If you’re a teenager, you’re probably learning that most of the things you want in life require cash.
Thankfully, the summer months are a perfect time to look for money-making opportunities. Your well-deserved break from school gives you extra time that you can use to pad your bank account.
If you’re looking for ways to make money as a teenager this summer, our guide shares a few of the top options.
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Good Ways for Teens to Make Money This Summer
There are limitless ways for teens to earn extra cash during the summer months. You can choose the traditional route of a part-time job or pursue a side gig. Read our guide on the top side hustle apps to use to find work.
Here are 17 money-making ideas for teens that can help put some extra money in your wallet.
1. Complete Small Tasks Online
Do you spend a lot of time on the internet searching for things or playing games that pay real money? If so, Swagbucks is a terrific way to make money online in your spare time.
Swagbucks is a micro-task site that lets you get paid to complete tasks. You earn points for each small job you complete, and these points can be converted into cash.
You can redeem points for gift cards to stores like Starbucks or Old Navy. However, redeeming points for PayPal cash is often the best option.
Here are just a few of the ways you can make easy money with Swagbucks:
- Using their search engine
- Playing games online
- Watching sponsored videos
- Using their shopping portal
You only need to be 13 to use Swagbucks, and they give you a $5 bonus when you join. It’s an excellent way to earn money without leaving your home and provides a great source of extra pocket money.
Read our Swagbucks review to learn more.
2. Give Your Opinion
If you’re looking for quick ways to make money as a teen, paid surveys are an excellent option. Companies love learning what people think about a product or service, and you can profit from this.
Not all survey companies are equal, but Survey Junkie is at the top of our list. The company has over six million active members and one of the lowest minimum redemptions at only $10.
Most surveys pay at least $1.
You can redeem earnings for gift cards or transfer them to PayPal. You only need to be 13 to join Survey Junkie.
Read our Survey Junkie review to learn more.
3. Deliver Meals
Delivering meals is a terrific way to earn cash this summer. You can even do this side gig year-round if you work in your free time while you are in school.
A delivery job is a perfect side hustle for college students who are home for summer break.
DoorDash is an awesome delivery driver app that lets you deliver meals from local restaurants to customers. It’s a flexible gig, and you can work on your own schedule.
If you don’t have access to a car, you can also deliver meals via bike or scooter.
Dasher compensation varies depending on things like tips and items you deliver. If you want a flexible side gig, this can be a great fit.
Read our review of driving for DoorDash to learn more.
4. Dog Walking/Pet Sitting
If you’re trying to figure out how to make money as a kid, spending time with pets is a fun way to earn cash. You need minimal skills, and you can offer pet sitting services to people in your neighborhood or city.
Pet care services can include any of the following:
- Dog walking
- Grooming and washing pets
- Drop-in visits to feed pets
- Boarding pets in your home
- House sitting pets
The best way to find work is to have your parents advertise on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor that you’re looking for work. If you’re at least 18, you can sign up for Rover.
Rover connects you with customers looking for help with their pets. The service claims you can earn up to $1,000 a month on the platform.
This means that you can make good money during the summer while having fun.
Read our guide on other dog walking jobs you can do to learn about other ways for kids to make money around town caring for pets.
5. Part-Time Job
As long as you’re at least 15 years of age, you will be able to find numerous part-time job opportunities in your city. In fact, there are some places that hire at 14.
A summer job is one of the most common ways for teens to make money. Some of the places you could work include:
- Movie theaters
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
Part-time work may not be glamorous, but it can be one of the best summer jobs for teens. Most opportunities provide a set schedule and hourly rate.
6. Start a Blog
If you enjoy writing and social media, starting a blog is a fantastic way to earn money as a teenager.
Yes, even teens can start a blog. Pick a subject you enjoy and start writing. You can blog about anything from gaming to how you’re saving money in college.
It does take time to make money blogging, but don’t let that deter you. If you’re passionate about a topic and put in the work, you can start earning money this summer and grow it over time.
