Looking for business ideas for kids? Helping kids start a small business is an excellent way for them to learn responsibility, manage money, and set goals. Plus, they get to enjoy the satisfaction of earning their own extra cash!
Helping kids come up with business ideas is a great way for them to learn how to start their own business, take responsibility, and manage money early on. They’ll learn how to set goals, handle finances, and experience the excitement of earning their own money.
Starting a small business can be a fun and educational activity, whether it’s during the summer, after school, or on weekends.
As a kid, I tried lots of ways to earn extra money, and each one taught me a lot. There are plenty of ways for kids to make money, as you’ll see below.
Here are some of the best business ideas for kids to start.
1. Reseller
Starting a small business as a reseller involves buying products at a low price and selling them for a profit. You don’t have to create your own products. Instead, you look for good deals on items and sell them to others for a higher price than what you paid.
They can find things at yard sales, thrift stores, or even in their own homes.
They can sell their products in several different ways. One option is to setup an online store on Etsy or eBay, where many people shop for unique items. This allows them to reach customers from all over.
Related Post: 10 Best Things To Sell On Etsy To Make Money
2. Start a YouTube channel
Starting a YouTube channel can be a lot of fun! If your child is under 13, they can’t have their own account. However, with a parent’s help, they can still upload and share videos.
Your child can choose something they enjoy, like science experiments, video game guides, or craft tutorials.
They should aim to post videos regularly, like once a week to begin with.
It’s all about having fun and sharing what you love. Starting a YouTube channel requires effort, but if you stay committed, you can create something amazing.
3. Sell candy
Starting a candy business can be fun and rewarding. If your child loves sweets and enjoys being creative, they can turn their passion into a way to make money.
Kids often sell candy, and it’s easy to see why everyone loves it! Candy is a simple item to sell.
You can sell homemade snacks like chocolate covered pretzels or gummy bears. Alternatively, you can buy popular candy brands in bulk and sell them one at a time.
Next, Think about where to sell the candy. You could sell it at school, in your neighborhood, or at local events. Always remember to ask for permission if you plan to sell in public places or on someone else’s property.
Setting the right price for candy is important. Make sure your kid charges enough to cover the cost and includes a little extra for profit. Selling candy for $2 or $3 makes it easy for customers to buy without having to think too much about it.
4. Voice artist
Becoming a voice artist can be a fun way for kids to show off their talent. If they like talking and have a special voice, this could be a great opportunity for them.
They can offer voice services for cartoons and animations, narrate audiobooks or educational videos, and do voice overs for ads and marketing materials, among other things.
To get started, they should have a good microphone and recording software on their computer. They can practice by reading aloud and recording their voice.
To find work, they can sign up for online platforms like Fiverr, where people search for young voice talent.
Related Post: How to Make Money with Your Voice: A Beginner’s Guide
5. Tutoring
If your child is good at subjects like math or science, they can start a tutoring business and help other kids who find those subjects difficult.
They can tutor after school once they finish their own homework. It’s a great way to share their knowledge, help others learn, and earn extra money at the same time.
Tutoring can be done in person, online through video calls, or even at the local library. Your child can help younger students with homework, test preparation, reading, writing, or basic study skills. Starting with friends, neighbors, or classmates is often the easiest way to find their first students.
This type of business also helps children build important skills like communication, patience, responsibility, and confidence. As they gain more experience, they may even get referrals from parents or teachers and grow their tutoring business over time.
6. Mow lawns
Mowing lawns is an easy way for kids to start a small business. It’s simple to set up, and kids can earn money in the spring and summer.
They will need a lawn mower, fuel, and some simple gardening tools.
Now it’s time to set your rates. Determine how much to charge for each yard. A smart approach is to check what others are charging and then set a price that is competitive.
Your child can ask neighbors, family, and friends if they need help with mowing their lawns.
I know a lot of families with kids who mow lawns to earn some money. I also know a few older kids who have turned this into a full-time business and continued it into adulthood.
7. Neighborhood helper
As a neighborhood helper, they can offer their services to people in the community. This is a great way to assist others while also making some money.
To begin, your child should write down what they are good at and what they enjoy doing. Next, they can let neighbors know about their services by handing out flyers or talking to them in person.
If you have a lot of kids, you can include other family members so that each child has their own special role as a helper in the neighborhood.
8. Lemonade stand
Starting a lemonade stand is not just a fun activity; it’s a great way for kids to take their first step into running a business!
Your child will likely want to begin with an easy recipe because making lemonade can be simple. They can experiment with different flavors, like strawberry, to make their stand special.
Calculate the cost of making each glass of lemonade. Then, choose a price that allows you to make a small profit while still keeping it affordable for customers.
9. Actor
If your child wants to act, the first step is to sign them up for acting classes. These classes will teach them the skills they need for plays, movies, or TV shows. You can find classes online or at local businesses.
Once they have developed some skills, they can audition for local theater shows and school plays and join the drama club at their school. Being involved in a production gives them hands-on experience and helps them understand how to work with a director and other actors.
10. Birthday party assistant
If your child enjoys being around other kids and loves celebrations, becoming a birthday party assistant could be a fun way for them to make some money.
They will help put up decorations like table settings, and balloons. They will also organize games, such as leading musical chairs or a treasure hunt. Plus, they will make sure the party goes well by serving cake and snacks to the kids.
11. Pet sitting and dog walking
If your child loves animals, starting a pet care service or dog walking business could be a great fit. It’s not just a job; it’s a chance to help take care of pets when their owners are unavailable.
In this job, you can take care of pets either at your home, which is called pet boarding, or at their home.
Your child may walk the dog for 15 to 30 minutes a day, depending on their age.
I recently saw an ad on a local bulletin board from a parent whose 10 year old wanted to start a dog walking business. The parent would be there to help keep both the child and the pets safe. If your child is older, they might be able to do this on their own too.
Related Post: 9 Best Dog Walking Apps to Make Extra Money
12. Babysitter
If your child enjoys spending time with other kids, babysitting can be a great first step into running a small business. It’s not just about keeping an eye on children; it’s about making sure they have fun and feel safe while their parents are gone.
Your child’s reputation matters. They can begin by building good relationships with neighbors and family friends who already know and trust them.
To set your rates, check what other babysitters in your area are charging. Also, think about how much experience your child has.
I suggest that your child learn basic first aid and how to take care of younger kids. You can find classes at local community centers or through the Red Cross.
I babysat a lot when I was younger, and it became my first full-time job. I started at 14 and worked around 40 hours a week during the summer. After finding a babysitting ad on a local bulletin board, I began taking care of a baby in my neighborhood. I earned $10 an hour. Since the mother was a nurse, I often worked long shifts sometimes about 13 hours a day, a few days each week.
Summary
Kids have many options for starting their own businesses, from classic ideas like running a lemonade stand or mowing lawns to newer ones like selling crafts or creating a YouTube channel.
Starting a business can help kids learn important problem solving and life skills. With the right support and guidance, there are plenty of great business ideas that kids can explore.