Side Hustles for Teens: 16 Easy Money-Making Ideas
Side Hustles for Teens: 16 Opportunities to Earn Money and Build Skills
Side hustles for teens can be a great way to earn extra money, gain valuable skills, and develop a strong work ethic. Below are 16 different side hustle opportunities for teens that are perfect for homeschoolers and entrepreneurial-minded youth.
Why Teens Should Start a Side Hustle
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Many homeschool kids I meet are budding entrepreneurs. They know a lot about many things and are used to contributing to their families. As my kids have grown older, their play has turned into productivity, and they have started seeking out different money-making opportunities. Starting a side hustle can teach teens about responsibility, money management, and even how to run a business.
Consider these quotes:
From Kidpreneurs:
“Encouraging kids to be entrepreneurial helps them learn important skills for any career. Kidpreneurs must identify issues and challenges and then figure out effective solutions. They learn how to research, analyze, and think critically.”
From Empeople:
“A summer job can help your teen earn extra money, develop knowledge for financial literacy, or help them get into the college of their dreams. It helps them develop a stronger work ethic and puts them on a financial path with a higher probability of success.”
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Top Side Hustles for Teens
Babysitting
Many homeschoolers come from large families and have experience taking care of young children. Homeschoolers with flexible daytime schedules can be mothers’ helpers for other young homeschooling families. Most parents also struggle to find trustworthy babysitters for weekend and evening adult engagements.
When I had 5 young kids, I was dying for a little time to myself. I hired a teen girl to watch my children for 2 hours a week. That little break was all that I needed to feel refreshed and get a few things done without so many little ones in tow. Babysitting pays well too!
Dog Walking
Dog walking is a fantastic side hustle for teens who enjoy animals. Busy adults often need help caring for their pets during the day. If you live in a neighborhood with dog owners, this could be a great way to earn steady income.
Before I was a stay-at-home mom with kids, my husband and I bought a puppy. We were both working and could not get home at our lunch hour to let our little dog outside to do his “business.” My mom went to our house each day until he could wait all day.
We would have been thrilled if there was a homeschooled child or teen that we could have paid to take our dog out. Especially if you live in a neighborhood, dog walking for busy adults could be a great side hustle to start.
Pet Sitting and Farm Sitting
Teens who live in rural areas can offer farm sitting services, while suburban and urban teens might focus on pet sitting. Caring for animals while owners are away is both rewarding and lucrative.
We live in the country with a plethora of animals. We pay handsomely when we travel for our animals to receive great care. We pay the neighbor kids, who are 10 and 12 years old. It is a win-win situation for both parties!
Traveling when you have animals, or even working long hours away from home, can be very stressful when you love your pets. Having a trusty person on hand to care for your fur-babies when you are gone is a huge blessing.
Lawn Care and Snow Removal
Offer lawn mowing, leaf raking, and general yard maintenance services to homeowners in your area in the spring, summer, and fall. Offer to spread mulch and pull weeds. Clean up fallen limbs after a big storm. In the winter, shovel driveways and sidewalks and salt front porches for safety.
Good repertoire your neighbors can go a long way in building a successful business that can grow over time as a child matures in size and knowledge.
Tutoring
Homeschooled teens who excel in subjects like math, science, or music can offer tutoring or lessons. Teaching skills like violin, piano, or even dance are excellent ways to share knowledge while earning money.
Tutoring could be a great side hustle for homeschooled teens. My older sons are great at helping their younger siblings with math and science. We have a 14-year-old doing a great job teaching my young daughters piano. I know a teen girl that teaches an Irish Dance Camp in the summer!
It is great to see kids teaching other kids valuable skills in education and beyond. Whatever your homeschooler excels at, he or she could probably make a small business out of it.
Creative and Unique Side Hustles for Teens
Sell Junk
Teens can sell old or unwanted items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Items like aquariums, snowshoes, or even toys can find new homes while earning some extra cash.
My 11-year-old son loves to sell on my Facebook Marketplace.
Grandparents and other friends and relatives are often getting rid of old items and my son is always there for the taking.
He has sold aquariums, an old wall safe, a saddle, snowshoes, and a few other items online. He also sells his own items if he no longer needs them – mostly toys and other gadgets.
Sell Handmade Crafts
For the crafty kid, consider selling your handmade items on Facebook Marketplace, craft fairs, holiday marts and on platforms like Etsy. This can be a creative and profitable side hustle.
I have one artsy son, and he sells his woodworking creations – cutting boards, pallet furniture and other wooden creations. It is a lot of fun for him to create and make money!
For more about woodworking:
Photography
Teens with a good camera and photography skills can offer services for events like parties, family gatherings, or portraits. Capturing moments for others is a rewarding and potentially high-paying job.
Developing photography skills and access to a decent camera, and your homeschooler could be the neighborhood photographer for events like parties, family gatherings, or senior portraits.
