Cash is king as a teenager, whether you want to go out to eat with friends or pay your mom back for your cell phone bill. Taking on a part-time job, such as babysitting, mowing lawns, or dog walking, is a great way to make some extra money. It is possible to make some serious extra cash, or get a head start on your life savings, if you find some great side hustles for teens. Teens can use side hustles to gain valuable skills that can be used to make more money down the road.
You will learn new skills, gain financial literacy, and possibly even make a lot of money by side hustling. It’s rewarding to be able to make money from a side hustle that you created. It won’t affect your school, sports teams, or social life if you do it right.
Here is how to make money as a teenager with side hustles. You can start making money as a teenager with a bit of creativity, determination and perseverance.
21 Side Hustles for Teens
Here are the best sides hustles teenagers can start today to make extra cash:
- Take Online Surveys
- Play Games Online
- Find Odd Jobs in Your Area
- Babysit or Nanny
- Petsit or Walk Dogs
- Sell Unwanted Stuff
- Sell Your Crafts
- Make Deliveries
- Test Websites for Cash
- Do Online Tutoring
- Sell Your Photography
- Become an Influencer
- Donate Plasma for Cash
- Start Freelance Writing
- Deliver Newspapers
- Find a Part-time Job
- Have a Yard Sale
- Clean Houses
- Do Lawn Care
- Clean Pools in Your Area
- Start Snow Shoveling
1. Take Online Surveys
You can take online surveys for money during your free time and make easy mindless cash, or at least a free gift card or two! Most of the survey sites allow teens to join. Teens can make extra pocket money by using survey sites.
Anyone over 13 can sign up for Swagbucks, while Survey Junkie and Branded Surveys are great options for teens over 16.
Two other popular survey sites are LifePoints and InboxDollars. It’s a great way to make money in your spare time by taking surveys on these sites. You must be 18 to use these apps. Proof of age is required in order to use them.
If your ideal odd job doesn’t require you to leave the comfort of your bed and laptop, there are plenty of other ways for teens to make money online.
2. Play Video Games Online
Yes, that is right, you can get paid to play games online! This won’t make you a lot of money, but what teen doesn’t spend a lot of time on their phone playing games? Games are a great way to pass time and have fun.
Rewarded Play is an app that will pay you for wasted time. Don’t let those spare moments go to waste, because you can make extra money while you’re on the go.
You should start your own account if you are more of a serious player. You can build a community of loyal followers by sharing your gaming experiences. There is an interactive live-streaming service. It has become a popular platform for brands.
While you hang out and game, people can pay to subscribe to your channel. You can make money from donations and advertisements on your channel. Some Twitch streamers make a ton of money through the platform.
3. Do Odd Jobs in Your Area
It has never been easier to find odd jobs for teens.
You can use the Steady App to search for full-time, part-time, or gig work opportunities. The Steady App can be used to find flexible job opportunities and make the most of your free time.
It’s possible to narrow down your search to jobs that you could walk or bike to instead of driving a car.
4. Babysit or Nanny
It can be a good side hustle for teenagers, but you already know about it. Teens can use it to make extra money for college or other expenses. Reach out to family members or neighbors to see if they need a babysitter. If they offer part-time babysitting services, you could look into local daycare centers or preschools. You may have a regular gig before you know it.
If you’re over 18, you can also check out websites like Care.com., It is possible to be matched with families in your area. With Sittercity and UrbanSitter, you will have access to reviews from families who have used the service, so you can make an informed decision.
5. Petsit or Walk Dogs
Take your love of animals and make some extra money with it. You can download Rover and create a profile if you are older than 18. Rover is a way to connect with potential pet owners in your area.
You will be able to set your own rates, mark which services you offer, and get matched with people who need pet care in your area.
This side hustle is great for teens. It’s a great way to make extra money, but it can also teach valuable lessons about budgeting and responsibility. Spending time with cute, fluffy dogs and cats can get you outdoors and active instead of sitting inside on your phone all day. It’s a great way to make extra money.
A friend of mine made $32 per hour walking dogs and on average $100 per night for pet sitting. She was able to save enough money to take a vacation to Hawaii in a few months.
6. Sell Your Unwanted or Outgrown Stuff
Your closet is full of clothes you never wear or outgrew last year. It’s time to make room in your closet for new items. Perfect! Why don’t you sell it online or in person?
You can sell the clothes you don’t want with the Depop or Poshmark apps on your phone.
Or use Decluttr to sell your old phones, books, games, and other stuff laying around. Decluttr requires you to be 18 to sell, but you can ask your parent to manage the app for you. When signing up for the app, your parent will need to provide their credit card information.
Old books, technology, and other items can be sold at a yard sale or garage sale. You can also promote your sale on social media. Before you sell anything, make sure to ask your parents. It’s important to research the market value of the item you want to sell so you can get the best price.
