It’s not everyday you see a 10-year-old accountant or a 5-year-old flipping burgers at McDonald’s. That’s because kids can’t go out and get a job whenever they want. They aren’t old enough to hold a job legally and they aren’t responsible enough (ie. they don’t have a license, etc.). Fortunately, you can make money as a kid by being creative and resourceful.
Below are some good ways to make money as a kid. Some are super simple, others take more work. The beginning of the list includes ideas that are popular ways to make money as a kid, but as you move further down the list, you’ll find more unique ways to make money for kids.
The popular ideas aren’t better or worse. The worse case scenario is that there is more competition, but any of these ideas could work great if you are a kid. Look for an idea that you know will pay. For example, don’t try a lemonade stand if you’re nearest neighbor is about a 15 minute walk away and you’re lucky to have 2 cars drive past your house in a day.
If you want to try an idea, learn about it and ask your parents to help you out. They will be able to tell you if it’s a good idea for you and how to get started. They might even turn into your best clients!
Popular Ways to Make Money for Kids
Lemonade Stand
A lemonade stand is best in a location where lots of cars go by, preferably where lots of people walk by. It’s also best to sell it on a hot, sunny day where people get thirsty a lot. If you live in an area like this, you’re golden. However, you might not be able to go to a park to do this without permission. Find out where you’re legally allowed to set up shop.
If possible, sell the good stuff: fresh squeezed lemonade. Use real lemons, real sugar, ice and large cups. Price your lemonade high so that people know they’re buying quality. Make a couple batches of chocolate chip cookies. Sell them separately or give them a free cookie if they buy two cups of lemonade.
Babysitting
If you’re 13-years-old or older, you can start babysitting. It’s best to stick with children over 3 or 4 until you get older. Ask your parents if you’re old enough to babysit and ask them if they have any friends or family with kids that you can watch. If you have younger siblings, start out by babysitting them first to find out if you really like it. As you gain experience, you can babysit more and earn more.
If you’re not old enough to babysit on your own, ask someone who’s older if you can team up. You’ll have to split the earnings, but you can split the work, too.
Mowing Lawns
Does your chore include mowing the lawn? Let your neighbors know you can mow their lawn, too for a small fee. You don’t need a car to transport your lawn mower if you’re mowing lawns in your own neighborhood. Take advantage of the opportunities close by.
Pet Sitting
When people go on vacation or go away for a day or two for business or for a family gathering, what happens to their pets? If you love animals, you could take care of them. Check in with their pets once or twice a day or take small pets home with you to feed them, clean their cage, etc.
Deliver the Newspaper
Ask your parents to find out if you can deliver the newspaper in your neighborhood. A nice, small neighborhood would work great, and if you’re able to get up early, you could have a very consistent job for yourself.
Easy Ways to Make Money for Kids
Yard Sales
When your parents have a yard sale, go through all your clothes, toys, and belongings to see if there is anything you can sell. This is also a perfect time to set up a lemonade stand.
Cleaning
Do you have an elderly neighbor or do your parents know someone who is too busy to clean? You could offer your services. Your parents might pay you to do extra chores around the house, too.
Shoveling Snow
If you live in an area where snow piles up, don’t waste a snow day. Grab your shovel, walk around the neighborhood, knock on doors and ask if you could shovel your neighbors’ driveways for a small fee. If you get them at the right time, you could convince quite a few people to let you shovel and make some nice pocket change. Some might even give a good tip.
Car Wash
Did you notice your parents’ cars are covered in dust and dirt or your brother’s car is covered in mud and leaves? Offer to wash their car for a fee. Set up a sign “Car Wash” while you get started to bring in more cars to wash. You might be able to get some desperate neighbors and friends to pay you to clean their filthy vehicles.
Weeding
Everyone has a neighbor with overgrown gardens. That might be your own house in your neighbor. Ask your parents and neighbors if you can weed their garden for some cash. It’s hard work, but it builds character and fills your wallet.
Rake Leaves
Mow lawns in the summer, shovel snow in the winter, and rake leaves in the fall. Fall cleanup can be a big job. You can ease the stress and work for your parents or neighbors by doing it for them. This is another idea that can bring in a lot of money for you if you live in a neighborhood with a lot of close houses.
Walk Dogs
Start a dog-walking service. This can be done right in your neighborhood. Get just a few clients and you’ll have plenty of work to keep you busy before or after school while also making some money.
Unique Ways for Kids to Make Money
Selling Garden Goods
Do you like to garden? Why not grow some fruits and vegetables and find out if you can sell them at your local farmer’s market? If not, sell them to friends and family. Learn how to grow organic vegetables and you can charge more for your home grown produce.
Collecting Bottles and Cans
This is an easy one that can let you earn a good amount of money if you know a lot of people. Collect all your bottles that let you return them for a nickel or dime. Walk around the neighborhood and ask neighbors if you can have their bottles, or go through their recycle bins on bottles-day. You only need 20 bottles to get a dollar if you get 5 cents each. Just think how much you could get if you had hundreds.
Finding Loose Change
This has got to be the easiest way to make fast money for kids. You won’t make a fortune, but it’s money that’s only sitting around anyway. Look behind couches and under cushions, and keep your eyes peeled when you walk through the store. Take your change to your bank to cash it in for bills.
Raising Chickens
You don’t have to live on a farm to raise chickens. Find a place to buy hens, learn how to take care of them, and sell the eggs they produce. If you love animals, you could have a great little business to expand over time.
Assistant
Do you have a family friend who has a business? You could be their assistant for a few hours a week. Clean up the shop, greet customers, etc. You could also be your parents assistant for the day by cleaning up, getting things ready, and helping take care of younger siblings.
Work at a Farm or Fair
If you live near a farm or garden center, ask them if there is any work you can do. If your parents or a family member has a booth at a local fair, offer to help them out for payment.
Home Attendant for Travelers
When your neighbor goes on vacation, they need someone to take care of their house. You can get the mail, take care of the pool, take care of pets, water plants, mow the lawn, weed the garden, etc. You’ll be busy in the summer when all your neighbors take their vacations.
Teach People about Computers and Electronics
Are you computer savvy? These days, kids know so much more about computers and electronics than many adults. Tell your friends, family and neighbors that you can teach them how to use computer programs, DVD players, cell phones, cameras, tablets, printers, speakers, TVs and other electronics.
Sell Stuff Online
If you have stuff to sell, ask your parents if they can help you sell stuff on eBay. Tell friends and family you can sell their stuff too for a commission fee. When you get good at it, you can do very well.
Sell Handmade Goods
Are you crafty and creative? Make and sell things at yard sales, craft fairs, flea markets, eBay, etc. Ask your parents to help you set up a booth. You can make and sell blankets, hats, scarves, greeting cards, journals, bookmarks, pens, pencils, coasters, bowls, vases, etc.
Start a Business
There is no reason to limit yourself to these ideas. Start your own business. Create a product or a service and learn how to sell it. If you’re a convincing, creative kid, you can turn your ideas into a fortune!