17 Easy Small Business Ideas for Kids to Make Money

Do you know kids are getting more entrepreneurial these days than we ever were at their age?

Gone are the days of lemonade stands being the peak of kid-owned businesses (although, let’s be honest, those are still classics).

If you’ve got a kid who’s always coming up with ideas to make a little pocket money, why not channel that energy into something productive?

Whether they’re looking to save up for a new gadget, fund their own hobbies, or simply learn how to handle money responsibly, starting a small business could be the perfect solution.

17 Fun and Profitable Business Ideas for Kids to Start Today

In this article, I’ll walk you through 17 easy, fun, and totally doable small business ideas that are perfect for kids who want to make money.

Let’s dive in!

1. Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

If your kid loves dogs (or any pets for that matter), dog walking and pet sitting could be a great way to earn some extra cash while doing something they enjoy.

It’s especially easy to set up in your local neighborhood, and the potential to expand is huge.

They can start by offering their services to friends and family and then promote their business through social media or by putting up flyers around town.

Growth Tips:

Build a reputation: Word-of-mouth is the best marketing tool. If your kid does a great job, neighbors will refer them to others.
Offer additional services: Consider adding extra services like pet grooming or dog training.
Flexibility: They can work around their schedule by choosing the hours that suit them best.

Considerations:

Ensure that your child is responsible enough to care for pets, especially if they are walking dogs in the streets.

For safety, always recommend they take along an adult for the first few walks.

2. Online Tutoring

Does your child excel in a particular subject like math, science, or reading?

They can become online tutors and help other kids who might be struggling.

Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype make this easy to do from home, and you can even set up a small website or use social media to advertise the services.

Growth Tips:

Specialize: If they’re really great at one subject (like geometry or reading comprehension), encourage them to focus on that specific area to build their niche.
Offer group sessions: Group tutoring can be more fun and also increase your kid’s earnings.
Earn certifications: If they are truly passionate about education, they could even get some tutoring certifications online to make their business more legitimate.

Considerations:

Your child should be patient, organized, and clear in their explanations.

It’s also a good idea to get parental permission from the kids they tutor, especially if they’re working with students they don’t know personally.

3. Lemonade Stand (But Better)

The classic lemonade stand has been around for generations, but with a modern twist, your kid can sell a variety of beverages and snacks.

Set up in a busy neighborhood or local park and sell refreshing drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or smoothies.

They can even throw in snacks like cookies or muffins for added profits.

Growth Tips:

Create a brand: Even a kid’s lemonade stand can have a cute brand. Consider a catchy name, fun decorations, and maybe even a “signature drink.”
Go online: Advertise on social media to get more customers.
Seasonal sales: Make your lemonade stand seasonal—like operating only during the summer months, or around special events like local fairs.

Considerations:

While setting up a lemonade stand is fun, make sure they’ve got the necessary permits or permissions to operate, especially if they’re setting up in a public space.

4. YouTube Channel

Your child can start a YouTube channel on pretty much anything that interests them, whether it’s unboxing toys, video game walkthroughs, or DIY crafts.

YouTube is a platform that lets kids unleash their creativity while building a potential audience.

Once they’ve gathered enough views, they can start monetizing with ads and sponsorships.

Growth Tips:

Consistency is key: Encourage them to post regularly to build their channel. The more content, the better!
Engage with viewers: Responding to comments, asking questions, and getting feedback can help grow the community.
Use SEO: Teaching them about YouTube’s search engine optimization (SEO) can help their videos get discovered by a larger audience.

Considerations:

Your kid needs to understand privacy and safety when posting online. Make sure they know not to share too much personal information.

5. Crafts and Homemade Goods

From handmade jewelry to custom art prints, if your kid has a creative side, they can start making and selling their crafts.

Platforms like Etsy or even local craft fairs are perfect places to sell. You don’t have to invest a lot of money, just some basic supplies to start creating unique products.

Growth Tips:

Marketing: Promote your kids’ products through social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, which are visual and attract customers interested in handmade items.
Offer customization: Personalized items (e.g., custom t-shirts or name bracelets) often sell for more.
Bundle products: Kids can create product bundles, like a themed gift basket or a set of matching jewelry, which can encourage people to buy more.

Considerations:

Make sure to help your kid with pricing their products appropriately. Not too high so they lose customers, but not too low that they undervalue their work.

6. Car Wash Service

Starting a car washing service is an excellent idea for a kid who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty.

They can wash neighbors’ cars or even offer additional services like vacuuming or waxing.

