23 Business Ideas For Teens To Make Extra Money

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Whether you’re a teenager looking for a way to make extra money or a parent looking to help your child start a business to learn about money, there are many benefits to starting your own business at a young age.

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 teenager, and they all taught me a lot. As you’ll learn below, there are many different ways for teenagers to make money.

Best business ideas for teens

Below are a number of business ideas for teenagers: If you want to skip the list, you can start by learning about ways teenagers can make money.

Below are some great small business ideas for teens to start.

Recommended reading:

1. Babysitter

Babysitting is a natural job for teenagers and can be a great way to make money. I babysat as a teenager and regularly made over $1,000 per month (mostly during the summer) from babysitting jobs.

Starting a babysitting business is a smart choice for teenagers as it costs very little and is easy to start; the main investment is the time and effort you put into looking after the children.

First, you need to let people know that you are available. Contact your parents’ friends, neighbors, family, etc. After a while, word of mouth may help you find more jobs.

Of course, safety is also very important, which is why you’ll probably want to get certified in first aid and/or CPR – this will not only make you more reliable but will also help you deal with emergency situations.

2. Car wash service

Starting a car wash business can be a great business for a teenage entrepreneur.

To start, you’ll only need basic tools like a bucket, a soft sponge, window cleaner, and some drying and polishing cloths.

For simple services like washing a car, you can either work in your driveway or come to your customer’s home to do the work.

3. Start a blog

Starting a blog is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas and potentially make money while doing so. Your blog can cover any topic you’re passionate about, such as fashion, sports, technology, everyday experiences, etc.

I started blogging when I was about 21, but I know several people who started blogging when they were teenagers.

Blogging can be a great business idea to start when you’re young because you get to decide how you build your blog, how you earn income from it, and the schedule you dedicate to it.

You can easily learn how to start a blog with my free course, “How to Create a Blog.”

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll learn:

• Day 1: Why you should start a blog today
• Day 2: What will your blog topic be?
• Day 3: How to start a blog with WordPress tutorial
• Day 4: How to make money blogging
• Day 5: How to make passive income from blogging
• Day 6: How to get more pageviews for your blog
• Day 7: Tips for successful blogging

Of all the business ideas for teens, blogging is by far my favorite. Sure, it takes time to monetize, but it’s very flexible and can fit into any schedule.

4. Tutoring and education

For teenagers who excel in a particular subject, tutoring could be a great way to start a rewarding business, using your knowledge to help others succeed in the field you excel in.

It may be helpful to have one-on-one sessions with friends or younger students where you explain difficult topics in a simple way.

The subjects that can be taught include:

• Mathematics
• Science
• Foreign Languages
• English

Many of our instructors are teenagers, so this could be a great fit for you!

5. Photography

If you love capturing moments through a lens, starting a photography business might be right for you.

Starting a business as a photographer can be done with a relatively small investment. Initially, you may need to spend between $500 and $2,000 on equipment such as a good camera, lenses, and editing software. However, if you already have a camera, that will make up the majority of the cost.

You can photograph events like birthdays and graduations, capture stunning portraits, or create art through landscape and wildlife photography.

6. Local home care services

Starting a home care services business means you’ll be helping busy homeowners manage their household chores.

This includes a range of services to help you maintain your home, such as:

• cleaning – You can offer to dust, vacuum, and clean different areas of the house. People are always happy to come home to a sparkling clean space.
• laundry – Washing, drying and folding clothes is a task that many people are happy to outsource. Wardrobe organising and ironing clothes can also be added as services.
• Plant care – Are you good at gardening? Help them water the plants, prune the leaves and take care of the garden.
• Raking up fallen leaves – Raking leaves is a good business idea for teenagers, especially in the fall. Trees shed leaves and many homeowners need help collecting and disposing of them.
• Errand Runner – Errand services allow people in your community to help with tasks you don’t have time for, like grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, or mailing packages.

When I was a teenager, I had a friend who was a personal assistant for a neighbor: she would pick up the dry cleaning, take care of the plants, walk the dog, etc.

7. Pet care (pet sitting, dog walking)

For teens who love animals, starting a pet care business is a great way to earn some extra cash. Pet sitting and dog walking services are in high demand and can be fun and rewarding.

First, you can join a dog walking app-based service. Rover is a user-friendly option to connect with pet owners. You can create a profile, set your own prices, and specify the type of services you are comfortable offering, such as dog walking or pet sitting.

Considering that you may have to commute to where your pet is, you can usually make between $15 and $30 for each hour you spend with your pet.

8. Graphic Design

If you are interested in art or technology, you could start a graphic design business.

Graphic design is the creation of visual content for businesses and individuals. You use software to create logos, social media graphics, posters, and more.