I would love to pay a homeschooler to take pictures of sacrament days: Baptisms, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. It would be nice to have someone take pictures at birthday parties and family reunions. Usually, I am too busy chasing kids and having fun to remember to take pictures!
House Cleaning
House cleaning could be a great side hustle for a teen that likes to clean. Offer a cleaning service to busy families or individuals who need help keeping their homes tidy.
Kids could also offer to help with project-based cleaning- cleaning sheds, garages, basements, etc. Often, when a family is getting ready to move, there is a lot of extra help needed. It might be a perfect way for your homeschooler to make extra money.
Car Washing and Detailing
Providing car washing, detailing, and interior cleaning services for a neighborhood would be a great business. I know one homeschooling boy who provides this service to his community. It is a great business for him, and he doesn’t even need his own car!
Tech-Savvy Side Hustles for Teens
Content Creation
This is one side hustle that more and more kids are trying out and finding success. Start a YouTube channel, blog, or social media account around a topic you’re passionate about. Once an audience is built, money can be made through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
I think this is a really interesting and positive way for kids to be spending time online. There is a mantra in the content creation world – “create before you consume.” I think kids creating great content about their passions is a very healthy way to assimilate into our tech-obsessed world.
Baking Business
I know a couple of homeschool girls who have made money selling beautiful loaves of homemade sourdough bread to friends, neighbors, family and her community. They love to bake and sour dough bread is an art that takes a lot of time to create and do well.
I think that homeschoolers could easily start a small baking business- not just bread, but cookies, cakes and other food items too!
For more about teaching your kids to cook:
Basic Culinary Skills- 10 Cooking Lessons for Kids
Ultimate Gift Guide for Teens That Like to Cook
Party Planning
Teens with organizational skills can offer party planning services for kids’ birthdays or small events. This is a fun way to earn money while gaining valuable experience.
I would love to have a party planner for my kids’ birthdays, but I am way too frugal to pay for a REAL party planner. I would be happy to pay a homeschooler to plan, purchase and set up a kid’s party. I know a lot of girls who would love this side hustle, and it could easily grow into a larger business as she gained age and experience.
Outdoor and Hands-On Side Hustles for Teens
Firewood Delivery
Now that my oldest son can drive, he has gotten into the firewood business. He finds wood, splits it and delivers to a growing customer list. The hours are very flexible, and he enjoys the work! It pays well too!
Auto Trading
Skilled teens can buy, fix, and sell cars, ATVs, boats or dirt bikes. This requires mechanical knowledge but can be a very profitable venture.
We know a few homeschoolers who have become skilled mechanics and auto traders. They buy, fix up, and sell cars, ATVs and dirt bikes. Homeschoolers often have the time to pursue interests in skills like these and the boys who can run this sort of business while still in high school are destined for great things.
One of my sons just bought his first trailer. It is looking pretty janky right now, but he has plans to give it a makeover and resell it. He will use his skills in welding, painting, and some minor mechanics like replacing the tires and rewiring the electrical. I am very proud that he has developed the skill set to do this work in his young 16 years.
Raising Animals
Teens can raise animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, or fish to sell as pets. This side hustle teaches responsibility and can be both fun and profitable.
My 11-year-old son raises rabbits for meat, lucky rabbit feet, pelts and pets. He sells on Facebook and Craigslist and word of mouth. Rabbits can easily be raised in most types of housing, but your child could also consider small hand pets like hamsters or guinea pigs, or fish, reptiles or even dogs or cats.
I know most parents wouldn’t allow a breeding operation in their home, but my son has learned a lot about responsibility, animal husbandry, and business through his endeavors.
For more about raising rabbits as a hobby: 6 Reasons Why Raising Rabbits for Kids is an Awesome Hobby
Entrepreneurship Resources for Teens
There are many resources available to help teens start side hustles. Books, online courses, and even shows like Shark Tank can inspire and educate young entrepreneurs. Encouraging teens to explore their passions while earning money can set them on a path to lifelong success.
Our Favorite Entrepreneurship Books for Kids
Final Thoughts on Side Hustles for Teens
Side hustles for teens provide more than just extra income; they offer life skills, independence, and a sense of accomplishment. Whether your teen wants to start a small business, learn a trade, or save for the future, there are countless opportunities to explore.
We all have different skills and talents. Not every homeschooler wants to run his own business. But if your child has a passion and is business minded, finding a way to earn while doing something he or she loves could be a worthy endeavor. Good luck!
For more ideas on hobbies and business opportunities for homeschoolers, keep exploring our blog. Good luck!
Unique Hobbies for Homeschoolers- 14 New Ideas
Metal Detecting for Kids: Going on a Treasure Hunt
How to Help Your Kid Start an Etsy Shop (Step-by-Step for Parents)
Turning a Hobby into a Business: 10 Easy Steps to Making Money
