The Arcade

My mother sent me a link to this youtube video of a kid who built an arcade out of boxes. Watch it, it's worth your time.

I showed this video to the boys, so immediately afterward they started planning an arcade of their own.  They began by gathering all the "old" toys they don't want anymore and any game that could be attached to a large box.  They immediately wanted to sit outside and wait for customers to come, but their dull mother convinced them to advertise a little and set up a specific time for patrons.  Here's what they came up with:

 This sign is attached to the advertising scooter:

They had a trial run with one of their friends, Brock, who spent a little money on the games he always plays when he comes over to our house.  The games on the box are a utah football and basketball game where you flip the ball through the hoop/goal posts with a spoon, a pokemon game, a handheld solitaire game, and a lego jousting game that Spencer invented.  When the smaller kids came, they added Balloon Lagoon by Cranium.

 Once the day and time were set, they were so anxious for that time to arrive.  What do you know it, but a few of the neighborhood kids showed up to see what all the fuss was about. The boys couldn't contain themselves as they shouted, "They're here! They're here!" Spencer and D.J. were good guardians of their games and made sure people followed the rules.  James played.

 As indicated by the advertising sign, the cost was a penny per token (the tokens also happened to be pennies).  Thanks to my good-hearted neighbors for letting their children borrow a few cents.

They even sold a few toys and a few books and came away with a little over $5 for their first day.  There has not been a second day.  I guess either the novelty wore off or they are satisfied with splitting $5 three ways.  Perhaps the summer will bring more entrepreneurial adventures.  It was a great learning experience for the learning how to run a very, very small business!