As a teenage graphic designer, your income can vary. Typically, you can start off making between $5 and $100 per project. As your skills improve, your rates can increase. The market for design jobs is expanding, so there’s plenty of room for you to succeed.

9. Music and art classes

Can you play the piano, guitar, violin or are you good at drawing?

If you’re a teenager with a talent for music or art, teaching art or music lessons could be a great business idea. If you play an instrument or paint professionally, other kids and parents might be willing to pay you for your expertise.

10. Sell handmade goods and crafts

If you love to get creative and make things with your hands, selling arts and crafts could be a great business idea for teens.

Below are some crafts that teens can make and sell to earn some extra money.

• jewelry – You can 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 can create and sell artworks.
• Slime – Slime is really popular and fun to play with. Teens can make their own slime in different colors and sell it or even add glitter etc to make it unique.
• soap – Handmade soaps are always a joy and people love to buy them.
• Stickers – Everyone loves stickers, so this can be a fun way to make some extra money on Etsy or in person.

You could sell your handmade items at local craft fairs or online on Etsy.

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

11. Provision of technical support

If you’re tech savvy, starting a technical support service is an option. Lots of people have technology issues and need help, and as a teen you can meet this demand by selling your tech-savvy skills and knowledge.

Services you can sell include:

• Installing and Updating Software
• Virus and malware removal
• Hardware troubleshooting
• Help with using different programs and apps

You can advertise your business by telling friends, family and neighbors about your services, creating and distributing flyers, or posting them on local community bulletin boards and at local businesses.

12. Start a YouTube channel

Creating a YouTube channel is a way to share your passions, talents and ideas with the world. It can also be a fun way to make money.

Almost everyone is aware of YouTube, and nearly everyone has watched at least one video on the platform. According to YouTube, more than 2 billion people watch at least one video on YouTube every month.

Many people have the goal of starting a YouTube channel and making money from it, but not many actually get started.

Check out How I Grew from 0 Subscribers to Over $100,000 on YouTube in Less than a Year for more details.

13. Design and sell print-on-demand products

Starting a print-on-demand business allows you to be creative and make money by making products that are low-cost to produce, such as posters or custom-designed mugs.

First, you design something that represents your interests and your customers’ preferences, then you use a service like Printful to put these designs onto various products, and the company takes care of everything else, from printing to shipping.

14. Lawn care business

Starting a lawn mowing business is a great way for teens to make money and is one of the most popular small business ideas for young people. It’s easy to get started and allows you to make cash in the spring and summer (or all year depending on where you live, like Florida, Texas, Arizona, or California).

All you need is a lawnmower, fuel, and some basic gardening tools.

You can talk to your neighbors, family, and friends to find a new lawn mowing job.

I know many families with teenage kids who mow lawns to earn money, and some even grow up to make it a full-time job.

15. House Sitting

Starting a house sitting business is a smart way for teenagers to make money. You’ll be responsible for managing someone’s home while you’re away, and that’s hard work.

This is why trust is important, and homeowners need to feel confident that their property and pets are safe under your care.

As a teenager, I had a friend who was a regular housekeeper for several people: she would water the plants, walk the dogs, and even stay over overnight to make sure the house was okay.

16. Sell prints on Etsy

If you want to make money from home and become a self-employed business with minimal start-up costs, printmaking could be the perfect option for you.

Printables are digital products that you can download and print at home. You create them once and sell them on platforms like Etsy for people to buy. No need to physically print them, just sell the digital download.

Printables include grocery shopping checklists, weekly meal plans to stick on your fridge, gift tags, quotes you can frame, etc. These are digital products that users can download and print for use.

Making money from printables at home for teenagers is great because you can create one digital file download per product and sell an unlimited number of them.

I recommend reading more about this in How to Make Money Selling Prints on Etsy.

Important Note: You must be 18 years of age or older to sell on Etsy. If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, you may sell on Etsy with proper permission and the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Your Etsy account must be registered using your parent or legal guardian’s information.

17. Social Media Influencers

If you enjoy being in front of the camera and are good at connecting with people, you could be making money as a social media influencer.

This includes platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and more.

Now, this isn’t a surefire way for teenagers to make money because not everyone can do it, but you never know until you try.

It all depends on your image and message (and of course some luck). Ask yourself: What are you passionate about? Fashion? Gaming? Fitness?

Be consistent in your posts (most platforms require you to post at least once a day) and keep your voice authentic – this will attract followers who can’t wait to see what you post next.

You also need to engage with your audience. Reply to comments, ask questions, and listen to what they want. An engaged audience is a loyal audience, and brands notice this. The more connected you are, the more your followers will trust you.

As your following grows, companies may start paying you to talk about their products because they value your ability to reach and engage with a passionate audience.

