and ambitions.
- A Label Maker is a simple, powerful gift that allows young entrepreneurs to add a professional touch to their products or organize their workspace. Whether labeling products for a pop-up sale, organizing materials, branding packaging, or printing shipping labels, a label maker makes it easy for kids to take pride in their work and present it professionally. This hands-on tool is practical and fun for young organizers and business-minded kids.
- A Young Investor Toolkit or Subscription such as BusyKid or Stockpile introduces young people to the basics of stocks and savings in a simplified, guided environment. These platforms encourage long-term financial awareness by teaching them about saving, budgeting, and investing. Following the ups and downs of their chosen investments can spark a sustained interest in financial management and instill financial literacy from a young age.
- Basic Video Equipment, like a ring light, or even a motion sensor accessory, is perfect for young entrepreneurs interested in promoting their ideas through social media. Learning how to create engaging videos and posts helps them develop digital marketing skills and reach a larger audience, which is crucial for modern entrepreneurship and marketing.
- Lastly, parents can design and order Custom Business Cards or Personalized Stationery sets from websites like Vistaprint or Minted. Wrapped in a stylish box, this gift gives kids a sense of professionalism and pride in their entrepreneurial journey. Receiving custom cards or a branded notebook with their name or business idea printed on it makes the experience feel official and exciting.
Bonus Gift!
- Wherever you reside, enrolling youth in The Henry Ford Invention Convention offers young innovators a unique chance to bring their ideas to life and showcase their creativity on a national stage. Participating in this event allows kids to develop problem-solving skills as they design, prototype, and pitch their inventions. It’s an inspiring opportunity for them to connect with fellow young inventors, receive feedback from industry professionals, and gain confidence in their abilities. Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute is now the official hub for all things Invention Convention Arizona. Not only can youth of all ages participate in this wonderful opportunity, but adults and guardians can also become involved as judges and sponsors as well.
Send a Gift for Success
Encouraging entrepreneurship in young people is more than teaching business skills. You nurture resilience, creativity and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives. By gifting experiences, tools and resources that support entrepreneurial thinking, you’re offering more than a holiday present—you’re empowering them to explore their passions, turn ideas into reality, and develop valuable life skills. From financial literacy to strategic planning and communication, these gifts provide them with tools they can use to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in any field they choose.
Supporting youth entrepreneurship also builds self-belief. When adults show enthusiasm for their ideas, young people feel valued and motivated, knowing their dreams are taken seriously. Every gift in this list represents not just a fun experience but an investment in their personal growth and future. These gifts help them see that their potential is limitless and that their creativity can shape the world around them. Whether they’re setting up a mini-business or simply exploring new skills, each experience offers meaningful learning that can spark a lifelong passion. By choosing thoughtful, skill-building gifts, you’re giving them the foundation to thrive in whatever they pursue. Happy Holidays from all of us at ASU!
