Kids are expensive and the teenage years are no exception. Not only does it seem you’re constantly buying new clothes and shoes to replace the ones they’ve grown out of, but their hobbies seem to get more expensive too. If your teen is asking for spending money every weekend and their usual allowance isn’t cutting it, it might be time for a part-time job. If your teenager doesn’t have time for a part-time job or you don’t want to add that to their already full plate, there are other options on how teens can make money.
There are plenty of easy ways for teenagers to make some extra cash. You just have to find one that plays to your teen’s strengths so they don’t roll their eyes at you when you suggest it. Let’s look at six different side hustles that will answer how teens can make money and be able to pay for their own Starbucks.
Playing with pets
If you have a teen who loves animals
There is always a post on Facebook where someone needs a pet sitter or a dog walker. This would be great for an animal-loving teen. Plus, if you don’t have pets and don’t want pets, this is the perfect way for your child to get their furry fix without you having to worry about pet hair.
Your teen can post on Facebook or Nextdoor or just have them check the sites regularly. They can always ask neighbors if they need any pet help. It’s a safe and fun way for your teen to start making some money while still having a free schedule for school and other activities.
Lawn care year-round
If you have a teen who loves to be outside
Lawn care is one of the biggest go-to’s for teens to make some money. They will have work all year and won’t have to worry about bouncing back and forth between side jobs. In the spring and summer, they can mow and pick weeds. In the fall they can rake leaves. In the winter they can shovel and salt driveways and sidewalks.
This one is perfect if you live in a neighborhood because then you won’t need to drive your teen anywhere. They can walk around and ask the neighbors what services they need, and you’ll know where your kid is. Even if one house only needs snow removal and another only needs leaf raking, your teen can be the go-to lawn care guru on the block.
Tutoring
If you have a book-smart teen
There is always a need for tutors. Your teen can tutor in the subject (or subjects) they are really good at. They can ask around at local high schools or post in groups on Facebook about their services. School is hard, even in the younger grades. Your teen can tutor grade school kids or help junior high students get ready for the next step.
If your teen doesn’t mind younger kids, there is a huge opportunity to help children in the lower grades right now. With all of the remote and online learning, a lot of the K-5 kids are struggling to learn some of the basics. Your teen can feel good about helping and earn some money at the same time.
Referee games
If you have a sporty teen
Every sport, at every age, needs referees. They can ref for youth leagues, high schools, and even college games if they stick with it. The pay isn’t bad at all if they like the sport they ref. Since sports are played all year, if they find one sport a season, they’ll always have a way to make some side money.
There are a few steps with this one, but if your teen did multiple sports they would make decent money. Your teen would have to get certified by passing a course and some levels need the teen to be 16 years old.
YouTube/TikTok videos
If you have an outgoing teen
While you may not like that your teen is glued to social media, they can use it for good instead of evil – and make some money. For talkative teens, this can be a piece of cake. If they have a niche such as tutorials, unboxing, singing, or doing product reviews, they can turn it into a lucrative side hustle.
They can start out getting free swag and products, and if they get a decent following they can start to make money off of their channel. Like it or not, social media and the power of it is here to stay. So, if your teen loves to be in front of the camera, and you are okay with it, might as well let them make some money. The best part is you don’t need to buy any fancy equipment. They just need their phone.
Selling photos
If you have an artistic teen
Your teenager always has their phone in their hand, right? Between all of the selfies and pictures of Starbucks drinks, they should be able to take a photo or two that’s good quality. With the amount of creative content on the rise, the number of photos needed to complete that content is in demand.
If you have a teen that has a good eye, there are sites like Shutterstock or Getty Images that are great places for your teen to start telling their artistic photos.
It’s about more than money
Whether your teen chooses a traditional part-time job or chooses a side hustle, these teach your teen more than just how to make a few extra bucks. Teens learn valuable life skills when they start to earn their own money. Side hustles help them develop responsibility by requiring them to manage their time, show up on schedule, and complete tasks consistently. It also teaches them important interpersonal skills, such as communication, teamwork, and customer service, by interacting with coworkers and customers and by putting themselves out there to get their jobs in the first place.
However they choose to earn some spending money teaches them the value of hard work, perseverance, and accountability. Earning their own money can give teens a sense of independence and boost their confidence as they navigate the challenges of balancing work, school, and social life.
Closing thoughts
Whichever kind of teenager you have, we found a side hustle style that will match their personality. Whether your teen needs money for their extras or wants to save for a bigger purchase like a car or a new phone, a side hustle will help them independently get what they want.
Not every teen needs to get a part-time job at the mall, and not every teen needs to wait until they are 16 to get a job. These side hustles can be done on your teen’s schedule and as young as 13. So, run these by your child and see if one of them sticks.
