11 Legit Ways to Make Money As A Kid
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Children want to have their own money. As the mom of a third grader, I know just how true this is. My son often asks about money and wants to know how much things cost. While we do have an allowance system in place, I know my son is curious about how to make money as a kid to earn his own money.
It’s true that kids should be kids and have the time they need to grow and finish school, there are also easy ways to make money as a teen (or kid) that help them learn the value of a dollar. Plus, children who make their own money can learn more about personal finance and become financially responsible adults.
Ways to Make Money as a Kid
Once upon a time, the only option to earn money as a child was a dead-end job or other options that paid very little. Today, there are countless ways to make money children and teens can pursue that pay well.
Similar to adults, all that’s needed is time and a willingness to work. With a good work ethic, the possibilities to earn income as a child are endless. Below are 11 of the best ways to make money as a kid so they can begin to earn their own money.
1. Lemonade Stands
I love when I drive through a neighborhood and see a lemonade stand. It’s refreshing to grab a cold drink on a warm day and support a potential future entrepreneur in your area.
Children can make a good amount of money by simply following the same routine and making lemonade for neighbors. I did a stand with my sisters when we were younger, and you can even add in baked goods, chips, or other treats to make extra money.
Help your child develop a marketing strategy to bring more people to the lemonade stand. You can put up flyers and advertise in the area or see if they can set up shop during an event. If you’re having a garage sale, ask your child if they want to set up a lemonade stand in the yard to serve the shoppers who come to your sale.
2. Survey Sites
Thanks to the internet, it’s possible to make money as a kid online. Many of the best paid survey sites allow kids as young as 12 or 13 to take surveys and earn extra money.
Your child won’t become wealthy with this option, but it can be a good way to earn money when they’re watching TV or waiting with you for an appointment. Your child can even redeem earnings for gift cards to their favorite stores if they prefer that to cash.
Below are several survey sites for kids to earn money on the side:
Swagbucks: Swagbucks is an easy way to make money as a kid online. You need to be at least 13 to sign up, but from there you can use the site or app to earn points. SB points (referred to as Swagbucks) can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
You can earn points by using their shopping portal, watching videos, taking surveys, and even searching the internet. Read our Swagbucks review to learn how the platform works.
Survey Junkie: There is only one way to make money with Survey Junkie – by taking surveys. Don’t let the limitation hold you back as it’s one of the best survey sites and they allow you to redeem earnings once you reach $10. Similar to Swagbucks, you need to be 13 to join.
Survey Junkie pays between $1 and $3 per survey, so it’s a decent way for your child to earn a little spending money. They can also redeem earnings for Amazon gift cards if they prefer. Read our Survey Junkie review to learn how the platform works.
VIP Voice: VIP Voice is another survey site your child can join once they reach 13 years old. What makes VIP Voice different is they also offer focus groups that pay $100.
There are a variety of survey topics available ranging from video games, sports, footwear, and food and beverages. There is a tiered rewards program with five levels, so the more surveys you take, the more you earn.
3. Sell Unused Toys and Games
Does your child have toys or games they don’t play with on a regular basis? They can sell those items on Decluttr and turn those into cash. Decluttr buys various items, including:
- Books
- Electronics
- Games
- Legos
- Movies
This could also be used as motivation to help them clean up around the house and sell their old video games and movies. The items you sell don’t have to be in perfect condition, but you should be honest about the item’s appearance and functionality before attempting to sell.
If Decluttr gets something and it’s not in the condition that was stated, they will take a few dollars off what they originally quoted.
Legos are one of the items that Decluttr takes so this could be an easy sell for kids. The maximum amount of Legos a child can sell is 20 pounds that will get the child $20. It can only be one bag of Legos per order.
*Related: Need to buy your child a cell phone? Read our guide on the best mobile phone plans for kids that won’t break the budget.*
All Decluttr needs is the barcode and it can give a quote on an item, making it worth a try.
4. Pay Your Child to Run Errands
Do you live near a grocery store? If so, you can pay your child to make simple trips to the store with the Ibotta app. Once you download the app, you scan it to find local discounts on items at the store.
When you reach at least $20 in savings on the app, you can pay your child the amount saved by allowing them to redeem the earnings. Like the survey sites above your child can also redeem earnings for gift cards.
