23 Best Business Ideas For Kids To Make Extra Money

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Finding business ideas for kids is a great way to teach your children at an early age about starting their own business, being responsible and understanding money. They will understand how to set goals, handle money and enjoy the joys of earning their own extra income.

Whether you do it during the summer, after school, or on weekends, starting a small business can be fun and educational.

I did a lot of different things to make money as a kid, and they all taught me a lot. As you’ll learn below, there are many different ways kids can make money.

Best small business ideas for kids

Here are some great business ideas for kids to start.

Recommended reading: 23 Business Ideas for Teens

1. Sell arts and crafts

If your child loves to be creative and make things with their hands, selling arts and crafts could be a great business idea. Not only is it fun, but it can also help you make some cash.

Here are some crafts kids can make and sell.

• Beaded Jewelry – You can use colorful beads to make necklaces and bracelets.
• Handmade candles – Candles are easy to make and can be sold to people looking to add a cozy touch to their homes.
• Painting – If you love drawing, you could create artwork to sell.
• Slime – Slime is really popular and fun to play with. Kids can make their own slime in different colors and sell it or even add glitter or other things to make it unique.
• Pet Toys – If you love animals, you can make toys for them. Choose materials that are safe for animals and design toys that your pets will enjoy.
• soap – Handmade soaps are always fun and make great buyers happy. Making your own soaps is also a lot of fun.
• Stickers – Everyone loves stickers, so this can be a fun way to make some extra money on Etsy or in person.

Recommended reading: 16 Best Items to Sell and Make Money on Etsy

2. Private Tutor

If your child is good at a subject like math or science, you can start a tutoring business and help other children who are weak in that subject.

Tutoring is a job you can do after school and homework is done. It’s a great way to use your knowledge to help others and earn some extra cash.

For more information, check out The Best Online Tutoring Jobs.

3. Babysitter

If your child enjoys being around other children, babysitting is the perfect way to start your journey into the world of small business for children. It’s not just about looking after children, it’s about creating a fun and safe environment for them while their parents are away.

Your child’s reputation is important, so start with neighbors and family friends who already know and trust your child.

To determine your rate, you can look at what other babysitters in your area are charging, but take into account how much experience they have with your children.

We encourage you to have your children learn basic first aid and child care. You can find classes at your community center or through the Red Cross.

My biggest job growing up was babysitting. In fact, it was my first full-time job. Starting when I was 14, I worked about 40 hours a week babysitting neighbors’ babies during the summers (I found the babysitting ads on a local bulletin board!). I was making $10 an hour. My mom was a nurse, so I worked about 13 hours a day, a few days a week.

4. Pet sitters and dog walkers

If your child loves animals, starting a pet care service or dog walking business could be the perfect fit. It’s not just a job, it’s a way to care for pets when their owners can’t.

This job involves caring for pets in your own home (known as pet boarding) or in other people’s homes.

Depending on their age, your child will be walking the dog for 15 to 30 minutes or more per day.

I was recently browsing a local bulletin board and saw an ad from a parent looking to hire their 10-year-old to walk their dog, with the parent accompanying (to ensure the safety of the child and pet, of course), and this was a small business idea that the child had wanted to start, and maybe even do on their own when they were a bit older.

5. Lemonade Stand

Starting a lemonade stand is more than just a fun activity — it could be your child’s first step towards starting a business.

Your child will probably want to start with an easy recipe since lemonade isn’t difficult to make. Your child can experiment with different flavors, such as strawberry, to make your stand unique.

You will need a pitcher, cups, ice, and a table.

Calculate the production cost per glass of lemonade and determine a price that customers can afford while still making a small profit.

6. Mow the lawn

Mowing lawns is a great way for kids to start a small business — it’s easy to start and your child can earn some money in the spring and summer.

You will need a lawnmower, fuel, and basic gardening tools.

Next, set your rates. Decide how much you want to charge per yard. It’s a good plan to look at what others are charging and set a competitive price.

Your child can find a new lawn mowing job by talking to neighbors, family, and friends.