Check out How to Make Money on TikTok – How I Grew 350,000 Followers and Made $60,000 in 6 Weeks for more information.

18. Videography

If you love video production, then starting a videography business might be the perfect idea for you. If you are a young entrepreneur, you can start this business idea with just a smartphone or a basic camera.

This small business idea can start by practicing photographing different events, such as school activities or community gatherings, which can help you build a portfolio that highlights your unique style and skills.

19. Streaming

If you love playing video games and have a fun personality, you might be able to make money streaming. With platforms like Twitch, you can create a channel where you can show off your gaming skills and entertain your audience with commentary.

Once you have a following, you can make money through subscriptions, ads, sponsorships, donations, etc. Selling branded merchandise is another way to make money.

Recommended reading: How much do Twitch streamers make?

20. Baking

If you love creating treats that leave your friends and family coming back for more, starting a baking business could be your path to success.

You can bake cookies, cakes, bread and more.

Before you sell, be sure to understand the legal requirements, including whether you need any permits or licenses.

21. Proofreader

A proofreader is someone who looks through documents like articles, books, and advertisements to find and correct mistakes. Your job is to make sure everything is correct before people see it.

If you enjoy reading and often find mistakes in written content, you might consider becoming a proofreader.

Freelance proofreading is a flexible, detail-oriented job that requires only a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, grammar skills, and a good eye for spotting mistakes.

If you want to find proofreading jobs online, we recommend watching this free 76-minute workshop on how to get started in proofreading.

Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners (Earn over $40,000 a Year).

22. Buying and Selling Flippers

Reselling items online on platforms like Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace is a great way to run your own business and make some extra money.

Plus, most of us have things we could sell, so anyone can get started.

Also, there are always things that you can buy cheaply that you could potentially resell for a profit. You can also find free items that people are throwing away and sell those too.

Here is a free webinar I recommend that will help you: Turn your passion for visiting thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets into a profitable reselling business in just 14 days.

23. Complete an online survey

Well, it’s not a business, but it is a way to make money online.

Taking surveys won’t make you rich, but it can help you make a few extra bucks in your free time during your day.

Companies pay for surveys because they want to know what people think about their products or companies. They want real opinions from real people.

Below are some survey companies that are open to teenagers (including minimum age requirements):

1. US Consumer Opinion – Minimum Age – 14 years old
2. Survey Junkie – Minimum Age – 12 years old
3. Brand Survey – Minimum Age – 16 years
4. Swagbucks – Minimum age – 13 years old
5. InboxDollars – Minimum age – 12 years old
6. User Interview – Minimum Age – 16 years old

What to consider as a teenage entrepreneur

For teens who want to start a business, it’s important to think about balancing schoolwork, managing finances, and ensuring safety.

Balancing school and work

School schedules are a priority and finding a balance between that and a new business venture is important, so planning your week is key.

I recommend creating a visual that shows school hours, study hours, work hours, etc.

Example of a weekly schedule:

Financial Planning

In business, it is important to understand the basics of financial planning to ensure you make money and not waste it.

Therefore, it is a good idea to list out the resources and materials you need along with their costs, which may include using a spreadsheet to track all your expenses and income or even writing down your expenses.

Work safely

Always be safe and avoid getting scammed or dealing with people you don’t want to deal with. Keep your parents informed of what’s going on in your business and only meet strangers in public, safe places.

FAQ

Below are answers to some common questions teens have about starting a business.

What are some easy business ideas that high school students can start?

If you are a high school student and want to start a business, you can sell services like lawn care, dog walking, car washing, etc. These types of businesses require minimal capital to start and can be managed around your school schedule.

What are some online business ideas for teenagers?

When it comes to online business ideas for teens, there are plenty of things you can do, such as selling print materials, starting a blog, tutoring online, or selling handmade crafts on Etsy.

What is the best business idea for young people?

Popular business ideas for young people include babysitting, washing cars, mowing lawns, online tutoring, and starting a YouTube channel.

What types of businesses are appropriate for 13-17 year olds?

Young people ages 13-17 could consider babysitting, pet sitting, tutoring or making and selling handmade items.

Business Ideas for Teens – Summary

We hope you enjoyed this article on the best business ideas for teenagers.

Starting a business as a teenager is fun and can help you make extra money so you can save for college, buy the things you want, hang out with friends, buy clothes, and much more.

Plus, it’s a chance to learn important skills and a good work ethic.

There are many ways to make cash, from helping with household chores to taking on creative projects online. If you like working outdoors, you could wash cars or do lawn care. If you’re interested in technology, you could start a blog or a YouTube channel.

There are lots of options depending on what you like and what you’re good at!

Would you like to add other business ideas for teens to this list?

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