How To Make Money As A Teen: 8 Smart Ways To Earn Extra Money

Some extra cash is always good to have around. You don't know when a new gadget or video game will come out, right?
It's a good thing that teens today have more opportunities to earn money than ever before. Some provide tutoring to younger kids, while others help out with chores during their summer break.
You can also earn money online, even from the comfort of your home.
As long as it doesn't affect your studies, you can try exploring these ways to earn good money as a teen.
1. Walk dogs or pet sit in your neighborhood
You can get paid to walk dogs or watch over a neighbor's pet. If you have a pet at home, this is one way on how to make easy money as a teen.
Here's how you can get started:
- First, talk to your neighbors. Chances are, they've already seen you walking or playing with your dog. Let them know that you're available if they need someone to watch over their pets.
- Post flyers on Facebook groups and around your local community. For more visibility, try posting on bulletin boards at cafes, grocery stores, and community centers.
Before taking on a job, always inform your parents first. It's also advisable to have them with you when you're meeting a new client for the first time.
2. Sell handmade crafts or art
Do you love to paint, draw, or create handmade jewelry? Creative teens like you can sell products as a small business in your spare time.
Make your own money selling these works of art:
- Digital art prints (photocards, sticker sets, and bookmarks)
- Handmade bracelets and earrings
- Home decor pieces like plant pots and key holders
- Commissioned portraits and drawings
If you want, you can also create educational YouTube videos. If you're really good at painting or handmade crafts, make tutorials for other kids to learn from.
A popular YouTube channel rakes in ad revenue. It's one way of how to make money fast as a teen. That is, if you create valuable content that really helps your audience.
3. Offer house sitting or lawn care
You've got nothing to do on a weekend, and the neighbors are on a vacation. They might be looking for someone to watch over their house and do some chores around.
This is a great opportunity to earn extra spending money.
Watching over your neighbor's or family friend's house typically includes the following duties:
- Mow lawns and pull weeds
- Sweep driveways and terraces
- Water indoor and outdoor plants
- Wait for packages and deliveries
Take note: this part-time job is best for responsible young adults. You must be very tidy when it comes to household chores. If you do a good job, word-of-mouth marketing will get you more home-sitting gigs.
4. Help with a family business
Some of us are blessed with family-owned businesses. But hey, you can pitch in and make a difference. You can earn extra bucks as a reward, too.
Cleaning, restocking, running errands, and assisting at events help you experience what it's like to run a business. Plus, this helps you gain much-needed skills like these:
- Dealing with all kinds of customers and handling specific requests
- Managing the budget and keeping track of the business's financial flow
- Working with a team in a collaborative manner
After all, this might be a business you'll inherit in the future. Why not start preparing for it while earning more money on the side? It's a win-win situation for you.

5. Start a small car wash for neighbors
Do you have a passion for anything related to cars? Turn that passion into a way to make money as a teenager.
Starting a small car wash service is one of the best side hustles for teenagers. You need some equipment and materials, but these will not break the bank. Here's a quick list of what you need:
- Buckets and sponges
- Soft cloth specifically for wiping car exteriors
- A hose with a spray nozzle
- Vacuum for cleaning car interiors
Space shouldn't be a big issue. You can offer your own garage (with the permission of your parents), or wash your clients' cars on their driveways.
This summer side hustle is perfect during warm weather, though. People don't usually have their cars washed when it rains a lot.
6. Sell items you no longer use
Who here always has an itch to declutter their rooms? Did you know that you can start selling second-hand clothes or items that you just decluttered?
Think about clothes that no longer fit, toys you've outgrown, or books you've finished. You might not use them anymore, but they still have a special place in another home.
There are safe platforms for selling clothes online. Here are examples:
- Facebook Marketplace: Your parents can use their Facebook account to list your items. This is one of the best apps to sell stuff on, especially pre-loved possessions.
- eBay: Most people are shopping online on eBay for second-hand gadgets and collectibles. If you have old video games or toys, you can auction them on eBay.