I know many families with children who mow lawns to make money, and I also know several who have older children who have made it a full-time job and continue to do so well into adulthood.

7. Raking leaves

Raking leaves is a great business idea, especially in the fall. Trees shed leaves and many homeowners need help collecting and disposing of them.

To get started, your child will need a sturdy rake, a bag to collect leaves, and gloves to keep their hands clean and prevent blisters.

8. Shoveling snow

If you live in a snowy area, your kids can earn money shoveling snow. If your kids love being outdoors and don’t mind the cold, this is a great job. Start by asking family members and neighbors if they’d like your help clearing driveways and sidewalks.

You’ll need a few things to get started:

• shovel: Of course this is the main tool!
• Warm clothes and gloves: Keep warm while they work.

Your kids can also hand out flyers or tell their friends to spread the word. Social media can also be a big help. A quick post can let the whole neighborhood know that your child is ready to help with snow removal.

9. Birthday Party Assistant

If your child enjoys socializing with others and celebrations, being a birthday party assistant could be a fun way for them to earn some extra cash.

They might help prepare decorations (balloons, banners, table settings), plan games (like being prepared to lead a game of musical chairs or a treasure hunt), or make sure the party runs smoothly (maybe they help serve cake and snacks for the little guests).

10. Start a YouTube channel

Starting a YouTube channel is fun. Keep in mind that if your child is under 13, they can’t have their own account, but they can share videos with your help.

Your child can choose from science experiments, video game tips, crafting tutorials and more.

They will want to post videos on a regular basis, maybe once a week at first.

Remember, it’s all about having fun and sharing what you love. Starting a YouTube channel takes work, but if you persist, you can create something really cool.

11. Lifeguard

If you are looking for a way for your child to be responsible and earn extra money, becoming a lifeguard could be a way to make money.

Not only does this job teach important lifesaving skills, it also teaches responsibility and discipline. Many local pools and community centers offer lifeguard certification courses, making it a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs to gain valuable training.

Running a small lifeguard business can be a win-win situation for kids and the community. You can sell your services at local events and pool parties or even offer private swimming lessons.

Notes: In most states, you must be at least 15 years old to become a lifeguard.

12. Start a greeting card business

Starting a greeting card business is a fun and creative way to get your child started. You can make cards for birthdays, holidays, thank yous, celebrations, or just plain hello.

What you’ll need:

• Art supplies such as colored pencils and markers
• Cardstock or heavy paper
• A printer (if you want to print your designs)
• Digital design software like Canva (optional)

You can start by selling to family and friends or at school events, and as you grow you can venture into selling at local markets or online.

13. Helping others in your neighborhood

As a Neighborhood Helper, they can sell their services to people around the community, a great way to make money while helping others.

Your child can sell services such as:

• car wash: Wash your neighbor’s car and make it sparkle.
• Grocery shopping: Offer to pick up groceries for people who can’t make it themselves.
• HorticultureHelp maintain the garden by planting flowers and pulling weeds.
• Lawn care: Keep your neighbors’ lawns looking nice by mowing them regularly.
• Walking pets: Walk your neighbor’s dog when they’re busy or away.

First, make a list of things your child is good at or enjoys doing, then start handing out flyers or reaching out in person to neighbors to let them know about your services.

If there are many children, multiple family members can be involved, with each child acting as a neighborhood helper with their own area of ​​expertise or specialization.

14. Resellers

Starting a small business as a reseller means buying products cheaply and selling them at a profit. You don’t have to make the products yourself. Instead, you can find great deals on products and sell them to others for a higher price than you paid for them.

You can get items from garage sales, thrift stores, or from your own home.

You can sell them online on sites like Etsy and eBay, at school events, local fairs, and more.

Recommended reading: 16 Best Selling Apps for Selling Products Online and Locally

15. Voice Actor

Becoming a voice actor can be an exciting way for kids to explore and share their talents, and if they enjoy speaking and have a unique voice, this could be a fun business idea for them.

You can sell services such as voicing characters for cartoons and animation, narrating audiobooks and educational videos, or commercial voice-overs for advertising and marketing materials.

