How to Make Money as a Kid in 2025 (Fun + Creative Ideas!)

Kids are always looking for ways to earn their own money, and the good news is they don’t need to wait until they’re older to start. 

From small jobs around the house to fun little side hustles, there are plenty of ways for kids to make money and feel proud doing it.

Best Ways for Kids to Make Money

Some of these ideas are classic. Others are a bit more creative. 

All of them are perfect for kids who want to start making money and learn a few real-life skills along the way.

1. Run a Lemonade Stand

This is one of the most classic kid hustles that is easy to set up and still works like magic, especially in warm weather. 

My nephew and I gave this a try one summer and he made $254.70 in just under four hours! With the right lemonade stand ideas, it can definitely turn into a profitable little business.

Kids can sell each cup for $3 to $5 depending on the ingredients and extras.

Bonus points if they add a tip jar labeled “College Fund” or “Save for a Puppy.”

It’s all about presentation and personality. The cuter and friendlier the stand, the better the sales.

Actionable Tips:

• Offer small sample sips to get people hooked

• Add a “Combo Deal” with cookies or popcorn to raise your average sale

Potential Earnings: $50–$200 in a few hours, depending on location and weather

2. Create Custom Crafts or Friendship Bracelets

This is a creative and fun way for kids to turn hobbies into cash.

Kids can make friendship bracelets, bead keychains, or even simple paracord wristbands and sell them at school events, parks, or community fairs.

It’s something both kids and parents love buying because it feels personal and handmade. Charging around $2 to $5 per item makes it affordable and profitable.

Especially during holidays or school spirit weeks, themed colors sell even faster.

Actionable Tips:

• Offer a “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” deal to encourage bulk purchases

• Make a small display board to showcase different styles or colors

Potential Earnings: $30–$100 a day depending on demand and inventory

3. Start a Neighborhood Trash Bin Pull-Out Service

This is a clever little hustle that’s easy to start and requires zero supplies. 

Kids can offer to pull out and return trash and recycling bins on collection day for busy neighbors.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable, recurring, and surprisingly appreciated. A flat weekly rate per house, like $3 to $5, adds up fast with just a few clients.

It’s especially helpful for elderly neighbors or people who travel often.

Actionable Tips:

• Print a flyer and drop it in neighborhood mailboxes

• Offer a discounted monthly plan (like 4 weeks for $15 instead of $20)

Potential Earnings: $20–$50 per week, with just 4 to 10 houses

4. Sell 3-D Printed Toys and Custom Designs

This is a tech-savvy side hustle that’s perfect for creative kids who love gadgets. 

With a basic 3D printer and some fun designs, kids can make everything from name keychains to mini figures and fidget toys.

They can take custom orders and upcharge based on size, color, and how detailed the item is. 

People love personalized stuff, and it gives kids a reason to charge more.

One 9-year-old on TikTok makes around $150 a week doing this, proof it works with a little hustle and creativity.

Actionable Tips:

• Offer bundle deals or themed sets for holidays and birthdays

• Use free design files online or learn to tweak them for custom requests

Potential Earnings: $50–$150 per week, depending on order volume and pricing

5. Sell Snacks at School (Carefully)

This is a classic hustle that still works. You can buy snacks in bulk and resell them at school for a profit. 

Kids can offer popular items like chips, candy, or drinks, charging a bit more than the store price.

It’s important to check school rules first, as some schools have policies against selling food. But if allowed, it’s a simple way to make extra cash during lunch or breaks.

Actionable Tips:

• Offer combo deals (e.g., a drink and a snack) to increase sales

• Keep track of inventory and profits to manage the business effectively

Potential Earnings: $20–$100 per week, depending on demand and pricing

6. Design and Sell Printable Coloring Books on Etsy

Selling Etsy printables is a great way for creative kids to make money online without needing to ship anything. 

They can draw their own coloring pages or use kid-friendly design tools like Canva to create fun printables.

Once uploaded to Etsy as a digital file, customers can download and print them instantly. 

Popular themes like animals, space, and holidays tend to sell really well.

There are even Etsy shops run by kids and teens bringing in steady income from digital downloads alone.

Actionable Tips:

• Bundle 5 to 10 pages into one listing for higher value

• Add cute cover images and fun descriptions to help the product stand out

Potential Earnings: $5–$50 per day, depending on how many listings and reviews you build over time

7. Offer Curb Address Painting Services

This is a straightforward service that adds value to homes. It’s painting house numbers on curbs. 

Kids can offer to repaint faded numbers or add new ones, charging a reasonable fee.

It’s a service that homeowners appreciate, especially for improving visibility for deliveries and emergency services.

Actionable Tips:

• Use stencils and reflective paint for a professional look

• Distribute flyers in the neighborhood to advertise the service

Potential Earnings: $10–$20 per house; with multiple jobs, earnings can add up quickly

8. Launch a Sticker Shop on Etsy

This is a creative and fun way for kids to turn their art into income. 

With tools like Canva or Procreate, kids can design custom stickers and sell them as digital downloads or physical products on Etsy.

They can cater to popular themes like school supplies, holidays, or personalized names. 

Offering bundles or themed packs can increase sales and attract repeat customers.

Actionable Tips:

• Use high-quality images to showcase sticker designs

• Offer discounts for bulk purchases to encourage larger orders

Potential Earnings: $20–$100 per week, depending on design popularity and marketing efforts

9. Be a YouTube Toy Reviewer or Game Tester

If a kid loves toys or games and isn’t camera shy, starting a simple YouTube channel to review products could be the perfect hustle. 

Even without tons of views, they can earn through affiliate links, YouTube shorts bonuses, or sponsorships down the line.

One viral video could turn into a mini career. Plus, they get to play while doing it.

Actionable Tips:

• Record short, fun reviews using a smartphone

• Use affiliate links (with help from a parent) to recommend where to buy the toys

Potential Earnings: Slow at first, but potential to earn $50–$200+ per month as traffic grows

10. Curate and Sell Mystery Toy Boxes from Walmart Hidden Clearance

This is a smart and fun side hustle that turns bargain shopping into real profit. 

Kids (with a little help from a parent) can hunt for hidden clearance toys at Walmart, bundle them into themed mystery boxes, and sell them to neighbors or on Etsy.

They can organize the boxes by age group, and even add a holiday spin by offering Christmas-themed wrapping or bonus surprises inside.

It’s like gifting magic in a box, and parents love it because it saves them the time and hassle of toy shopping.

Actionable Tips:

• Use the Deal Soldier group to uncover hidden clearance deals

• Offer local porch pickup or shipping through Etsy for holiday shoppers

Potential Earnings: $50–$200 per week, especially leading up to Christmas depending on how many boxes are sold and how good the deals are

Safety Tips for Kid Side Hustles

Even the most fun and profitable kid hustles need some basic safety rules in place. A little guidance from parents can go a long way in keeping things safe and stress-free.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Always have an adult nearby for in-person sales or services

• Use parent-supervised accounts for anything online like Etsy or YouTube

• Never share personal information like home addresses or full names

• Stick to familiar neighborhoods and trusted people for services

• Review safety plans before starting any new hustle

With the right precautions in place, kids can have fun, learn valuable skills, and make money safely and confidently.

How to Make Money as a Kid Final Thoughts

There are so many creative and fun ways for kids to start earning their own money. 

From lemonade stands to digital downloads, these side hustles can help build confidence, responsibility, and real-world skills. 

Just remember to keep safety in mind and always have a little help from an adult. 

When they’re ready for the next level, check out my blog post on the best ways to make money as a teen.