20 Ways to Make Money as a Teen
Introduction
Learning how to make money as a teen is more than just earning extra cash it’s about building independence, Ways teens can make money and learning responsibility, and developing real-world skills that will be valuable for a lifetime. Many young people today are looking for teen side hustles or money-making ideas that go beyond traditional part-time jobs. Whether you want to earn money for savings, fund hobbies, or start exploring teen entrepreneurship, the opportunities are endless.
This guide highlights 20 creative ways teens can make money, from simple tasks like babysitting to online careers like becoming a YouTuber or influencer. You’ll also discover practical tips, potential income ranges, and resources to help you turn side gigs into steady teen income. Let’s dive into realistic, enjoyable, and flexible side hustle ideas for teens that work around school and social life.
Ways teens can make money?
1. Baking
Selling baked goods is one of the sweetest money-making ideas for teens. If you enjoy making cookies, cupcakes, or specialty breads, you can set up shop at local markets, sell to neighbors, or even take custom orders online. For example, small bakeries like Sweet August started this way.
Tips for success:
Price your goods to cover ingredients, time, and profit.
Offer seasonal items (pumpkin pie in fall, holiday cookies in winter).
Use social media to promote your treats.
This side gig not only brings in extra cash but also helps build skills in teen entrepreneurship, from customer service to budgeting.
2. Babysitting
One of the oldest but most reliable teen jobs is babysitting. Families always need trustworthy sitters for after school or weekends, making this a steady way to earn money. In Canada, the average babysitting rate is $14–$15/hour, and taking certifications like CPR can boost your rates.
Why it’s great:
Flexible hours work around school schedules.
Builds responsibility and patience.
Perfect introduction to part-time jobs for teens.
Parents often prefer hiring local teens, so spread the word through friends, neighbors, or community groups. Babysitting remains a classic answer to how to make money as a teen.
3. Chores
Not all money-making ideas for kids have to be complicated. Teens can earn by helping with everyday household chores cleaning, grocery shopping, organizing garages, or mowing lawns. This is especially helpful for busy families or seniors in your neighborhood.
Tips for teens:
Create a “chore menu” with tasks and prices.
Offer package deals (weekly lawn care + leaf raking).
Ask family friends for referrals.
This is a simple way to make money from home as a teen without committing to a formal job. It’s also great for younger kids who want small ways to earn money.
4. Content Creator
If you love photography, videography, or design, you can become a content creator for small businesses. Many local shops need photos for social media or websites, and you can provide these services with just your phone and creativity.
Potential projects:
Shooting Instagram photos for a café.
Creating promotional videos.
Designing simple websites.
This side gig is one of the most modern teen side hustles, offering the potential to grow into a full career in teen entrepreneurship. As you gain experience, you can charge higher rates and build a portfolio.
5. Dog Walker 
Pet lovers can turn their passion into teen income by offering dog-walking services. Many pet owners have busy schedules and will happily pay for someone to walk their dogs. Platforms like Rover make this easier, but you can also advertise locally.
Benefits:
Great way to stay active and outdoors.
Flexible hours after school.
Rates vary but often start at $15–$20 per walk.
For those who in how to budget for a family pet, this job gives insight into the time, energy, and responsibility needed to care for animals while also helping you make money.
6. Game Tester
For teens who love video games, testing new games is one of the most exciting teen side hustles. Companies need testers to find bugs and provide feedback on gameplay. This is more than just fun it’s a way to earn money while doing something you already enjoy.
Key details:
Pay ranges from $15–$18/hour.
Some platforms require you to be at least 16 years old.
Reviews and feedback must be detailed and honest.
This job is also a stepping stone if you’re curious about how to become a professional gamer or pursue a career in the gaming industry. It’s proof that creative ways to make money can come from hobbies you already love.
7. Graphic Designer
If you’re skilled at art or digital design, offering graphic design services is a fantastic way to generate teen income. Businesses, schools, and individuals always need logos, flyers, and custom graphics. Even without professional software, free tools like Canva make it easy to start.
Earning potential:
Median rate is around $28/hour.
Clients range from local businesses to online customers.
