It’s summer, and your children are no doubt looking for ways to spend their time. They may be saving up for a new video game, tech device, or vacation – so they are likely looking for ways to make a little cash too. Before you go emptying your wallet paying them to do every little thing in your home, have them consider working around the neighborhood for money.
Below are 6 ways that kids can make a little extra dough this summer!
Babysitting
This is perfect for a responsible teen that loves kids, especially those that have little siblings. Babysitters can offer their services for moms needing to run errands or who want a date night without their spouse. The job typically pays $10-$20/hour, depending on the number of kids being watched.
Washing cars
Everyone wants to drive a nice looking car, but most people don’t have the time to do anything more than run through a cash wash. Kids can set up their own washing service in their own driveway. Before allowing this, be sure to talk about investments (car soap, sponges, water usage) and how they will pay for these things. Many children will make enough to cover the expenses and still pocket some cash when washing cars.
Selling lemonade and other treats
It’s been around for decades, but this art of making a little money still works! If you live in a neighborhood with a decent amount of traffic, encourage your kids to get creative and sell something. Lemonade is the go to, but they could also sell pastries, cookies, or other goodies to go along with the drink. Investments would need to be considered for this type of money as well.
Walking Dogs
This is a daily job that could easily be done by a couple kids. Since it’s a constant need, those offering the service of dog walking could have a nice piggy bank by the end of the summer. Most dog walkers charge $2-$3 per walk, but you could always suggest your children negotiate a rate for a week or month worth of the service.
Mowing/Caring for lawns
This is yet another service that is needed regularly throughout the summer. Mowing is a hot and sweaty job – so most would gladly pay a kid to push the mower rather than having to do it themselves. Other services that could be offered include watering plants, pulling weeds, and trimming shrubs and hedges.
Hosting a yard sale
Most kids have toys, books, clothes, and other items they no longer want and need. Let them go through their things and set up a yard sale. This would likely be a one or two time deal only, but it could bring in a substantial amount of money for their summer savings.
How do your kids make money during the summer?
Thanks for the ideas, Brandy. When I was growing up there were lots of lemonade stands. Now they are so rare I have to stop when I spot one. I just can’t refuse an entrepreneurial kiddo.
Hosting a yard sale is a very good idea. They could finally manage their own property and not store all of them in the house especially if they don’t use them anymore. I don’t like seeing unused stuffs, especially right after they buy new stufs. That is a very bad materialistic behaviour. They could sell the unused ones or just give them away to other kids who could not have those stuffs.
We stopped at a children’s lemonade stand not too long ago on our way home from a trip to the beach. The girls were just giddy that we stopped, that made the lemonade pretty tasty. 😉