Let’s be honest— kids love money. They love spending it, dreaming about it, and asking their parents for more of it. But actually earning it? That’s where things get interesting. How do you actually make money as a kid.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways for kids to make money. Whether you’re a 6-year-old lemonade mogul in the making or a 16-year-old looking for cash without flipping burgers, making money as a kid can be fun and exciting.
This guide breaks down age-appropriate money-making ideas. Plus, how to actually manage that money without blowing it all on Roblox skins and overpriced snacks. (Parents, you’re welcome.)
Why Should Kids Earn Their Own Money?
Besides the obvious (so they stop asking you for it), learning how to make money teaches kids:
✔️ Responsibility – If they earn it, they value it more.
For our family, Benji has started to understand the basics of financial responsibility, like saving a little of his allowance for the future instead of spending it all at once. He’s even started to get excited about the idea of budgeting, which, to be honest, is something I didn’t expect from a seven-year-old!
✔️ Financial Literacy – The sooner they learn how to budget, the better.
Jacob is getting the hang of financial literacy by learning how to track his spending and save for things he really wants, like that new video game he’s been eyeing at the same time he’s learning how to make money as a kid.
✔️ Work Ethic – A strong “hustle” mindset beats entitlement any day.
✔️ Independence – Nothing says “I got this” like a 10-year-old who can fund their own toy purchases.
So let’s dive into real ways kids can start making money. No boring, impossible ideas, just fun and practical side hustles for every age.
How to Earn Money as a Kid (Age by Age Guide)
Ages 5-7: The Mini Moguls
You don’t have to wait until you’re older to earn cash. Discover creative and easy ways to make money as a kid. With these exciting business ideas for kids ages 5-7. At this stage, kids are adorably strong-willed but have limited skills. And, let’s be honest, they don’t have the best attention spans. Simple, hands-on jobs work best!
1. Lemonade Stand 2.0 is a Practical Way to Make Money as a Kid! 🍋💰
The classic, but with a twist! Instead of boring old lemonade, offer:
- Strawberry lemonade (because fancy = more sales)
- Iced tea & cookies (bundle deals make money faster)
- Delivery service (Mom & Dad’s friends will overpay out of guilt)
💡 Pro Tip for Parents: Use these lemonade stand signs to make it look legit.
2. Toy Resale Hustle 🧸💸
If your kid’s room looks like a toy store explosion, it’s time to sell the clutter.
- Set up a yard sale or list items on Facebook Marketplace with your help.
- Teach them pricing skills (no, that broken action figure is NOT worth $100).
- Give them a cut of the sales to spark their inner entrepreneur.
3. Helping Around the House (for Pay!) is a Great Way to Make Money as a Kid! 🏡💵
Yes, chores. But the good kind of chores—ones they actually get paid for!
- Sock Matching Service (because no one likes that job)
- Pet Feeding Specialist (a fancy way to say “feed the dog”)
- Family “Waiter” (set the table and serve meals for tips)
Benji and Jacob have become the laundry superheroes around here, and it’s been a huge help to Mom! Benji, the little sorting pro, makes sure the clothes are in the right piles. He’s great at sorting whites, colors, and darks. He even gives me a little look if I mess it up. Jacob’s job is running the washing machine. He takes it so seriously, like he’s on a secret mission, making sure everything’s loaded properly and the timer is set. It’s like they’ve figured out how to make money as a kid—by doing chores! It might not be cash, but their efforts are definitely paying off in family brownie points.
Mom always says how much she appreciates the boys’ help, especially on those busy days when she’s trying to juggle everything. Laundry has gone from a dreaded chore to a family event, and the boys actually enjoy doing it. They’re learning responsibility, and it makes everyone laugh when they get so proud of their “work.” It’s one of those things that makes life run a little smoother, and I’m just glad I don’t have to bribe them to help anymore!
💡 Make It Fun: Use a chore chart with cash rewards like this one from Amazon.
Ages 8-12: The Hustle Years
This is the sweet spot—kids have more skills, more motivation, and less interest in asking parents for everything.
4. Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Can be a Convenient Way to Make Money as a Kid! 🐶🐾
For the animal lovers, this is easy money. Offer services like:
- Walking neighborhood dogs for $5-$10 per walk.
- Pet sitting for weekend trips.
- Pooper Scooper Services (because some people will pay big for this).
