As stated by the U.S. According to the Department of Labor, children cannot legally begin working for an employer until they are at least 14 years old. However, it does not follow that your kid can not start looking for ways to make money before then.
In 2022, there will be more options for kids to make money than ever before because of the Internet. The time when opening a lemonade stand in your neighborhood was the only way to make some extra money is long gone.
Additionally, teaching youngsters early on how to make their own money can be advantageous to them later in life. Your youngsters will pick some useful skills that they can utilize as adults. It can also assist them in developing sound money management techniques. These 25 age-appropriate ways for kids to make money range from conventional means of supplementing their income to ways to get started making money online.
How to Make Money as a Young Kid
Here are ways to make money as a kid at home or in the neighborhood.
#1. Work on household chores and odd jobs in the area.
Children who are old enough to assist with household chores and yard maintenance can receive payment. Families can, for instance, put a monetary value on chores like cleaning the house, vacuuming, folding laundry, and picking weeds.
#2. Nannying, dog walking, and pet-sitting for money
Being the neighborhood’s go-to reliable sitter for working parents is the epitome of duty. The element of trust is crucial. You can make a respectable hourly wage for watching youngsters younger than you if you build good relationships with your neighbors. It is not impossible to charge between $10 and $15 per hour. Do you believe you can succeed? To let potential clients know you are available to work, ask your parents to help you spread the news, make fliers, or send an email.
Another way for a kid to make consistent money is by walking dogs and caring for pets while neighbors are away. Inform your friends and neighbors that you are available and interested.
#3. Sell your items locally or online
An easy way to make money as a kid is to sell your unwanted furniture, clothes, books, toys, and more. Kids can plan a garage or yard sale or sell goods online or through apps. Children 16 and older can use the marketplace software OfferUp under parental supervision.
Kids who are crafty can also sell their artwork, jewelry, T-shirts, and other products online or in person. When selling on Etsy, children between the ages of 13 and 17 may utilize a parent’s or legal guardian’s account (with their consent). Children under 13 may open accounts on their parents’ or guardians’ behalf.
#4. Seasonal lemonade sales
Do not possess any goods to sell. When it is warm outside, set up a traditional lemonade stand (some states and localities require a permit; check your area’s rules first) and make your pitch to onlookers. To really draw customers in, combine the lemonade with a fizzy seltzer and add the choice on your sign. Add a small surcharge for the fizzy version.
#5. Impart knowledge to others
Inform others about your interests and skills that they might find interesting. For instance, you may organize a drawing class or teach soccer, music, or cuisine.
Ways For a Teen Kid To Make Money
Children aged 13 and older have access to new online venues where they can make money from their talents.
#6. Discover local events using Nextdoor
If permitted, use social networking sites to look for work in your neighborhood. Teens who are 13 years old and older can use the Nextdoor app to advertise services like babysitting, dog walking, and lawn mowing in addition to word-of-mouth advertising.
#7. Freelance
Teenagers can create their portfolios and make money online by freelancing. There is a market for just about any ability you can think of, including flexible hours, and the option to set your own fees. Writing blog entries, developing logos, editing podcasts, and building websites are all examples of potential careers.
Most freelancing marketplaces require applicants to be at least 18 years old, although you can find other sites with lower minimum ages. Users must be 13 or older to utilize Fiverr, for instance. Ask a parent for assistance in starting your own freelance business if the options provided by current websites and apps are too limited. Find out about other venture ideas for young people with an entrepreneurial mindset.
#8. Educate your peers
Offer to tutor other students for a fee if you are very good in one or more academic subjects. A smart first step is to just ask your classmates or siblings to hire you. Additionally, you can put up flyers in establishments like libraries, coffee shops, and schools – just make sure to ask permission first.
#9. Take polls
For kids with plenty of free time, taking internet surveys typically does not require any special knowledge or training. Some websites, such as Swagbucks and MyPoints, accept users as young as 13 years old. Here’s how they operate: The kid can earn money, gift cards, or other incentives by responding to questions and expressing their opinions on various subjects.
However, this labor has drawbacks: It may be monotonous, pays poorly, and frequently asks survey participants to divulge their demographics or other private information. Before moving forward, parents and children should think about these factors.
#10. Look for youngsters’ regular jobs
For minors under the age of 14, child labor rules make a few job exclusions. Children of any age can, for example, work for their parents’ company or engage in specific agricultural and entertainment-related jobs. Even though paper routes are all but obsolete, they are nonetheless legal.
Teenagers who are older than the required minimum age have obviously far more options available to them. Jobs in the grocery store, retail, and restaurant industries are common choices.
How To Make Money as a Kid Online
#11. Sell clothing and furniture.
As your kids grow out of their old clothes and furniture, you can sell them. You can advertise lightly worn clothing on apps like Mercari, Poshmark, and ThredUP, or you can sell them at nearby consignment stores.
