12 ways your kids and teens can earn money

Kids and teens are entrepreneurs in the making. Seriously, they’ve got more business chops than most adults! So, let’s encourage that. We’ve got a mix of chores, jobs and other ways for kids and teens to start earning.

Kids (12 and under)

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Take care of the pets Among Greenlight families, taking care of pets is consistently one of the top five chores. Why? This is a big help for parents, and it’s a great life lesson for aspiring pet-owners. Not to mention, kids love the extra time with their four-legged friends… even if it gets a little messy. Start a business Kidpreneurs are all around us. Take Henry H., for example, an eight-year-old who runs a cookie dough business — or Brynn, a 12-year-old on a mission to make masks and donate her profits to charitable causes. Kudos, kids! Help with recycling Recycling is a lengthy process — and kids can help. First, you rinse. Then, you crush the cans or cut the cardboard, fill up your recycling bin and take it down to the end of the driveway (or wherever your family recycles). Don’t forget to check how to get paid for their contribution. Start a garden On theme with making a difference for our planet, another fun chore is to start (and maintain!) a garden. Pick out fruit, veggie or herb plants as a family and earn money in Greenlight’s kids’ allowance app every time they water the garden. Bonus: If your produce is doing well, consider selling it at the local farmer’s market. Earn Parent-Paid Interest If all the household jobs are accounted for in your family, kids can earn an interest rate on their Greenlight Savings with Parent-Paid Interest. (Hello, compound growth.) The best part? It’s simple and automatic. Help the neighbors with odds and ends Looking for a feel-good chore? Ask the neighbors if they want help with outdoor jobs — raking leaves, mowing the lawn or checking the mail, to name a few.

Teens (13-19)

Write a book (and sell it!)

Does someone in the family have a way with words? Try writing a book. Don’t take it from us — take a page out of 13-year-old Stephen M.’s book. He wrote an inspiring 33-page story about stuttering (and it’s selling on Amazon)! Get a part-time job A part-time job teaches hard work and responsibility. Not to mention, it gives interviewing experience at a young age. Not sure which companies offer jobs for teens? Try this list. If you’re looking for remote jobs, give online tutoring a try.

Help cook dinner

Or maybe you’re looking for stay-at-home jobs? Teens can lend a hand in the kitchen in exchange for a “paycheck” in our allowance app. This works for any chores around the house — running errands, laundry for the family, the list goes on. Become a babysitter or pet sitter Up for a little more responsibility? How about taking care of little critters… or little humans! To babysit, consider getting certified with the Red Cross. Pet sitting doesn’t warrant a certification, but it does require a love for animals — and comfort with messes. Create and sell If your family’s closets are overflowing with gently used clothes, try having a sale. Look to brands like Poshmark, Depop or thredUP for reselling clothes. Teens with graphic skills can also design their own clothes to sell on CafePress or Zazzle. Offer help as an assistant Want a stay-at-home job? Try offering help as an assistant. Gardening assistant? Social media apprentice? Personal assistant? The sky’s the limit. Check with your friends and family members — or try a job search tool like this.

One last thing

Earning money is the start of a lifetime of lessons (and there’s something out there for everyone). With tools like direct deposit and flexible allowance options, Greenlight kids and teens are set up for success on their journey to financial independence.

And...we’ve got one last idea for you. If you haven’t already, look out for our Greenlight sweepstakes — where families have the chance to win cash and learn a thing or two along the way.