7. Sell Your Crafts or Art on Social Media
At 13 years old, you can begin selling your creations. It’s a great way for young people to start a business. Here are some ideas of things you could sell to get your creative juices flowing and make some money online.
- Paintings
- Art prints
- Greeting cards
- Pillows
- Leather belts
- Journals
- Crocheted animals
- Custom-made tables, shelves, chairs
- Handmade Jewelry
- Handmade clothes
- Accessories
- DIY home decor
- Custom T-shirts
If you want to promote your work to friends and family, you can create a business page on the photo sharing site. You can use other social media platforms to advertise your page and reach a wider audience.
My friend’s daughter started her own jewelry business during COVID and made over $4,000 sitting in her room making earrings, bracelets, and necklaces and selling them on social media. She was able to take a challenging situation and turn it into an opportunity for success.
8. Make Deliveries
If you’re over 18, you can help people grocery shop with Instacart or deliver fast food with DoorDash.
When you are free, you can sign up and choose jobs. If you want, you can take on as many jobs as you want. You can either shop for the items at the grocery store or go to a restaurant and pick up the order. Once you’ve finished the delivery, you can relax and enjoy your earnings.
9. Test Websites for Cash
Companies will pay you to give feedback on their website. If you’re over 18, you can sign up with UserTesting to get started.
You can make $4 for every five-minute test, $10 for every 20-minute test, and $120 for live interviews. You’re in control of how much you make because you can do the tests whenever you want.
10. Do Online Tutoring
You can make money by helping other students learn their favorite subjects if you are a good student and enjoy working with other teens.
You can find tutoring clients through word of mouth or your school, but there are a lot of online tutoring websites too.
You can teach English by talking to foreigners online. This is a great way to learn about different cultures and gain confidence in speaking English. All you have to do is speak English. If you are a native English speaker, no matter where you are in the world, you can take full advantage of the opportunities that come with it. Try it out with Cambly.
I give Cambly my seal of approval and highly recommend it. It’s a great way to improve language skills and meet new people. I made $10 per hour talking to people all over the world. I was amazed at how easy it was to get in touch with people.
11. Sell Your Photography as Stock Photos
If you have photography skills, you can sell your photos as stock images for third-party websites like Shutterstock, Dreamstime, or iStockPhoto. It is easy, and you can make some quick cash. You can do it from your home.
12. Become an Influencer
What teenager hasn’t dreamed of being famous on social media? It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become popular. If you can figure out how to a unique build social media fame, you could have a super-fun, money-making side hustle. It can be helpful to at least try. Don’t be afraid to explore, you never know what you might discover.
13. Donate Plasma for Cash
Getting paid to donate plasma might sound a little gross, but it’s actually really easy and you get paid for it. Visit your local plasma donation center (find one in your area here) to find out if you qualify to donate. You can make extra money by donating a couple of times per month. It’s easy to make money by donating blood, but it can also be very rewarding.
14. Start Freelance Writing
All types of teens can benefit from being a writer. It can help them develop skills that will benefit them in the future. You can make your own schedule and work as much as you want. Extra money can be put towards something special or saved for a rainy day.
Since most teens are in school, they are in a unique position to keep their school work ethic going.
There are a few sites to check out. Content writing, web design, and other services can be found on these sites. Teens as young as 13 can create, share, and build their writing portfolios with the help of Fiverr and Medium. A portfolio of writing samples is an important step for teens to take when starting out in writing.
15. Deliver Newspapers
Newspapers can be a steady and reliable source of income for some teens, even if it sounds like an ancient practice. It’s a great way to get some exercise while you work. The schedule of the average teen would be perfect if these jobs were full time. Teens rely on part-time jobs to help cover the costs of activities and other expenses, making them an essential part of a teen’s life.
There are precautions and skills the teen will need, to name a few:
- Make sure you talk to a parent about the job and that they know your route.
- Become very familiar with the maps. It will help you find your way around.
- Write a resume. Information about your education, experience, and skills should be included.
- Determine how far you want to travel. You should plan out the stops you want to make along the way once you have determined the distance you want to travel.
You should apply for newspaper delivery jobs in your area after completing these tasks. Before applying, make sure to research the different newspapers and their delivery requirements so you can find the best fit for you. To find openings in your area, check job sites like Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com, and jobs2careers.com. You can use these sites to research job roles and requirements, which will give you a better idea of what you need to do to get the job you want.
16. Find a Part-Time Job
Part-Time jobs are the heartbeat of the gig economy, a new alternative approach that is challenging the traditional career model. Part-Time jobs give individuals with the flexibility to earn a living while also having the freedom to pursue other activities like school or hobbies. Teens and young adults are not the only ones who work part time. Part time work is a great way to learn and gain experience in the workforce.
