How to Make Money as a Kid (Online and Offline Jobs) (2026)
Saving money on make money kid online does not have to be complicated. We rounded up the essentials so you can spend less and skip the guesswork.
Key Takeaways
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- It’s never too early to start teaching your children good financial habits, and there’s no better way for them to learn than by earning and...
It’s never too early to start teaching your children good financial habits, and there’s no better way for them to learn than by earning and managing their own money.
In this article, we’ll touch on some of the best ways to make money as a kid (focusing on safety), go over some key rules that parents should know, and offer a four-step plan for helping your kid have a excellent experience while learning the right financial lessons.
The article is broken down into four categories:
- Best Overall Job for Kids
- Best Offline Jobs for Kids
- Best Online Jobs for Kids
- Best Small Businesses for Kids
You can also use the table of contents button below to jump directly to a specific idea.
Note that this article primarily covers jobs for kids who aren’t old enough to get a work permit. Check out this list of good jobs for 14 year olds if your child is looking for a more traditional first job, and our list of side hustles for teens if they’re looking for something more entrepreneurial in nature.
Table of Contents
ToggleKnow the Rules About Kids and Jobs
For decades after the start of the industrial revolution, child labor laws were virtually non-existent. Very young children regularly performed dangerous work in places like mills and factories, and numerous were injured or killed in accidents.
Today, there are laws in place , notably, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) , to prevent the exploitation of child labor. These laws keep kids from performing dangerous tasks and help ensure they’re in school, not in the workplace.
However, these laws also mean that, generally speaking, a child must be at least 14 years old to get a “regular” job.
There are a few exceptions to that minimum age, including:
- Family businesses. Kids are legally allowed to work in a business solely owned by their parents or legal guardians any time of the day, for any number of hours, so long as it does not interfere with their state or federally-mandated schooling.
- Movies, TV, theatre, and radio. In general, minors are allowed to work in the entertainment industry with few restrictions.
- Newspaper delivery. Minors are legally allowed to deliver newspapers or sell them on the street.
- Making holly, pine or cedar wreaths (including the harvesting of the materials). Yes, it’s true: one of the few of exemptions to the restrictions on child labor laws is making wreaths.
- Babysitting. In general, there are no age restrictions on babysitting.
- Farm work. Kids ages 12 and 13 are legally allowed to work in any agricultural occupation with parental permission, and kids of any age are allowed to work on family farms.
Keep in mind that states have the right to impose stricter rules than the federal regulations, which means you should check the laws where you live.
Because of these laws, some of the jobs and businesses on this list require parental permission or hands-on parental involvement. For example, while a child can’t technically have their own Etsy account from which to sell crafts or artwork (because the minimum age to open one is 18), they can sell under a parent’s account.
The Best Overall Job for Kids: Farm Work
A 13 year old girl grooming a horse.Why it’s excellent: Farm work is the only realistic non-family job that’s legally available to kids ages 12 and 13. But aside from that, we think there are a few reasons why this is the best overall first job.
- It will get your son or daughter out of the house and away from their devices, and force them to connect with nature in a way that’s increasingly rare but no less valuable than ever
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on make money kid online goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at thewaystowealth.com.
R.J. Weiss
Our editorial team researches and verifies every money-saving guide before publishing. Editorial policy · About us