You may use Facebook Marketplace to screen potential buyers when selling larger things like furniture and arrange a public meeting spot with your adolescent. Make sure you watch over any online transaction your youngster makes to be on the safe side.
#12. Play games online.
Gamers that are looking for a means to make money and enjoy playing games can make a good living doing it. There are several websites these days where gamers may make money. These pay-to-play applications and websites require an honest evaluation from a real gamer in addition to pointing out the game’s shortcomings.
Playtestcloud, one of the top game-testing sites, is well-known for being a location where teenagers may make money. This corporation has a number of well-known gaming industry affiliations, including Ubisoft and Zeptolab. Almost any game can now be reviewed, including 3D simulations and flash games. They will receive a good payment into a connected account as payment.
Additionally, competitive video games like Esports can allow a kid to make money. Additionally, a kid can make money from playing video games by posting videos on YouTube of themselves playing various game genres.
Finally, they may use Skype to instruct other players on how to improve.
#13. Take polls.
Since they do not require any special abilities or experience, kids with lots of leisure time can participate in Internet surveys. Some websites, such as Swagbucks and MyPoints, accept teenagers as young as 13. A kid can earn money or gift cards by responding to questions and expressing their opinions.
The mind-numbing monotony, low pay, and requirement to submit demographic information or other personal information are just a few of the downsides of this profession. Parents and kids should consider these topics before continuing.
#14. Publish illustrations.
If your kid has this talent, they could be able to make some money making illustrations. They can get what they need by spending money on a good drawing tablet and simple software like Clip Studio Paint Pro. It would be ideal to have them create a portfolio on Deviantart as a place to start.
#15. Create a blog.
If your child has a knack for writing, they might be able to launch a blog with advertisements or sponsored content. Sharing hobbies and viewpoints with others is one of the many advantages of blogging for kids. They may learn how to use SEO, social media marketing, and other digital marketing tools at the same time.
If you want your child to create a blog, keep the following points in mind:
- The first step is to select a niche or subject that is important to them. As a result, they will find it simpler and more pleasurable to write material.
- They must be aware of how much time is needed to maintain a good blog.
- They need to be patient if they want to produce a lot of traffic and money.
- Think of a catchy name for your child’s blog and work with them to create a website that looks professional. You may also connect them with brands and companies that are interested in sponsoring their posts and assist them in coming up with post ideas.
The following are some ways that blogging can be a source of income:
- Ads. Content producers can get money each time a user clicks one of their ads by using AdSense.
- Sponsored Articles. You can get money by advertising businesses’ items or writing reviews for them.
- Affiliate promotion. When a customer purchases a product using an affiliate link, a commission is earned.
#16. Profit from their social media presence.
Similar to blogging, social networking requires dedication and patience if you want to make money. Kid content on well-known websites like YouTube and Facebook, toy reviews, and lessons have also helped kids get fame and money. Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are all accessible to users 13 years of age and older.
How is your child compensated? For instance, Instagram enables users 13 and older to make money through advertisements, sponsorships, and other paid content. However, if you have a large following, they will be able to make money more easily.
#17. Social Media Management
Social networking is essential in the modern world. Additionally, as more people use these platforms, businesses will advertise their goods and services there.
If a business has a client, it simply makes sense that they would have a manager. Teenagers can benefit from this as they are all familiar with Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The majority of social media platforms have age restrictions once more. Most of the time, you have to be 13 or 16 to manage a social network account.
Given this, your youngster might be able to manage social media for small local businesses on a part-time basis. They may provide services such as posting, altering images, responding to messages, and account management.
#18. Earn money by streaming on Twitch.
Does your teen enjoy playing video games? There is a following for Twitch.
13-year-olds can create live streams on the network with the guidance of a parent or adult. They can then make money through sponsorships, contributions, affiliate marketing, and affiliate marketing from there.
#19. Sell your own designs.
Has your kid shown a remarkable ability for making jewelry or other crafts? They were able to sell their works online using platforms like Etsy. In addition to being able to express themselves creatively, your child will also be able to make money.
Like eBay, users on Etsy must be at least 18 years old to create an account. Your youngster can make listings with photographs and set up their Etsy shop as soon as they choose the things they want to sell.
Children can create and sell the products below on Etsy:
- Handcrafted Art
- Jewelry
- Natural Soaps
- festive decorations
- Made-at-Home Dog Treats
- Rubber Headbands
- Birdhouses
#20. Online T-shirt Sales.
Selling t-shirts online is a way for a young person with creativity and a sense of style to make money. They can create their own designs or use those created by others with permission. Once they have their design, the next step is to select a printing company to print the shirts. But when first getting started, websites like TeeSpring, CafePress, or RedRubble are perhaps the simplest.
