How to Make Money at 10: Safe and Fun Ideas

Earning money offers valuable lessons in responsibility and financial independence at any age. For a 10-year-old, exploring ways to earn money introduces concepts like work ethic and achieving financial goals. This guide focuses on age-appropriate, safe, and legal methods for generating income. Understanding these basics at a young age lays a foundation for future financial literacy.

Local Service Opportunities

Children can find service opportunities within their local communities by assisting trusted neighbors, friends, or family. These roles build valuable skills and demonstrate reliability. Parental involvement and supervision are important for safety and managing logistics like transportation and client communication.

Pet care, such as dog walking or pet sitting, is a common avenue. A short dog walk or single drop-in visit might range from $10 to $20. More extensive pet sitting, involving multiple visits or overnight stays, could earn $30 to $50 per day. Discussing expectations and setting fair rates with clients beforehand helps establish professional conduct.

Yard work offers another earning opportunity, including tasks like raking leaves, watering plants, or basic weeding. Mowing a small lawn might earn $30 to $85 per visit, while weeding could range from $50 to $125. Simple tasks like watering plants might be compensated hourly, around $35 to $65 per hour. Car washing services are also viable, earning $10 to $25 for a thorough cleaning of a family member’s or neighbor’s vehicle.

Helping with household chores for neighbors provides additional earning avenues. This includes tasks like taking out trash, bringing in mail, or assisting with light organizing. Payment is often based on time or a flat fee, usually $5 to $15. Opportunities often begin by asking those within a trusted circle. Maintaining good communication with clients helps build a positive reputation and secure future opportunities.

Creative Ventures

Entrepreneurial pursuits offer a path for children to earn money by creating and selling products. These ventures foster creativity and introduce business concepts like pricing and marketing. Parental guidance and support are crucial, especially concerning handling money, purchasing supplies, and customer interaction.

Setting up a lemonade stand is a classic example, teaching basic sales and customer service. While some states have “Lemonade Stand Laws” exempting minors from permits for casual sales, parents should check local regulations for public sales, as fines can be issued for operating without necessary permissions. Simple pricing for lemonade might be $0.50 to $1.00, considering ingredient costs.

Baking and selling simple goods, like cookies or brownies, can be profitable with parental supervision for food safety. Selling handmade crafts such as friendship bracelets, greeting cards, or drawings allows children to monetize artistic talents. Materials can be inexpensive, and items priced to cover costs and a small profit, perhaps $1 to $5. Marketing can involve simple signs, telling friends and family, or a small home display.

Selling old toys, books, or games, with parental permission, provides a way to declutter while earning money. Items can be sold at a yard sale, online marketplace with parental oversight, or to friends and family, typically for a fraction of their original cost. A used book might sell for $1 to $3, or a toy for $5 to $15, depending on condition.

Managing Your Money

Once money is earned, managing it responsibly is the next step. This involves learning about saving, thoughtful spending, and sharing. These financial skills prepare children for future financial independence.

Saving money is a primary lesson, encouraging children to set aside a portion of their earnings for future goals, such as a desired toy or video game. Simple methods like a piggy bank or clear jar can visually demonstrate savings growth. For larger amounts, parents can help establish a basic savings account, often a custodial account. This account is managed by an adult for the child’s benefit until they reach adulthood, typically age 18 or 21.

When spending, children learn to make thoughtful choices by distinguishing between needs and wants. This involves considering if an item is necessary or desired, and if its cost aligns with their earnings and savings goals. Encouraging comparison shopping or waiting before purchasing can instill patience and wise decision-making.

Introducing the idea of sharing or giving back is another valuable aspect of money management. This can involve donating a portion of earned money to charity, contributing to a family cause, or buying a gift for someone else.

Most small earnings for a 10-year-old will likely fall below federal tax filing thresholds. For 2025, a dependent child with only earned income generally does not need to file a federal tax return unless income exceeds approximately $15,000. However, if a child has self-employment income, such as from independent services or selling crafts, they may need to file if net earnings are $400 or more. Income from custodial accounts, considered unearned income, also has specific thresholds; if unearned income is above $1,350, it may be taxable, and amounts over $2,700 may be subject to the “kiddie tax,” taxed at the parent’s rate. Keeping a simple record of money earned and spent can help track financial activity.