Getting a job is a rite of passage for many teenagers. But there are often obstacles to working a job at the local fast food restaurant or mall retail outlet. Most require youth to be at least 16 years old, or school and extra-curricular schedules often don't permit the commitment of a job. So for many, entrepreneurship becomes a means of extra funds, and, for some, it becomes the foundation for bigger things!
Macaroni Teen spoke with some fellow parents of tweens and teens, and here is a mega-list of ideas for making money for your budding teen entrepreneur -- whether the goal is to make a few extra dollars or to start a full-scale enterprise.
- Babysitting, of course. Youth can be certified as young as age 11. And a high school student can even be a nanny for younger children during the summer.
- Beyond babysitting, your tween or teen can become a parent's helper. This could include watching a mom's young kids right after school while she finishes dinner, folding clothes, or doing the dinner dishes. Many busy parents just need an extra pair of hands.
- Along the same lines, your tween or teen can be a birthday party helper for a busy parent. He or she can be in charge of an activity, decorating and/or cleanup.
- Seasonal lawn care - mowing yards in summer, raking leaves in fall, or in winter, shoveling snow or snow blowing.
- Many people need a photographer for birthday parties and smaller gatherings. If your child has an interest and the skill-set, photography is an option.
- Many teens take courses and become very skilled in digital design. Your teen can design advertising, marketing, or presentations for small businesses in your town.
- Is your teen crafty? Some youth are successful with making and selling jewelry, backpack tags, or something similar.
- Likewise, if your teen cooks or bakes well, he can sell those wares (check with your town's requirements for permits, though).
- Barbershop or hair salon cleaning. Your teen can speak with their barber or hair stylist about helping with cleanup between appointments.
- Is your child so passionate about a subject that he or she could discuss it regularly? Your teen can become a blogger, or even further, a vlogger on YouTube. One mom states that companies have approached her blogger teen, while a couple of moms report that their kids have monetized their YouTube channels.
- If your tween or teen is a natural "clown" or has a particular musical talent, he or she could be a party entertainer (music, clown, crafts). One reader reports that two girls in her community offer face painting at events. They are only 12 and 13.
- Many tweens and teens do pet care such as walking neighborhood dogs, feeding a neighbor's pet, or pet sitting when a neighbor leaves town.
- If your teen is skilled at a particular academic subject or instrument, he or she could be a tutor or offer private music lessons.
- Some tweens and teens are referees for children's sports. Some towns offer a certification for this for youth as young as eleven. Or even further, one child has even made money as a ball boy for a community's local high school sports team.
- Along the same lines, your teen can teach younger kids a sport, or if old enough, serve as a coach for a kids' team.
- One mom reports that parents in her community pay high school students to transport younger kids to after-school activities.
- If your child doesn't mind getting his feet wet (literally), he or she could try pressure washing homes or a mobile car washing service.
- At holiday time, your teen could hang Christmas lights or wrap gifts for others.
- One mom states that a child in her neighborhood gets paid to take a neighbor's trash can in and out on trash day. There is also a business that will wash trash cans.
- Does your teenager sing? I personally know a young lady who sings at local charity events.
Other Unique Entrepreneurial Ventures:
"My kids sell snow cones in the summer. Super simple. They made $500 their first day." - Annemarie M.
Some tweens in a Colorado community started a candle company.
"My son started an iPhone, iPod, iPad repair business at 13 and a friend’s son tutors kids in math and charges $35/hour!" - Janie D.
"We have a teen who does great as a party DJ and his sister makes chocolate favors." - Ellen D.
"My daughter is a teen model and blogger." - Brandi D.
Additionally, in some states, young people can begin work at 14 for certain employers who participate in the state's work permit program.
For additional ideas and inspiration, we found TeenBusiness to be a great resource for teens getting started on entrepreneurial ventures.
Thanks to the community of parents of tweens and teens who contributed to this article!
