What teenager would say no to making some extra money? Believe it or not, tons of places will hire teens for regular part-time jobs. Even younger teens can get in the money-making game. There are plenty of creative opportunities to go around for young adults of all ages to make an extra buck. Whether your teen wants to upgrade their old cell phone, make some extra money to go out on the weekends, or they’re serious about starting a savings account, we’ve rounded up 50 ways for teens to make money.
Not only does your teen making their own money keep them away from your wallet, workplace experience can instill responsibility and knowledge they wouldn’t get otherwise. It’s also an opportunity to discover new talents or hidden interests. Seriously, there are few downsides to a part-time job.
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50 Ways for Teens to Make Money
1. Barista
Some local coffee shops as well as Tim Hortons, Coffee Beanery, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ will all hire starting at 16, depending on the franchise. So your coffee-crazed teen can learn important skills such as basic math, customer service, and food handling alongside making a paycheck.
2. Tutoring
Teens can put their own straight A’s to good use by helping others get them, too. Advertising online, on community bulletin boards (such as the library or a church), or by word-of-mouth is the best way to build this type of business for teens.
3. Babysitting
Babysitting can be a massive moneymaker for teens since they set their own pay rate and schedule. Plus, parents are always looking for a reliable sitter for a night out, so opportunities are ample. Services can be promoted door-to-door, on community bulletin boards, or on social media.
4. Fast food
Similar to working at a coffee shop, teens can apply to work at numerous fast food establishments beginning on their 16th birthday. Chains ready to hire include Subway, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Wendy’s, Whataburger, Taco Bell, PDQ, Panera, and Burger King.
5. Sell their creative services
If you have an imaginative young adult, they can sign up on sites like Fiverr (with parent permission) and offer their creative expertise in a variety of ways such as writing, video, animation, music, and design.
6. Lifeguarding
If this is of interest, teens should contact their local YMCA or parks department in the spring about opportunities. The end of the school year is the perfect time to apply for lifeguarding positions so they can have a little fun in the sun while making money.
7. Country club
Working at the local country club as a member of the waitstaff or as a grounds worker. This can be a fantastic option for teens who want part-time work but aren’t keen on retail or fast food.
8. Movie theater
Most major theaters will allow teens to pick up part-time jobs as ticket takers or concession stand workers at 16. Check out jobs at AMC or Regal theaters.
9. Play video games
Mistplay offers teens who love gaming the opportunity to earn gift cards for playing, which they can then turn into cash. They might think this is too good to be true, but it’s legit.
10. Flip goods
Teens who love to bargain hunt can scour their local Goodwill or Salvation Army for designer labels on clothing, rare or antique kitchenware and dishes, or jewelry. Then flip the items for a profit on sites such as Poshmark or eBay. Sometimes all it takes is a polish or sprucing to score top dollar for an otherwise unwanted item.
Related: 50 Things to Sell to Make Money
11. Lessons for neighborhood kids
Teens these days have so many skills from coding to music to sports. What better way to help others and earn some money than by giving lessons to neighborhood kids? Better yet, get a group together and charge a flat fee for a class. This can pull in some serious cash while having fun and encouraging others to love a hobby as well!
12. Landscaping
Teens who love getting some exercise, being outdoors, and helping others will have luck showcasing their gardening, mowing, or raking skills. Most people in the spring and summer would love to exchange a little cash for an impeccably landscaped yard. Go door-to-door or pass out flyers, even business cards, to get the word out.
13. Shovel snow
In the wintertime when it’s dark and cold, most people would be more than happy to give $20 to a teen willing to shovel and salt their driveway and sidewalk. This is another instance where they can go door-to-door or rely on word of mouth with neighbors for gigs.
14. Referee/assistant coach
Sports-obsessed teens will find cash in assistant coach or referee jobs. Since most sports games are after school, it’ll work out with their schedules, too. Check the local parks department, school district, or community center for job opportunities in this field.
15. Sell old video game systems
Video game trends come and go. Chances are, your teen has a stockpile of games that are gathering dust. Encourage them to turn that pile of stale games into cash. Head to a GameStop location or set up an account to sell their consoles on Facebook Marketplace. They can also try a video game-centered site such as GadgetGone or Gameflip.
16. Car wash
With a bucket, sponges, soap, and some homemade signs, teens can have a car wash in their driveway, school grounds (with permission), or a parking lot (again, get permission). Make it even easier by going door-to-door if you live in a community where everyone has a car.
17. Clean basements/garages
Lend a hand, get some exercise, and make a buck at the same time by offering skills to neighbors who want help cleaning out a basement, shed, or garage space. Your teen can advertise their skills by word of mouth, social media before-and-afters, or flyering a coffee shop.
18. Organizing
If you know a teen who loves to label, sort, and spend their free time watching any of those organizational shows, point them in the direction of home organizing. Using the skills they’ve learned about on TV, they can make an impact with friends, family members, or neighbors who need some help climbing out from under a mountain of stuff.
19. Grocery store
Younger teens who want to take on a part-time job as a bagger or shelf stocker will find luck at most major grocery stores. They will usually hire at 14 or 15. Check out positions at Stop & Shop, Safeway, Publix, Albertsons, Kroger, and Wegmans.
20. Camp counselor
Summer is a prime time for teens to make some extra money since their schedules free up when school’s out. Contact the local parks department to scout out a bevy of opportunities for teens. These may include positions at summer camps (like a counselor in training) to a camp counselor to an activity instructor.
21. Household helper
A precursor to babysitting, younger teens who like kids or babies may want to turn to a job as a household helper. This job provides help to new moms or dads who need a hand around the house. It usually requires teens to help with chores such as laundry, dishes, and cooking.
