For many kids, playing bakery means mixing imaginary ingredients in a toy kitchen. For siblings Alice, 6, and Cooper, 4, it means measuring real ingredients, rolling dough, packaging treats, greeting customers at community events, and making dogs across the Valley wag their tails.
At Doodle Kidz Bakery, childhood creativity has become something much bigger than a fun afternoon activity. It's a family-run business where the youngest team members are also the owners, proving that entrepreneurship, generosity, and responsibility can start at any age.
With mom Lizzy Cunningham proudly serving as their "assistant," Alice and Cooper truly lead the way. They brainstorm new treat ideas, create playful product names, weigh ingredients, mix recipes, roll dough, package treats, and proudly meet customers at local events. Mom's biggest job? Helping with the oven.
It's an approach that teaches far more than baking.
Every batch helps the children practice reading recipes, measuring ingredients, problem-solving, teamwork, customer service, and the value of following through on a commitment. Those lessons naturally become part of everyday life because they're doing something they genuinely love.
The bakery's menu is filled with creative, pet-friendly snacks designed for dogs of all ages. Their best-selling Cheddar Fishes are a dog-safe twist on the classic goldfish cracker, while Doggie Pretzels have quickly become another customer favorite. They also make Doggie Gummies, created especially with senior pups in mind.
Perhaps the most surprising part? Every treat is made with ingredients safe for both dogs and humans.
That means Alice and Cooper proudly taste-test every recipe before it heads out the door.
It's one of their favorite parts of the job.
But baking delicious treats isn't the bakery's only mission.
Each month, Alice and Cooper select a featured cookie, and 50 percent of every sale from that treat is donated to a local animal rescue. Rather than choosing every organization themselves, the process creates a chain of kindness. At the end of each month, the receiving rescue nominates another local rescue to become the next month's beneficiary, allowing support to spread throughout the community.
It's a simple idea with a meaningful impact.
Children often learn about giving through school fundraisers or occasional donation drives. Alice and Cooper experience generosity in real time by watching their work directly benefit homeless pets waiting for forever families. They see firsthand that even small businesses can make a big difference when they choose to serve others.
For families looking for ways to teach compassion, Doodle Kidz Bakery offers an inspiring example. Kids don't have to wait until they're older to volunteer, raise money, or support causes they care about. Sometimes giving back starts with something as simple as baking a batch of treats.
The children's favorite reward isn't counting sales or seeing full shelves.
It's opening messages from happy customers.
Nothing brings bigger smiles than watching videos of dogs eagerly enjoying treats they helped create. Whether it's an excited puppy doing tricks for a Cheddar Fish or a senior dog happily chewing one of their special gummies, every video reminds them why they love what they do.
Those joyful moments have become the fuel that keeps the young entrepreneurs excited for every new batch.
Community events have also become an important part of the bakery's journey. Alice and Cooper enjoy talking with customers, answering questions about their treats, and proudly explaining how the business works. Those conversations help build confidence while teaching communication skills that many adults spend years developing.
The business itself also shows parents that entrepreneurship doesn't have to begin with a perfect business plan or years of experience. Sometimes it begins with encouraging children's interests, giving them real responsibilities, and allowing them to learn through doing.
As Doodle Kidz Bakery continues to grow, the family is preparing to launch online ordering through their website, making it even easier for pet owners to support the young business. Until then, customers can order directly by text, with free local pickup and delivery available throughout the area.
Outside the bakery, the family's playful personality shines just as brightly. They're devoted Toy Story fans, and their furry family includes Woody, their newest puppy, along with beagles Jessie and Bullseye, names that perfectly match their favorite movie.
In many ways, those beloved characters capture the spirit of Doodle Kidz Bakery itself: imagination, friendship, adventure, and a whole lot of heart.
Alice and Cooper may still be in elementary school, but they're already proving that age isn't what defines an entrepreneur. Passion, kindness, curiosity, and the willingness to work hard can begin long before adulthood. And sometimes, the sweetest success story starts with tiny hands, wagging tails, and a kitchen filled with homemade treats.
To learn more or place an order, visit doodlekidsbakery.com, text 480-410-0663, or follow @DoodleKidzBakery on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Watching dogs enjoy treats they made is Alice and Cooper's favorite reward, proving that even the smallest entrepreneurs can create something meaningful for their community, one homemade treat and one wagging tail at a time.