The lemonade stand supplies list and first-day checklist

The lemonade stand supplies list

Most of this is already in the house. Gather it in one box the week before.

• For the lemonadeLemons, sugar, water, a big pitcher (two is better), a juicer or a fork, a strainer, a long spoon.
• To keep it coldA cooler, a bag of ice bought last, an ice scoop that lives in the cooler, a towel to cover the pitcher.
• To serve itPaper or compostable cups, napkins, a trash bag, paper towels for spills.
• The standA card table, a cloth to cover it, two chairs, an umbrella or canopy for shade.
• The signsPoster board, thick markers, tape, something heavy for the wind, and the card with the six facts Oklahoma’s law asks for.
• The moneyA tin or shoebox, twenty dollars in ones and quarters for change, a card for the tally.
• For the crewWater to drink, sunscreen, hats. It is Oklahoma in summer.

Not sure how many lemons or cups? The batch guide works it out for 20, 40 or 80 cups, and the lemonade stand recipe has the pitcher.

The night before

1. Make the syrupA big batch, cooled, in the fridge.
2. Letter the signsThe big one for the stand, the arrow one for the corner. Dry overnight.
3. Get the changeTwenty dollars in ones and quarters. The bank is closed on Saturday morning.
4. Pack the boxCups, the money tin, a marker, tape, paper towels, a trash bag, the law’s sign and cards from the stand kit.

The morning of

1. Squeeze and mixTwo pitchers, into the fridge.
2. Buy the iceLast thing before you go. Into the cooler with the scoop.
3. Set the tableCloth over it, pitcher on it, sign in front, money tin behind, the law’s sign where people order.
4. Plant the corner signWeighed down against the wind.
5. Flip the stand to openOn The Squeeze, so the people looking for lemonade near them find you on the lemonade stands open now map.

While it is open

A mark on a card for every cup. Pitcher swapped before it runs dry. A smile and a “thanks, we’re here every Saturday” when they go. If the sun moves, move the umbrella. If the line stops, move the corner sign closer to the traffic.

Packing up

Count the money together. Take out what the batch cost; the rest is the day’s profit. Write the cup count on the back of the sign for next time. Pour the leftovers into ice cube trays. Flip the stand to closed on The Squeeze.