AWARD WINNING ŌTAKI KIDS MARKET
Join the fun at the
Kids Market
Registrations open six weeks before the market/event.
The Kids Market is redefining how young New Zealanders engage with entrepreneurship, leadership, and community.
The Kids Market is a year-round youth enterprise framework that equips tamariki and rangatahi with the skills and confidence to participate meaningfully in the economy.
Registrations open approximately six weeks prior to the event.
Confidence through experience - kids only market days
The Kids Market is a vibrant and creative marketplace that provides a unique platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and entrepreneurial spirit. This special market invites tamariki and rangatahi from 5-19 years old to become stall holders, offering them the opportunity to sell their handmade art and crafts, delicious home baking, toys, and books.
The market not only fosters a sense of community but also empowers young people to take pride in their creations and develop valuable skills in marketing and customer interaction.
70%
of participants are sustainable
48%
Enjoy making and selling crafts
Thank you for organising this for our community and tamariki. Truly appreciate the work
you do.
600
Young people have taken part.
5-19
Ages of young people who take part.
our EVENTS
Registrations for all events, open approximately six weeks to the event.
26 April & 11 October 2026
10am - 2pm, Ōtaki Market, Main Highway, Ōtaki
52 Stall spaces available
Ages: 5 - 19ish
The Kids Market Waitangi Day experience is a special themed market that celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture, history, and community spirit. Young entrepreneurs take part by showcasing their products in a vibrant market setting, learning about storytelling, cultural awareness, customer engagement, and small business skills. It’s a meaningful opportunity for tamariki and rangatahi to connect their creativity with one of New Zealand’s most important national days.
14,15,16,17 July 2026
10am - 2pm, Coastlands Shopping Town, Paraparaumu
10 Stall spaces available each day
Ages 10+
The Kids Market Pop-Up at Coastlands Shopping Centre brings young entrepreneurs into a busy retail environment where they can showcase and sell their products to the wider public. This exciting experience helps tamariki and rangatahi build confidence in customer service, learn about pricing and sales, and understand how a professional retail space operates. It’s a hands-on opportunity to turn creativity into real-world business experience in one of the region’s key shopping destinations.
6 February 2026
10am-3pm, Children's Health camp, Ōtaki Beach
25 stall spaces available
Ages: 5 - 19
The Kids Market Waitangi Day experience is a special themed market that celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture, history, and community spirit. Young entrepreneurs take part by showcasing their products in a vibrant market setting, learning about storytelling, cultural awareness, customer engagement, and small business skills. It’s a meaningful opportunity for tamariki and rangatahi to connect their creativity with one of New Zealand’s most important national days.
Date: Coming soon
Information coming soon.
Approx 20 spaces available
Ages 10+
The Kids Market Food Safety Workshop is a fun, hands-on workshop where young entrepreneurs learn food safety, hygiene, and the basics of running a successful food stall. Co-hosted by Harper (Harper's Gourmet Cupcakes), an experienced youth stall holder, alongside the food hygiene team from Kāpiti Coast District Council, participants will learn how to safely prepare and sell food while also making, baking, and decorating their own cupcakes to take home—turning learning into a delicious experience.
march 2026
4pm-8pm
Houses of Parliament, Wellington
Only five participants
Ages: 10+
The Kids Market has been invited to take part in TASTE Horowhenua / Kāpiti, a celebrated regional food and hospitality event that showcases the best local producers, chefs, and culinary experiences. This exciting opportunity gives young entrepreneurs the chance to trade alongside established food businesses, engaging with a wider audience in a vibrant festival environment.
5 December 2026
10am - 5pm
Mazengarb Reserve, Paraparaumu
Approx 8 stall spaces available
Ages 5 - 19
The Kids Market at the Kapiti Food Fair is a high-energy, real-world trading experience where young entrepreneurs showcase their products to thousands of visitors. It gives tamariki and rangatahi the chance to build confidence in customer service, practice pricing and sales, and experience what it’s like to operate in a large-scale food and lifestyle event. Set in a vibrant festival atmosphere, it’s a powerful opportunity to turn creativity into real business experience while being part of one of the region’s biggest community celebrations.
