On Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Yokohama, Japan, we will host the Bilingual Kids Flea Market, and vendor applications are now open.
This is a flea market primarily run by children, giving them the opportunity to set their own prices, interact directly with customers, and experience real-world communication.
Adults may also participate by running a booth in the English Challenge Booth, helping to create an active bilingual environment within the community.
We invite both Japanese and international families to take part — whether as vendors or visitors.
🌟 Who Is This Event For?
👧 Recommended for Children Who:
✔ Are curious about English or Japanese
✔ Want to try running their own shop
✔ Would like to set their own prices and sell independently
✔ Want to experience being a vendor at a flea market
✔ Are ready to challenge themselves with something new
This is a place where children step forward and discover what they are capable of.
👨 Adults & Parents Are Also Welcome
✔ Parents who want to give their child a meaningful, real-world learning experience
✔ Adults interested in bilingual education and community building
✔ International residents who would like to connect with local families
✔ Adults who would like to run a booth in English
✨ While this event centers on children’s growth, adults may also open a booth in the English Challenge Area.
We encourage adults to model positive communication and cultural exchange.
🌍 What Is the Bilingual Kids Flea Market?
For one day, children become shop owners.
They:
- Decide what to sell
- Set their own prices
- Design their booth
- Communicate directly with customers
🌟 Children take the lead.
They think.
They decide.
They try.
They adjust.
Through real action, real growth happens.
Adults in the English area participate as community members supporting a bilingual environment.
🏪 Two Language Areas
There are two booth options:
🇯🇵 Japanese Area
Children (including international children who wish to try Japanese) may run booths primarily in Japanese.
This is a wonderful opportunity for children learning Japanese to practice in a real-life setting.
🇬🇧 English Challenge Area
Communication is mainly in English.
This area is open to:
- Japanese children learning English
- International children
- Adults who wish to run a booth in English
✨ This creates a special opportunity:
- International children can meet local Japanese kids actively using English.
- Japanese children can communicate with peers from different cultural backgrounds.
- Adults and children can interact naturally in English within the community.
It’s a space where friendships and cross-cultural connections grow through real conversation.
🌱 What Participants Experience
🗣 Real Communication
Language becomes meaningful when used with real people.
Instead of classroom practice, participants experience authentic communication in a friendly community setting.
Fluent speakers and beginners are welcome.
What matters most is the willingness to try.
🧠 Thinking, Deciding, and Creating Value
Children vendors will consider:
- What should I sell?
- How much should I charge?
- How can I make my booth attractive?
They begin asking:
- “Why is this worth this price?”
- “Who might want this?”
- “How can I explain its value?”
Through this process, they naturally experience economic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Some booths may sell many items.
Others may not.
Both outcomes are meaningful learning experiences.
🤝 Meeting Diverse People
Customers and vendors may include:
- Children
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Local residents
- International families
- Adult English-speaking vendors
Adapting to different ages and cultures strengthens social confidence and empathy.
🛍 Who Can Be a Vendor?
👦 Children:
Approximately 5 years old and above (final year of kindergarten or older)
👨 Adults:
May open a booth in the English Challenge Area only
🎒 Supervision Rules for Children:
- Grade 4 and above: May manage the booth independently
- Grade 3 and below: Guardian must accompany
- Sales and communication should be child-led
- Parents act as supporters rather than primary sellers
The spotlight remains on children’s growth.
🎪 What Can Be Sold?
✅ Allowed
🧸 Pre-loved items
🎨 Handmade crafts, accessories, artwork
♻️ Upcycled or creatively reused items
🛠 Mini workshops or small activity booths
Thoughtful ideas and items with a story are especially welcome.
❌ Not Allowed
🚫 Food
🚫 Live animals
🚫 Mystery bags
🚫 Lottery-style sales
🚫 Broken or incomplete items
🚫 Dangerous or inappropriate goods
📍 Event Details
📅 Sunday, March 29, 2026
🕥 Event Time: 10:30–13:30
Setup from 10:00 / Cleanup by 14:00
📍 Wakabadai Area, Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
☔ Held rain or shine
A local Cherry Blossom Festival will take place the same day, and many visitors are expected.
📏 Booth Size
180 cm × 90 cm (display space)
💴 Booth Fee
🔹 Japanese Booth (Children): 1,000 yen
🔹 English Challenge Booth (Children & Adults): 500 yen
(The English booth fee is discounted to encourage English communication.)
- Booth sharing with siblings or friends is allowed
- Table rental is free (setup and cleanup by participants)
- Please bring a ground sheet if placing items on the ground
👥 Capacity
Limited number of booths available.
First-come, first-served.
🌸 Final Message
For a child, the experience of saying:
“I did this myself.”
can become a lifelong source of confidence.
For adults, this is an opportunity to support and participate in a growing bilingual community.
Language.
Money.
Communication.
Courage.
All grow best through real experience.
We look forward to creating a vibrant, multicultural marketplace together.
