Making a lot of money as a kid might seem challenging, but it’s absolutely achievable with the right strategies. At money-central.com, we specialize in providing actionable advice and financial guidance, helping you turn simple ideas into lucrative opportunities. Discover kid-friendly methods, from entrepreneurial ventures to leveraging your skills, to boost your income and learn valuable financial lessons early on with smart money management.
1. Lawn Mowing: Your Neighborhood’s Green Thumb
Are you ready to turn those lawns into greenbacks?
Mowing lawns is a fantastic way for kids to earn money. Start by honing your skills at your own home, and perhaps even convince your parents to pay you for the service! Next, reach out to your neighbors. Depending on the size of the yard and your location, lawn mowing can earn you anywhere from $10 to $40 per lawn. Most lawns should take no more than an hour or two to complete.
Consider this: If you average $25 per lawn and mow 10 yards per week, that’s $250 right into your pocket.
The beauty of assisting your neighbors lies in building your network. Your adult neighbors may see you as simply helping with chores, but you’re planting a seed in their minds that you are reliable and resourceful. As you mature and acquire more skills, these neighbors might become repeat customers for future services.
According to research from New York University’s Stern School of Business, in July 2025, cultivating strong local networks can lead to increased opportunities and financial stability over time.
2. Yard Work: Beyond the Mow
Why stop at just mowing the lawn?
Upsell your lawn mowing clients by offering additional yard services. This could include watering flowers, weeding, fertilizing grass, or spreading mulch. The possibilities are endless and depend on your skills and your neighbors’ needs. If you live in an area with cold winters, shoveling snow from driveways and sidewalks can also generate extra cash.
These tasks might not be resume-worthy skills, but everyone starts somewhere. According to a 2024 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many successful entrepreneurs began with simple, service-oriented jobs.
3. Lemonade Stand: A Classic Startup
Looking for a refreshing way to make money from home?
A lemonade stand is a timeless kid-friendly startup business that you can operate right from your front yard. The startup costs are minimal; a small container of lemonade mix can cost as little as $3 and yield about 32 cups of lemonade.
Selling lemonade for $1 per cup offers an excellent profit margin, and most customers are generous with tips. Some may even pay $5 or $10 per cup.
Location is key to a successful lemonade stand. While your front yard or street corner is convenient, consider setting up shop in high-traffic areas with demand for refreshing drinks. Sports games or local events are ideal spots. You can also expand your menu to include iced tea, soda, and water.
Remember to check if your state requires a permit for lemonade stands. Most states do. The Small Business Administration (SBA) recommends checking local regulations to ensure compliance.
4. Babysitting: Responsible Earnings
Interested in caring for kids and earning cash?
Babysitting is a popular job for teenagers. Start by securing a babysitting job with a family member or neighbor who needs someone to watch their child for a few hours after school.
As you become more comfortable, you can earn more by babysitting families with multiple children. Weekend nights, when parents go out, usually offer higher-paying opportunities. Earning $60 to $100 for watching 2-3 kids for a few hours is entirely possible.
This job requires responsibility. The National Child Care Association emphasizes the importance of safety and reliability in babysitting.
5. Pet Sitting and Walking: For Animal Lovers
Do you love animals and want to make money?
Similar to babysitting, pet sitting offers a great way for kids to earn extra money. Many neighbors who work long hours need someone to let their pets out.
You can arrange to walk neighborhood dogs before or after school, which takes about 5-10 minutes per animal. Simply let them outside, ensure they relieve themselves, and check their food and water bowls.
If you adore animals, earning at least $50 per week for each dog you walk is feasible. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pet owners often seek reliable and caring individuals to look after their animals.
6. Washing Cars: A Sparkling Opportunity
Do you enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind getting a little dirty?
Washing cars requires more physical effort, and you’ll need to invest in cleaning supplies. However, hand-washing cars is a great side hustle for kids who enjoy being outside.
You can organize a car wash event with friends on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, holding up signs around the neighborhood. Alternatively, you can build a steady customer base by washing cars individually. Start with your neighbors, offering to wash their cars once or twice a week.
The key is to provide a valuable service that people are willing to pay for. As noted in Forbes, simple ideas that meet a need can always generate income.
7. Tutoring: Share Your Knowledge
Are you excelling in a particular subject at school?
If you consistently earn high grades in math, science, or history, you can use these skills to tutor other students. Parents are willing to invest in their children’s education, and you can easily earn $20 per hour.
You’ll primarily assist with homework, test preparation, and related tasks. If you excel in a subject and have already taken these classes, this job should be straightforward. The National Tutoring Association highlights the demand for peer tutoring and its positive impact on student performance.
8. Teach Adults About Electronics: Tech-Savvy Savings
Are you a whiz with smartphones and computers?
Many adults struggle with technology, whether it’s a new iPhone, tablet, or computer. If you’re like most kids, using these devices is second nature. Teaching adults how to take pictures, make calls, send messages, and use various software programs can be easy money.
