Students of Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga primary schools through to colleges will be selling more than just toys and cupcakes when they set up stalls at this month’s Whakamarama Kids Market.

Once again the Whakamarama Community Centre is hosting a market dedicated to young sellers and entrepreneurs, with organiser Debbie Allan saying it will offer high quality wares on Saturday, April 13.

“The response to the market has been amazing,” says Debbie.

“We have so many talented young people in our community and this market is a way Whakamarama Community Centre can support with these young entrepreneurs by providing them with a safe marketplace to show their community what they can offer.

“And, they will be able to make some money in time for the school holidays.

"The community is buzzing with excitement and anticipation of what these young sellers have on offer.”

The young sellers will tempt market-goers with everything from quality second items and baking to handcrafted gifts for the home and garden.

Debbie’s son David Allan, a Year 8 Whakamarama School student, has taken advantage of the plentiful feijoa season by making jams and chutneys to sell at the market.

Entertainment will be courtesy of Whakamarama School Year 7 student Meera Sahil.

“Those who came to our market last September will remember the delightful music from this talented piano player,” says Debbie.

Sisters Maddy and Isla Mills have been busy handcrafting gifts to sell too.

“Maddy, from Pahoia School, creates small felted animals in matchboxes while her older sister Isla, of Bethlehem College, makes hair scrunchies.”

The market will also host a group of Greenpark School Year 5-6 students who are fundraising to head to South Korea for a culture exchange.

“They will be sell local honey and run a sausage sizzle at the market.”

Whakamarama Kids Market is 3pm-5pm Saturday, April 13, at Whakamarama Community Centre, 469 Whakamarama Rd.

For more details, see the ‘Whakamarama Kids Market’ event page on Facebook.