They’ll need basic supplies like a bucket, soap, towels, and a hose.

Growth Tips:

Advertise locally: Have them put up flyers around the neighborhood or offer a discount for new customers.
Expand to details: As they get better, they could offer detailing services (like interior cleaning) for higher rates.
Referral bonuses: Encourage clients to refer friends by offering discounts or free services after a certain number of referrals.

Considerations:

Your kid needs to be thorough in their work, so they don’t leave streaks or miss spots.

And if they’re dealing with waxes or chemicals, make sure they know how to use them safely.

Check Out: How To Make Money as a Kid: 25 Fun and Easy Ways

7. Baking and Selling Treats

Baking is one of the easiest ways for a kid to make money, especially if they’re into sweets.

Whether it’s cupcakes, cookies, or brownies, they can sell their baked goods to neighbors, friends, or at local events like farmers’ markets or bake sales.

They can even take custom orders for birthday parties and special occasions.

Growth Tips:

Offer delivery: If they can, offer to deliver the baked goods to customers’ doors for an added fee.
Take custom orders: Birthday cakes and personalized cupcakes are always in demand.
Seasonal treats: Special treats for holidays like Christmas, Halloween, or Easter can sell like hotcakes.

Considerations:

Check local laws about selling food. There might be regulations for home-based food businesses, so ensure your kid is following the rules.

8. T-Shirt Designing

If your child is into design, they can create their own custom t-shirts and sell them.

They can design graphics, slogans, or even personalized shirts and sell them on platforms like Teespring or Redbubble.

There’s minimal upfront cost because the platform handles the production, and they earn a commission for every shirt sold.

Growth Tips:

Create a niche: Whether it’s funny quotes or unique art, having a theme or niche helps set their designs apart from the competition.
Marketing: Use social media to showcase their designs. Instagram and TikTok are perfect platforms for visual content.
Offer variety: Don’t just stick to t-shirts. Expand to other apparel or accessories, like hoodies or mugs.

Considerations:

Make sure the designs are high-quality and resonate with a specific audience. It’s essential to keep the designs fresh to avoid stagnation.

9. Photography Service

For kids who are into photography, this could be a dream business.

They can offer photography services for events like birthdays, family portraits, or even local business promotions.

With a good camera or even a high-quality smartphone, they can start building a portfolio and charging for their services.

Growth Tips:

Build a portfolio: Even if it’s just pictures of family or friends at first, a portfolio is essential to showcase their skills.
Specialize: They could focus on a specific type of photography (e.g., portraits, pets, nature).
Promote: Creating a simple website or using social media to post photos is a great way to reach more customers.

Considerations:

Make sure your kid understands the basics of photography (like lighting and composition) and can edit photos to improve the quality.

10. Event Planning for Kids

Event planning might sound like a big job, but for kids, it’s all about small-scale parties, like birthday parties or sleepovers.

They can plan themes, decorations, and activities. If they’re creative and good at organizing, they can offer their services to other kids or parents in the neighborhood.

Growth Tips:

Create party packages: Offering different “tiers” or packages of service (basic, premium, and deluxe) could help cover different budgets.
Add extras: They can offer additional services like making party favors or organizing games and activities.
Showcase their work: Taking photos of the events they’ve planned and posting them online can help attract more clients.

Considerations:

They’ll need to be organized and detail-oriented, as event planning can sometimes get chaotic.

11. Selling Plants and Flowers

Is your kid a little plant enthusiast?

They can grow and sell plants, whether these are indoor succulents, flowers, or even vegetable starters.

This can be a fun way to make money while also teaching them about gardening and plant care.

They can sell their plants to neighbors, at local farmers’ markets, or even set up an online store on Etsy or a local Facebook marketplace.

Growth Tips:

Start small: Begin with easy-to-care-for plants like succulents, which are popular and can be grown quickly.
Offer seasonal plants: Selling flowers or seasonal plants can make them more appealing, depending on the time of year.
Expand to plant care kits: Your child can also sell soil, pots, and even plant accessories to go along with their plants.

Considerations:

Some plants may require more care than others, so ensure your child is ready to look after them.

Also, check if they need a permit to sell plants in your area.

12. Social Media Management for Local Businesses

If your kid is a social media pro (let’s face it, most kids are), they can offer to help local businesses manage their social media accounts.

They could post updates, reply to comments, and help with customer engagement. Small businesses often don’t have the time or resources to manage their social presence, so this could be an excellent gig for your kid.