You don’t have to be a technical wizard to start a blog. Bluehost is a helpful resource that launches your site for you with just a few clicks, provides 24/7 support, and gives you a free domain name for just $2.95 per month.
Read our guide on how to start a blog to learn more.
7. Babysit
If you want to know how to earn money as a teenager, look no further than babysitting. This opportunity requires no special skills.
You just need to be a caring person who enjoys spending time with younger children.
Rates vary, but reports indicate the average hourly rate for a babysitter is slightly over $15 an hour. If you have CPR certification, you might be able to earn more.
Have your parents spread the word that you’re looking for work on Facebook or Nextdoor. Care.com is another good resource you can use if you’re at least 18 years of age.
8. Yard Work
Many people need yard work and landscaping done during the summer. If you don’t mind spending time outside, this is an excellent way to make money as a teen.
There are several ways to earn money with this opportunity. You can advertise on Facebook or other social media platforms that you’re looking for work.
You may want to have a few of the following tools to secure work:
- Lawnmower
- Hedge trimmer
- Rake
- Aerator shoes
- Clearing garden tools
- Leaf blower
- Garden cart
- Lopper
Doing yard work and odd jobs for people in your city is one of the better small business ideas for teens as there is considerable flexibility.
This gig could pay at least $20 per hour.
9. Freelance
Yes, even minors can freelance to earn additional cash this summer. If you have a skill, freelancing is a legit way for kids to make money.
You can find online jobs for teens with any of the following skills:
- Coding
- Graphic design
- Data entry
- Illustration
- Social media management
Teens can ask their parents to advertise on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist that they are looking for work. They can also let friends or family know they are looking for paying gigs.
Fiverr is another useful resource to find work. You only need to be 13 years old to use the service. All gigs start at $5, but the real money is in add-ons you can offer.
If you’re searching for at-home jobs for teens this summer, freelancing can be a profitable venture.
10. Sell Your Stuff
Do you have a lot of clutter in your room that you no longer use? If so, you can turn your unwanted items into cash.
This won’t provide a stream of income for the entire summer, but it’s a great way to make easy money.
There are various items you can sell for cash, including:
- Old video games
- DVDs
- CDs
- Gaming consoles
- Calculators
If you have no need for it, why not turn it into cash? BuyBackWorld is a perfect site to sell most items. Simply go to the site and input what you have to sell.
When you accept the site’s offer, they provide a postage-paid slip to mail in the items. Once they receive it, you will receive funds via PayPal.
11. Sell Your Designs
If you’re creative and want to make money from home, selling designs online is a fun option.
There is minimal expense to get started, and all you need is the ability to create something people will purchase.
You can sell designs for numerous products, including:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Hats
- Stickers
- Flip-flops
The best way to sell designs is through a site like Cafepress. You only need to be 13 years old to use the site.
Cafepress is an online retailer of stock and user-customized on-demand products. You upload your designs, and they handle the sales and shipping of items.
12. Wash Cars
Washing cars for busy adults is a fantastic way to make money this summer. This is a good opportunity to make your own money if you don’t mind being outside and dislike yard work.
You won’t need a lot of supplies to start. A bucket, soap, and rags are all items that you commonly need to wash cars. If you have a portable vacuum and window cleaner, you can also clean the interior.
To truly maximize the earning potential of this opportunity, offer to meet people at their home or business.
Like other summer jobs, ask your parents to advertise for you or let neighbors know you’re available. Word of mouth is helpful when you want to find potential clients and grow your income.
13. Lifeguard
Do you love the water or enjoy spending time at the beach? If so, lifeguarding is a fun way to make money during the summer.
You can look for work at a neighborhood pool or inquire at a lifeguard station to get a job if you live near a beach. You will need to be certified and CPR-trained to get work.
14. Be a Golf Caddy
One of the more popular ways to make extra money as a teen during the summer is as a golf caddy. Golf clubs commonly look for golf caddies to help guests during the summer months.