- Garage or yard sales: Put up a sign and promote your weekend garage sale. You can add some free stuff to motivate your neighbors to visit.
- Community fairs: Schools and local communities host swap meets once or twice a year.
Of course, it's still best to involve your parents. Never meet strangers alone, even if it's in public places like malls.
Moreover, we recommend putting your earnings into a bank or PayPal account. This way, you can save up for something big. Probably that concert you want to go to on your birthday?
7. Join online focus groups or paid teen surveys
Some focus groups and survey sites allow teens to take paid surveys with parental consent. There's a minimum age for you to participate, depending on the website.
This is one of the ways on how to make money online as a teen.
But before you participate in these online surveys, we advise you to keep these things in mind first:
- Always have your parents with you when choosing a topic. Short surveys about daily habits and favorite snacks are good examples.
- Don't give out personal details. Providing your email is okay, but don't give your full address.
- Look for online platforms that are safe and legit. Ask your parents to help you source safe survey websites. You can verify these through Reddit forums and a simple search on Google.
Taking online surveys is best for earning small amounts in your free time. It's not one of those online jobs that pay you a lot. But you can earn points and real cash while waiting for your bus, during study breaks, or on weekends.
8. Use passive income apps that work in the background
You can also make money without actively working for it. A passive income app offers you small amounts of money while it runs in the background of your devices.
It's not an online business that pays big money. But these apps are easy to set up, and you don't have to shell out any capital or expenses.
For example, Honeygain is a legit app to earn passive income by sharing your unused internet bandwidth. It runs in the background and doesn't affect the performance of your devices. It's great for students who want to make money without daily tasks.
With your parents' supervision, just download Honeygain, open it, and leave it. You can add your earnings to your savings account or combine them with other active income sources.
Using these apps is a low-risk way to make money as a teenager.
Final thoughts: building money habits early
It's not just about how to make money as a teen online. It's also about building wise money habits early.
Hey, it's always nice to earn big bucks right away. But chances are, you might not have that opportunity yet.
It's best to try one or two income-generating gigs that genuinely interest you. You can also try combining passive options like Honeygain into your active income sources.
From working odd jobs to participating in an affiliate program, there are many ways to make money as a teenager. But the most important thing is how to make your money grow.
Start small, build as you grow, and save your earnings. These experiences teach you responsibility, time management, and the value of hard work.
FAQs
What’s the best way to make money fast as a teen?
Teens can make money fast by selling items online, getting paid to do chores, or watching over someone's house. They can also put up a garage sale of pre-loved stuff and develop a marketing strategy that will catch the attention of their neighbors.
Can teens make money online legally?
With parental consent, teenagers can make money online legally through paid surveys, passive income apps, and online tutoring services. They can also sell handmade crafts and commissioned drawings on online channels like Facebook and eBay. In addition, teens can earn from passive earnings apps like Honeygain.
Do I need a bank account to start earning money as a teen?
No, you don't need a bank account to start earning as a teen. You can directly receive cash payments for neighborhood jobs like babysitting, dog-sitting, and lawn care. However, you might need your parents' bank or digital wallet to earn money on online apps and survey websites.
How can I turn dog walking into a regular job?
To turn dog walking into a regular job, you might want to start building trust with neighbors, family, or friends. If they know that you have your own pet, they'll be more encouraged to have you take care of their dogs. Alternatively, you can join dog-sitting apps like Rover.
Is it safe for teens to sell things online?
As long as there's parental supervision, it's safe for teens to sell things online. Many sites offer platforms for selling things online, and you can charge your own rates for them. However, it's recommended that you never share personal details or meet strangers alone.
What apps can help teens make extra money?
Teens can use apps like Honeygain for passive earnings or legitimate survey apps for small rewards. Step-tracking apps also pay for walking, while there are sites that pay you to watch videos and advertisements. It's recommended that parents help teens set up online accounts.