First, you’ll need a good quality microphone and some recording software on your computer so you can practice reading out loud and recording your own voice.

To find work, you can join online platforms such as Fiverr, which is looking for young voice actors.

Recommended reading: How to become a voice actor

16. Actor

If your child is interested in acting, the first step is to take an acting class. This class will help them acquire the skills they need to act in theater, film, and television. You can find these classes online or at a business near you.

Once you have some skills, you can try out for local or school plays, or join your school’s drama club. Participating in productions will give you practical experience and give you an idea of ​​what it’s like to work with directors and other actors.

17. Selling candy

Starting a candy business can be fun and rewarding – with just a love of sweets and a little creativity, your child can turn their passion into profit.

Candy is something you see kids selling all the time, and it makes perfect sense: everyone loves candy, which means it’s an easy product to sell.

You can sell homemade treats like chocolate covered pretzels and gummy bears, or if you prefer, you can buy popular brands in bulk and sell them individually.

Next, consider where you’ll sell your candy: You might be able to sell at a school, neighborhood, or local community event, but be sure to ask permission if you’re selling in a public place or on someone else’s property.

Pricing your candy is important. You want to cover your child’s expenses and still make a little profit. Selling candy for $2 or $3 makes it easier for customers to make a purchase.

18. Start a blog

If your child is interested in working online, you could try starting a blog. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to start up and can teach your child a lot about how to run a website.

I’ve met many teenagers over the years who have started blogs and I think it’s a great small business idea.

If you want to share your hobbies, interests, personal experiences, etc., a blog gives you a platform to be creative and communicate.

Other related business ideas for kids include starting accounts on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter or starting a podcast.

Recommended reading: How to Start a Blog Free Course

19. Newspaper Delivery

Delivering newspapers is a classic way for kids to earn money, it fits easily into their schedule before or after school, and it’s good exercise at the same time.

Usually, it’s very simple: take newspapers and deliver them to people’s homes.

When I was younger, I had a friend who ran a delivery route. I once helped her deliver newspapers. It was a tough job, but she did it with ease.

If your child is interested in this job, start by contacting your local newspaper. Call them and ask if they are hiring delivery drivers. Here are some things they might need:

• A bicycle or other reliable means of transportation to get around your delivery area quickly
• A bag or basket in which newspapers are delivered
• Morning editions start early in the morning
• Since you will be outdoors, dress appropriately for the weather

Making sure the newspaper is delivered on time teaches children responsibility.

There may be age restrictions so you may need to get a work permit if your children are young, but often even 11 or 12 year olds can get started with just a little paperwork.

20. Sell used toys

Recently on Facebook, a parent was helping their kid organize a garage sale. While they let the kid manage most of the sale, the parent was posting about it in a group to drive traffic to the garage sale.

They were selling their kids’ used toys to declutter and make some extra money, which I thought was a great idea.

Kids can learn the basics of entrepreneurship by organizing and pricing toys for sale. Not only will this activity teach them about valuation, but they will also learn the concepts of supply and demand as they observe which toys are popular among buyers.

This is a great side business to start, as people are willing to pay top dollar for used toys.

21. Face Paint

Face painting can be a fun and profitable small business for kids who love art and painting. You can start by setting up face painting booths at local events and birthday parties.

Running a face painting business encourages children to develop their entrepreneurial skills, from marketing their services to managing customer interactions.

22. Recycler

Kids who care about the environment can turn collecting recyclables into a business. With their passion for living an eco-friendly life, they can offer to collect recyclables from their neighbors, schools and local businesses.

Not only will this help the environment, but it will also teach your children about reducing waste and recycling.

23. Vending Machines

We are now seeing more and more parents starting vending machine businesses for their children.

Introducing kids to the world of entrepreneurship by operating a vending machine can be an interesting and educational small business idea. Whether you set up a vending machine in a common area at a school or a local community space, running a vending machine business can help teach kids valuable lessons like supply and demand, managing inventory, and understanding customer preferences.

Running a vending machine also gives children the opportunity to learn about financial responsibility as they handle calculating income, expenses and profits.