22. Sell old toys
Much like selling old clothes or books, teens can make a pretty penny by selling (sometimes rare!) toys taking up space in their closets. Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Letgo are easy to use, and teens can set up accounts in minutes.
23. DJ
With some simple equipment, like a smartphone and a set of speakers, teens can put all their playlists to good use by charging friends and family to be the entertainment at parties. Start with small events and slowly gain momentum with word of mouth around town.
24. Dog sitter
People are willing to pay for top-notch personalized service for their pooch. Start with family, friends, and neighbors using word of mouth to help teens turn dog sitting into a full-fledged side business.
25. Dog walker
Much like babysitting, teens are able to have complete control over their schedules, rates, and clients by starting a dog walking business. Building up a network by flyering, word of mouth, and starting small in your neighborhood can lead to a booming business.
26. Making art
Teens who draw, paint, or experiment with fiber arts can turn a profit selling their beautiful creations by opening an Etsy store. Or they can try selling at local craft fairs, markets, or through an online social media account.
27. Sell your photographs
Teens who love to take photos or dabble in photo editing software can easily sell their beautiful shots as online files — no printer required! It’s as easy as setting up an Etsy shop and watching the orders roll in.
28. Retail
Retail jobs are great for shopping-obsessed teens. Many times they will get awesome discounts and freebies from their workplace while working at the front desk, dressing room, or stocking shelves. Retailers that will hire at 16 include: Walmart, Forever 21, Hot Topic, Aerie, American Eagle, Ulta, and CVS.
29. Design T-shirts
Creative teens can design and sell their own T-shirts online easily by signing up for an account and creating a page for sales. Use sites like Zazzle, Redbubble, Bonfire, and Printful.
30. Sell books
Teens with a massive library that needs cleaning out can sell their old books on sites such as GoTextbooks, Valore, BooksRun, Powell’s, or Barnes & Noble.
31. Sell clothes
Teens can either sell their old clothes on sites such as Poshmark, ThredUP, Swap.com, or eBay. Additionally, they can try their hand at flipping clothes found at flea markets, garage sales, Goodwill, or cast-offs from family and friends.
32. Take surveys
Teens with a strong opinion (isn’t that all of them?) should look no further than sites such as InboxDollars or Survey Junkie which pay teens to take surveys in exchange for cash.
33. Make jewelry
Similar to selling artwork or photography, teens with a creative hobby like jewelry-making can get business experience selling their wares online or in person. Attach a money-making aspect to that crafting.
34. Sell household items
Go through your house — how many items do you have that you don’t really need (pasta maker, ice cream machine, dehydrator, etc)? Instead of loading up the trunk and driving to Goodwill, see if your teen can work on their selling and negotiating skills. Set them up with an account on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Letgo to unload extra stuff.
35. Blogging
Teens who love to write may want to check out starting a blog, which can earn them passive income with ads and brand partnerships, among other options.
36. Golf course caddy/pro shop
Becoming a caddy at a local golf course or working in the pro shop may be the right fit for teens who love the sport and the outdoors. Check out local country clubs and golf courses for part-time or seasonal job opportunities.
37. Lemonade stand
Underrated and usually seen as an activity for little kids, lemonade (or coffee) stands can be incredibly lucrative set up in the right neighborhood. Better yet, teens can get creative with their offerings (iced drinks, edible flowers, and flavored syrups) to charge more and make a bigger profit.
38. Sell bottled water/soda
Buy a case of water or soda at a big-box retailer or warehouse club, price it for $1 each, and setting up a cooler or stand outside a stadium, music venue, or farmer’s market. This can help teens turn a major profit consistently.
39. Sell old shoes
Teens who have extensive sneaker collections may want to make some extra cash — and closet space — by selling on sites such as Poshmark, ThredUP, Swap.com, or eBay.
40. Sell old sports equipment
Sites such as SidelineSwap, OfferUp, and eBay enable teens to sell their old sports equipment taking up valuable space. Visit a physical location of Play It Again Sports or a local consignment shop, as these stores will give you cash for all of your unwanted equipment.
41. Theme park attendant
Teens who want to earn a part-time paycheck but also get free and discounted theme park tickets for friends and family should apply for the many different jobs at Six Flags, SeaWorld, Sesame Place, and Busch Gardens. These spots will all hire older teens part-time or seasonally.
42. Sell old electronics
Sites such as Gazelle offer cash for electronics such as cell phones, iPads, or MacBooks. They offer a prepaid label to send them in.
43. Sell crafts online
Calling all teens with creative hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, soapmaking, or candle making. They can make a lot of money selling their creations at local craft fairs or even online on sites such as Etsy.
44. Search the internet
Sites such as Swagbucks let teens take surveys, watch videos, search the web, and play video games in exchange for cash and gift cards.
45. Redeem cans and bottles
If you live in one of the 11 “bottle bill” states, redeeming unlimited bottles and cans instead of recycling them can help teens make some extra money.
46. Housesitting
Like babysitting, dogsitting, and dog walking businesses, teens who provide their services to those traveling will make easy cash. Families won’t have to worry about their plants dying or their mail not being taken in when there is someone to watch over the household while they are away.
47. Selling printables
Teens who are creative with designing will have luck on Canva where they can create printables such as calendars, recipe templates, and organization charts for sale on Etsy or Shopify.
48. Start a YouTube channel
If you have a teen who is crazy about creating content, check out YouTube. It’s a way to not only promote their videos but to make some extra money as well using a variety of tactics like AdSense or a brand deal.
49. Sell old gift cards
Teens who get gift cards and would rather have the cash should check out sites such as Giftcash, Raise, or CardCash to easily turn stale gift cards into money.
50. Have a bake sale
If your kid loves to make cakes, candy, or intricately decorated sugar cookies, they can make some extra money by setting up tables at local fairs, craft shows, and community events, contracting out to local shops or selling online.
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