If you’re a teenager, you’re quickly 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. You have extra time and can really amass a good amount of money.
If you’re looking for ways to make money as a teenager this summer, our guide shares a few of the top choices available to you.
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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 a side gig opportunity.
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? If you do, Swagbucks is a terrific way to make money online in your spare time.
Swagbucks is a micro-task site that pays you in points for each task you complete. These points can be converted into cash.
You can choose to 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. Swagbucks is an excellent way to earn money without leaving your home and a great source of extra pocket money.
2. Give Your Opinion
If you’re looking for quick ways to make money as a teen, try sharing your opinion. Companies love learning what we think about a product or service, and you can profit from it.
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.
3. Deliver Meals
Are you home from college and want to make money around town? Delivering meals is a terrific way to earn cash this summer or year-round if you do it while in school.
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 time.
If you don’t have access to a car, you can also deliver meals via bike or scooter.
DoorDash pays a minimum of $2 per order, plus you get to keep 100 percent of your tips. Earnings range from $18 to $25 an hour, so this can be a lucrative way to earn an income this summer.
4. Dog Walking/Pet Sitting
Do you love pets? If so, one of the most fun ways for kids to make money is offering dog walking or pet sitting services to people in your city or neighborhood.
This can include any of the following:
- Dog walking
- Grooming and washing pets
- Boarding pets in your home
- House sitting for 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. That means you can make good money during the summer while having fun.
5. Part-Time Job
As long as you’re at least 15 years old, you should have numerous part-time job opportunities in your city. In fact, there are some places that hire at 14.
A part-time 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
A part-time job may not be glamorous, but it can be one of the best summer jobs for teens. Most provide a set schedule and hourly rate.
6. Start a Blog
Yes, even teenagers 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 within a few clicks, provides 24/7 support, and a free domain name for just $2.95 per month.
Read our detailed guide on how to start a blog to learn more.
7. Babysit
If you want to know how to make money as a teenager, look no further than babysitting. This opportunity requires no special skills. You just need to be a caring person and enjoy 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 may 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 old.
8. Yard Work
A lot of 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 Nextdoor 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 for neighbors and others in your city is one of the better small business ideas for teens as there is considerable flexibility. Many gigs will pay at least $20 per hour.
9. Freelance
Yes, even teenagers can freelance to make money on the side this summer. If you have a skill, you can monetize it to earn cash.
You can find online jobs with any of the following skills:
- Coding
- Graphic design
- Data entry
- Illustration
- Social media management
You can ask your parents to advertise on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist that you’re looking for work. They can also let friends or family know you’re looking for paying gigs this summer.
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? You can turn that clutter into cash.
This won’t provide a stream of income for the entire summer, but it’s a great way to put some spending money in your pocket.
There are various items you can sell for money, 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 their offers, 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
Are you creative and want to make money from home this summer? A fun way to make money as a kid is to sell designs online for cash.
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 sales and shipping of items.
12. Wash Cars
Do you like to spend time outside but don’t like to do yard work? Washing cars for busy adults is a fantastic way to make money this summer.
You won’t need a lot of materials to wash cars. A bucket, soap, and rags are all 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 clients 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 a go-to to grow your income.
13. Lifeguard
Do you love the water or enjoy spending time at the beach? If you’re looking for easy jobs for teens, 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 have 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.
If you enjoy golf or don’t mind spending a lot of time outside, this is an excellent way to earn cash. The club offers a base rate, and it’s common to receive tips from those you help on the links.
15. Clean Houses
A clean house is a joy to have, but it’s easy to forego in homes where both spouses work. Unfortunately, professional house cleaning is expensive. It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to pay $150 to $200 per visit.
You can offer similar services for less, but still at a lucrative rate.
If you like to clean and are an effective worker, you can begin a house cleaning business during the summer. Clients often have the supplies you need, so you may not need to purchase much to start.
Similar to other summer jobs for teenagers, advertise your work through word of mouth and social media.
16. Sell Crafts Online
Do you love to make crafts? You can monetize that skill and sell handmade crafts online during the summer. Many people love the idea of having crafts around the home 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 and list them for a fair price.
Both platforms have minimal selling fees, making this a fun way to earn money during your spare time in the summer.
17. House Sit
Plenty of people go on vacation during the summer. If your family knows people traveling this summer, you can make money as a house sitter.
House sitting is often easy to do. 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 at 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 common questions asked by readers.
Can you legally get a job at 13?
No, most states require you to be at least 14 to work most part-time jobs. However, there are still many ways for 13-year-olds 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 with your earnings as you wish, a summer job is an excellent way to learn how to manage your money. That’s 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 park 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 other kids banks accounts for 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.
Don’t limit yourself though, as many of the choices on our list can be lucrative.
Can I work at Walmart at 14?
No, Walmart has a minimum age requirement of at least 16 years to work at their locations. Chain grocery stores do have lower age requirements, but they often vary by location.
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 with the youngest minimum age of 12 years.
In most states, it’s possible to make money as a 14-year-old in many part-time jobs, 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 looking for summer work.
If you’re creative and willing to do the work, there’s opportunity to earn good cash.
What are you doing to make money this summer? What are you doing with your earnings?
When I was a teenager I used to tutor smaller kids. Didn’t earn me a fortune, but it did help with buying some much needed stuff my parents couldn’t afford. Really great ideas you have here, let’s hope tees are willing to get inspired and do some lucrative work
That’s great you were able to tutor as a teen. That’s a great gig even for adults. It can feel so good when you finally have an income to pay for some of your own things.