How to Make Money as a 12 Year Old

Surprising fact: nearly one in four kids under 14 try small local gigs before their teens, learning real skills and earning pocket cash early.

I pick safe, age-appropriate gigs that fit my school and free time. I stick with simple community chores and small services that build trust and useful skills over months.

I start with chores-for-pay at home, then ask neighbors if they need help with yard work, pet care, or quick errands. Talking with my parents keeps me safe and gives clear expectations about pay and rules.

Traditional jobs stay off limits for most children, but I can still earn small amounts by offering reliable help to people I know. Each task teaches time management, responsibility, and basic financial sense.

• Pick safe, simple gigs that fit school and free time.
• Discuss plans with parents for support and rules.
• Start with chores and neighborhood services to build trust.
• Focus on learning skills like time management and reliability.
• Small earnings add up and boost confidence over years.

I check federal and state rules so any work I accept fits legal limits and keeps me safe. The Fair Labor Standards Act limits most non-agricultural jobs for kids my age, but there are exceptions like working for a parent’s business, certain safe farm tasks, paper routes, or limited entertainment work.

I always ask my parent to review and approve every opportunity. That means we confirm hours, payment method, and exactly what tasks I’ll do before I agree. I never let work cut into school, homework, rest, or activities that matter for my growth.

• I pick simple, non-hazardous tasks for neighbors or people my family knows.
• I meet clients with a parent nearby the first few times and protect my personal info.
• I avoid power tools or risky environments and only accept hours that fit around school time.
• I check state and local rules with my parent when an opportunity seems unclear.
• I treat each job as a chance to learn responsibility while earning small amounts of money safely.

I focus on easy neighborhood gigs that build trust and pay a bit each week. These small jobs fit around school and let me learn how to plan time and keep promises.

Chores with pay are the fastest route. I do dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming, and light yard work for family and neighbors. That helps me earn money right away and get better at tasks.

• I start with short chores-for-pay at home and for neighbors.
• I ask family and friends if they need babysitting for short, supervised visits. With basic training, sitters in some areas can earn up to $20 per hour.

• I offer pet sitting dog visits and dog walking during busy daytime hours, focusing on feeding, short walks, and play.
• Seasonal wins include leaf raking in fall, snow shoveling in winter, and trash-bin cleaning year-round (often $15 per bin or $20 for two).

Safety first: I bring a parent the first time, wear gloves and sturdy shoes for yard or trash work, and confirm payment and tasks before I start. These are great ways for kids to earn money while learning responsibility.

I offer simple neighborhood services that fit my school schedule and build real skills. I list clear jobs so neighbors know what I do, my hours, and how to reach my parent for booking.

I do basic yard tasks like pulling weeds, edging, and mowing small lawns. I set yard rates at $10–$15 per hour depending on size and tools needed.

Safety matters: I wear closed-toe shoes, stay off high slopes, and never use gas-powered mowers without an adult nearby.

Car washes are quick services that neighbors like. I charge $5–$10 per car and offer an inside-and-out package for extra tips.

Window cleaning is best for single-story homes. It pairs well with porch sweeping or vacuuming car mats as add-ons.

I tutor friends in short sessions and prepare practice sheets. Typical tutoring rates start at $10–$20 per hour.

I keep sessions focused and track hours so parents and students see clear results.

• I share a one-page list of services, hours, and contact through my parent so neighbors can book easily. See an example listing at local kids’ job ideas.
• I collect short testimonials after good jobs so new neighbors trust my work.
• I keep tasks short, plan my time, and add small extras like sweeping for steady earnings.

I try quick sell-and-stand ideas that turn a short hour into tidy earnings on summer days. These mini setups teach me basic business skills and help me learn pricing, display, and customer service.

I set up a classic lemonade stand and check if a local permit is needed. I add bubbly seltzer as an upsell on hot days and switch to hot cocoa when it’s cold.

Tip: Sample stand earnings range from $10–$30 per day depending on traffic and pricing. I keep cups clean, wash my hands, and greet people with a smile.

With my family I host a garage sale. I price items clearly and bundle small toys for “two-for” deals. This is a great way to earn extra and learn about transactions and change.

I make bracelets, art, and printed T‑shirts with a parent’s oversight. I sell at neighborhood block parties or family events. Online sales need a parent account, so I use in-person stands first.

• I use a tidy display, a small cash box, and a short price sheet.
• I ask friends and family to spread the word when people are out walking nearby.
• I set a goal like $15 or $25 per stand and track costs versus earnings.

I test simple online routes with my parent managing accounts and messages. We always read age rules together and agree on time limits so school comes first.

Using a parent’s account for sales is common. Teens 13–17 may sell on Etsy when a guardian approves the shop. Nextdoor and Fiverr allow users 13+. My parent handles payments, shipping, and replies so my privacy stays protected.

Building income from social apps takes time, consistency, and audience growth. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram require users 13+ and often need parent oversight for minors.

• I treat online selling like a small business: clear photos, honest descriptions, and parent-managed messages.
• I set daily limits so online work won’t interrupt school or sleep.
• I watch for scams by sticking to known apps and asking my parent to verify offers.
• I log posts, hours, and what I earned to see which options are worth my time.

For a practical guide and examples, I check a parent-focused resource: online kid earning tips.

I find work by asking neighbors and family and sharing a neat flyer that lists my services, hours, and a parent contact. Having an adult confirm details keeps things safe and simple.

I practice a short pitch: my name, the job I offer, when I am available, and the result the person will get. I arrive on time, bring basic tools, and follow a checklist so I do what I promised.

I write down hours and payments and ask my parent to review totals each week. This helps me see which jobs pay best and plan school time around work.

• I collect referrals by doing great work for family and neighbors; word-of-mouth is a great way earn money again.
• I confirm payment method before starting and save a bit for bigger goals with parent help.

I close by reminding myself that simple work choices lead to real progress over time.

I know early gigs build a strong work ethic and useful skills. Typical ranges help set expectations: babysitting up to $20/hour, yard work $10–$15/hour, and dog walking $10–$20 per visit. Lemonade stands can earn $10–$30 a day.

I always check permits and app age limits with my parent before using online tools. I pick jobs I can do well, keep school first, and let family handle payments and messages for safety.

Small wins add up. I track tasks, show up on time, and thank others so referrals and steady jobs follow.