On the websites of numerous online t-shirt retailers, your designs are frequently offered for purchase. You can also encourage your kid to sell t-shirts on their own websites or on social media platforms. It is a fantastic method for kids to learn about marketing, entrepreneurship, and customer service.
The child is in charge of coming up with their own design or discovering one and getting consent to use it. They need to locate a printing business so that the shirts may be printed.
At first, you might not think it is profitable.
#21. Sell pictures.
Your youngster can express themselves beautifully while earning money through a hobby like photography. EyeEm, Foap, and Scoopshot are some of the top online stores where they can sell their photos.
#22. Test apps.
Given how immersed our kids are in the digital world, it makes total sense for them to earn some money evaluating apps. Your youngster can get support starting in a number of locations. However, the finest starting points are UberTesters and TesterWork.
#23. Make Online Classes.
People are looking for classes on virtually any subject because online learning is flourishing, which is not surprising. If your kid has expertise in a certain sector, they may be able to build a course and sell it online.
They need to select a platform, such as Udemy or Skillshare, before beginning their course. For the course, they can then provide a video, a PDF, and audio content. Finally, they can decide on a price and begin selling their course.
#24. Writing Reviews.
Would your teen be enthusiastic about earning living writing reviews? They can provide feedback to companies, artists, designers, and others prior to the release of new products, such as songs, advertising, clothing, or accessories. The future? Your child might learn about or see these products one day.
Even 13-year-olds can start writing reviews to make money, and the caliber of your reviews affects your salary over time.
#25. Publish a Book.
It is no longer essential to work for a publishing business to publish books. To help your child make money from their talent, you should think about publishing their poetry or short tales.
Self-publishing has never been simpler thanks to simple self-publishing and e-books available on most platforms. Perhaps this is the reason Bella J. Dark was able to publish The Lost Cat at the young age of 5!
#26. Become a Young Investor.
Kid investments are uncommon. However, in rare circumstances, kids can invest if their parents open an account for them. However, starting early to invest will improve one’s future. The two finest websites to start with are Acorns and Acretrader.
Ask your child to assist in managing a family account that you open and fund with a few dollars each month. They will have a respectable nest egg when they are adults since that money will grow over time.
Why Should Students Study Money?
Sam X Renick, co-creator of Sammy Rabbit, a children’s character and financial literacy program, asserts that it is “extraordinarily difficult to do well in life without a working knowledge of money.”
“Everyday life transactions revolve around money. Money is involved in everything, including where we live, what we eat, what we wear, what we drive, health care, education, child-rearing, gift-giving, vacations, entertainment, heat, air conditioning, and insurance.
What Age Must a Child Be In Order To Work?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) specifies wage, hour, and safety regulations for children (under 18) working in regulated jobs. The rules may change based on the minor’s age and the type of work being done. Generally speaking, the FLSA establishes a 14-year-old minimum age for employment and places a cap on the number of hours that minors can work.
Additionally, the FLSA usually forbids minors from engaging in hazardous employment, including digging, driving, and using power-driven machinery, all of which have been classified as dangerous by the Secretary of Labor. There are many exceptions to the basic principles, such as minors working for their parent, and many FLSA standards only apply to certain jobs, such as agricultural work or operating motor vehicles.
State-by-state differences exist in employment regulations, especially those governing the employment of minors. If state law and the FLSA overlap, the minor’s rights will be safeguarded by the law that is more protective of them. Please get in touch with your state’s labor agency for more details.
Are Kids Required To Pay Taxes?
Even if your kids are still too young to be regarded as your dependents, taxes may still be owed to them. When they must file their own tax returns, other times you can include their income on yours. The amount and type of income a minor receives will decide whether filing is necessary.
Depending on their income, minors who make more than the standard deduction ($12,950 in 2022) must file a tax return.
A youngster who makes less than $12,950 will not be taxed but has the option of filing a return for a refund.
A kid is required to submit a tax return if their “unearned income,” which includes dividends and interest, exceeds $1,150 (tax year 2022).
If children receive tips or make more than $400 in self-employment income (tax year 2022) they will be required to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Even though they are not now required to, they will eventually need to file their own tax returns. If you prepare your own taxes, you might want to include them. When the time comes, filing tax returns can be made much easier with a parent’s assistance.
Conclusion
Early money-making can encourage accountability, a strong work ethic, and a better grasp of how money management functions. However, it is crucial for families to establish expectations and ground rules.
Speak with your parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and other responsible adults. They may be able to provide direction, supervision (if required), and in certain situations, links to paying jobs. Examine online sources as well. For instance, you may find out more about the rights of young employees and employment prospects on the U.S. site of the Department of Labor.
Before utilizing any online platform, always read the terms and conditions to make sure you fulfill the minimum age and other restrictions. You should also be on the lookout for scammers.
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