Ibotta doesn’t just work at the grocery store. The app works with over 300 retailers, both online and in-store. The app also pays you $10 when you redeem your first offer. You only need to be 13 to use Ibotta, so this is a great way to make money as a teen.
Read our Ibotta review to learn more about how the service works.
5. Wash Windows
Washing windows is a great way for children to make money this summer. All they need is a bucket of soap and water along with a few towels.
You can even have your child ask local business owners or elderly neighbors who can’t get around much if they’d like her to do this task for them. After a while, kids can pick up the work pretty well, and could become something that a child does every summer. Washing cars is also an option during the warmer months.
This is actually my cousin’s career, and he’s been doing it for several years now. He has a few business clients but also has a nice mixture of residential jobs as well.
Some factors around homes or cars like construction or a gravel road can make visits to clients a little more frequent than if those elements weren’t present. But that means more money for your child, which is always a good thing..
6. Do Odd Jobs Online
One of the best ways to make money as a kid online is through Fiverr.
Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelancers who are looking to make extra cash. It’s a popular place for adults all over the world to use their skills to earn an income, but it can also be a great option to make money as a teen as well.
You can make money in countless ways on the site doing a variety of odd jobs. Examples of ways to make money on the platform are:
- Writing thank you notes
- Work from home data entry jobs
- Graphic design
- Animation
- Voiceover work
You need to be at least 13 to join Fiverr. If your child has special skills in a certain area, it’s a great way to make money.
7. Babysitting
If you want to know how to make money fast as a kid, babysitting is a great option. If your child is CPR-certified and meets the age requirements where you live, this is a good way to earn money.
*Related: Love pets? Read our guide on the best dog walking apps to use to earn cash caring for pets.*
You can help your child find clients by telling friends and co-workers about your child’s services and availability. Your child can also create a free profile on Care.com to find clients. Previous clients can leave reviews to help your child land more gigs.
In fact, your child may even be able to work as a nanny. This is something my younger sister did during the summers of her high school years. She worked a part-time job but also made money by taking care of two kids in the morning.
8. Yardwork
Lawns need to be cut during the summer. We have a big front yard area plus a backyard. If my husband wasn’t able to mow, I’d definitely consider hiring a teenager or younger person who’s looking to make extra money.
Our neighbor runs a landscaping business and allows his son to work with him. Even if you have a younger child, they can still do yard-related tasks like pulling weeds, picking up leaves, planting flowers, and spreading mulch.
Garden work is time-consuming, which makes this one of many great ways to make money as a kid because it also keeps them busy. Which means less time to spend the money they earn
9. Sell Their Creations
Millions of people browse Etsy for a creative addition to their lives. People can sell their projects on Etsy, and it only costs $.20 to list it. Jewelry, bags, clothing, and art are just a few of the items sold.
Kids can use their creative minds to make a piece of art and sell it for a profit. This is something I’m considering trying with my son since he loves art.
He makes some pretty cool projects, and I often encourage him to sell some of his projects online. It would be fun to show him how he can make money based on his own creativity. If you want a way to make money as a kid from home, this is a solid option to consider.
10. Bake Sale
Who doesn’t love sweets? Having a bake sale is a great way for a child to practice their baking skills and work on communication skills while also learning about running a business.
This is something that can be paired with an event like a garage sale or community outing. Don’t overlook selling items at a local farmer’s market to make money.
11. Help an Elderly Neighbor
Do you have an elderly neighbor who often needs help? This is a great opportunity for your child to make money and help the neighborhood at the same time.
Your child can help in various ways, from watering plants to walking their dog to simple cleaning around the house.
How to Make Money as a Kid: Bottom Line
Encourage your kids to make their own money from time to time. There are countless options to do this, and this list only scratches the surface. Earning their own money allows your children to learn more about personal finance and equips them with skills and experience to help them thrive as adults.
Depending on your child’s age, I wouldn’t push them to make money to get a job unless they really want to. For example, a 10-year-old may be more interested in playing with friends. However, they can spend an hour or two on the weekends selling items online or helping a neighbor with yard work under your supervision.
When kids make their own money, they often feel excited and successful.
What are some other ways to make money as a kid at home? When did you start first earning money as a child? How often do you talk to your child about making money?
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