Business Ideas for Kids
One of the best ways to help kids learn about money is to give them opportunities to earn money.
But how can you make money as a kid? Well, believe it or not, there are SO MANY ways to earn money when you are young.
Our modern world provides so many opportunities for kids to make money–both online and in the “real world”.
So today I want to share with you some of my favorite ways I have found for kids to make money. I hope some of these ideas will inspire you to figure out a way to earn some cash, even as a kid or teenager.
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How to Get Money as a Kid
Start an Ecommerce Store.
The internet is an amazing tool you can use to earn some money. And one of the best ways to set money as a kid is to start your own e-commerce store.
Now before you say “I can’t do that”, stick with me for a minute.
I am part of an online sellers group, and there are several KIDS in the group too. They are either doing the course/group by themselves or WITH their parents.
And these kids are rocking it! Making thousands of dollars selling things online.
In fact, the creator of the course, Alison Prince, first taught her 10 and 13 year old daughters how to build a successful online business, BEFORE teaching others.
So when I say it is totally possible for you, I mean it!
If you want to learn more about this awesome ecommerce group and course, check out the FREE webinar that gives all the details.
Check out the FREE Webinar here.
You can also read my full review of the course.
Honest Review of Alison J Prince 0-100k Course
See how I taught my 9 year old how to make money with an ecommerce store too!
How my 9 year old made $200 in a weekend with the 0-100k course
Start an Etsy Shop
If you have a crafty skill that you can turn into items to sell, you might want to consider an Etsy shop. I actually got my start on Etsy. The ideas for things to make and sell on Etsy are almost limitless.
In fact, I heard of one girl who would sell slime in her Etsy shop and would SELL OUT all the time!
Do you sew? Do you draw? Are you good with graphic design? Start hunting through Etsy and see what sparks your interest and what you could add.
Get Paid to Take Surveys.
Yep! This is a common money making idea, but it really does work! You share your opinion about brands and products, then you get paid for it!
I recommend signing up for Survey Junkie.
You can also sign up for Swagbucks and get an automatic $5 just for signing up!
You will need to complete lots of surveys to really make some money. But the more you do, the more you can make. It is all about how much time and effort you are willing to put in.
Become a YouTuber.
My kids are crazy about several YouTube channels. But, it can actually be a legit way to earn money!
Ever heard of the Ryan’s World YouTube channel? This little guy earned MILLIONS in 2019 from making fun videos and posting them on YouTube.
Look at what is popular on YouTube. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just see if you can put your own spin on something.
Trust me, it’s a thing.
Sell Items at Local Market
This idea goes hand in hand with the Etsy shop idea. But you can make crafts/items to sell at local markets.
Most towns have a local farmers market in the spring and summer. Then there are usually Holiday Markets for the holiday season.
If you have a product that people like, you can really make good money by devoting the time to make the items and the time to be at the markets.
Sell Specialty Food.
Do you love to cook or bake? What about selling some of those things you love to cook?
You could offer to sell holiday themed sugar cookies, that are nicely decorated for the holiday. Or loaves of special banana (or pumpkin or…(fill in the blank)) bread.
What about making sets of chocolate covered strawberries that people can use as gifts at Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
Or Tamales! I swear, getting good handmade tamales is hard to do and when I see them being sold they are gone in a flash!
Tap into your local facebook Buy and Sell pages. Put your special food item out there and see what happens! I think you will be surprised with how many people will purchase what you have to make.
Become a Dog Walker
Do you love animals? Offering a dog walking service might just be the business idea for you, as a kid or teenager.
Pet owners need to have their pets exercised, but may not always have the time to do so. That is where you come in.
Set up your own dog walking service, market it around your neighborhood and town and start getting to work to earn your money.
Pet Sitting
This job would be a little more in depth. You would need to prove yourself responsible to take care of the pets.