For the average schedule of a teenager, part-time work is ideal. Teenagers can balance school, extracurricular activities and social life with part-time work.
There are many local part-time jobs on the main job sites. Big retail stores, chain restaurants, and manufacturing are some of the jobs you will find on the big sites. There are many opportunities for people of all levels of experience and education in these jobs.
Some prefer a different approach. The approach involves taking a more relaxed attitude and allowing the task to unfold naturally. Which is looking for a job at a local store or restaurant. This is a great way to get noticed and increase your chances of getting a job.
Word of mouth is very powerful and can be used to find a job. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network and ask for help in your job search, you never know who might have the perfect opportunity for you. Tell your friends, parents, friend’s parents, and even teachers that you are trying to get a part-time job. Online job search resources can help you find the right job.
17. Have a Yard Sale
Most teens have things from when they were younger. Clothes, toys, books, and other items they are not ready to part with may be included. There are old toys, sports equipment, bicycles, skateboards, clothes, movies and gaming systems. Don’t forget to give your gently used items to someone else. Potential cash is sitting there. You can make money selling them today.
To start a list, take an inventory of what you are willing to let go of. Pick which items are the most important to keep and prioritize them accordingly. If the inventory is worth having a yard sale. Whatever doesn’t sell at the yard sale can be donated or sold online.
The key to a successful yard sale is having items that people want and can use, getting the word out to the community, and having a parent or friend help with the event. A plan for organizing and displaying items will draw in more potential buyers. Some extra cash can be put in the pockets of the sellers at a yard sale. It can be a great way to make room in the home.
18. Clean Houses
Cleaning services can make a lot of money. Quality service is important in order to keep clients coming back. It is easy to find work that is dirty. It doesn’t pay very well. Real money can be made if you roll up the sleeves and get the work done.
It’s worth considering the initial buying of the products. Before committing to any purchases, it is important to research the best prices and suppliers. Someone you know has a lot of cleaning products. You can check with local stores to see if they have the cleaning supplies you are looking for. Half the battle is preparing for a job. The knowledge and skills you bring to the table are the other half.
It’s important to spread the word about your side hustle. Positive outcomes can be produced by friends of friends knowing what you are up to. It can strengthen relationships between those involved.
If you want to work with a big name job site, check it out. After you are prepared to clean, posting on social media and job boards is a great first step. Let your professional network know that you are looking for new opportunities. Merrymaids.com, Housekeeper.com, and Care.com are some sites for cleaning.
19. Lawn Care
A staple in American culture is lawn care. The industry has been growing for the last 2 decades and the last 10 years.
The lawn care industry can be a one man operation. Entrepreneurs can take control of their financial future by starting their own business. You can start doing solo jobs if you have the equipment. It is advisable to research the local laws and regulations before starting a solo job. It will take longer, but you can keep all the money. It may be worth the extra effort to complete the task on your own. Most people agree that the basic starting necessities are a mower and weed eater. A tractor or riding mower may be required for larger jobs.
When you’re done preparing, start talking to your friends and family and post on social media about your new venture. If you want to reach your target audience, be sure to use relevant phrases. You can post about your service on lawnlove.com, Indeed.com, and Craigslist. You can use social media to find job opportunities and promote your services.
20. Clean Pools In Your Area
Cleaning pools is a very easy way to make money. It’s ideal for anyone who needs to make some extra money because it doesn’t require a lot of specialized knowledge. There are different levels of cleaning. Some people prefer a deep cleaning that involves scrubbing every surface in the home, while others prefer a quick tidy up. Which is best for you? Before making a decision, be sure to research all the options thoroughly. It could be as simple as making sure the filter is clear. The temperature of the water should be within the recommended range for your fish.
Depending on where you live, this side hustle can be very productive. You can find out what is happening in the world of pool cleaning on the internet. Determine which type of pool cleaning service is best for you.
Check out jobsforteenshq.com for pool cleaning options.
21. Start Snow Shoveling
Delivery of newspapers is right up there with shoveling snow. It’s a tradition for kids growing up in cold climates to learn how to shovel snow. If you live in a snow heavy area, snow shoveling is a great side hustle. It’s an attractive option for earning extra income because you can make a lot of money in a few hours. This would be a seasonal job in most places. It is possible to earn extra income during the holiday season.
If the jobs are lined up, this job can be done quickly and many at a time. It is worth the effort to complete the job quickly and efficiently. It’s important to get in touch with your neighbors before the season starts. You and your clients have time to sort out a schedule. It allows you to plan ahead and make sure that your services meet the needs of your clients. Social media and word of mouth are very helpful in starting a side hustle. It’s a good idea to reach out to friends, family and acquaintances on social media.
