I wrote a book a few years ago called “Growing Up Centsible: a no-nonsense guide to guiding kids to financial responsibility”. For some reason I failed to include the many easy & convenient ways kids earn money every day!
So, I have the topic on my mind. In fact, I have written many posts on the topic of teaching kids about financial responsibility. One of the biggest questions I hear is “How to Make Money as a Kid?” Hope this post helps.
Ways Kids Earn Money
My boys are 7 and 5.5 and are starting to understand the concept of a dollar. They want to do chores to earn money and use that cash for themselves. Recently, my almost 7-year-old bought his friend’s birthday present. Can we get a “heck yeah”?
If your kids are at the age where they are looking to earn their own money, it can be tricky to find things age-appropriate things for them to do to earn that money. Most kids will want to start earning around age 9 or 10 but, trust me, you can start a lot earlier. You might have to get a bit creative.
To help you get started I came up with this list of 10 ways for kids to earn extra money are all great for them to earn a little bit on the side.
Easy & Convenient Jobs for Kids
Mow Grass/Shovel Snow
No matter what the weather is, most kids will be able to mow grass or shovel snow by the time they are nine or ten years old. Take them around the neighborhood and let them help others with these tasks for $20 or so per yard. If you really want to teach them financial responsibility, make sure to have them pay for their supplies like gasoline for the mower and extra shovels once they are earning.
Clean and Wash Cars
Cleaning and washing cars is a great job for your kids. Obviously, you won’t want to set them alongside a busy street, but allowing them to go door to door with your neighbors or to ask your friends and family is a great option. You’ll want to help them figure out how much to charge and they will likely need help with supplies to get started.
Babysit
For older children, babysitting can be a fantastic way to earn extra money. Your kids will need to be old enough to handle watching younger children. This “chore” is a great way to save and to work on being responsible.
Wash Windows
Younger kids can earn by washing windows in homes and cars. It’s fairly easy to work and if you take the time to show them how to not have streaks, they’ll earn over and over again because they’re doing quality work.
Prepare Dinner
Kids can earn extra money by fixing dinner for the family a couple of times each week. Not only will they earn money but you’ll also be teaching them a very useful skill that they will need later on in life. Work those executive functioning skills by having them plan, purchase, and prepare the meal from the start. Complete the work cycle!
Walk Dogs
If you have neighbors with pets, your kids can earn extra money walking them. You’ll want to walk with them in case they get a pet that is too big or too hard to handle, but other than that, they should do the majority of the work.
Pet Sitting
Along the same lines as dog walking, older kids can also pet sit for extra money. Have them make flyers and distribute them in the neighborhood to your neighbors, friends and family members. When they go on vacation or travel at all, they can hire your child to feed and water their pets while they’re away.
Housesitting
Along the same lines as pet sitting, housesitting is a great way for both kids and teens to earn money. There isn’t much manual work involved in housesitting. Typically, housesitting involves feeding pets, watering plants, and making sure things are locked up tight. So, it’s great for kids as young as 10 to learn true responsibility.
Lemonade Stand
A classic, old favorite, having a lemonade stand can be a great way for kids to earn extra cash. This works especially well if you’re holding a yard sale or something of that nature, but the old standby of setting up at the end of the driveway still works too. A lemonade stand is classic but let your kids imaginations run wild with entrepreneurial ideas.
Start a Youtube Channel
These days, YouTube is a fantastic way for both kids and adults alike to earn. To earn money as a kid, they can start their own vlogging channel, video kid-friendly crafts or recipes, and much more. They will earn money on ad revenue generated from their videos.
How to Earn Money for 9 Year Olds
There are several age-appropriate ways for a 9-year-old to earn some extra money. Here are some ideas that are safe, fun, and can teach valuable lessons about responsibility:
1. Chores at Home
- Allowance: You could offer an allowance in exchange for doing extra household chores, such as cleaning, washing dishes, or organizing.
- Lawn Care: Helping with raking leaves, pulling weeds, or watering plants.
2. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
- If your 9-year-old loves animals, they could offer to feed and play with neighbors’ pets or walk dogs under adult supervision.
3. Lemonade Stand or Bake Sale
- Setting up a lemonade or bake sale in a safe area, like your yard, can be a fun and traditional way to earn money.
4. Crafts or Art Projects
- If they enjoy crafts, making bracelets, paintings, or other creative items to sell to friends or family members could be a good way to earn money.
5. Recycling
- Collecting and recycling cans and bottles can not only help the environment but also earn some pocket money in return.
6. Helping Neighbors
- Simple tasks like bringing in mail, watering plants, or helping with light yard work for neighbors.
7. Selling Unused Toys
- If they have old toys they no longer use, they could sell them at a yard sale or online with adult supervision.
8. Household Help for Family Friends
- Doing small tasks like organizing, vacuuming, or helping with grocery shopping for family friends can also earn them some money.
All of these activities are easy to manage for a 9-year-old and can be done with adult guidance and supervision.
Resources Mentioned in this Post
- Ways to Teach Financial Responsibility
- Teaching Kids about Financial Responsibility
- Growing Up Centsible eBook