Want to know how to make money as a kid? Here are the 101 BEST business ideas for kids and teens to start earning money today.
Hey my friend,
Let’s chat about how to make money as a kid. If your child or teen is expressing the desire to start up their own business, you are in exactly the right place.
Firstly, congratulations are definitely in order. Kids and teens with a burning wish to create their own income stream should definitely be encouraged and admired.
Some of us may feel intimidated or overwhelmed by their big dreams (ah is this actually a trap? Am I somehow going to get stuck running the business for them?)
Before you squash this exciting yet maybe scary notion please know that this entrepreneurial spirit is something to be treasured.
Trust me, kids and teens can run businesses successfully and there are MANY teens already running their own super profitable business – just Google teen entrepreneurs!
If your child or teen happens to show even the tiniest spark of entrepreneurial spirit, DO NOT discourage them by laughing at their ideas. There are several ways for kids to make money, depending on their interests, skills, and the opportunities available to them.
Nurture this curiosity, get them to do some research.
Even if it isn’t a multi-million success, get them to at least give it a go if the idea is viable. What’s the worst thing that they happen?
They either learn that their ideas need some adjusting or they are rewarded for their time and effort. To me, that is a win-win scenario. There are no mistakes, just lessons learned.
Here are 101 ideas that any teen or kid could potentially pursue if they show a skill, desire or passion for that particular area.
Babysitting:
Babysitting is a popular way for older kids and teenagers to earn money. Parents often seek responsible and trustworthy babysitters to care for their children while they are away. Kids can start by babysitting for family members, neighbors, or family friends, and may even consider getting certified in CPR and first aid to enhance their qualifications.
Tutoring:
If a child excels in a particular subject at school, they may be able to earn money by tutoring other students who need help in that subject. Tutoring can be done in-person or online, and kids can offer their services to classmates, younger students, or even advertise their tutoring services to parents in the community.
Dog Walking and Pet Sitting:
Many pet owners are in need of someone to walk their dogs or care for their pets while they are at work or on vacation. Kids who love animals can offer dog walking services in their neighborhood or provide pet sitting services for families who are traveling.
Crafts and Handmade Goods:
Kids who are creative and crafty can make money by selling their handmade goods. This can include items such as jewelry, artwork, homemade candles, or knitted items. They can sell their products at local craft fairs, farmers markets, or online through platforms like Etsy.
Lawn Mowing and Yard Work:
Kids can earn money by offering lawn mowing, leaf raking, and other yard work services to neighbors. Many homeowners are willing to pay for help with maintaining their outdoor spaces, especially during the spring and summer months.
Selling Unused Items:
Kids can declutter their rooms and earn money by selling unused toys, clothes, books, and electronics. They can host a yard sale, sell items online through platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or trade in items at consignment shops or secondhand stores.
Part-Time Jobs:
Depending on their age and local labor laws, some kids may be able to find part-time employment at local businesses such as grocery stores, restaurants, or retail stores. These jobs can provide valuable work experience and help kids earn money while learning responsibility and time management skills.
Sell Homemade Baked Goods:
If a child enjoys baking, they can make money by selling homemade cookies, cupcakes, brownies, or other treats. They can set up a small stand in their neighborhood, at local events, or even take orders from friends and family for special occasions.
Offer Tech Support Services:
Many kids are tech-savvy and can offer services such as setting up electronic devices, troubleshooting computer problems, or teaching older adults how to use technology. They can advertise their services locally or through online platforms like Craigslist or neighborhood social media groups.
Create and Sell Digital Art:
For kids who have artistic talent, creating and selling digital art can be a lucrative venture. They can create designs for t-shirts, stickers, greeting cards, or digital downloads, and sell them through online marketplaces like Redbubble, Society6, or Etsy.
Provide Yard Sale Assistance:
Kids can help neighbors organize and host yard sales by assisting with tasks such as setting up tables, organizing items for sale, and managing transactions. They can negotiate a fee or a percentage of the sales for their services.