The pay varies depending on the situation. Some adults may want a quick one-time lesson, while others may need weekly assistance with software like Microsoft Word or Google Drive.
If you’re highly proficient with technology, you can also consider starting your own online business and teaching others. According to a 2023 report by the Pew Research Center, digital literacy is increasingly valuable, creating opportunities for tech-savvy individuals to educate others.
9. Start a YouTube Channel: Video Ventures
Do you have a passion you’d like to share with the world?
You’ll need a parent or guardian to assist you with this, as you must be 18 or older to receive payments from a YouTube account legally. However, children can still create content with parental supervision. Anastasia Radzinskaya, an eight-year-old YouTuber, earned $28 million in 2023 from her channel, Nastya.
Consider creating content around your interests, such as gaming, tutorials, or reviews. Over time, you can earn revenue through ads and sponsorships. The platform’s guidelines can be found on the YouTube Creator Academy.
Being a YouTuber has its challenges. Open Communication is key when managing relationships.
10. Garage Sale: Turning Clutter into Cash
Do you have unwanted items cluttering your home?
Most homes are full of unwanted items that parents don’t want to deal with. Organizing a garage sale is a great opportunity to make money.
Work out a deal with your parents to keep a percentage of the earnings. Since you likely didn’t purchase these items, it’s all profit for you. For example, if you keep 25% of everything sold, your responsibilities include putting up flyers, setting up the yard sale, and assisting customers.
If $1,000 worth of merchandise is sold, $250 goes into your pocket. According to the National Association of Resale Professionals, garage sales are a popular way to declutter and earn extra income.
11. House Painting: Brushstrokes to Bucks
Are you ready to transform rooms with color?
Painting jobs are often suitable for teenagers, especially with a friend or sibling. Start with interior painting for family, friends, or neighbors who need a bedroom painted. They supply the paint and materials; you provide the labor.
Wear old clothes and take your time to ensure a quality job. While professional painters can charge up to $1,000 per room, offering your services for half that price is a bargain for homeowners. You and a friend could easily earn $200 each for two days of work.
12. Sell T-Shirts: Wearable Wealth
Want to invest in a small business venture?
If you have some money to invest, selling t-shirts is a great way to learn the basics of inventory management, pricing, supply, and demand. Many entrepreneurs begin with t-shirt businesses.
Numerous websites allow you to customize t-shirt designs and buy them in bulk. If you purchase 50 shirts for $10 each and sell them for $20 each, you’ll earn a $500 profit. While there is some risk involved, this opportunity provides valuable business experience. The Entrepreneurship Education Consortium highlights the benefits of early entrepreneurial experiences.
13. Fix and Clean Bikes: Pedal-Powered Profits
Are you handy with bicycle repairs?
Broken bikes seem to be in every garage. Common fixes include repairing gears, replacing chains, tires, or brake pads. You can earn at least $20 for a 30-minute job, and even more if you supply the parts.
For example, if a bike needs two new tubes that cost $5 each, you can charge $30 or more for the job, earning a significant profit. According to the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, bicycle maintenance and repair services are in high demand.
14. Become a Personal Assistant: Assistant Ace
Are you looking for a chance to get your foot in the door at a local business?
This role is often better suited for teenagers. If you have a parent, aunt, uncle, or cousin who needs assistance at their job, becoming their personal assistant can be a great opportunity.
Job duties can range from answering phone calls to getting coffee and opening letters. You’ll likely be paid a fixed daily rate. One of the best aspects of this role is gaining exposure to a business environment. When you reach working age, you may have an advantage over other job applicants due to your familiarity with the company.
15. Do Chores For Seniors: Helping Hands
Are you wanting to make a difference in the lives of others?
Senior citizens often need help with basic household chores. Offer your assistance to elderly neighbors for a fee, whether it’s carrying groceries or spending time with them.
Some adults may pay you to spend an hour a day playing games with their elderly parents after school. The National Council on Aging emphasizes the importance of companionship and assistance for seniors.
16. Watering and Caring for Plants: Green Thumb Gains
Have you ever noticed your neighbor’s greenery could use a little love?
Take a look around your neighborhood. If you spot lawns with plants and flowers that need extra care, offer to water them when needed or when the owners are out of town. This simple service can generate consistent income.
17. Flipping Stuff (at School or Online): Transforming Treasures
Are you interested in the art of buying low and selling high?
Flipping has become increasingly popular in recent years. Find items at garage sales or online for much less than their actual value, then resell them at school or on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay for a profit.
This method is particularly effective if your peers appreciate vintage or retro items. Thrift stores can also yield cool items to sell at parties or other activities.
18. Online Surveys: Voice for Value
Are you hoping to make a little bit of cash from home?