Build a portfolio by creating designs for friends or school projects.
Graphic design is not just a side hustle idea for teens it’s a skill that can grow into a career in teen entrepreneurship, especially as you develop your unique style.
8. Make Jewellery
Crafting and selling jewellery is another fun and profitable money-making idea for kids and teens. From friendship bracelets to elegant earrings, handmade accessories always have demand, especially at school events, craft fairs, or online platforms like Etsy.
Tips for success:
Personalize designs for special occasions (prom, birthdays).
Use affordable but durable materials.
Create small collections to attract repeat buyers.
Jewellery-making combines creativity with business sense, turning a hobby into a steady way to make money from home as a teen. It’s a perfect example of mixing passion with profit.
9. Pet Sitting
Beyond dog walking, pet sitting is one of the most reliable part-time jobs for teens. Owners often need someone to care for their pets while they travel or work long hours. Services can include feeding, playing, grooming, or even overnight care.
Why it works:
Flexible scheduling.
Rates vary depending on the type of pet and care needed.
Great for teens who already love animals.
With platforms like Rover, you can easily connect with local pet owners. Pet sitting offers consistent opportunities to earn money while also providing valuable insights into animal care, perfect for those considering a future in veterinary work.
10. Sell Homemade Crafts
Handmade items like candles, soaps, or paintings make excellent products for teen side hustles. People love personalized, handcrafted goods, and online platforms make it easy to reach customers beyond your neighborhood.
What you can sell:
Homemade candles with unique scents.
Soap or skincare products.
Paintings, sketches, or digital prints.
Tips:
Factor in material, shipping, and labor costs.
Start small, then scale up once you see demand.
Use platforms like Etsy, Depop, or Instagram.
This is one of the best creative ways to make money, especially for artistic teens. Not only can you build a brand, but it also opens doors to real-world teen entrepreneurship.
11. Shovel Snow
For teens living in colder regions, snow shoveling is a seasonal but highly profitable teen job. Many homeowners, especially seniors, are unable or unwilling to clear their driveways and sidewalks. This creates a perfect opportunity to earn money quickly during winter months.
How to succeed:
Charge by surface area or by the hour (average is $20/hour).
Offer bundle deals (driveway + walkway).
Invest in a sturdy shovel or even a small snow blower for efficiency.
Shoveling snow is not only a practical way to make extra cash, but it also helps you stay physically active. Among the many side gigs for teens, this one guarantees steady work every time there’s snowfall.
12. Streamer
Becoming a streamer on Twitch or YouTube is one of the most modern and exciting teen side hustles. Teens who enjoy gaming, chatting, or showcasing skills can live-stream content and build an audience. Earnings come through ads, sponsorships, and donations.
Earning potential:
Small streamers may earn $50–$100/month.
Popular streamers earn thousands, with some like Pokimane reportedly making over $1.5M.
Streaming requires consistency, charisma, and marketing. If you’re wondering how to become a professional gamer, streaming is the ultimate pathway blending entertainment, personality, and gaming skills into a career.
13. Teach Music
If you know how to play an instrument, offering music lessons is one of the best side hustle ideas for teens. Parents often look for affordable alternatives to traditional music schools, making teen tutors very appealing.
What you can teach:
Guitar, piano, drums, or violin.
Music theory basics.
Beginner-level lessons for children.
Rates: Average earnings range from $25–$32/hour, depending on the instrument and location. Lessons can be conducted at home or virtually via Zoom.
Not only does this bring in consistent teen income, but it also improves your own skills while sharing your passion for music.
14. Teach Tech
In today’s digital age, even basic tech skills can be turned into money-making ideas. Teens who understand social media, coding, or general computer use can teach adults and seniors.
Popular services include:
Teaching social media basics to small business owners.
Setting up smartphones and email accounts.
Basic coding lessons for younger kids.
This is an overlooked but highly valuable way to make money from home as a teen. It’s also great preparation for careers in IT, digital marketing, or software development perfect for those who in teen entrepreneurship.
15. Thrift Clothing
Selling gently used clothing is one of the fastest-growing side hustles for teens. Fashion lovers can upcycle or resell clothes through platforms like Poshmark, Depop, or even local garage sales.
