15 Ways to Make Money as a Kid

Jobs for kids include babysitting, selling stuff and even cleaning trash cans.

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Kids under 14 are generally too young for traditional jobs but that does not rule out entrepreneurial is  Finding ways to work for pay early on can establish good financial habits

All it takes is an idea and the ambition to pursue it

Ways to earn money as a younger kid

Finding customers in the community can be a way for kids to make money.

1. Do chores and odd jobs

Children who are old enough to help out with household responsibilities and yard work can cash in on their chores. For example  families can assign a dollar value to tasks like washing the dishes  vacuuming  folding laundry or pulling weeds

2. Babysit

Nothing exudes responsibility like being the go to trustworthy sitter for busy parents in your neighborhood  Establish a good rapport with your neighbors and you can make a solid hourly rate for looking after kids younger than you 

Charging up to $20 an hour is  not out of the question. Think you can do it ? Ask your parents to help you spread the work  make flyers or send an email to let prospective clients know you are ready to work.

3. Walk dogs and feed pets for pay

Walking dogs and looking after pets when neighbors are gone is a way to make money fast as a kid. Let friends and neighbors know you’re interested and available, especially in the summer months.

4. Sell things in person or online

Getting rid of unwanted clothes, books, toys, furniture and more can be another way to make money fast. Kids can organize a garage or yard sale, or sell items through apps and websites. Ask a parent or guardian to put your stuff on Facebook Marketplace, and run interference with interested customers. If you’re 16 or older, you can sell things on Offer Up, a similar selling app, with parental supervision.

5. Sell your arts and crafts at sporting events

Crafty kids can also sell their art  jewelry  T-shirts and other creations in person or online  Have siblings that play sports ? Bring your hand crafted bracelets to their baseball game or the soccer clinic and set up a display table while they play.

Branch out to e commerce with parental supervision. Children ages 13 to 17 may use a parent or legal guardians account (with their permission) to sell on Etsy.

6. Sell lemonade or hot cocoa

Don  not have any items to sell ? Set up an old-fashioned lemonade stand (some states and cities require a permit  so check your areas laws first) when it’s warm outside  Make your pitch to passersby  Mix the lemonade with a bubbly seltzer and add the option to your sign to really catch the attention of customers  Charge a little extra for the fizzy version.

When the weather turns colder  switch to hot cocoa.

7. Clean trash cans for money

This is a simple side hustle idea that is gained traction in recent years  and it is perfect for a kid. Get the courage to go door to door in your neighborhood and ask if neighbors need their trash and recycle bins cleaned.

Those things get pretty nasty. If you get a  yes  get a hose and some soap  ask to use the customer’s water spout and go to town. You can buy an electric power washer to make the work easier after the dough rolls in. Try charging $15 per bin or $20 for two to start.

8. Teach others a skill

Spread the word about hobbies and talents you have that others may want to learn  For example   you can host a class on how to draw or give music  cooking or soccer lessons.

Ways to earn money as a teenager

Kids 13 and up have access to additional online platforms to monetize their skills  among other options.

9. Find local gigs through Next door

Use social networking groups to find work in your community  if allowed  Teens 13 and older can go beyond word of mouth and offer services such as babysitting dog walking or mowing lawns through the Next door app in most states.

10. Freelance

Freelancing can help teenagers make money online and build their portfolios  It provides flexible hours, the potential to set your own rates and a market for just about any skill you can think of  Potential jobs include writing blog posts  designing logos  editing a podcast or creating a website 

Most freelancing marketplaces restrict eligibility to people 18 years old and over  but you will find some sites with younger age limits  Fiverr  for example  is open to users 13 and older  Learn about more business ideas for teens with an entrepreneurial mindset.

11. Tutor your peers

If you excel in one or more school subjects  offer to tutor fellow students for a fee. Simply asking classmates or siblings to hire you is a good strategy to start.  You can also post flyers in places like schools libraries and coffee shops   just make sure to get approval first.

12. Search for regular jobs for kids

Child labor laws make a few employment exceptions for children under 16. Kids of any age can work for their parents business, for example  or take up certain agricultural and entertainment industry work. Paper routes may be nearly extinct  but those are permitted too.

Of course, teenagers who meet the standard minimum age requirement have vastly more opportunities available to them. Grocery store  retail and restaurant industry jobs are popular options.

Check out online job boards  look for help wanted signs and inquire about open positions at businesses near you.

Ways kid creators can earn online

Creative kids with ambition (and a lot of patience) may be able to make viral social content and gain a following.

13. Monetize your social media accounts

Making money with social media takes time  dedication and a lot of followers. Still  plenty of kids have earned recognition  and dollars   from dancing  reviewing toys  giving tutorials and creating other content on popular platforms. TikTok  YouTube and Instagram allow children 13 and up to use their services.

14. Get paid to stream on Twitch

Enjoy playing or talking about video games ? There’s an audience for that on Twitch.  Kids who are at least 13 years old and have parental or guardian supervision can set up livestreams on the gaming platform and earn money through donations  affiliate marketing sponsorships and other methods. A wide audience won’t come easy though. Learn more about what it takes to make money on Twitch  and try some of these other options in the meantime.

15. Self-publish a book

Got an idea to share ? Amazons  Kindle Direct Publishing provides a platform to self publish e books, hardcovers and paperbacks in a range of genres like novels poetry, children books and comics. A parent or guardian can be the publisher of a minors book.