How to Actually Make Easy Money as a Kid
Empower your child to earn their own money with practical, age-appropriate methods that foster financial independence and valuable life skills.
Many young individuals develop an early desire to earn their own money, seeking independence and to purchase desired items. Earning income at a young age teaches valuable lessons about financial responsibility and the effort needed to achieve monetary goals. For children, “easy money” typically refers to accessible, age-appropriate opportunities with minimal startup costs, often performed within their community or household. Any money-making activity undertaken by a child should occur with proper parental guidance and a strong emphasis on safety.
Providing Services for Others
One straightforward way for children to earn money involves offering services to family, friends, and neighbors within their immediate community. These opportunities exchange time and effort for compensation. Yard work is a common example, where tasks like raking leaves, weeding garden beds, or watering plants can be performed for a negotiated fee. Raking a standard suburban yard might earn a child between $10 and $25, depending on size and effort.
Pet care offers another earning avenue, with services such as dog walking, feeding pets while owners are away, or even short-term pet sitting. A dog walk might earn $5 to $15 per session, depending on duration and animals. Older children, with parental permission and supervision, can offer babysitting services, typically earning $10 to $20 per hour. House chores, like washing cars, taking out trash bins, or light cleaning, are also valuable services.
When offering services, clearly communicate what will be done and for how much, whether an hourly rate or fixed price. Reliability is important; showing up on time and completing tasks diligently builds trust and leads to repeat business. Income from services is generally considered taxable by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, a child typically has a standard deduction, meaning federal income taxes are often not owed unless earned income surpasses a specific annual threshold.
Creating and Selling Items
Another approach for children to earn money involves creating or preparing items to sell directly. This method fosters creativity and basic entrepreneurial skills. A classic example is a lemonade stand, requiring minimal supplies like lemons, sugar, water, and cups. A cup of lemonade might sell for $0.50 to $1.00, with profit depending on ingredient costs and sales volume.
Baked goods, made with parental help and supervision, are another popular option. Simple items like cookies or brownies can be packaged and sold individually or by the dozen. Pricing should cover ingredient costs and offer a reasonable profit margin, such as selling cookies for $0.50 to $1.00 each. Handmade crafts, like friendship bracelets, simple drawings, or greeting cards, allow children to express artistic talents while earning.
Craft supplies are often inexpensive, allowing for higher profit margins. A handmade greeting card might sell for $1 to $3, depending on complexity and materials. When selling created items, presentation matters; neat packaging and an appealing display attract more buyers.
Selling Unused Possessions
Children can earn money by selling items they own but no longer need. Common items for resale include old toys, books, clothes, and video games. This method requires minimal effort beyond organizing and presenting the items.
Possessions can be sold through various channels. Garage or yard sales offer an opportunity to sell multiple items to local buyers. Online marketplaces, often with parental supervision, allow for broader reach. Consignment shops may also accept clothing or toy items, selling them on the child’s behalf for a percentage of the sale.
Preparing items for sale involves cleaning them, ensuring all parts are present, and neatly organizing. Determine a reasonable price; items are typically sold for a fraction of their original cost, depending on condition and demand. A used paperback book might sell for $1 to $3, while a video game could fetch $5 to $20. Selling personal items for less than their original purchase price generally does not result in taxable income, as no profit is realized.