Buy a Franchise
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: IDEA Lab Kids offers entrepreneurs a children's STEAM education business with multiple revenue streams, proprietary curriculum and ongoing franchise support.
IDEA Lab Kids* is a children's education and enrichment franchise offering hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programs for children ages 4-14. Its curriculum combines subjects such as robotics, coding, engineering, 3D printing and visual arts to encourage creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. The brand offers after-school programs, camps, workshops and birthday parties through campus-based and mobile programming.
IDEA Lab Kids began in a rented space at the back of another business before expanding into an international children's education franchise. The brand was developed around the idea of combining traditional STEM subjects with arts education, using hands-on activities and emerging technologies to make learning more engaging for children. Its curriculum has expanded to include robotics, coding, augmented reality, culinary arts and other subjects. The company subsequently introduced franchising to bring its educational programs to additional communities through independently operated locations.
Mission: IDEA Lab Kids' mission is to provide high-quality, forward-thinking after-school education through collaborative, engaging and continually evolving hands-on STEAM activities for children worldwide.
Vision: IDEA Lab Kids' vision is to prepare today's children to become tomorrow's leaders and innovators by encouraging collaboration, developing diverse skills and providing opportunities to explore new ideas.
Prospective franchisees can inquire about available territories through the official franchise website or contact the franchise development team at [email protected].
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of an IDEA Lab Kids franchise ranges from $163,500 to $465,000. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,500 |
| Rent (1 Month) | $2,500 | $7,500 |
| Security Deposit | $2,500 | $7,500 |
| Utilities, Licenses & Prepaid Deposits | $500 | $10,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $75,000 | $250,000 |
| Vehicle | $1,000 | $50,000 |
| Vehicle Decor | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Initial Marketing Package | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Fixtures, Signs, Equipment, Furniture, Computers & Supplies | $20,000 | $65,000 |
| Insurance — Annual Premium | $800 | $2,500 |
| Organizational Costs/Subscriptions | $200 | $500 |
| Travel, Lodging & Meals for Initial Training | $500 | $2,500 |
| Additional Funds (3-6 Months) | $18,000 | $24,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $35,500, which is due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, IDEA Lab Kids franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 8% of adjusted gross sales or $500/month, whichever is greater |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% of adjusted gross sales/month |
| Technology Fee | $251.67/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 8 IDEA Lab Kids franchises operating for the entirety of 2025 reported the following net sales:
Average | Median | High | Low |
$300,468 | $334,601 | $532,453 | $46,058 |
IDEA Lab Kids helps franchisees prepare to launch their businesses by providing access to its established STEAM education model and proprietary curriculum. Franchisees can choose from campus-based and mobile programming options, with opportunities to offer services that align with the needs of their local communities. The brand's franchise development and operations teams provide guidance as owners prepare to establish their businesses.
IDEA Lab Kids provides franchisees with educational resources and curriculum support to help them deliver the brand's hands-on STEAM programs. Its in-house curriculum development team creates instructional materials covering science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, while its quality assurance team supports consistent educational programming across locations. Franchisees have access to resources designed to help them implement the curriculum and maintain the brand's educational standards.
IDEA Lab Kids provides ongoing assistance through its corporate operations team, which helps franchisees manage their businesses and identify opportunities for growth. Support includes guidance on sales strategies, business development and curriculum implementation. The brand also maintains corporate teams dedicated to marketing, quality assurance and product development, helping franchisees deliver consistent programming while adapting their offerings to local demand.
IDEA Lab Kids provides access to proprietary technology systems and educational resources that support franchise operations and program delivery. Its technology team maintains internal systems and analyzes franchise and territory data, while its product development team incorporates franchisee feedback into ongoing improvements. The brand also develops digital curriculum content for a learning management system, supporting the delivery of its STEAM educational programs.
IDEA Lab Kids does not list any requirements for franchisees with regard to liquid assets or net worth.
IDEA Lab Kids does not require franchisees to have a background in education. The brand welcomes candidates with diverse professional experience, including small-business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Ideal franchisees have strong leadership and relationship-building skills, along with a results-oriented approach to business ownership.
IDEA Lab Kids franchisees are responsible for managing their businesses, building relationships within their communities and leading their teams. Owners can operate campus-based or mobile educational programs, with the flexibility to select services and revenue streams that align with their business goals and local demand. The brand offers year-round programming opportunities, including after-school classes, camps, workshops and birthday parties. Franchisees receive ongoing assistance from the corporate operations team to support business management and growth.
IDEA Lab Kids does not offer direct or indirect financing for franchisees.
“The evolution of the IDEA Lab Kids brand has been key to its success as a fast-growing franchise. While the main components of the program are still there, the ways in which we are able to cater to our community have increased. We continue to be a one-stop shop for children’s care and education needs when students are not in school. In addition, the world of STEAM education is constantly evolving, and IDEA Lab Kids will continue to evolve with it.”
- Shivam Bhakta, Franchisee — Cypress, Texas
“Like many parents, we want our children to be well-rounded by enjoying diverse experiences academically and socially. We also want our boys to thrive within a strong and healthy community that works together to invest in children and the future. With these goals in mind, we researched and discovered IDEA Lab Kids — an enrichment center that fulfills what we want our boys to experience and provides a service that will strengthen our community.”
- Kosal and Tanisha Chea, Franchisees — Charlotte, North Carolina
For more franchisee success stories and testimonials, visit the IDEA Lab Kids franchise website.
The children’s enrichment and education sector in the United States continues to grow as parents invest more heavily in structured after-school programs, STEM education and skill-building activities outside the classroom. The U.S. after-school program industry was valued at roughly $20.9 billion in 2025, with long-term growth projections driven by demand for academic support, robotics, coding, arts and enrichment programming. Broader after-school and enrichment markets are projected to grow at an annual rate of roughly 10% over the next decade, fueled by dual-income households, increased focus on child development and rising demand for STEM-focused learning experiences. Demand also continues to outpace supply, with families seeking after-school programming for an estimated 30 million children nationwide while significantly fewer students currently have access to available programs.
IDEA Lab Kids’ primary competitors include Snapology, Engineering For Kids, Code Ninjas, Bricks 4 Kidz, Mad Science and Challenge Island.
IDEA Lab Kids distinguishes itself through its broad, interdisciplinary STEAM curriculum, which combines science and technology education with creative subjects such as culinary arts and visual arts. While some competitors concentrate primarily on coding, engineering or LEGO-based activities, IDEA Lab Kids offers a wider range of educational experiences under one brand. Its proprietary curriculum supports year-round programming through after-school classes, camps, workshops and birthday parties, with both campus-based and mobile options available. This combination allows the brand to serve families with varied educational interests and provides franchisees with multiple ways to reach their communities.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational use only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