If you enjoy golf or don’t mind spending a lot of time outside, this is an excellent way to start earning money as a teenager.
The club offers a base rate, and it’s common to receive tips from those you help on the links.
15. Clean Houses
Having a clean house is great, but keeping a home clean can be difficult if both spouses work.
Unfortunately, professional house cleaning is expensive. It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to pay $150 to $200 per visit.
Teens can offer similar services for less, but still at a lucrative rate.
If you like to clean and are an effective worker, you can start your own business as a housecleaner. Clients often have the supplies you need, so you may not need to purchase much to get started.
Similar to other summer jobs for teenagers, advertise your work through word of mouth and social media.
16. Sell Crafts Online
If you love to make crafts, you can monetize that skill and sell handmade items online during the summer.
Many people love the idea of having crafts around their homes but lack the skill or time to make items themselves.
You can have a parent establish an Etsy account or an Amazon store on your behalf. Post your creations on either platform and list them for a fair price.
Both sites have minimal selling fees, so you do have to account for those. Aside from that, selling crafts is a fun way to make money from home this summer.
17. House Sit
Plenty of people go on summer vacations. If your family knows people traveling this summer, you can make money as a house sitter.
When it comes to easy jobs for teens, house sitting is one of the top options. It can entail sleeping in the client’s home to care for things around the house, such as getting the mail, watering gardens, and caring for pets.
Alternatively, they may just want you to visit their house for one or two hours each day to do similar tasks and make it look like someone is home.
Make sure to get a clear understanding of what the homeowner wants. Once you do, this can be a simple way to make extra money this summer.
FAQs About Summer Money-Making Opportunities for Teenagers
Are you looking for ways for teens to make money this summer but have some questions? Here are some answers to common questions asked by readers.
Can you legally get a job at 13?
It is usually not possible to get work when you are only 13. Many states require you to be at least 14 to work most part-time jobs. However, there are still ways for kids as young as 13 to get work.
Most of the choices on our list are options. From babysitting to taking surveys to yard work, there are plenty of opportunities to make money.
What should I do with my earnings?
While you can do whatever you want with your earnings, a summer job is an excellent way to learn how to manage your money. This is an important lesson to learn at a young age.
The best option is to put your earnings in a teen-friendly bank account that has no fees and gives you a place to save your money as you earn it.
Copper is one option that offers bank accounts for those as young as 13. It has no fees and lets you withdraw cash at over 50,000 ATMs for free.
Read our guide on bank accounts for kids to learn about other choices to start saving earnings.
What is the highest-paying summer job for teens?
If you’re 18 or older, the highest paying job is typically working for a delivery service like DoorDash. If you’re under 18, high-paying jobs include babysitting or caring for a pet.
Nevertheless, many of the choices on our list can be lucrative and help you earn more than minimum wage.
Read our guide on ways to make extra money this summer to identify other top-paying choices.
Can I work at Walmart at 14?
It is not possible to work for Walmart if you’re only 14. The retailer has a minimum age requirement of at least 16 to work at their stores.
Chain grocery stores do have lower age requirements, but they often vary by location. Other retail jobs may let you make money as a 14 year old, but they are not as well-paid as other opportunities.
What state has the youngest working age?
Several states allow you to work in agricultural jobs as long as you have parental consent. Illinois and Idaho lead the country with the youngest minimum age of 12 years.
In most states, it’s possible to make money as a 14 year old, so there is ample opportunity if you’re young.
Bottom Line
This list just scratches the surface of ways for teens to make money. There are many awesome money-making gigs for teens who are looking for summer work.
If you’re creative and willing to put in the effort, there are plenty of opportunities to earn good cash.
What are you doing to make money this summer?
*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.
*Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval
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Choncé is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), personal finance freelance writer, and blogger who focuses on helping others manage their money better in order to live a life with more possibilities and fewer limitations. Her work has been featured on Business Insider, LendingTree, Credit Sesame, and Barclaycard.