When I was 12 years old or so, our neighbor went out of town and asked me to look after their pets. Everyday I went over to make sure the pets were fed, I played with them for a bit and generally made sure everything was okay.
I did it again, for a different neighbor, as a college student during the summer and earned over $100!
Show your worth and you can earn money for it!
Car Wash/Car Detail Service
This is honestly a great business kids can get started doing. And the great thing is, they can practice their skills by getting Mom and Dad’s cars clean. 🙂
The basic services this kind of business would include: car wash on the outside, vacuuming the carpets and floor mats, washing the windows inside and out, dusting the dashboard and cleaning any scuffs or spots inside.
If you want to make this a true business, price yourself competitively (maybe even a little low at first until you hone your skills).
Also, take some before and after photos to showcase your work. If you do a good job, people will let others know and soon you will have lots of clients asking for your work.
If this idea really interests you, check out this article about how to build a car detailing business.
Start a Cleaning Service
I know cleaning isn’t always the most fun, but everyone needs it done. You could offer to clean houses or business offices (after business hours).
This is a great way to earn money. Again, price competitively. Maybe even offer to do the first job at a new location free so that they can see your work and you can prove your skills.
Having our kids clean is actually how we are helping them to earn money. We own a dental office and every night we clean it as a family. When our kids help, they earn some money. When they don’t help, they don’t earn money.
Window Washing Business
Washing the windows of a house is time consuming and often gets forgotten (speaking from personal experience). But clean windows make a home feel so much cleaner and brighter.
So learn a good process for washing windows and offer your services. I have a friend who did just this, and built up a great business on the side.
This is a great summer job, when most outside chores need to get done. If you can prove your skills, your opportunities for work will not be in short supply.
Mow Lawns
A summer chore that never seems to go away, the ever growing lawn. Homeowners need their lawns mowed and don’t always have the time, or desire, to do it themselves.
Get some good practice mowing lawns, and show how good a lawn looks after you have done it, and your saturday will suddenly be filled with requests.
Growing up, my parents paid teenage boys to mow their lawns. It freed my parents from the task and allowed some of my friends earn money. It was a win win situation.
Snow Removal
Do you live in a place where it snows during the winter? Then this idea is perfect for you.
Removing snow from sidewalks and driveways is a must when it snows, but it isn’t always easy or convenient for the homeowner.
Grab a shovel (or snow blower if you have one) and start offering to clear the snow from the walk areas. I promise that homeowners will thank you!
Babysitter/Mom Helper
I spent many a friday and saturday night babysitting when I was 12 years old. It was a great experience working with kids, learning to care for others and helped me earn some money.
And we routinely hire teenagers to babysit our kids when we need a date night.
But if you don’t feel comfortable babysitting by yourself right now, either because you are too young or you don’t have enough experience, you could offer to be a Mom Helper to earn a little money.
A Mom Helper would come over, while the mom is there, and play with the kids, help clean the house, do the dishes, etc. Basically you would learn what it would be like to babysit, but with the safety of the mom being there still.
And the better job you do helping and cleaning, etc., the more you can learn and more money you can earn! This would allow the mom to get some other things done while you are there helping out.
How To Make Money Fast as a Kid
I hate to break the news, but there really isn’t a fast way to make money–whether as a kid or as an adult.
Money is earned by working. And working takes time. Even the online options that we discussed in this article take time to build up and be successful.
But the more time you put in, the more effort you do, will result in the more money you can make.
Mow lots of lawns, babysit lots of kids, learn to sell lots of items–all of these take time BUT will eventually result in real money that you can use for your own money goals.
Final Thoughts on How Kids can earn money
I hope these ideas have sparked your creativity and gotten those wheels turning for how you can earn money as a kid.
Whether you do something on this list or come up with your own idea, if you are serious about making money I want to encourage you to go for it!
I think learning how to make money while you are young can only result in great benefits as you become an adult.
So what idea are you thinking about for earning some money as a kid? I would love to know in the comments!
