A kid under 14 trying to make money could have a good foundation to earn money in his future career.
Normally, kids at this age don’t even think of making money. They are dependent on their parents.
But, for those who want to earn money in their childhood. There are many simple ways that don’t need any prior experience.
Ready to dive in? Let’s explore 13 fun ways to start making money as a kid today!
1. Start a Lemonade Stand
A lemonade stand is a classic but effective way to earn money as a kid.
Here are some elements to consider before starting a lemonade stand. The first one is choosing a suitable location for this business.
Your lemonade stand must be near a grocery store, beach, or park because there is a lot of visibility and foot traffic. It will help you get more attention, customers, and sales.
Secondly, you will need to focus on an attractive and eye-catching stand. It’s essential for the success of a lemonade stand business.
Use the bright yellow colors to get the attention of customers. Prepare a menu that provides a variety of lemonade flavors.
Set your lemonade price to attract more customers and keep a balance between the cost and profitability of your ingredients.
2. Sell Handmade Crafts
Handmade crafts are a fun way for kids to make money. People love and buy handmade crafts.
If you are a creative kid who can make handicrafts, you have a great opportunity to turn your skill into cash.
Make different types of crafts such as Friendship bracelets, keychains, and painted rocks, and sell them online or in the local market.
Start by making a few samples and showing them to friends, family, or teachers. You can also sell at school events or community fairs.
You can also sell on Etsy using your parents' account.
Make your crafts unique! Use bright colors, cool designs, or even personalize them with names. Try to make eye-catching crafts to attract customers and sell more of your handmade stuff.
3. Offer Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Service
Pet sitting or dog walking is another way to make money as a kid. Offer your service to pet owners who are busy or travelling.
Find people in your local community who need someone to care for their pets. However, you need some know-how about animals to provide this service.
Be responsible! Show up on time, be gentle with the animals, and follow the owner’s instructions. If you win their trust, they’ll likely recommend you to others.
4. Do Yard Work for Neighbors
You can offer yard work services to neighbors and people living in your community.
Yard work might not sound exciting, but it’s a great way to make money.
As a kid, you can provide cleaning services such as picking up sticks and rocks hiding in the grass. Pull the weeds out of the garden bed and clean the yard.
If you are strong enough, you can run a push mower safely. However, I would not suggest running a riding mower until you reach the age of 16.
It’s not a rule of thumb, but from a safety perspective, I recommend that you follow it. Choose this option if you feel you and your parents are comfortable with it.
Otherwise, go with another option that is safer and feels comfy to you.
5. Recycle Cans and Bottles
You can make money by recycling cans and bottles. It’s an easy way to earn money while helping the environment.
Recyclable materials include plastic and glass bottles, plastic containers, cardboard, newspapers, aluminum and steel cans, etc.
Start by collecting recyclables from your house. Ask friends, neighbors, or local businesses if they have extras.
Make sure they’re clean and sorted before taking them to a recycling center. Some people even set up “can collections” after events like sports games.
With a little effort, you can earn a decent amount of cash over time!
6. Babysitting for Friends & Family
If you are responsible enough and love kids, you can become a babysitter. Another factor people are curious about is your age.
In some countries, the minimum age to become a babysitter must be 14 or 15. In others, there is no rule, but you must be aware of how to handle babies.
If you are just starting, start with younger siblings, cousins, or family friends. Gain some experience before you apply for any professional job as a babysitter.
This step is necessary because when you apply as a professional babysitter, you will need prior experience.
To gain some experience, start from home. To find jobs as a babysitter, use Facebook and LinkedIn. Both platforms are helpful and easy to use.
7. Sell Baked Goods or Snacks
Sell home-baked cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. Fortunately, all of them are already popular and can sell easily.
Bake a few samples and let people try them. Once you get good feedback, start selling at local events, family gatherings, or even at school (if allowed).
Make sure your treats look amazing! Use fun decorations, colorful packaging, or even themed designs for holidays.
A little extra effort can make your snacks stand out.
8. Wash Cars or Bikes
As a car or bike washer, you can offer services to neighbors first. It’s an easy way to make money as a kid. You can offer this service to people who don’t have time to clean their vehicles, so they’ll happily pay you to do it.
All you need are basic supplies like soap, sponges, and a hose. During a car wash, you might use a sponge or wash mitt to apply soapy water to the car body.
Remove the dirt and grime with the help of a brush, scrubbing it.
Rinse the car thoroughly with a hose. However, be careful when using the hose. It could be better if you do it under the supervision of an adult.
Focus on the work well, and provide excellent service so that you get repeat clients.
9. Create and Sell Digital Art or Stickers
If you’re good at drawing, you can make money selling digital art. Stickers, wallpapers, and custom drawings are very popular online.
Use free apps like Canva or drawing programs to design cool graphics. Sell your artwork on platforms such as Redbubble or Etsy (with parental help).
Trendy, unique designs sell best. Try making cute animals, funny quotes, or personalized names to attract buyers.
10. Teach a Skill or Offer Tutoring
Are you good at math, reading, or playing an instrument? Teach younger kids and get paid for it!
Parents love finding tutors who can help their children with schoolwork. Offer lessons in person or online.
Make learning fun! Use games, drawings, or creative examples to keep students interested. The more engaging your lessons are, the more students will want to learn from you.
11. Run Errands for Elderly Neighbors
Many older people need help with simple tasks like grocery shopping, picking up mail, or walking their pets.
Offer to assist neighbors in exchange for a small fee. Not only do you make money, but you also help someone in need!
Always be polite, reliable, and trustworthy. If you do a good job, they may hire you for regular tasks.
12. Rent Out Toys or Video Games
Do you have toys or games you don’t use all the time? Rent them out to friends for a small fee!
Make sure everything is in good condition. Set clear rules, like how long they can borrow and how much it costs.
This is a great way to make money without selling your favorite items!
13. Start a YouTube Channel or Blog
Love talking about games, crafts, or hobbies? Create a YouTube channel or blog!
With parental help, you can make videos or write posts about things you enjoy. Over time, you can earn money from ads or sponsorships.
Be patient—success doesn’t happen overnight. Keep creating fun and helpful content, and your audience will grow!
Conclusion
There you have it—13 awesome ways to make money as a kid! Try one (or more) of these ideas and see what works best for you.
Earning money takes effort, but it can also be fun. Plus, you’ll learn skills that will help you in the future. So, which idea will you try first? Let me know!
