20 Legit Ways Kids Can Make Money

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Making Money for Kids

Today, Canadian kids don’t have to get to 16 before thinking of making money or earning a living. The information age brings with it many ideas that kids can explore to make money for themselves and their families.

Children should be actively encouraged to start making money from an early age, as this comes with many real-life benefits.

First, it helps them to be financially responsible. It also improves their business sense, enabling them to think ahead of their peers to discover money-making ideas that can change society for the better.

Parents should be rest assured the ideas on this list, if carfeully explored, will not put their kids in harm’s way or get them into trouble. However, parents must be resposible for overseeing and supervising their kids during any business venture.

All kids are unique, and we’ve made sure there’s something for everyone. If you’d like to figure out ways to make money as a kid, then this list of ideas is for you!

How To Make Money As A Kid

1. Lemonade stand

The Lemonade stand is an idea that’s as old as time. It’s also one of the trusted ways to make money as a kid. It’s a summer idea where kids can set up stands in the sunshine and sell lemonade to thirsty passersby.

The setup cost is cheap, just lemonade packs, a jug of water, some chairs, and that’s it. Some kids take the idea a bit further by selling cookies or other baked goodies.

2. Recycling soda cans

If you’d like to learn how to make money as a kid offline, you should consider picking up used soda cans. It is a good idea that can bring in cash if you know what to do about it. Scrap yards always need aluminum, and these cans can be crushed and sold for good money.

3. Give computer lessons

Let’s face it. Some kids are darn good with computers. Rather than just help others for free, these gifted kids can teach others how to use computer programs like Corel Draw, Excel, or help them learn how to code. Whatever computer skill a child has can be used to make money.

4. Rake up leaves/Shovel Snow

Yard work is outdoor activity kids can do for cash. Autumn is a good time to rake leaves, and kids can help nearby neighbors to keep their homes clean by picking all the leaves in plastic bags for disposal.

The older kids can be trusted to do harder yard work. Some of the ways for an 11-year-old to make money fast in the sunny outdoors include trimming the lawns with a lawnmower, pulling out weeds, and watering the flowers. They can take up snow shoveling during winter months.

5. Washing cars

Cars can cost a bundle to buy and a pretty penny to maintain. A business-minded kid is sure to find willing neighbors who’re ready to pay steady money to have their cars cleaned before they head out for work.

All the kid needs to do is to get equipment like buckets, car wash soap, and soft towels. The setup cost is low, and the profit can be high if the activity is done for a long time.

6. Run errands

Energetic kids can use their bicycles or skateboards to run errands to nearby stores. They could also deliver laundry to the laundromat or a quick trip to the post office for mail.

Parents should make sure their kids have a phone to know where they are and what they’re up to. Information is power, and kids can make their neighbors know they’re available to run an errand by making fliers and distributing from door to door.

7. Making an app

Being tech-savvy is not limited to computers. There isn’t any reason for kids not to exploit the smartphone industry for money-making ideas. Kids can create apps for iOS and Android and put these apps on the Apple and Google stores. If the apps are really good, they could make money from in-app purchases.

8. House sitting

Neighbors can leave their homes on vacation, with the house empty. Kids can help to keep the house look lived-in to prevent burglars from breaking into the vacant home. They could take in the mail, and carry out other tasks to keep the house clean and tidy. If there are pets, they could feed the pet and take care of other small issues while the neighbors are away.

9. Pet walker

Talking about pets, kids can walk dogs for a small fee. It’s one of the easy ways to make money as a kid while keeping active. Not everyone has the time or the inclination to do it, and it’s one opportunity a kid can take advantage of for money.

10. Sell artwork

Creative kids with the talent to make art can sell their creations on sites like Etsy. This idea is capable of turning into a  business with the right encouragement from the parents. Paintings and other craftwork can sell for tens to hundreds of dollars online.

11. Play music

Kids can showcase their musical talents to the world from an early age by playing at events. And they don’t have to play for free. Kids that are good at the violin or piano can command hefty appearance fees. The money saved can help put the child through music school or college.

12. Paper route

Despite the ease of getting access to the news online, there are Canadians who enjoy reading the newspaper. And even today, the papers have to be dropped at their doors. Kids can take up a route to deliver newspapers. It’s one of the old fashioned ways to make money as a kid without messing up with school work.

13. Help senior citizens

Senior citizens need a helping hand to carry out tasks which they aren’t physically able to do. And this is where the kids can make a difference. They could help run errands, bring in the mail, or just spend time with the seniors. Many older adults enjoy spending time with children and are willing to pay for the pleasure.

14. Sell dog treats

For kids that live in a neighborhood with lots of dogs, selling dog treats isn’t a bad idea. You’d hardly find Canadians who don’t take proper care of their dogs.

Kids can take advantage of this affection by going on the internet to check out dog treats they can recreate in their free time. These treats can be sold for good money within the neighborhood and parks.

15. Become a YouTuber

These days, it’s not hard to learn how to make money as a kid online. There are many ideas on the internet, one of which is becoming a Youtuber. Signing up on YouTube is easy, and the equipment doesn’t have to be expensive.

Kids with talent can reach out to a broader audience through their channels. Once they’ve met the criteria for the YouTube Partnership Program, they can turn the channel into a lucrative money-making venture. Many kids are making mind-boggling money on YouTube, and this could be you or your kid.

16. Blogging

The cool thing about blogging is that it’s an activity that anyone can do, including kids. The first and most crucial step is to have passion. There are millions of age-appropriate topics a kid can blog about. Once the blog has gotten traction, you can monetize the blog through the following ways:

  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Advertisements
  • Email marketing
  • Digital products
  • Brand sponsorships

17. Clean houses

Many kids like to know how to make money at 12, and being a house cleaner hardly pops into their minds. But do you know many homeowners are willing to pay reasonable sums of money to get their houses cleaned?

Tasks like mopping floors and dusting chairs can teach kids the value of hard work while helping them save for the future.

18. Yard sale

Old toys that are no longer in use can be collected and kept in a box for a yard sale. Other items that can be sold for money include sneakers, old clothes, and any other thing that is no longer in use. Apart from yard sales, these items could be marketed online on sites like eBay.

19. Sell baked treats

Kids can sell candies and other baked treats to neighbors and friends in their social circle. And this money-making venture doesn’t have to be limited to offline sales.

Parents can build simple websites for their kids, where they can reach out to a wider customer base. Social media marketing is a great way to promote baked goodies, and these kids can advertise their goodies on Facebook, Instagram, and other social networks.

20. Painting

For kids that love to get their hands messy and make money at the same time, they should consider taking on painting projects. Most adults know employing a professional painter can be expensive.

The alternative is to do it their selves and have kids assist them in completing the job. It’s cheaper for the adult and a fun way for the kids to make money.

Final thoughts…

It’s a lot easier for kids to take advantage of technology to make money today. For kids who only enjoy playing with their smartphones, they could make money just by filling online surveys.

The opportunity is there. It’s up to the child to take it. However, parents must be cautious of what opportunities their children explore. They must help their children make the best decision; one that balances education and real life experiences.

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Kareena Maya

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Kareena Maya is a freelance writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces. He frequently writes about credit cards, banking, student loans, insurance, travel rewards and more. His work has been featured in publications such as Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Credit Karma, Finance Buzz, The Ascent and Student Loan Planner.

Kareena Maya is a freelance writer focused on the personal finance and travel spaces. He frequently writes about credit cards, banking, student loans, insurance, travel rewards and more. His work has been featured in publications such as Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Credit Karma, Finance Buzz, The Ascent and Student Loan Planner.