As a mom to two young twins, I do my best to try and teach them how to be responsible with money.
Part of that is letting them explore different jobs for kids and ways that they can earn their own money.
Of course there are those traditional ways for kids to earn money like mowing the neighbor’s lawn or having a paper route.
But what are some ways that kids can make money online?
To let you know, there are many ways your kid can make money right at home!
As an online entrepreneur myself, I am all about letting my kids explore non-traditional working options.
But before we dive into how to make money as a kid, what are the potential legal parameters that parents should consider before kids start earning money?
Working Kids and the Legalities
While many parents can agree that encouraging kids to be responsible for working at an early age isn’t a bad idea, the government has other ideas.
Kids are limited in what they can do for work, how often they can work, which hours they can work and the types of work they can do.
Of course, these parameters have been put in place to protect children from danger and exploitation. But, as a parent, you should at least be aware of these laws so you don’t get in trouble.
At the ages of 16 and 17, kids can work unlimited hours at non-hazardous jobs.
At ages 14 and 15, they are able to work at non-hazardous and non-manufacturing jobs for limited hours outside of normal school hours and under specific conditions.
If your child is under the age of 14, their options are pretty limited. They are not able to be legally employed in “non-agricultural occupations covered by the FLSA.” They can, however, work simple jobs such as delivering papers, babysitting, acting, and chore like jobs outside of a family business.
So be cautious of your child taking on any “job.”
Can Kids Work?
The short answer is yes.
In order for a child to be considered “employed,” there needs to be an employer/employee relationship. Freelancers, or contractors, are not considered employees. This, by default, means that there really isn’t any restrictions to kids freelancing services online as the normal child labor laws do not apply.
Just be sure that a responsible adult is handling their self-employment taxes.
How to Make Money as a Kid
There’s no real magic trick or special formula when it comes to teaching kids how to make money with a job. As with most things in life, it’s all about hard work and dedication.
To get started, make sure your kid has these steps in place:
- Set goals for what you want to earn each week or month
- Find a job that best fits your strengths (and helps you out too) – list of jobs for kids is coming!
- Make sure your schedule is reasonable and you’re also able to maintain your grades – if you have hockey practice or gymnastics, having a job may not be the right time in your life!
- Parents – encourage them! Working hard is a skill that takes practice, so be there for your kid as they learn how to manage money and work
In order to make money from a job, kids need more than just time and a good attitude. They also need to learn some important skills that may not come naturally at first:
- Money management
- Organization
- Working with others / Teamwork
So, before we get into the list of jobs for kids, what is the best first job for kids?
If you’re looking for an effective way to help your kid get started with a job, why not try something that’s tried and tested?
Hire your kid!
Whatever you do for work is likely to have some flexibility in the day-to-day.
Even if it doesn’t seem flexible on paper, most people are willing to bend the rules just enough so they can keep good employees around. Chances are, you can use your kid’s willingness to work a job around school and their parents’ schedules as a bargaining chip!
Realize, this is more than chore money or setting up a list of things around the house that you pay weekly.
Instead, think of this as a one-time legit job like mowing the grass, walking and feeding the dog, babysitting your younger children, etc..
As long as kids want to make money for themselves – or even better, learn how the world works by getting paid – they’ll find ways. As adults in charge of helping them get started with making money, it’s important to remember that there are no shortcuts.
Kids who learn how make money through hard work and perseverance will be unstoppable when they get older!
So, what are the best jobs?
These will help you set options for kids of every age.
Here we will go over service based jobs that 10-year olds can do in-person.
1. Landscaping Services
Grab that shovel or rake and head out to the neighbors! Whether your kid works with neighbors, the elderly, or busy business professionals, there is a need for all kinds of simple landscaping services.
A quick lawn mowing, raking the leaves, pulling weeds, or shoveling the driveway can earn them some quick cash.
One of the great things about this job for kids is that they can easily get repeat customers if they do a good job.
2. Dog Cleanup
Let’s face it, nobody likes doing this job. But kids can charge top dollar for filling up a bucket with doggie droppings. This is a much needed service in the spring in areas where all the snow is melting.