Recommended reading: How to Start a Vending Machine Business

FAQ

In this section, we’ll provide answers to some frequently asked questions about starting a business as a kid.

What is a good business for a child to start?

Starting a business that aligns with your hobbies and interests is a good choice – for example, if you love technology, try starting a blog or a YouTube channel, if you love the outdoors, a lawn and gardening business might be a better fit.

How can a kid make $100 quickly?

Kids can quickly make $100 by selling old toys or clothes they already own, and as a parent, you can help your child organize a garage sale or gather items to sell in Facebook buy and sell groups.

What can kids sell to make money?

Children can earn money by selling a variety of items, including jewelry, paintings, greeting cards, homemade cookies, lemonade, and second-hand toys.

What kind of businesses can young students start at school?

You can start a business in your school like a pencil and eraser store, a book swap service, a snack bar (if your school allows it) etc. Check your school rules to know if your business idea is allowed on the school premises.

What steps can a child take to start their own business?

Here are some steps your child can take to start their own small business:

1. Identify interests and skills – This will help you find a business idea that you actually like.
2. Research business ideas – Research different small business ideas that are suitable for children and think about factors such as your child’s age, skills and available resources.
3. Create a business plan – Create a simple business plan that outlines your business idea, your target audience, the products or services you will offer, and a basic strategy for marketing and sales.
4. Learn the basics of business – Introduce your child to basic business concepts like budgeting, pricing, and customer service. This can be done through discussions, educational resources, etc.
5. Determine the price – Teach your child about pricing by thinking about material costs, time and maybe even profit. This helps them understand the value of a product or service.
6. Market your business – Children can spread the word within their community by making posters, using social media with parental supervision, and placing advertisements on local noticeboards.
7. Provide excellent customer service – We highly recommend teaching your children the importance of treating customers with respect and providing great service, as this leads to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
8. Track your finances – Teach your child basic financial management, including tracking income and expenses.
9. Celebrate your success – Celebrate small victories and milestones to help your child stay motivated and proud of their entrepreneurial journey.

Parental involvement is crucial throughout this process: parents can guide and supervise their child’s business and provide a supportive environment to ensure it is a positive, educational experience (and safe!).

Can a 9-year-old start a small business?

At around age 9, children can start businesses that use their creativity and simple skills, such as making greeting cards or friendship bracelets.

What kind of business can a 10 year old start?

There are many things that 10-year-olds can do to earn money: start a lemonade stand, sell crafts, do yard work, and many more.

How does an 11 year old make money?

There are many things that 11-year-olds can do to earn money. They can rake leaves, walk dogs, sell baked goods like cupcakes, and many other things.

What are some easy business ideas for kids under 12?

If you have young children, you could consider a business that’s easy to set up and manage, like a lemonade stand, or if you love spending time with animals, you could make and sell crafts or start a pet-sitting service for your neighbors.

How can teenagers make money online?

Teens can make money online by writing blogs, offering online tutoring services, selling printables on Etsy, reselling items online, etc. To learn more, we recommend reading 17 Online Jobs for Teens to Make Money.

How can you keep your children safe when starting a business?

When your child is starting a small business, it’s important to think about safety and rules to follow. Make sure there is a trusted adult watching over the business for safety. If you’re selling food, crafts, or other items, make sure everything you use is safe and won’t hurt anyone.

Legally, different places have different rules about running a business. You may need to ask someone (like you, your parent) for permission, or you may need a license.

They also need to be supervised, meaning an adult needs to be nearby to help and make sure everything is going well. If you’re customer-facing, it’s very smart to monitor your online behavior because you never know who you’re selling to or talking to.

Small Business Ideas for Kids – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on small business ideas for kids.

From old-fashioned ways to earn extra cash, like running a lemonade stand or mowing lawns, to more modern business ideas, like making and selling crafts or starting a YouTube channel, there are lots of possibilities for kid-run businesses.

Starting your own business can teach your child valuable problem-solving and life skills, and there are a variety of great business ideas that kids can start with the right guidance and support.

I’ve learned so much from earning my own money since I was young, and I highly encourage your children to do the same.

What is your favorite kids business idea?