10 Must-Try Summer Jobs For Kids (For Cash & Skills) 2024
These summer jobs for kids bring structure to long summer days. And they will put extra cash in your child’s pocket.
There’s no substitute for firsthand experience when learning about personal finance. Working offers an invaluable opportunity for kids to gain knowledge in managing money.
Plus, it’s a fantastic chance for kids to develop skills sought after by employers. All while staying productive and engaged in their community.
Here are 10 ways for kids to earn money in their neighborhood or community before they reach working age.
Kids’ Summer Job Ideas To Make Money
1. Making and Selling Items
Creative kids with an entrepreneurial spirit can make a variety of things for money:
- Jewelry
- Keychains
- Decorative tote bags
- Home Decor
- Design t-shirts
- Homemade greeting cards.
If your teen is crafty and likes to create things, Etsy is a great place to make money for a kid. Kids 13+ can set up an Etsy account with the permission of a parent and sell their crafts and art.
Younger kids can advertise and sell things in the neighborhood. They can also collaborate with an older sibling to double their production or expand their product range.
2. Landscaping Jobs
Maintaining a lawn can be a challenge for homeowners, especially during busy summer months.
Earn money through lawn service with:
- Lawn mowing
- Weeding
- Bush trimming
- Laying mulch or rock
- Planting flowers
- Maintaining a garden
- Watering plants (a great service to offer when neighbors are traveling)
- Cleaning outdoor furniture
- Cleaning pools
3. Car Washing & Detailing
Hardworking kids and teenagers can turn car cleaning into a profitable business venture. With just a bucket of water, a squeegee, and a shop vacuum, they can offer professional car cleaning services in the owner’s driveway.
4. Parent Assistant
During the summer, many parents could use a hand with daily tasks:
- preparing simple meals/snacks
- cleaning up daily messes
- laundry
- helping with easy errands
- sorting mail, etc…
For kids who enjoy being around younger children but aren’t quite ready to babysit solo, they can be a parent’s helper. They can engage and entertain children while parents work from home.
Another option is to help families and local groups when they plan outings to amusement parks or pools.
Kids 11+ can earn their babysitting certification from the American Red Cross. This course teaches basic skills as well as tips to build a babysitting business, first aid, and more.
Related: Cheap & Fun Summer Ideas With Kids
5. Odd House Jobs
Do some up-front job training at home by teaching your kids how to do basic chores and odd jobs well. Then they can venture out to offer these services to neighbors.
- Vacuuming carpets and rugs
- Dusting shelves and surfaces
- Mopping floors
- Washing dishes
- Washing windows
Consider other tasks around the house that rarely get done. Kids can practice those tasks and then offer those specific services.
- Cleaning showers and bathtubs
- Ironing
- Cleaning tile grout
- Cleaning out the garage
- Deep cleaning ovens and refrigerators
Pay your kids for chores at home with these charts and ideas too!
6. Garbage Can Service
Offer a convenient trash service by taking people’s trash bins to the curb weekly and bringing them back in. This is another great service to provide for people frequently out of town.
*Wash and clean the trash cans after being dumped for an extra fee.
Related: Teach Kids To Save Money
7. Youth Sports Referee
If your child is passionate about sports, explore the age requirements for refereeing in youth leagues within your area.
For instance, our local soccer club offers referee courses for 12-year-olds. It’s a valuable opportunity for young sports enthusiasts to get involved and gain experience in officiating games.
8. Pet Care Summer Jobs For Kids
Kids can offer pet care services right in their neighborhoods. This provides a convenient option for pet owners at a more affordable rate than traditional facilities.
- Dog walking
- Dog sitting
- Boarding pets for people out of town
- Backyard pooper scooper
- Pet groomer (bathe, comb, and trim nails)
My niece started making and packaging dog treats to sell to local pet owners. She started with an easy recipe and marketed her products to friends and neighbors.
9. Parent’s Night Or Morning Out
Organize a parent’s night out where multiple families can drop off their kids. It offers a more lucrative opportunity than babysitting for a single family.
Alternatively, host a parent’s morning out at a local park, providing 1-2 hours of entertainment and supervision for children on sunny summer days.
This setup is perfect for two responsible teenagers or older kids. Host these events in your neighborhood weekly or twice a month.
10. Tutoring/Teaching
While school may be out for the summer, parents don’t want their kids to lose all the valuable skills they have learned.
If your child has the heart of a teacher, consider finding ways to share those skills:
- Read with younger kids or tutor them in math
- Teach the basics of a musical instrument or sport
- Teach swim lessons
- Teach a new skill like how to play Chess
Note that the Fair Labor Standards Act sets 14 as the minimum age for non-agricultural work. However, the employment minimum age varies under each state law. Learn more about job opportunities for kids on the U.S. Department of Labor website.
What’s Next?
When your child starts making money, teach them to manage this money well. Set up a budget with your child.
And find a longer list of ways your kids and teens can make money all year long.
