How to Make Money as a Kid

A lot of people think you can’t make money until you’re old enough to get a "real job." That’s not true at all. Kids and teens have been finding ways to earn money forever — and honestly, some of the best business owners in the world started when they were your age.

The key is simple: find something people need, do it well, and be reliable. That’s it. Whether you’re 10 or 17, there are ways to earn money that fit your age and schedule.

These are ideas to discuss with a parent or guardian, not legal age permissions. Check provincial or territorial youth-employment rules, local business requirements and safe equipment use before accepting work.

One of the hardest parts about making money on your own is figuring out what to charge. You don’t want to charge too little (you’re worth more than that!), but you also don’t want to charge so much that nobody hires you. Compare local quotes for similar work, agree on the scope first, and include your costs.

If you want to go beyond odd jobs, you can actually start a small business. Sounds big, but it’s really just doing something regularly and treating it like a real thing. Here’s how:

• 🔍 **Find what people need** — look around your neighbourhood. Do people need their lawns mowed? Dogs walked? Driveways shovelled? That’s your business.
• 💵 **Set fair prices** — check what others charge and start there. You can raise your prices later once people know your work is good.
• ⏰ **Be reliable and on time** — this is the number one thing that separates people who succeed from people who don’t. Show up when you say you will.
• 🗣️ **Ask for referrals** — after doing a good job, ask "Do you know anyone else who might need this?" Word of mouth is powerful.
• 📝 **Make flyers or business cards** — even simple ones made at home can help people find you.

The internet has opened up a bunch of ways for young people to earn money. But here’s the catch: platforms have different age, account ownership and payment rules. Review the current terms with a parent or guardian. Adult help does not override a service’s age restrictions.

• 🎨 **Selling crafts on Etsy** — if you make jewellery, art, stickers, or anything creative, you can sell it online (through a parent’s account)
• 📦 **Reselling used items** — an eligible adult can manage listings, payments and meetings where platform rules allow. Include purchase costs when working out profit
• 🎥 **Creating content** — YouTube, TikTok, or a blog. It takes time to build an audience, but some teens earn real money this way
• 🖥️ **Freelance work** — if you’re good at graphic design, video editing, or coding, there are people willing to pay for those skills

Every time you earn money, write it down. It might seem like a small thing, but knowing exactly how much you’ve earned makes a huge difference. You’ll feel more motivated, you’ll notice patterns, and you’ll be able to set better goals.

Keep track of:

• 📅 **The date** — when did you do the job?
• 🔧 **What you did** — mowed a lawn, babysat for 3 hours, etc.
• 💵 **How much customers paid** — the exact amount
• 🧾 **Your costs** — supplies, travel and other expenses; revenue minus costs is profit
• 📈 **Running total** — how much you’ve earned this month and this year

You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or even the notes app on your phone. The method doesn’t matter — the habit does.

Now that you’re earning money, set a goal for what you want to save for. Use our Savings Goal Tracker to watch your progress bar fill up.