If you happen to have a kid that’s been nagging and asking you how to make money as a teen, pat yourself on the back for top-notch parenting skills!
I say this because it’s great to make lots of money fast. But as a kid, it’s awesome to have money – especially money that you worked hard for and earned. But let’s be honest, some kids just aren’t interested in that until much later on in life.
Not only does having your own money make it easier to stand out in a world where most other kids have very little, but it’s also a great way to develop long-term skills that will come in handy in the future. Fortunately, there are so many ways to make money as a teen that you’re bound to find one that your parents will support.
Not yet a teen. Then read: How to make money as a kid
So, if you’re the bright spark that’s landed here because you’re looking for ways to make money as a teen, keep reading. I’ve tried to make things easier for you by jotting down a few reasons why your parents should help you make money – use these to convince them to help you make a few extra bucks!
Why parents should help their kids earn money
To teach basic financial principles
I’ve always been a big believer in financial literacy for kids being the biggest leg up that you can give your kids – and I’m pretty sure that a lot of other parents feel the same way too. If you can convince your parents to help you on this journey, it’ll definitely pave the way for you and make sure that you make smarter financial decisions in future.
Kids that explore various ways to make money as a teen generally become more financially savvy than their peers, meaning that concepts such as saving, investing, budgeting, etc. become second nature to them. There’s even a chance of going on to become a renowned business mogul – now that would be something for your parents to boast about.
To help them develop a good relationship with money
Your childhood years form the basis of your relationship with money – so they should definitely help you make it a good relationship. Once you develop certain money habits, it’ll be difficult for anyone to try and tell you otherwise later.
Think about it, if you understand investing and the time value of money, the chances of you falling for a pyramid scheme or random scams that are doing the rounds now are slim. Why? Because your understanding of money will immediately see the red flags.
In fact, it’s a lot like a romantic relationship, the more time you spend with your partner, the better you get to know them. Simple.
To ease financial burden on themselves
Show me a parent who doesn’t want a kid that won’t ask for money for a new gadget or to fund a new hobby every other week… I’ll wait. Exactly. Using THIS reason as the main motivator for why they should support and help you find ways to make money as a teen will probably work.
Not only does it make it you somewhat financially independent (okay, only a bit), but it also saves your parents some money too. In other words, they’ll have extra money to save, invest, fund THEIR own hobbies, or simply spoil themselves every now and then.
If you pitch it to them like that, they’ll probably drop whatever they’re doing and help you find out how to make money as a teen – immediately!
To encourage their kids to take ownership of personal finances
See, the operative word here is “personal” – meaning that nobody else can really take over your personal finances for you. Sure, they may give you tips here and there, but at the end of the day, the sooner you learn about personal finances and how to make, spend, allocate and budget money, the better.
How to make money as a teen online
Teens nowadays have special and unique skills that many older people value (thanks technology), so believe me when I tell you that there are so many ways to make money as a teen. Computer skills, for one, are highly valued and often, are somewhat second nature to this generation.
Have you noticed how whenever you’re at the mall or in a public space with kids, they’re all texting away or too preoccupied by a screen to even notice what’s happening around them – even toddlers! When something comes so naturally, the next step would be to develop it even further so you can really earn the big bucks – that’s if you’re good at what you do.
You can sign up for a course and by the end of summer, you’ll probably be as knowledgeable on some topics as some adults – meaning you could earn as much as them too. Come to think of it, the pandemic actually made things somewhat easier for you if you’re looking for ways to make money as a teen – it proved that some jobs can be done remotely.
Yup! That means more chances of getting a part-time job and doing it in your spare time – with balance of course and without sucking all the joy out of your life. You still need to be young and live a little.
That’s honestly one of my favorite things about the digital era, the fact that there’s actually no need to spend half your life in traffic or be bound to a desk just to make some money.
The internet – and technology in general – has really expanded the options when it comes to ways to make money as a teen. You can become a graphic designer for social media, for example. There are also some great freelancing platforms like Upwork to find occasional digital jobs. Although, some of these require you to be at least 18 to sign up and work.
So, developing some sort of digital skills is definitely one of the best ways to make money as a teen these days. Those are skills that are expected to be in demanded for years to come, so you can actually get a headstart.
Our criteria of great jobs for kids
1 – Build some sort of life-long skills
When you’re looking into how to make money as a teen, ideally, you should go for skills that will be useful for a very long time. There’s absolutely no use honing skills that won’t be in demand or completely obsolete by the time you’re a young adult.
When you start making money, try to go for skills that will be in demand and have it all count as experience for whatever career you end up choosing.
2 – High pay rate
I don’t advocate for jobs with a crappy pay rate. Eventually, you’ll start hating what you do because your job makes you miserable. If you take the freelancing route, those jobs usually pay quite a bit because it’s on a per project basis, so that’s great! It also means you can accept jobs when you have time and take a break to focus on school sometimes.
Flexibility is very important, you’ll probably realize and appreciate this more once you have to juggle a lot of things at once. A good pay rate also means that people actually see value in your work and aren’t exploiting or taking advantage of you.
