How to get paid to review products with your kids safely

Is your child looking to join the club of influencers sharing their opinions about products online? There’s a whole world of online product reviews out there, but how do you know what’s safe? To help support your child’s entrepreneurial spirit safely, you can dive into the world of product reviews together with these tips:

Partnering up for safe product reviews

Choosing the right platforms

Start by exploring platforms that are family-friendly and reputable. Start with one or more of the following review sites to see if there’s a match for your family. Be sure to fully evaluate every opportunity to make sure it's the right fit – and safe for your teen.

1. Nike Product Testing: For the sports enthusiasts, reviewing Nike products can be an exciting venture. Kids 12 and under can apply to become a product tester and share their insights through Nike’s Voice of the Athlete program.

2. Hasbro FunLab: Hasbro offers two options: Adult Fans, a virtual testing community for grownups, and Parents and Families. The latter offers testing, reviewing, and merchandise opportunities onsite in Rhode Island or online.

3. Step2: Provides opportunities to review toys and play equipment. Sign up, receive free products to test, and provide feedback.

4. Melissa & Doug: Melissa & Doug offers opportunities to review toys and educational products. Sign up for product testing opportunities, receive free products to test, and provide feedback.

5. Fisher-Price Play Lab: Fisher-Price and Mattel give you the chance to review toys and baby products. One catch: They prefer testers participate onsite at one of their two Play Labs, so you need to live near East Aurora, NY, or the Imagination Center in El Segundo, CA.

6. Slice the Pie: Slice the Pie lets you review music and fashion products. Listen to songs, provide feedback, and earn cash for each review completed.

7. Amazon Vine: Amazon Vine gives you the chance to review products by receiving free samples from Amazon.

8. Product Report Card: Product Report Card lets families review products together by participating in online surveys, product testing, and focus groups. You can earn cash and rewards for sharing your opinions.

9. Influenster: Influenster lets parents and kids review products by sharing their opinions and experiences on social media platforms. You'll receive free products to test and review based on your interests and demographics.

10. BzzAgent: BzzAgent gives families the chance to review products by participating in word-of-mouth marketing campaigns. You'll receive free products to try and share your honest opinions with others.

11. PINCHme: PINCHme lets parents and kids review products by receiving free samples in exchange for feedback. Choose samples based on your interests and preferences.

12. Smiley360: Smiley360 offers opportunities for families to review products by participating in product testing and sharing their experiences online. You'll receive free products to try and share with your social networks.

Building a brand together: The key to influencer deals

You don't need to sign up for an online platform to review products. You can review anything you already use and love. And as your family gains more experience, you can also reach out to companies and brands directly for potential partnerships. Start by building a portfolio of your product reviews, establish an online presence (such as a blog or social media accounts), and actively engage with brands on their platforms. Remember to always disclose any partnerships or sponsored content in your reviews.

A few best practices:

• Tag the company whenever you post your review so they can see it. 

• If you've been provided products to test or were paid for your review, be sure to disclose that information transparently. Honesty is key in building a genuine and trustworthy brand.

• Initiate conversations about products you both like and are informed about. 

• Agree on specific hashtags to use consistently – consider it your family's unique digital signature.

• Unleash your collective creativity! Craft an engaging logo that encapsulates your family spirit and feature it across your social media profiles.

• Guide your child to practice kindness and engagement online. A friendly response to comments can go a long way.

• Diversify your online presence. Share your thoughts across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and even consider launching a blog.

Ensuring safety while being social

• Discuss online safety rules. Ensure your child understands the importance of not sharing identifiable personal information.

• Review together. This helps ensure you’re reviewing on known, trusted, consistent platforms and following all safety guidelines. 

• Privacy settings are crucial. Go over them together and ensure their account is as secure as possible.

• Monitor your child’s posts and engage in conversations about it. Understanding online etiquette is essential.

• Encourage open communication. Let them know they can always approach you if they encounter any negative experiences or cyberbullying.

When done safely, product reviews can be a fun and profitable activity for families to engage in together. Always prioritize your family's safety, privacy, and well-being above any potential monetary gain. Happy reviewing!

Want more? Visit the Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on all things family, finance, and fun.