20 june 2026
TBA
Approx 20 spaces available
Ages 10+
The Kids Market Dragon’s Den Workshop is a high-energy pitching experience where young entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel in a fun but real-world setting. Participants learn how to develop and communicate their ideas, build confidence in public speaking, and think like business owners as they explain their products, pricing, and purpose. It’s an inspiring opportunity for tamariki and rangatahi to test their ideas, receive feedback, and grow their entrepreneurial mindset.
6 December 2026
10am - 2pm
Ōtaki Market, Main Highway, Ōtaki
52 stall spaces available
Ages 5 - 19
The Kids Christmas Market is a festive, hands-on event where young entrepreneurs bring their creativity to life in a fun holiday setting. Participants design, make, and sell their own products while learning about customer service, pricing, presentation, and small business skills. Set in a vibrant Christmas atmosphere, it gives tamariki and rangatahi the chance to experience real market trading while spreading festive cheer and building confidence as young business owners.
Small Ideas to Big Futures
What can we sell at the market?
At the Kids Market, tamariki and rangatahi have the freedom to sell just about anything they can dream up!
From homemade baking, sweet treats, and fresh kai, to handcrafted jewellery, artwork, toys, candles, and garden creations – the stalls are as unique as the young people running them.
Some kids choose to recycle and upcycle items, turning everyday objects into something special, while others grow plants, make natural products, or share their own creative inventions.
Because we’re a small market, there are just a few things you’ll need to check in with the Kids Market team about before booking your stall space for:
-
🎨 Facepainting
-
🌭 Sausage Sizzle
-
🎟️ Raffles
This helps us keep things fair and fun for everyone – so if you’re keen on one of these, just have a quick chat with us first.
Make, Bake, Create
The market encourages young entrepreneurs to use upcycled, recycled, and eco-friendly materials in their products, helping to instill a sense of environmental stewardship from an early age. By focusing on these values, the Kids Market is not just teaching kids about business but also about the importance of caring for their environment and community.
KIDS
young Entrepreneurs can be aged 5 - 19 years of age, and run their own stall.
PRODUCTS
Children can sell just about anything! It can be handmade, store bought, 2nd hand, home baking, lemonade, games, books or a service
STALL SIZE
To ensure we fit in everybody, stall sizes are 1.5 m x 1.5 m.
PARENTS
Parents and guardians are required to stay with their young entrepreneur, but we encourage young people to manage their stalls and make sales.
Pathways to Success
Young chefs in action
The Kids Market creates real-world work experiences that give young people the chance to step into professional environments and see what enterprise looks like on a bigger stage.
Opportunities such as TASTE Horowhenua/Kāpiti, Wellington On a Plate, Kāpiti Food Fair, participants work alongside established businesses, chefs, event organisers, & community leaders.
Workshops & experiences
Our workshops are designed to give young people practical, real-world skills that go far beyond the market stall.
From pricing products, customer service, and financial literacy to branding, sustainability, confidence building, and Dragons’ Den-style pitching (with local business owners), each session helps tamariki and rangatahi grow as young entrepreneurs and leaders.
Retail experience:
Coastlands
The Coastlands Pop-Up gives young entrepreneurs the opportunity to experience trading in a busy retail environment.
Located inside Coastlands Shoppingtown, this special event allows participants to showcase their products in front of thousands of shoppers, helping them build confidence, improve customer service skills, and understand how retail works in a high-footfall space.
Meet & Greets with VIPS
Through The Kids Market, young people have been given opportunities to connect with influential leaders and decision-makers they may never otherwise have access to.
Participants have met with business leaders, community champions, Members of Parliament, and even the Prime Minister, sharing their ideas, products, and entrepreneurial journeys firsthand.
Youth Enterprise Awards
Youth Enterprise Awards
Judged by industry professionals, provide structured, real-world feedback across sustainability, innovation, and sales, ensuring continuous skill development and growth.
awards up for grabs
Kids Market Ambassador I Best Sustainable Product I Best Sustainable Packaging
I Future CEO I Best Sales Kid I Best Overall Stall
Deanna Smith - Stall: No Strings Attached
Deanna stood out for her remarkable blend of compassion, creativity, and community focus. Through her business, No Strings Attached, she hand-makes macramé and knotwork items, including keychains, plant hangers, earrings, wall hangers, scrunchies, and dog toys, with the purpose of raising money for those in need.