3 – Safe
I’m pretty sure your parents won’t sign off on a job that’s not safe – so you’ll at least have other people to discuss the safety aspect with if you’re not sure. Long ago, most people were concerned about physical safety, nowadays though, there are other more intricate concerns to pay attention to when looking for ways to make money as a teen.
There are creeps and fraudsters online too, just as there in real-life. So just be on the lookout for any dodgy job opportunities and payment scams. Checking credibility and online presence of a potential client or employer is a great way to go about it.
List of great jobs for kids
There are many so ways to make money as a teen, depending on your skills and quite frankly, what you’re willing to put up with. I don’t like promoting low-paying jobs, so these are for those who want to know how to make money as a teen AND make it worth their time too!
1 – Complete online surveys
This is probably one of the relatively hassle-free ways to make money. Now, you’re not going to make millions from doing this, but it’s a step in the right direction towards earning and saving money.
Various platforms offer different incentives, so you’ll find that some pay you for every survey that you complete, while others may give you gift cards or discounts at partner shops or restaurants. Personally, I don’t care about the other incentives – point me in the direction of the money surveys, thanks!
2 – Start a YouTube channel
Okay, I’ll admit, this one requires a bit of commitment and a strategy. There’s money to be made on YouTube, but your account has to be monetized first. This means that you can’t start making money from the get-go, YouTube has to see that you’re actually serious about the content you’re making.
The great thing about this is that you don’t even need to have a particular skill to start a YouTube channel, in fact, people around the world are making money just from documenting their lives. Imagine that.
Now, if you’re wondering how to make money as a teen on YouTube, the platform states that you need to live in a region where the YouTube Partner Program is available. You should also not have violated any community guidelines, have 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months and have more than 1,000 subscribers.
3 – Sell unused things
If you’re the type of person that has so much clutter and unused things – be it books, clothes, gadgets, whatever it is – you can make money by selling things. This one is a suggestion for if you’re saving towards something, as opposed to looking for something sustainable and to make money on an ongoing basis.
I mean, you can’t exactly keep selling your things. Eventually you’d be left with nothing but the clothes on your back. That would be awkward and you’d have your parents to answer to.
4 – Tutoring
This one is for all the overachievers, the A-students, the nerds, any teen that has enough knowledge on a particular subject to teach others. Generally, tutors for the so-called difficult subjects such as maths, science and accounting are always in demand.
5 – Create an online course
Now, this one requires some level of expertise because essentially, it means that you’re imparting knowledge on to the next person. Nobody wants to buy a whole lot of fluff just because you’re selling it. It can be on anything that you consider yourself well-versed in.
I like to think of it like preparing notes for an exam; first create a basic outline and structure and then the content. It needs to be informative and different from those on the market already so it stands out to people.
You can then upload it to sites that specialize in courses and start earning for each purchase. Another option if you want complete control over your work is to promote it yourself on social media and have an e-commerce website for people to buy it. In the long-term, this can be a great source of ongoing passive income.
6 – Sign up to freelance job platforms
The likes of Fiverr and Upwork are great! Or at least that’s what a lot of people say. You can offer your services to people that are looking for your expertise – which are often digital skills in this case – or bid for jobs that have been posted. Once you and the other party agree on a rate, you’re good to go.
7 – Start a blog
If you’re someone who enjoys writing and are still asking yourself how to make money as a teen, blogging is the answer. Yup, yet another career that didn’t exist in your parents’ time, thanks to technology. It’s quite easy to set up a website that can be monetized, and from there, it’s just about consistently creating content within your niche and hoping people love it.
8 – Work in retail
If you don’t necessarily want to take advantage of the digital options and would rather do something that’s customer-facing, retails could be a great start. If you have the patience to deal with customers and are generally quite good with people, then this just might be for you.
Although, I’d advise you to apply at shops that are linked to your interests. If you love gaming, see if there’s an opening at an electronics shop instead of a fashion retailer.
9 – Become a server or a barista
This is one of the go-to answers for people asking how to make money as a teen – yes, even for your parents’ generation. The chances of there being an opening at a nearby café or restaurant are high, and because it’s shift work, there’s loads of flexibility! That’s always a bonus for me.
Tips are also a great way to make even more money. Basically, just be pleasant and competent and you’ll probably end up making more than your grouch of a colleague.
10 – Make and sell crafts
If you’re the type of person that’s big on art and quite good with your hands, then this is definitely something you could try. Some people really enjoy the look and feel of homemade crafts for gifting purposes, it’s definitely a lot more sentimental than a flashy item from yet another high-end brand.
You could sell within your neighborhood or online. Side note – I’d suggest online because of the wider reach and then just make a note of delivery costs for your customers.
11 – Become a golf caddy
Not only is this a great way to get out of the house and make money, but it could also be a stepping stone if you want to do it professionally in future. Yup, being a pro golf caddy is actually a thing. One of Tiger Woods’ former caddies made $20 million in his career! Geez, wish I knew about this when I was younger.