Offer Music Lessons:
If a child is proficient in playing a musical instrument, they can offer music lessons to younger children or beginners. They can advertise their services locally or through social media and charge an hourly rate for private or group lessons.
Start a YouTube Channel or Blog:
Kids with a passion for a particular topic or hobby can start a YouTube channel or blog to share their knowledge and experiences. They can monetize their content through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing once they have built a following.
Create and Sell Customized Products:
Kids can use their creativity to design and sell customized products such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or tote bags. They can partner with print-on-demand companies or use a service like Printful to fulfill orders without having to invest in inventory upfront.
Offer Gardening Services:
Kids with a green thumb can offer gardening services to neighbors, such as planting flowers, weeding gardens, or watering plants while homeowners are away. They can charge an hourly rate or offer package deals for ongoing maintenance.
Participate in Paid Surveys or Market Research:
Some companies offer paid surveys or market research opportunities specifically targeted towards children and teenagers. Kids can sign up for these programs and earn money by providing feedback on products, services, or advertising campaigns.
Create and Sell eBooks or Printables:
Kids who enjoy writing can create and sell eBooks or printable resources on topics such as crafts, recipes, or educational activities. They can sell their products through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Teachers Pay Teachers.
Provide Tech Support for Seniors:
Many older adults may struggle with technology and could benefit from assistance with tasks such as setting up devices, troubleshooting issues, or navigating software applications. Kids can offer their tech-savvy skills to provide tech support services to seniors in their community for a fee.
Create and Sell Artwork:
Kids who are talented artists can create and sell their artwork to earn money. This can include drawings, paintings, digital art, or even handmade crafts. They can sell their pieces at local art fairs, galleries, or online through platforms like Etsy or Redbubble.
Start a Pet Care Business:
For kids who love animals, starting a pet care business can be a great way to earn money. They can offer services such as dog walking, pet sitting, or grooming to pet owners in their neighborhood. They can advertise their services through flyers, word of mouth, or on community bulletin boards.
Offer Car Washing Services:
Kids can earn money by offering car washing and detailing services to neighbors or family friends. They can set up a car wash station in their driveway or offer to come to customers’ homes. They can charge a flat fee or offer different packages based on the level of cleaning desired.
Sell Handmade Crafts at Craft Fairs:
Kids who enjoy making crafts can sell their creations at local craft fairs or markets. This can include items such as jewelry, pottery, candles, or knitted goods. They can set up a booth to display their products and interact with customers while earning money.
Provide Party Entertainment Services:
Kids who are outgoing and enjoy performing can offer entertainment services for birthday parties or events. This can include activities such as face painting, balloon twisting, magic shows, or storytelling. They can advertise their services to parents planning parties in their area.
Start a Babysitting Co-op:
Kids can team up with friends who are also interested in babysitting to create a babysitting co-op. They can take turns watching each other’s siblings or offering babysitting services to families in their community. This allows them to share the responsibility and earn money while building valuable experience in childcare.
Create and Sell DIY Kits:
Kids can put together DIY kits containing materials and instructions for fun and creative projects. This can include activities such as making slime, building birdhouses, or crafting friendship bracelets. They can sell their kits online or at local craft fairs and toy stores.
DIY Kits and Subscription Boxes:
Kids can create and sell do-it-yourself (DIY) kits or subscription boxes containing materials and instructions for fun and creative projects. This can include activities such as slime-making kits, jewelry-making kits, or science experiment kits. They can sell their kits online or at local craft fairs and toy stores.
Online Content Creation:
Kids with a talent for writing, photography, or videography can create online content such as blogs, YouTube videos, or social media posts. They can monetize their content through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing once they have built a following.
Prefer a short and sweet list of business ideas for kids?