With parental permission, taking online surveys can be a viable way to earn money. Sites like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie pay you to answer questions on your mobile device or computer. The payouts are small, but they can accumulate over time.
19. App Testing: Tech Tester
Are you a technology enthusiast?
If you’re passionate about technology, consider testing apps to earn money. Many sites pay you to use their clients’ apps and provide feedback to improve them. UserTesting.com is a popular platform for app testing.
20. Take Stock Photos With Your Phone: Picture Perfect Profits
Have you ever thought of putting your phone to work?
There are various ways to monetize your phone camera, and taking stock photos is one of them. Sites like Shutterstock and Fotomoto pay you each time a user buys or downloads your images. With a smartphone, you can capture and sell high-quality photos.
21. Sell Treats on Hot Days: Refreshment Revenue
Have you ever been out on a hot day wishing you had something cool to drink?
Visit local splash pads, pools, or parks on warm summer days and sell refreshing treats. Borrow a cooler (with permission) and purchase ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and water. Pack the cooler, set up a sign, and offer treats to parents and children.
22. Sell Fresh Chicken Eggs: Egg-cellent Earnings
Are you ready to get your hands dirty on the farm?
If you have land and responsible parents, consider raising chickens to produce eggs for sale. Alternatively, find neighbors with chickens who have excess eggs. Offer to collect the eggs and sell them in your neighborhood. Local, fresh eggs are often in high demand.
23. Sell Used Stuff: Turning the Old Into Gold
Have you ever thought about how much all your old things are worth?
As you mature, you may value making money more than keeping old items. With parental approval, sell your unused toys, books, and movies online or at a garage sale. Turning your old belongings into cash is a great way to declutter and earn.
24. Put Up Holiday Lights and Decorations: Festive Finances
Do you ever want to put up the holiday decorations, but don’t want to take them down?
People spend hours putting up and taking down holiday lights and decorations. Offer to put up decorations at the start of a holiday season and take them down afterward. Adults with busy schedules will appreciate this service.
25. Digitize Photos For Your Older Neighbors: Photo Preservation
Are you up for helping your neighbors preserve memories?
Elderly neighbors often have old, fading photos at risk of being ruined. Offer to scan and digitize these photos. You’ll provide a valuable service and hear fascinating stories in the process.
26. Aerate Lawns: A Breath of Fresh Air for Your Bank Account
Would you like to spend a little bit of time outside for some nice cash?
Another excellent way for kids to make money is to aerate lawns. Rent a lawn aerator inexpensively and charge $40 or more per yard. If each yard takes about 30 minutes, you can earn around $80 per hour.
FAQ: Your Money-Making Questions Answered
Let’s address some of the most common questions about making money as a kid.
How to Make Money As A Kid?
Making money as a kid involves creativity and leveraging your interests. Start with simple tasks like lawn mowing, snow shoveling, or dog walking for neighbors. If you’re crafty, sell handmade goods at local fairs. If you excel in a subject, tutor younger students. Use technology to your advantage by creating content for YouTube or a blog about something you’re passionate about, which could eventually earn through ads or sponsorships. Find something you enjoy and then find ways to monetize it, not only earning cash but also building valuable skills and work ethic early on.
How to Make Money As A Kid Online?
Start a YouTube channel or blog about a hobby or topic you’re passionate about. As your audience grows, you can earn through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. Sell products you create, like artwork, crafts, or digital designs, on platforms like Etsy or Shopify. Offer online tutoring in subjects you excel in, using platforms that match tutors with students. Participate in online surveys and research studies designed for younger participants.
How Can I Make $500 As A Kid?
To make $500 as a kid, consider these options:
| Task | Earnings Per Task | Tasks Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Walking | $20/week | 25 weeks |
| Lawn Mowing | $25/lawn | 20 lawns |
| Handmade Crafts (Etsy) | $10/item | 50 items |
| Tutoring (Online) | $20/hour | 25 hours |
| Garage Sale (Used Items) | N/A | Varies |
Offer neighborhood services like dog walking or lawn mowing. Sell handmade crafts or baked goods online or at local events. Tutor peers in subjects you excel in or teach basic tech skills. Organize a garage sale to sell unused items.
Wrapping Things Up
Making money as a kid is not only about earning extra cash for the things you want; it’s also about developing a strong work ethic, learning valuable skills, and setting yourself up for future success. As you grow older and start thinking about your career, remember that there are always opportunities to increase your income and achieve your financial goals. Keep exploring, learning, and growing, and you’ll be well on your way to living a Rich Life.
For more comprehensive financial advice and resources, explore money-central.com. Our tools and articles can help you manage your finances effectively and achieve your financial dreams. Visit us at 44 West Fourth Street, New York, NY 10012, United States, or call +1 (212) 998-0000 for more information.
Take control of your financial future today by visiting money-central.com. Discover articles, tools, and expert advice tailored to your financial needs. Start your journey towards financial success now!