Find out more about becoming the next Kids Market Ambassador...
2026 Kids Market Ambassador
Growing Future Entrepreneurs
join our mailing list
And be notified when the next Otaki Kids Market is scheduled.
FAQs
Can I bring my own marquee?
Yes you absolutely can bring your own marquee, please be aware you will be required to share as the space allocated is 1.5 m per stall. Please let use know if you are bringing a marquee.
Do you have power?
No, as an outdoor market this is not something we can provide.
Can my child be next to their sibling or friend?
We do our best to ensure family members and friends can be next to each other, please email us after your application.
Can I book a bigger or double stall?
We have limited space of 50 stalls, to be fair each stall size is 1.5 meters. Unfortunately, we will not be able to book double stalls.
Do I have to stay with my child?
Yes, each stall must have adult supervision at all times.
What happens if it rains?
We are an outdoor market and subject to the weather. We have a wet weather plan if it is raining heavily, and will move to a local hall. This decision will be made the day before the market. We also provide a small selection of marquees to stalls which are not under the trees.
Where is the closest ATM?
On the main road, near the 123 Mart is an ATM
Where can I get cash?
We ask that you please do not ask local shops and supermarkets to change cash.
How much money should I bring as a cash float?
We suggest about $50 for a cash float.
How much should I sell my product for?
A good price point is $1-$5. Alot of customers like to support as many stalls as possible, and we've found this a good price point.
Can I have free products on my stall
No, we kindly ask that you please don't have free items on your stall as this can affect other children.
What size table should I bring?
Our usual stall size is 3x3m, for the kids market we half this to 1.5x1.5 m. The best example of a table is this one here, which you can view on the Bunnings website.
Where is the market?
The market is located on the old main highway in Otaki, opposite New World. The Kids Market is located on the grass area.
How do I pay for my stall?
During the market two representatives from the Otaki Women's Community Club, wearing hi-vis vests will come to your stall is $5.00
Where can I park?
There is plenty of free parking at the Otaki train station, we ask that you please do not park on the main road, as this is a great place for customers to the market and other shops and cafes.
Why are there regular stall holders in the Kids area?
There will be a small number of regular stall holders allocated within the kids' market (paying full price), these will consist of stalls running workshops and the organising teams. This is for health and safety, for organisers to be on hand and create a smooth running of the market.
Can I run a raffle or competition?
Yes you can, please make sure you comply with the Department of Internal Affairs gambling rules, see the link here.
Can I play music from my stall?
At the regular market this is generally ok, however at the Kids Market, as the stall spaces are smaller, we request you are mindful of stall holders who are next to you.
What if I have more than three children (such as a school or community group) who want to be at the stall?
The space is quite small, and to avoid overcrowding and having a fun experience, our guidelines are for three children per stall. You can work this in shifts, and community groups have done this in the past very effectively.
Terms and conditions
-
Supervision: Each stall must have a *parent/guardian supervision.
-
Age: Stall holders must be between 5-18 years
-
Each stall site can have a maximum of three children. (excluding parent/guardian)
-
Site fee: each stall to pay $5 per stall.
-
Stall size: 1.5 meter, each stall to provide table, chair and cash float.
-
Stall holders are required to stay during the allocated market time, 10am-2pm.
-
Set up is between 8.15am-9.45am to be ready for 10am. Pack down is 2pm
-
Stall holders are encouraged to make or create their own craft, products, baking etc.
-
There is no hawking permitted at the Otaki Market, and stall holders must sell from their allocated stall. Even at the end of the day.
-
Photography and video will be taken during the Kids Market by the Otaki Market and used for promotional material and posted on Facebook.
-
No free product(s) on your stall: We kindly ask that you do not have free products on your at stall as this can affect other childrens stalls.
*Parent/Guardian must be at least 18 years of age.