How to maximize profits:
Curate a unique style or theme (vintage, streetwear, Y2K).
Model outfits and promote them on TikTok or Instagram.
Offer bundle deals for buyers.
Thrift flipping is not only profitable but also eco-friendly. Teens who care about sustainability will love this creative way to make money while contributing to a greener planet.
16. TikTok
TikTok has become one of the most popular platforms for teen side hustles, and it’s no surprise why. With the potential to go viral overnight, teens can use TikTok to build a personal brand and collaborate with companies.
How teens make money on TikTok:
Brand partnerships (earning from $200 to $200,000/month depending on reach).
Sponsored content and affiliate marketing.
Creator Fund payouts based on video views.
It requires consistency, creativity, and a marketing strategy. While some features may require being 18, younger teens can still build their audience and prepare for monetization. If you’re wondering how to become an influencer as a teen, TikTok is the perfect platform to start.
17. Tutor
Tutoring is one of the best part-time jobs for students who excel academically. Parents often seek help for their kids in subjects like math, science, or English, making this a reliable way to earn money after school and this a ways teens can make money .
Earning potential:
Tutors typically charge $20/hour or more.
Virtual tutoring via Zoom expands your client base.
Schools and community boards are great places to find students.
Tutoring not only boosts your own knowledge but also builds communication skills. It’s a straightforward answer to how to earn money as a teenager while helping others succeed.
18. Wash Cars
Car washing is a classic but effective way for teens to generate extra cash in their neighborhoods. All you need are basic supplies soap, sponges, buckets, and towels.
How to get started:
Offer a flat rate for exterior washes.
Upsell with waxing or interior cleaning.
Set up a weekend car wash station with friends for more visibility.
This is one of the simplest side gigs for teens, requiring little investment but offering steady returns. It’s also a fun way to work outdoors and interact with your community.
19. Yard Work
From mowing lawns to raking leaves, yard work is one of the most consistent money-making ideas for kids and teens. Many homeowners, especially seniors, are willing to pay for help maintaining their yards.
Tasks you can offer:
Lawn mowing.
Leaf raking and garden prep.
Seasonal cleanup.
Advertise through local posters, word of mouth, or even social media groups. Yard work provides flexible hours, reliable pay, and valuable experience in responsibility and customer service.
20. YouTube
Becoming a YouTuber remains one of the most lucrative side hustle ideas for teens. From unboxing videos to tutorials, there are endless opportunities to grow a channel and monetize it.
Earning potential:
Viral videos can generate $1,000+ in ad revenue.
Additional income from sponsorships, affiliate links, and merchandise.
Long-term potential to build a career in content creation.
Like TikTok, success on YouTube requires consistency, creativity, and a clear niche. For motivated teens, it’s one of the best ways to make money online as a teenager while building valuable digital skills.
Conclusion
The days of relying solely on traditional teen jobs are gone. With so many options available today, teens have endless opportunities to explore teen side hustles, try out creative ways to make money, and even start their own ventures in teen entrepreneurship. From classic gigs like babysitting to digital careers like streaming or content creation, each idea offers unique ways to earn money while balancing school and social life. Investing
So whether you’re looking for ways to make money without a job, absorption in passive income for teens, or just want some extra cash, this list of 20 ideas has something for everyone. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and keep learning along the way. Financialeage
FAQs
1. What are the best summer jobs for teens?
Babysitting, yard work, lifeguarding, and car washing are excellent summer jobs due to seasonal demand.
2. Can teens really make money online?
Yes! Options like YouTube, TikTok, and freelancing are legitimate ways to make money online as a teenager.
3. How can teens balance school and side gigs?
Time management is key set schedules and choose flexible side hustles for teens that fit around school hours.
4. Are there ways to make money from home as a teen?
Absolutely. Tutoring, graphic design, selling crafts, or running an online store are great work-from-home teen income options.
5. Can teens earn passive income?
Yes, but it takes time. Starting a YouTube channel, building a blog, or selling digital products are ways to create passive income for teens.