3. Cleaning Services
If you kids enjoy cleaning at home, then perhaps they could offer their services to clean other’s houses as well. Doing the dishes, folding laundry, sweeping and mopping, these are all simple chores that any 10 year old could do.
4. Dog Walking
Do you have a lot of busy dog owners in your neighborhood? Often kids love to do things with pets, so why not make some money from it?
This is a fun job that they can do with a friend or sibling.
5. Pet Sitting
Right there with dog walking service is pet sitting. They can offer pet sitting services for friends and family that go out of town on vacation, or work second or third shift.
6. Lemonade Stand or Bake Sale
Yes, kids still do lemonade stands, and they still make money from them!
This surely is a classic way to dip your toes into entrepreneurship. This does work better in areas with higher traffic so that people can actually see the stand. They can also make and sell baked goods with their lemonade.
7. Babysitting
Babysitting classes aren’t generally offered until age 11 in many places. However, if you have a mature child that has cared for younger siblings, then they might be ready to start babysitting.
8. Face Painting at Parties
If your child has a knack for painting, then they could offer their face painting services at parties. While this might cost a bit to get started, it is a super fun way for kids to make some money while doing something they love.
Plus, there are tons of resources online to learn how to properly facepaint.
9. Newspaper Deliverer
The job is pretty simple, which makes it easy to do – but your child does have to wake up before school to deliver newspapers.
If your kid isn’t the best sleeper or takes a long time to fall asleep, this job isn’t the best for them. But, if your child has no problem waking up before everyone else, then consider delivering newspapers.
Having a bike also helps speed up the process too!
10. Video Game Tester
What kid hasn’t played video games? To be a video game tester, your child just plays the game and notes any glitches or problems with the game.
You can easily search for video game testing jobs or at home game tester online to find the right job for your kid!
11. Photographer
If your kid has a good camera and loves to take pictures, they can start being photographers for people in their community. That means taking photos of events or special occasions like weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, etc. They can even offer pet photography services!
This can be a fun creative job for your kid.
12. Gardner
Gardening is relaxing but usually time consuming as well which makes it perfect for somebody looking for part-time jobs during the summer break from school.
Kids could also help maintain yards before people move in new homes or after they move out (check with the owners first).
From planting seasonal plants to de-weeding and fertilizing plants, there is no shortage of gardening jobs.
13. Basketball Coach
Is there somebody in your community that is willing to pay kids money for coaching them?
If you’re super passionate about playing basketball then starting a business doing it year round could be something worth looking into!
You can also reach out on social media or online classifieds like Craigslist if you don’t already have connections in the area.
14. Pet Grooming
Are you good at grooming pets? Maybe your kids are too!
If so, why not get started right away by helping local families take care of their animals while they’re gone?
Pet owners will pay people for this kind of thing because it has become more common in recent years.
That’s where your kid employees come in again; learn how to groom dogs, cats, horses or even smaller things like birds here ! It may sound hard but trust us when we say that it really isn’t and it’s a great way to get started earning money without too much work.
How to Earn Money as a Kid Online
While your kid can have a job to make money, there are other amazing ways to help your kid make money with their creativity.
It’s crazy to think about all the ways that kids can make money online these days. From selling their artwork to managing social media accounts, the possibilities are truly endless.
1. Start an Etsy shop
While they might need some help with the tech aspect of setting up an Etsy shop, there are so many things that they can make and sell through their own store.
Get ready to start brainstorming…
Here are just a few different things that your kids could make and sell on Etsy:
- Their artwork
- Clay jewelry
- Pet toys, like these simple pieces of braided fleece.
- Headbands
- Tie dyed or bleached dyed items
- Keychains
- Baked goods
- Candles
- Dog treats
- Bath bombs
- Lip gloss
- Stickers, which they can design and have them printed on demand.
- Print on demand shirts and onesies
- Or scents like this amazing 11-year old who makes car freshners.
One tip with listing things on Etsy, be sure to fill out the “about” section with your child. People love supporting kids’ businesses, so make sure you let them tell their story.
2. Publish Books on Amazon
Is your child always drawing or writing stories? Then maybe they are a budding author.