Don’t get too excited though, as a teen golf caddy, you can expect to make about $10 – $15 per hour.
12 – Babysitting
This obviously isn’t for everyone – it actually requires you to be good with babies. Or at least have loads of experience with looking after your siblings or something, otherwise you’ll be in over your head. This can be a great way to make money on weekends. When parents want to go out and live a little, they’ll definitely need someone to look after their bundle of joy.
13 – Start a dropshipping business
Consumerism runs this generation, and what better way to take advantage of it from the comfort of your home than by starting a dropshipping business? It’s pretty much running a store without actually holding any stock – meaning less risk for you.
Knowing what customers want and facilitating the purchase and delivery process seamlessly is the key to success. Oh, and of course only selling quality products – dealing with complaints and refund requests can be pretty crappy.
14 – Stream on Twitch
Many Twitch sensations have built credible careers from their areas of interest, particularly within the gaming community. You don’t even have to be an extrovert to gain viewership. Being a Twitch affiliate and securing brand sponsorships are just some of the ways to monetize your content, if you’re still not sure how to make money as a teen on Twitch.
15 – Become a content creator
Apart from YouTube and Twitch, there are people making loads of money from content on other social media platforms. There’s no age requirement, I mean, even newborns are able to secure brand sponsorships and get that money from a mere Instagram post. So, how to make money as a teen in the digital age? Tap into the online market and content creation.
16 – Assist with coaching or personal training
I suggest being an assistant if you’re a teen and then getting some sort of certification and experience before doing this on your own. A lot of people want to lose weight, become fit or pursue sports professionally.
If you’re an athlete and know a thing or two about this, use your skills and knowledge to help others and make money at the same time.
17 – Become a virtual or personal assistant
Do you have color-coordinated file and clothing? Keep all your socks in one straight line and check in on your loved ones routinely every Friday after school? Then consider making money from your overly structured nature.
Many small business owners tend to let the admin side of things fall by the wayside and often need an assistant on a freelance basis. Which is where you come in.
18 – Pet sitting
This is quite similar to babysitting, except this time, you’re looking after pets (big surprise). When people go away on vacation or leave their homes for a few days, their pets still need to be fed and walked – which is where you come in. Ideally, you should love pets and maybe even have your own to better understand them.
19 – Do door-to-door deliveries or run errands in your neighborhood
Let’s face it, the thought of standing in a long queue at the shops or running errands doesn’t really sound exciting … unless you’re getting paid for it!!! Very little thought goes into it and you don’t even have to have any particular qualification or experience to do this.
I know a lot of people that would gladly pay people to do small tasks for them. Why? Convenience, that’s why. Often, people pay for the convenience you bring to their lives, more than anything else.
20 – Gardening
Even if you’re wondering how can a 13-year-old make money, this is also a viable answer. Kids with green fingers or those that find being within nature therapeutic can earn some money from gardening. It’s relatively hassle-free and not strenuous.
How can a 13-year-old make money?
21 – Create printables
Canva is a platform that a LOT of people use for their social media visuals because of how easy it is to use. You could use platforms similar to it to create planners or test and exam timetables and then sell them at school. Your peers will probably buy them just to convince their parents that they’re getting serious about their studies and exam prep.
22 – Music reviews
This is probably one of the lesser-known options for those who still want to know how can a 13-year-old make money. Music reviews are suitable for 13-year-olds, and anybody else who wants to earn a little bit of extra money.
All you have to do is listen to music and share your opinion. It won’t always be regular songs, it may be jingles or theme songs, either way, it’s basically getting paid for having an opinion.
23 – Sell food and drinks
“LEMONADE FOR SALE” – now that’s a notice that takes me back to my childhood years. It’s a sign I appreciated the most on those hot summer days! Years later, people still need food and drinks, which means that this is a viable option if you’re wondering how can a 13-year-old make money.
24 – Design T-shirts
If you’re more on the creative side and enjoy drawing or coming up with graphics, then T-shirt design is worth looking into. People can either pay you for the designs, or you take it a step further and get T-shirts made and sell those!
TL;DR
A lot of parents may spend their time pondering on how can a 13-year-old make money. Why? Well, because instilling such values and financial knowledge will be beneficial to them in the future. When teenagers are introduced to financial concepts at an early age, it makes them a bit more responsible and the chances of them asking for an allowance become slim!
FAQs
Is it legal to work as a teen?
Legalities surrounding work as a teen may differ across regions, but generally, it depends on the teenager, their parents, and pretty much their ability to balance all their responsibilities. Jobs that require you to be 18 years or older stipulate that from the onset, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing minor jobs to earn a little bit of cash.
How to make money as a 15-year-old?
This is quite the same as how can a 13-year-old make money? A 15-year-old can consider things such as babysitting, gardening, tutoring and retail. These are things that are not exploitative but at the same time, are a great way to get an introduction to the real world of work, personal finance, as well as relieve your parents of some level of financial stress too.