Pros and Cons of Side Hustles for Teens
Not everything is perfect in life, so let’s go over some of the pros and cons of side hustles for teenagers:
Pros:
- Make extra money
- Learn new, marketable skills
- Obtain financial literacy
- Learn how to manage money
- Learn how to save money
- Side hustles can turn into full-time jobs
- Learn responsibility and time management
Cons:
- High upfront costs for some side hustles
- Some side hustles can be mind-numbing, leading to burnout
- Maintaining a side hustle could be too stressful to manage
- Could take up too much time and distract from your education
- Monetizing a hobby you enjoy could take away the joy
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a lot of questions about side hustles for teens. Teens can gain financial independence and learn valuable skills by starting a side hustle.
What are side hustles for teens anyway?
A side hustle, or side gig, is a form of employment that you do on the side of your full-time commitments. Whether you are an active student or just graduated a side hustle can be an easy way to make extra money to help you pay the bills, save money for your future, invest, or just have something to spend on chocolate milkshakes. It is possible to gain new skills and experience in areas you are interested in.
As a teen, you went to school all day, but in addition to playing video games when you get home, you could make stuffed animals and sell them on eBay. You could make more money by babysitting or tutoring.
What should teens look for in a side hustle?
If you’re looking for a side hustle that matches your interests, look for one that fits into your current schedule. Do you not know how to crochet? It’s never too late to learn, there are many online courses to get started. No problem. You can make money from your love of video games, drawing, pets, fashion, food, or pretty much anything. It’s an enjoyable way to make money off of your hobbies and interests.
Side hustles are flexible. When you have time for other activities, you can work with a side hustle. You can be your own boss. You can make decisions that are best for your business if you create your own schedule. It’s up to you to decide when to work and when to take it easy. It is easy to fit the job around other commitments.
There are potential drawbacks to side hustles. Before taking on a side hustle, it is important to consider the pros and cons. You have a lot going on as a teen. It’s important to take some time out of your day to relax. It is important to make sure you have the time to make extra money. It is possible to take on a part-time job that is flexible enough to allow you to manage your studies.
If you want to turn your hobbies into a source of income, you need to think about it. It’s more enjoyable to keep your hobbies as a part of your life than it is to do so for financial gain. The risk of no longer enjoying a hobby is always there.
How do you ensure your side hustle doesn’t interfere with school?
You have to be intentional to balance your life as a teen with a side hustle. You can make the most of both your personal life and side hustle if you set a schedule that works for you. Look at your schedule and non-negotiables. How much time can you devote to this side hustle? And be realistic. You should leave time and space for fun teen stuff, like hanging out with friends.
Write down your goals once you decide. Staying focused and motivated will be helped by this. If you want to make $100 per month, you have to work a maximum of five hours a week. To reach your goal, you’ll need to set aside time each week to focus on making money and make sure you’re using the most efficient methods. You should be able to avoid some of the overwhelm that can happen when you are working and going to school if you stick to this goal. Take it one step at a time and give yourself enough time to rest.
Remember what your priorities are if the overwhelm happens. Take time to care for yourself and your mental health. When you are an adult, you can always pick up a side hustle. It’s never too early to start researching and exploring different side hustle options that could fit your lifestyle and interests.
How can having a side hustle help teens gain financial literacy?
The majority of young adults don’t have money management skills. They are left with little savings and no plan for the future. Most teens don’t have money to manage or real-world experiences with jobs. It is important for parents to teach teens about budgeting and money management.
Young adults can learn how to manage their money with a side hustle or part-time job. It can have a positive impact on their financial future as they learn how to save and invest for the long term. They need to open a bank account because they have money coming in. They can better manage their finances by opening a bank account.
They can learn how to budget and save money. They can gain more control over their finances by doing this. They can learn about investing at a young age if they have saved enough money. They will gain valuable knowledge and experience as a result of being financially prepared for the future.
How can having a side hustle during high school help teens develop important skills?
Teens can gain hands-on experiences working in challenging environments with people they don’t know if they have a side hustle. Teens can gain valuable skills that will be useful in the future, such as problem solving, communication, and time management. They can use it to develop their skills. It can help them to learn how to work effectively with others, which is an important skill in any profession. They will learn how to manage their time well so they can fulfill their responsibilities. They will gain valuable problem-solving and analytical skills by developing strong organizational and communication skills.
Which Side Hustles for Teens is Best for You?
The world is your oyster if you want to make extra money as a teen.
There are many ways to make extra money, from providing an in-demand service in your local community to monetize your love of drawing. You could make money from something you love with the right attitude and hard work.
It is important to learn how to manage your time and money so that your side hustle does not interfere with your schoolwork. Taking advantage of the resources available in your school such as student unions, libraries and career centers can help you make better decisions about how to handle your time and money when launching a side hustle. You want a side hustle that will help you save for your future. A side hustle can help you explore new skills, give you a sense of accomplishment, and even open up opportunities for networking.