With Amazon, it’s so easy to publish a book, even your 10-year old can do it.
They can either write and illustrate their own book or get started with low content books.
If you aren’t familiar, low content books are things like journals and notebooks. You just design a cover and fill it with lined paper to write it. You and your child can easily do this with a free software like Book Bolt.
3. Managing Social Media
Depending on how much time your 10-year old spends online and on various social media channels, they might be really great at managing a social media account.
I know for many parents, their child is light years ahead of you in regards to social media. From using Tik Tok for fun to learning all the new features on social media, your child may be ready to sell their social media tactics for others!
4. Start a YouTube Channel
There are so many kids that have YouTube channels now.
Probably one of the most famous YouTube kids is Ryan, from Ryan’s world with over 30 million subscribers!
It all started when he was eight years old and his parents uploaded a video of him opening a giant Easter egg. The rest they say, is history.
While your kid might not be the next Ryan, having a YouTube channel is a fun and rewarding online job for a kid.
They can teach other kids things (dance, video game cheats, life hacks), make satisfying videos playing with slime or sand, create video game walkthroughs, put together Lego sets, or make funny prank videos.
Having a YouTube channel can also turn into a whole family affair, like the Tic Tac Toy Family.
So parents, just be aware that having your kids do a YouTube channel might take some time and effort from you as well.
The Worst Jobs for Kids
While you might find some fun time with the list of jobs, some jobs for kids are not the greatest.
Whether they are dangerous, time-consuming, boring or just plan hard, make sure your kid researches their job and see if it’s a right fit.
So, to help you, here’s a list of worst jobs for kids!
1. Trash Collector
This is a terrible job if you don’t like getting dirty or having to deal with hazardous waste – however, somebody has got to do it! If your kid isn’t afraid of hard work and stinky smells, they might actually enjoy the job of collecting trash.
2. Can/Bottle Collector
This is another unpleasant job that can be learned and mastered –if your kid wants to get their hands dirty for money!
The worst part about this one is that it can be unsafe. While collecting cans and bottles in your neighborhood is safe for most 10-year olds, having to haul it to the Recycler on their own isn’t. And, if your child’s job requires you, then it really isn’t the best choice to teach them independence and work ethic, right?
But, if this is a family thing, then by all means start a recycling program in your neighborhood and have fun!
3. Plumber
This job isn’t necessarily an easy or clean job. Your kid will have to get their hands dirty if they want to work on the pipes under someone’s house. As well, a plumber has credentials and training, so a child doesn’t make the best fit for this type of job.
However, if your child is versed in using tools and has helped around the house fixing leaks, then this might be a job for your extended family and close friends at first!
4. Janitor
This is another job that can be really rewarding but isn’t always pleasant. As a janitor, your kid may spend most of their time cleaning up after other people – not exactly an easy way to make money for kids. However, if your kid is detail oriented and doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty, they might enjoy the job.
Plus, doesn’t Morgan from Pup Academy make cleaning fun?
5. Server
The problem with this kind of job lies in its schedule (i.e., late nights) which may not be compatible with other jobs that your kid might have, like school and extra curricular activities.
However, if your child enjoys setting up parties or events in your home, you could send out flyers in your neighborhood on event planning with a kid’s perspective!
Things to Consider Before Your Child gets a Job
There are many benefits to a child getting a job or starting their own business.
Other than helping them to make some cash to buy some more fidgets, it can really help to set them up for adulthood.
- Kids often don’t understand how hard their parents work to provide for them. When they work to make their own money they will (hopefully) appreciate it more.
- Working and earning money creates discipline in children through positive reinforcement. The harder they work, the more money they are going to get.
- Having a job and starting your own business helps to increase effective communication skills.
There are also other aspects to consider before your child starts working.
- Is your child responsible enough to do the necessary tasks?
- Are they involved in other extracurricular activities? You don’t want to have to worry about your 10-year old experiencing burn out.
- What capacity do you have to help your child in a new venture?
Whatever your child chooses to do, it’s never too early to start teaching them a hard work ethic and the value of a dollar.
Encourage them to try something new but just be sure they aren’t feeling obligated to “have a job” and miss out on being a kid.
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