How to make money as a teen: 9 ideas

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.

Just remember, it’s important to balance work and school, so your academic responsibilities stay on track while you explore these ways to earn good money as a teen.

Key takeaways

• Start simple. Try one or two methods that fit your interests and schedule.
• Combine active and passive income sources to earn more consistently.
• Focus on building habits like saving, responsibility, and time management.
• Don’t expect instant big money. Start small, stay consistent, and grow over time.

1. Dog walking or pet sitting 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. Dog walking and pet sitting are also great ways to earn pocket money in your spare time.

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 simple flyers on Facebook groups and around your local community. For more visibility, try posting on bulletin boards at cafes, grocery stores, and community centers.
• Sign up on pet-sitting apps like Rover or community forums like Nextdoor. You can pick gigs that fit your own schedule.

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 digital products to earn cash

Do you love to paint, draw, or create homemade crafts and 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, including personalized jewelry for special occasions like birthdays or prom
• Home decor pieces like plant pots and key holders
• Commissioned portraits and drawings

Selling crafts and art can be a fun way to make money, letting you enjoy your hobbies while earning extra cash.

Use your social media accounts to promote your creative services online. Etsy and Instagram can help increase your engagement.

If you want, you can also create content by making educational YouTube videos. If you’re really good at painting or homemade crafts, make tutorials for other kids to learn from.

A popular YouTube channel rakes in ad revenue. It’s one way to make money fast as a teen. Content creators can also sell things like digital products (such as phone wallpapers or Notion templates) alongside their videos, providing even more ways to earn 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 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, mowing lawns, and lawn mowing, as well as pull weeds
• Sweep driveways and terraces
• Water indoor and outdoor plants
• Wait for packages and deliveries
• Folding laundry

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, handling money, 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. Helping with a family business also helps teens develop a strong work ethic, which is valuable for future opportunities.

5. Start a small car wash for neighbors to earn money

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. Promoting your car wash service with flyers or on social media can help attract customers. Running your own car wash also offers flexible hours, so you can easily fit it around school and other activities.

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 and online marketplaces for selling clothes and other items 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: Organizing a yard sale is a great way to make money. 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.

There are many sites and online marketplaces available for selling your items, making it easy to find the right platform for what you want to sell.

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.

Participating in surveys is one of the ways to make money online as a teen and can help you earn income from the comfort of your home.

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. If you’re already spending time during breaks or while waiting for your bus, you can use that time to complete surveys and earn a bit extra. However, keep in mind that while surveys are a good way to earn extra cash, they do not provide a steady income. 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.

Since passive income apps don’t require your constant attention, they can help you save time—letting you balance earning money with school, sports, or other activities.

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.

9. Try content creation as a long-term way to earn money

If you enjoy being online, you can become a content creator by posting videos, sharing ideas, or documenting things you enjoy.

Content creators can earn money through brand deals and sponsored content, especially as their audience grows. Gaming streams are another popular way for teens to make money by sharing gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. 

If you have creative skills, offering graphic design services online – such as making logos or social media graphics – can also be a profitable option. 

Teens with strong social media skills can consider social media management as a side hustle, helping businesses or individuals grow their online presence.

Consistency matters more than perfection. The more you show up, the more people notice you. Identifying your target audience is key to growing your following and making your content or services more appealing.

Over time, this can lead to ad revenue, collaborations, or even selling your own products.

It’s not fast money, but it has long-term potential.