PERFECT? HERE’S HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS SKILLED IN THE ARTS AND CRAFTS
1 Homemade Greeting Cards
2 Homemade candles
3 Personalized and Handmade Invitations
4 Custom Painting
5 Jewellery And Accessories Designer
6 Clothing Designer
7 T-Shirt Designer
8 Artist and Illustrator
9 Cartoons and Caricatures
10 Personalized Song Writing
11 Magician
12 Musician or Busker
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS WITH A PASSION FOR FOOD AND BAKING
13 Chocolate
14 Cookies
15 Fresh Produce and herbs
16 Gift baskets
17 Lemonade / Drinks Stand
18 Ice-cream Stand
19 Sauces and Salsas
20 Specialty Goods
21 Cake baking and decorating
22 Catering
23 Gourmet Baked Goods
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS WHO JUST LIKE MAKING STUFF
24 Custom Doll houses
25 Knitting and Quilting
26 Flower Arrangements
27 Cushion Covers
28 Lip Glosses and Cosmetics
29 Hair Scrunchies and Headbands
30 Making Friendship Bracelets
31 Soaps and Bath bombs
32 Inventing new things!
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS WHO LIKE TO BE OF SERVICE
33 Ironing
34 Alterations and custom tailoring
35 Cleaning
36 Running Errands and deliveries
37 Make-up artist
38 Nail studio
39 Personal chef
40 Personal organizer
41 Personal trainer
42 Music instrument tuning and repair
43 Hair styling and braiding
44 Tutoring
45 Collecting Firewood
46 Home organizer
47 Carpet or blind cleaning
48 Window cleaning
49 Garage Sale organizer
50 Interior Design
51 Packing / Unpacking
52 Construction Cleaning
53 Deck cleaning
54 General Maintenance/Handyman
55 House Painting
56 High pressure washing
57 Lawn mowing/care and gardening
58 Pool cleaning / maintenance
59 Landscaping
60 Car washing and detailing
61 Events management
62 Babysitting
63 Children’s Party or Event Organizer
64 Cooking with Kids
65 Gift Wrapping
66 Leaf or Snow Removal
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS WHO ARE ANIMAL LOVERS
67 Fishtank clean and maintenance
68 Dog washing and grooming
69 Dog walking
70 Poop scooping
71 Breeding mice or hamsters
72 Pet sitting
73 Making pet treats
74 Making personalized pet dishes
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS WHO LIKE WEB DEVELOPMENT AND TECHY STUFF
75 Web development and maintenance
76 Social Media Design
77 Computer Repairs
78 Graphic Design
79 DJ
80 Photographer
81 Videographer and video editing
82 Photoshop editing
83 Logo Design
84 Flyers and Posters
85 Business cards
86 Animation
87 Shooting of Commercials
88 Event recording and editing
89 Voice-overs, jingles and sound effects
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS INTO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
90 Computer Tutor
91 Educational Tutor
92 Music Lessons or music practice buddy
93 Surfing Lessons
94 Tour Guide
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
FOR KIDS WHO LOVE WRITING
95 Articles and blog posts
96 Proofreading and editing
97 Kid’s Book Author
98 Transcription
99 Resume or essay writing
100 Research and summaries
101 Copy writing and fact checking
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A KID
Have your child or teen peruse this list to see if anything here that sparks their imagination.
What idea sounds the most attractive? Is there anything here that they could start right now?
Of course, it’s important for kids to discuss any money-making endeavors with their parents or guardians and ensure that they are safe and legal. Additionally, kids should consider factors such as their age, abilities, and interests when deciding on the best way to earn money. I would love to hear any success stories if you have some to tell.
Before You Go…
- Grab your free gift: How To Stop Self-Sabotaging Yourself Guide (4 steps to finally get out of your own way) CLICK HERE
- Decide which course will suit you best CLICK HERE
- Listen to my Inspiring Mom Life podcast on Spotify or via Apple Podcasts.
With a degree in psychology, Frances Vidakovic is a certified life coach, course creator and host of the Inspiring Life Podcast. Her superpower is transforming dreamers into doers, with simple, kick-up-the-butt strategies.
