How To Make Money As A Kid: Ideas For Early-Starters

9 min read

If your kid wants to make money on their own, they have more options available to them than ever before. Many of the traditional money-making routes are still available to kids today. However, new technology has opened the door for new and unique ways to make money as a kid.

Of course, kids under a certain age still are not eligible for traditional employment. But that doesn’t mean they can’t gain valuable experience, learn responsibilities, and earn some money in the process. In some cases, kids can even start their own business! If your child is interested in earning cash, here are some tips on how to make money fast as a kid.

How to Make Money as a Kid

Some money-making options for kids never go out of style. These are a few ways for kids to make money that have been around for years.

Lemonade stand

What’s more classic than a kid’s neighborhood lemonade stand on a hot summer day? The lemonade stand, with adult supervision, is a staple for kids making money for a few reasons.

First, it’s simple and efficient. Who doesn’t like an ice-cold glass of lemonade in the summer?

Second, it also lets your kids build social skills.

And third, it’s a good way for your kids to earn a few dollars to spend on their own.

Babysitting

This job may be reserved for older and more responsible kids. But babysitting is a great way to introduce your kids to the responsibility of working and earning a living. Kids should have some basic knowledge of safety and emergency response (how and when to dial 911) before getting into babysitting.

If you are a parent with multiple children, you can start by offering your oldest a small wage to babysit their siblings for an evening.

Chores

The most classic method for how to make money as a kid is to earn an allowance through doing chores. As a parent, this is a great way to teach your children responsibility. The reward of a few dollars at the end of their chores is a nice positive reinforcement for their behavior.

You can also start simple, and gradually ramp up to bigger chores as your kids age. For instance, they can start by cleaning up their toys after playing with them. As they get older, you might ask your kids to help with the laundry, vacuuming, or other tasks around the house.

Dog walking and pet sitting

If your child loves animals, this is a fabulous opportunity for them. Walking the neighbor’s dog around the block is a fun way for your kid to get exercise and earn a little money. You can even use new technology like Rover to connect with pet owners in need of assistance.

In addition to dog walking, many people also need help caring for their pets while they’re away or at work. This is another job that kids can easily perform, and earn some extra cash in the process.

Bottle and can recycling

Another classic money-making opportunity for kids is recycling old bottles and cans. It may not be the fastest way to make money as a kid. But it adds up over time, and is an easy way for your kids to earn a few bucks on their own. Recycling bottles and cans can also teach your kids about responsibility and respect for the environment.

How to Make Money as a Kid Online

While the classic methods still work just fine, the internet has opened new doors for kids to make money. Here are some best tips for how to make money as a kid at home in the digital world.

Take surveys online

Websites like Survey Junkie will pay people to participate in online market research surveys. Many of these surveys are geared toward young people. With parental supervision, this is a fun and easy way for your kids to make money online. This won’t lead to a ton of money, but kids don’t need a lot anyway. Taking surveys online can earn your kids a few dollars each month to spend on things they want.

Play video games

It’s every kid’s dream come true: getting paid to play video games. Similar to survey websites, some companies will pay users to test out video games online. Again, you should supervise your child’s activity online. But if the games are child-friendly, this can be a fun way for kids to earn money from home.

Find local odd jobs through Nextdoor

Nextdoor is an all-purpose app for connecting neighbors to one another. Nextdoor can be used to share information, organize community events, or buy and sell items. It can also be used to find odd jobs for your kids around the neighborhood.

Neighbors might need help with yard work, pet sitting, or other everyday chores. If possible, you can coordinate through Nextdoor to have your kids help out with those chores for a small reward.

Sell old things online

If you have old, unused items lying around the house and your kid wants some extra money, you can solve both problems at once. Selling your old items online with your kids can be a fun way to earn some decent money.

Once again, you will want to make sure you’re supervising any activity for your kids. You don’t want them to sell an item you actually need online! eBay, Nextdoor, and Facebook Marketplace are all good places to sell your old things online.

Blogging

Starting a blog is one of the best ways to teach your kids a few basic skills. Writing, computer skills, and typing are all valuable skills that your kids can pick up through blogging. It’s also a great way for kids to explore their hobbies and grow their passions.

Successful blogs can also make good money, and are a sustainable source of revenue. Of course, your kid does not need to get into blogging with the goal of making money. It can simply be a fun, skill-building activity that they do. But it is possible for children to earn a bit of money from blogging. That’s just a nice added bonus if your kid enjoys doing it.

Start an online store

For true childhood entrepreneurs, there is always the option of starting a small online business. Online marketplaces like Amazon have made it easier than ever to start selling with programs like Fulfillment By Amazon.

If your kid wants to earn a steady and reliable passive income, you can help them by setting up an online store.

Read about how to start an Amazon dropshipping business and its advantages to learn more. With so many people buying products online, there are tons of options out there for people looking to sell. Starting an online store can be a good way to set your kid up with a steady stream of income as they grow up.

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Jan 7, 2023

About the author

Max has been working in the ecommerce industry for the last six years helping brands to establish and level-up content marketing and SEO. Despite that, he has experience with entrepreneurship. He is a fiction writer in his free time.