20 Safe Ways to Make Money as a Kid (2026)

If safe ways make money is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• 20 Safe Ways to Make Money as a Kid Every teen and preteen wants to know how to make money as a kid.
• From making money online to setting up a business in your backyard, here are some great ways to teach your kids about money and the value of...
• Written by Jana Lynch Last Updated: September 25, 2023 Reviewed by Zina Kumok Home Side Hustles Some of the links on DollarSprout point to p...

20 Safe Ways to Make Money as a Kid

Every teen and preteen wants to know how to make money as a kid. From making money online to setting up a business in your backyard, here are some excellent ways to teach your kids about money and the value of hard work.

Written by Jana Lynch Last Updated: September 25, 2023 Reviewed by Zina Kumok

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Whether it’s to purchase a new video game, AirPods, or just to feel like they have their own spending money, every kid wants their own cash.

My 13-year-old spends a lot of time talking about jobs she’s going to have when she’s older. What she doesn’t realize is that there are plenty of ways for her to make money now. And that money doesn’t have to come from me giving her an allowance. It can come from her own hard work and creativity.

In fact, there are plenty of ways for most kids to earn their own cash. From selling their own handmade crafts to starting a YouTube channel, to helping neighbors with yard work, it’s easier than ever to make money as a kid.

12 In-Person Ways to Make Money as a Kid

While it’s a lot simpler for older teenagers to make their own money, kids younger than 14 still have plenty of options.

1. Bake Sale/Lemonade Stand

The lemonade stand is a classic and one of the most popular ways for kids to make money. If you’re in a premium location or put one near a yard sale or parade route, you can expect some decent results.

Kids can expand their sales (and profits) by also offering things like baked goods, donuts, or more exotic drinks like kombucha or flavored lemonades.

Parental involvement: Low to moderate. Kids as young as five can set up a lemonade stand, but depending upon their age, you might need to supervise, help make or pour drinks, or assist with collecting money.

2. Have a Yard Sale

If your house looks anything like mine, it’s full of toys my daughter has outgrown or stopped using. Encourage your kids to set up a yard sale to get rid of their old items and make some money at the same time. They can even combine this with their lemonade or bake sale or sell homemade crafts to draw in shoppers.

Parental involvement: Low. You’ll need to help them organize and cost their items and supervise the actual sale, but they should be able to handle customer service, collecting money, and giving change on their own.

3. Sell Crafts

An simple way for kids to make money is to sell crafts they make online, especially if they’re the more artsy type. This can include making friendship bracelets, painting, drawing, or even knitting scarves. They can make seasonal items, like warm hats for the winter, or items that sell year-round. Themed items are popular as well, as are items for pets.

This is one of the most open-ended ways to make money as a kid.

Parental involvement: Low. Although you’ll have to help them purchase the materials, drive them to the store, or possibly front some “seed” money, your kids should be able to make and sell their items, especially if they’re older and selling them at school.

4. Pet Care Services

Although you have to be 18 to get started with Rover, kids can still make money walking dogs or feeding cats.

In fact, people in your neighborhood might be more willing to hire your child to walk their dog than a stranger. You can help them get started by posting on social media or helping your child put flyers in neighbors’ mailboxes.

Kids might have to charge less than adults, but if they have a few clients at once, it can add up to some decent cash over time.

Parental involvement: Low to moderate. If your kids are taking care of pets on your block or in your neighborhood, they should be able to walk or ride their bikes to their clients’ houses. If they want to walk dogs or feed cats across town, you’ll have to drive them. You might also need to help with advertising their services or dealing with clients who don’t pay on time.

Related: 6 Cute Ways Dog Lovers Can Make Money with Their Canine Pals

5. Babysitting or Mother’s Helper

Like lemonade stands and mowing lawns, babysitting is a classic way for kids to make money. While older teens can watch younger children, younger teens, and even tweens can get in on the action by working as a mother’s helper.

Whether a mom needs extra hands at the pool or someone to keep her younger kids occupied while she works, your child can cash in on that. It’s a excellent way for tweens and younger teens to earn money over the summer or during school breaks when parents really need help.

Parental involvement: Low. You might have to drive your child to their client’s home if they live far away or help them with finding clients, but that’s about it.

Related: 36 Summer Side Hustles for Boosting Your Income

6. Yard Work

Earning money doing yard work is something even little kids can do.

From pulling weeds to watering plants, or raking leaves, there’s never any shortage of work that needs to be done around the house. Older kids can up their earnings by cleaning out gutters (as long as they’re not afraid of heights), shoveling snow, or mowing lawns for the neighbors.

Parental involvement: Low to moderate. Depending on the child’s age and what they’re doing, your involvement can range from a supervisory capacity to letting them do the work on their own. However, if it’s a potentially dangerous task, like being on a ladder, you might need to stay with them the entire time.

7. Tech Support

Kids are amazing at using technology. I’ve lost count of how numerous things my daughter has taught me to do with my phone and iPad.

If your child is good with technology, they can start a business or service helping neighbors and friends perform updates on their devices, digitize pictures and documents, and even give tutorials on how to use various apps. They can also help people set up their new devices or computers or offer to do virus scans.

This can be one of the more lucrative ventures for kids, and one with the lowest start-up costs.

Parental involvement: Low. Beyond helping them set their prices and advertise their services, there is almost nothing you need to do to help them perform this service.

Related: Should Kids Get Paid to Do Chores? Experts Think Maybe Not

8. Wash Cars

Washing cars is a cumbersome task most people would prefer to avoid or pay someone else to do for them. Your child can take advantage of this by offering car washing services around the neighborhood.

They can go door to door with a bucket of supplies, or they can ask clients to come to their house. If you live in an apartment complex, check to see if there’s a car washing bay for your kid to set up shop.

If washing cars isn’t an option, or your child wants to make even more money, they can wash outdoor furniture, patios or decks, or clean front porches.

Parental involvement: Low. You might need to ask your homeowner’s association or apartment complex for permission to use certain areas, and you might have to help pay for supplies, but your kid should do all the work. Don’t forget to account for an increase in your water bill as well.

9. Farm Work

If you live in a rural area or near a farm, your kid can get a job doing farm work. Things like cleaning horse stalls, feeding animals, moving hay bales, or other non-machine-related tasks are all tasks kids can do to make money.

Check your state laws and regulations to see if there are age or work-hour restrictions for kids to perform farm work.

Parental involvement: Low to moderate. If you own a farm, it’s a lot different to have your kids work for you than it is to find them to do work somewhere else. You won’t have to drive them or help them find somewhere to work. However, you do need to make sure what they are doing is legal so neither your kid nor the farm owner gets into any trouble.

10. Get a Part-Time Job

The simplest way to make money as a kid is to find a part-time job.

Most states don’t permit kids under the age of 14 to work in a traditional setting. However, it might be worth looking to see if your state makes any accommodations for jobs like dishwasher, junior camp counselor, or bagging groceries for kids younger than 14.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, double-check safe ways make money against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at dollarsprout.com.