Children’s Entrepreneur Market Returns to San Antonio This February to Empower Young Business Minds
Budding young business owners will take center stage at Rolling Oaks Mall on February 21, 2026, when the Children’s Entrepreneur Market returns to San Antonio as part of the Asian New Year Festival celebration. With the festivities honoring the Year of the Horse in full swing, this unique indoor market provides kids with a rare opportunity to showcase their products, sharpen their skills, and keep their profits—all while engaging with thousands of shoppers in a vibrant, high-traffic setting.
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market (CEM) has already made an impact nationwide. Since its inception in Utah, the program has grown to host 1,251 markets in 391 cities, empowering more than 88,000 youth entrepreneurs to collectively generate over $9.2 million in revenue. San Antonio families will now witness the energy of this youth-driven movement during one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events.
Held from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Rolling Oaks Mall (6909 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78247), this market is now closed for registration, but it promises a meaningful experience for all who attend. Participating children have been preparing booths and business ideas with one core mission in mind—learning through doing.
Each booth space measures 8’ x 5’, and while food sales are not permitted at this event, there will be food trucks, pop-ups, and access to the mall’s food court to keep families fueled as they shop. Attendees can find parking and check-in on the Nacogdoches side of the mall, near Dillard’s and Family Leisure, where the CEM welcome table will be located.
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Real-World Learning, Real-World Impact
The Children's Entrepreneur Market is more than a shopping experience—it’s a transformational educational tool. Studies support the impact of programs like this. According to a report by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), students engaged in entrepreneurship education demonstrate increased career readiness, improved problem-solving, and higher academic engagement. NFTE notes that young entrepreneurs also develop greater financial literacy and are more likely to plan for post-secondary education.
The market fosters these skills by encouraging kids to decide what to sell, create their booths, interact with customers, and manage their own money. The emphasis on authentic, high-volume customer interactions helps children become more confident communicators and creative thinkers. The organization also offers additional support in the form of scholarships, video lessons, and a kid-friendly blog filled with tips and peer experiences.
Cultivating Confidence Through Creativity and Commerce
Organizers emphasize that entrepreneurship offers kids a constructive alternative to passive screen time. According to the program, “The plague of poor mental health is shocking and at times perplexing,” and the market gives children something they can strive to be their best at. The nonprofit’s mission is to develop vibrant and resourceful children through entrepreneurship and creative play, helping them build momentum in their personal, educational, and community lives.
With booths led by returning youth entrepreneurs and first-time participants alike, this market is designed to spark a spirit of play and purpose. And for San Antonio families, it’s an opportunity to support the next generation of local leaders and creators.
Whether you’re shopping, cheering on your child, or soaking in the sights and sounds of the Asian New Year Festival, the Children’s Entrepreneur Market invites the San Antonio community to witness the power of kid-run commerce in action.
For more information about upcoming markets nationwide, how to get involved, or how to support the Children’s Entrepreneur Market movement, visit childrensentrepreneurmarket.com.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.