Growth Tips:

Start small: Help a few local businesses at first. This way, your kid can get experience and build a portfolio.
Offer packages: Create packages where they manage posts for a certain number of days or weeks per month.
Get results: Show businesses how well their posts are doing by tracking engagement or even offering paid ads to boost their posts.

Considerations:

Your child should be familiar with the different social media platforms and how to engage with followers. It’s also essential for them to stay professional and follow the business’s branding.

13. Home Organization Service

Some kids just love cleaning and organizing, and there’s no reason why they can’t turn that passion into a business.

They can help people organize their homes, whether it’s cleaning up cluttered rooms, sorting through closets, or organizing garages.

It’s a job that requires a little hard work, but it’s incredibly satisfying for both the kid and the client.

Growth Tips:

Start with family and friends: They can offer their services to friends and family to gain experience and build up testimonials.
Offer packages: Create pricing packages for different types of organization (e.g., closets, kitchens, offices).
Create a checklist: Being organized is key; help them create a checklist of what to do so the job stays on track.

Considerations:

Ensure they have the right mindset and energy for work. Organizing can be physically demanding, so it’s essential to know how realistic work is for them.

14. Renting Out Toys and Games

Got a bunch of toys or board games collecting dust? Why not rent them out to other families?

Whether it’s toys for younger kids or games for family nights, renting them out can be a great way to make money.

Websites like Fat Llama or even local Facebook Marketplace groups can help connect your kid with renters.

Growth Tips:

Curate a collection: Make sure the toys and games are in good condition and offer a range of items to attract more customers.
Offer rental periods: Charge a weekly or monthly rate for renting, and offer discounts for longer rentals.
Advertise locally: Create flyers or social media posts offering toy rental services to local families.

Considerations:

Make sure your kid is aware of the condition of the items they’re renting out. Consider establishing rules, like a damage deposit, to ensure the toys are returned in good condition.

15. Subscription Boxes for Kids

Subscription boxes are hugely popular, and your kid can tap into that by creating their own.

Whether it’s themed around art projects, snacks, or mystery toys, subscription boxes can be curated and sent out to customers every month.

They can even create personalized boxes based on the preferences of subscribers.

Growth Tips:

Choose a niche: Make the box stand out by focusing on a specific theme (e.g., “Crafty Kids” for DIY projects or “Snack Attack” for global snacks).
Leverage social media: Promote the boxes on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to show potential customers what to expect.
Offer a trial period: This could encourage customers to sign up without feeling like they’re committing to a long-term subscription.

Considerations:

Subscription boxes require a bit of work to curate and ship, so they’ll need to stay organized.

Also, managing inventory and ensuring timely shipping are key to customer satisfaction.

16. YouTube or Podcast Reviews

If your kid loves reviewing products, books, movies, or games, why not turn that into a business?

Whether they start a YouTube channel or a podcast, they can review all sorts of things and make money from ad revenue, sponsored content, or affiliate links.

If they’re passionate about a particular niche, they could build a loyal audience who trusts their opinion.

Growth Tips:

Build a brand: Choose a catchy name and visual theme for the channel/podcast.
Engage the audience: Ask viewers to suggest products for review or share their thoughts on the reviews.
Monetize: As their following grows, they can work with companies for sponsored reviews or join affiliate programs to earn commissions on product sales.

Considerations:

They should be mindful of the products they review and ensure they’re always honest and transparent with their audience, especially if they’re getting paid to promote something.

17. Personalized Gift Creation

If your child enjoys creating unique items like custom mugs, shirts, or bags, they can start a personalized gift business.

People love personalized gifts for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.

Your kid can either make the gifts themselves or partner with a print-on-demand service to handle production and shipping.

Growth Tips:

Specialize: Focus on specific products or niches (e.g., custom birthday mugs or personalized t-shirts for events).
Promote on special occasions: Major holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day are perfect times to market personalized gifts.
Offer customization options: Customers will love the chance to add a personal touch, like names, dates, or favorite quotes.

Considerations:

Make sure they have a good grasp of design tools or partner with a reliable supplier if they’re using print-on-demand services.

Also, they should be realistic about delivery timelines, especially around busy holidays.

Final Thoughts

With these 17 small business ideas, your kid has a ton of ways to get creative and start making money.

Whether it’s through pet-sitting, selling handmade products, or even managing social media for local businesses, there are endless opportunities.

The best part?

They’re learning valuable entrepreneurial skills that will set them up for success later in life.

So, which idea is your kid going to try first? Time to turn that entrepreneurial spark into a real business!

Share This Post

17 Easy Small Business Ideas for Kids to Make Money