15 Genius Ways to Make Money as a Kid in 2025

Key Takeaways

1. Kids and teens can earn money through creative, safe, and age-appropriate jobs.

2. Selling crafts, babysitting, pet sitting, and online gigs are great starting points.

3. Making money early teaches valuable life skills like responsibility and budgeting.

4. With the right guidance, even teenagers can earn online through YouTube or freelancing.

5. Start small, explore your interests, and grow your side hustle as you learn.

I still remember the first time I earned money as a kid. It wasn’t much — just a few dollars to help my neighbor with groceries — but the feeling of earning something on my own was unforgettable. It sparked in me a desire to find more ways to make money as a kid, and over time, I discovered that there were many opportunities for teens like me to make a real income.

If you’re a kid, tween, or teen looking for smart, fun, and safe ways to make money, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll share everything I’ve learned, from my early childhood to my more “older” teens. Whether you’re 10, 13, or 17, here’s a money-making idea for you!

Why Kids and Teenagers Want to Earn Money

Let's be honest - there's something great about having your own money. When I started earning, I felt more independent. I could buy my favorite snacks, save up for games, or even treat my little sister for her birthday. But it's not just about spending. Earning money as a child taught me valuable lessons in:

Budgeting and saving

Communication and responsibility

Creativity and problem-solving

Time management

These are skills that stay with you for life. So whether you're doing it for fun, necessity, or learning something new, there's no wrong reason to earn money as a teenager.

1. Sell Stuff You No Longer Need

One of the first ways I made money as a kid was by selling old toys, books, and games. I set up a table in front of my house and turned it into a mini garage sale. Later, I learned how to sell on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay (with adult supervision, of course).

Tips:

Clean up your items and take nice photos.

Ask your parents to help list online.

Price things fairly and be polite to buyers.

2. Start a Lemonade or Snack Stand

This one’s a classic—and it still works! One summer, I earned over $50 just by selling lemonade on hot afternoons. I added cookies to the menu later, which doubled my earnings.

Pro Tips:

Choose a busy but safe location.

Use bright signs and offer good deals.

Keep everything clean and fresh.

3. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

If you love animals, this is an amazing way to make money as a teenager. I offered to walk my neighbor's dog while they were at work, and it turned into a regular gig. Word spread quickly, and soon I had a small pet sitting business!

You Can Offer:

Daily dog walking

Pet feeding

Overnight care (for older teens)

4. Babysitting and Mother’s Helper

At the age of 13, I took a babysitting course and started helping families in my neighborhood. Sometimes I would babysit in the evenings. Other times, I was a “mom’s helper” during the day when the parents were home.

Tips to Get Started:

Take a babysitting safety course (Red Cross offers one!)

Start with family and close friends

Always have a list of emergency numbers

5. Do Odd Jobs for Neighbors

One of the best ways to earn money in childhood is by offering to do simple tasks like:

Lawn mowing

Shoveling snow

Raking leaves

Watering plants

Taking out the trash

I printed out a flyer and left it in mailboxes around the block. Within days, I had more requests than I could handle alone!

6. Sell Handmade Crafts Online

If you're artistic like I was, you can turn your creativity into cash. I used to make friendship bracelets and sell them to my classmates. Later, I opened a small Etsy shop (with the help of my parents) to sell keychains and painted rocks.

Popular Ideas:

Bracelets, necklaces, and jewelry

Slime kits or squishies

Stickers, greeting cards, or artwork

7. Start a YouTube Channel or Blog

Believe it or not, kids and teens are making money online by sharing the things they love. I started a YouTube channel where I reviewed toys and talked about gaming. Once I got 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch times, I started making money from ads.

You Can Talk About:

Gaming

Toy unboxing

DIY crafts

Life as a teenager

8. Take Safe Online Surveys or Use Reward Apps

I used reward websites like Swagbucks and InboxDollars (with my parent's permission) to take simple surveys, watch ads, and play games. They pay you in gift cards or PayPal money.

Sites to Try (with adult supervision):

Swagbucks

Mistplay (for gaming rewards)

MyPoints

9. Become a Tutor or Homework Helper

If you’re good at a subject, help someone who struggles. I started tutoring a 5th grader in math when I was 14, and it paid surprisingly well. You can tutor younger kids in:

Math

English

Science

Reading and spelling

You can do this online too via Zoom or in person.

10. Flip and Resell Items

I got into flipping when I bought a box of old video games at a garage sale and resold them online. You can flip:

Books

Shoes

Electronics

Clothes

Trading cards

Use platforms like Poshmark, eBay, and Depop (with adult help).

11. Create Digital Products

This is next-level. Teens are earning money by designing things like:

Canva templates

Digital planners

Coloring pages

Printable stickers

I learned basic graphic design and uploaded my printables to Etsy. It’s passive income—create once, earn forever!

12. Become a Virtual Assistant

Teens 16+ can help small businesses or content creators by:

Managing social media

Answering emails

Editing videos

Creating Pinterest graphics

I landed my first gig through a local Facebook group. I earned $15/hour just for scheduling posts.

13. Stream on Twitch or Play Games for Rewards

Love gaming? You can actually make money by streaming your gameplay or competing in small online tournaments. I started streaming Minecraft and eventually earned donations from viewers.

Other apps reward you with gift cards just for playing (like Mistplay).

14. Freelance Writing or Art

If you enjoy writing stories, poems, or drawing, there are websites that pay kids and teens for creative work.

Try submitting to:

Stone Soup (for young writers)

The Apprentice Writer

Fiverr (for teens 13+ with parental help)

15. Monetize Your Skills or Hobbies

Here’s where things get personal. Ask yourself:

What am I good at?

What do I enjoy doing?

Can someone pay for this?

For example:

Playing guitar? Teach others.

Love baking? Sell cupcakes.

Good with tech? Fix phones or computers.

When you turn a passion into profit, it doesn’t feel like work!

Safety Tips for Kids and Teens Making Money

While it’s fun to earn, safety always comes first. Here's what helped me stay safe:

✅ Always tell a parent or guardian what you're doing

 ✅ Avoid sharing personal info online

 ✅ Meet clients or buyers in public places

 ✅ Use apps/websites approved for your age

 ✅ Never agree to anything that feels uncomfortable

Final Thoughts: You Can Start Earning Right Now

I truly believe that kids and teens today have more opportunities to make money than ever before. Whether you’re selling lemonade, flipping shoes, or streaming Fortnite, there’s no age limit – that’s an advantage. The sooner you start, the more you’ll learn.

Making money during your teen years can be a fun and rewarding journey. So get out there, try different things, and see what clicks. You never know – you might discover a passion that one day turns into a full-time business.