💡 Boost Business: Use this free pet-sitting flyer template to advertise in your neighborhood.
5. Handmade Crafts & Etsy Sales 🎨🛍
If your kid has artistic skills, they can sell:
- Handmade friendship bracelets
- Slime kits (because slime NEVER goes out of style)
- Custom painted rocks (yes, people really buy these)
💡 Where to Sell: Etsy (with parental help) or at local craft fairs.
6. YouTube or TikTok Content Creation 🎥💸
Making money online? Yep, even kids can do it.
- Start a review channel (toys, books, games).
- Film DIY tutorials (crafts, cooking, cool experiments).
- Gaming videos (if they’re already playing, why not?)
💡 Parent Alert: Monetizing YouTube requires a YouTube Partner Program account. Supervise all content!
Ages 13-15: The Pre-Teen Entrepreneurs
Now we’re getting serious. At this stage, kids can handle more responsibility. This means better-paying gigs.
7. Babysitting & Parent Helper Jobs to Make Money as a Kid! 👶💲
- Take a babysitting course (Red Cross offers one here).
- Offer a “Parent’s Helper” service (help with younger kids while parents are home).
- Run a babysitting co-op with friends for weekend gigs.
💡 Bonus Idea: Create “Kid Activity Kits” with pre-planned games to impress parents.
8. Car Wash Business 🚗🧽
A summer classic that’s high-profit with the right strategy:
- Charge $10 for a basic wash, $15 for “VIP” service (wax + tires).
- Offer subscriptions (weekly wash deals!).
- Upsell air fresheners for extra $$!
A car wash business in action… One hot summer afternoon, Benji and Jacob had a big idea—starting their own car wash! They grabbed a bucket, sponges, and their dad’s garden hose, then made a bright sign that said, “Benji & Jacob’s Super Sudsy Car Wash – $5!” Their first customer was their neighbor, Mr. Thompson. He handed them five dollars and watched as they got to work. Jacob scrubbed while Benji handled the hose—until he accidentally turned it on full blast and sprayed Jacob right in the face! “Benji!” Jacob yelled, dripping wet. Mr. Thompson just laughed and said, “Best car wash I’ve ever seen!” before giving them an extra dollar as a tip.
Before they knew it, more neighbors started pulling up, excited to get their cars cleaned. The boys worked hard—Jacob washed while Benji rinsed (more carefully this time). By the end of the afternoon, they had made twenty-seven dollars! They ran inside, waving their money and shouting, “We’re rich!” Their dad chuckled and helped them count their earnings. They each saved some, spent a little on ice cream, and talked about doing it again next weekend. “But next time,” Jacob said, shaking his head, “I’m in charge of the hose.”
💡 Parent Perk: Free labor for your car.
9. Online Tutoring & Homework Help 📚💡
If your kid is great at math, writing, or science, they can:
- Offer tutoring for younger kids in-person or online.
- Sell homework help services (but not cheating—explanations only!).
- Teach basic coding on platforms like Outschool.
💡 Pro Tip: Set up a free Google Classroom for clients!
Ages 16-18: The Teenage CEOs
At this point, teens can handle serious side hustles—some even leading to real businesses!
10. Reselling Sneakers & Streetwear is a Great Business to Make Money as a Kid! 👟💵
Buying and flipping sneakers can be insanely profitable.
- Use StockX or GOAT to check resale prices.
- Buy limited editions, resell for profit.
- Build an Instagram page for sneaker deals.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with cheap flips (like thrifted clothes) to learn the ropes.
11. Photography & Social Media Management 📸💰
- Offer senior portraits and pet photoshoots.
- Manage small business Instagram accounts.
- Sell photo presets & filters online!
💡 Easy Start: Use Canva for social media graphics.
12. Print-on-Demand Business is a Great Business to Make Money as a Kid! 👕🛍
Sell custom t-shirts, mugs, and stickers with no inventory!
💡 Tip: Canva has free design templates to get started fast.
Final Thoughts: Turning Pocket Change into Profits
To make money as a kid isn’t just about getting cash—it’s about learning how to hustle, save, and grow wealth early.
By starting small and building skills, kids can go from toy resellers to teenage CEOs before they even graduate high school.
So, parents—which side hustle sounds best for your kid? Drop a comment below! 🚀💰
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