7 Jobs Your Kids Can Do to Make Money
By Money Crasher's David Bakke for GalTime.com
teaching your kids dollars & sense with age-appropriate jobs
Kids who work paid jobs often acquire better money management skills than their non-working peers. They also develop a sense of responsibility and accountability.
Although you might think your child's work options are limited, there are actually a variety of jobs available. There are even a number of small business ideas for teenagers and kids. Help cultivate your child's entrepreneurial spirit by considering these job opportunities.
7 Jobs Kids Can Do
1. Household Chores: It's likely that there are plenty of things to do around the house that you could use help with. Cleaning floors and windows, dusting, and sweeping are all easy tasks that require a little elbow grease and are therefore perfect for kids who want to make money. Just leave the tasks that require decision-making to yourself.
Related: Show Me the Money: Should Kids Always Return the Change?
2. Yard Work: Cutting grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, and weeding around the neighborhood or in your backyard are all great ways for kids to make money. Kids of all ages can offer services to friends and family, while older teens may want to advertise services locally via flyers or homemade business cards distributed throughout the neighborhood.
3. Arts and Crafts: If your child is aesthetically inclined, show him or her how to make money selling crafts. You can purchase cheap raw materials for most crafts, such as custom-designed decorative coffee mugs or key chains made of beads. And you can market these products in your neighborhood, especially around the holidays.
Tell prospective buyers what your child will do with the money. If your child is saving up for college or for a new computer, friends and neighbors may be even more inclined to support their endeavors.
4. Babysitting: This is among the standard part-time jobs for high school students, as quality babysitting is always in demand. But your child can set him or herself apart by getting CPR certified as well. The best way to get a large number of babysitting gigs is to do a good job and capitalize on positive word-of-mouth. And if your child is willing to be available on short notice, he or she can secure a loyal client base.
Related: How Young is Too Young to Start Babysitting?
5. Dog Walking: Many people just don't have time to walk their pets. Your child can approach people with pets in your neighborhood and offer affordable services. Remember, when it comes to marketing your child's services, the focus should be more on getting the job rather than haggling over price. For example, a dog walking job that only pays $5 an hour is $5 more per hour than he or she is currently earning.
6. Car Washing: Encourage your child to partner with other kids in the neighborhood to offer car washing services. A basic wash only requires a hose, some rags, and some soap. But if you want to take it a step further, purchase a cheap wet/dry vacuum and advertise both interior and exterior cleaning services.
7. Expanded Lemonade Stand: A lemonade stand can make money if it's in an area that gets a lot of traffic. If you have such an area, maintain the stand year-round and offer hot chocolate during the winter months. Your child can also make a lot of money by offering bottled water. If you can get bottled water at $0.20 or less per bottle and then sell it for $1, the profit margin is huge.
These are only a few of the income-generating ideas your children can take on. Involve yourself in whatever they choose: Provide guidance, ensure safety, and help manage the funds they earn. For example, you could encourage your child to open a savings account, and even match every dollar that is saved. This can cultivate the habit of saving instead of spending, which will serve children well as they enter the adult world of credit card offers and student loan debt.
What other jobs can you think of that kids can take on to make money this summer?
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