Why are kids still trying to earn money in 2025? (Shouldn’t they be watching Mr. Beast?
Sure, you can’t legally work at McDonald’s at age 12. But that hasn’t stopped plenty of kids from wanting to earn a few bucks during summer break, whether it’s to save up for a gaming console, buy overpriced candy at the pool, or just feel that first taste of independence.
And honestly? Good. There’s real value in learning to show up on time, be accountable to someone other than your parents, and see money as something earned and not magically Venmo’d.
Of course, child labor laws exist for a reason. Kids under 14 can’t be formally employed unless it’s in entertainment, agriculture, or a family-run business. But informal neighborhood jobs? Totally fair game. If you’ve got a responsible kid and a few neighbors who hate pulling weeds or cleaning up after their dog, you’re halfway there.
Let’s be clear: Not every kid needs a job
Before we dive into the list, let’s be clear: no kid should need to work in order to keep the lights on at home. That’s not summer-job cute; that’s neglect.
The decline of the traditional teen job isn’t some moral failing of the next generation. It’s partly because more kids are in summer classes or academic camps. It’s also because the teen labor market has gotten messier with more competition, fewer safe gigs, and (in some states) rollbacks to child labor protections that could put marginalized kids in danger.
So here’s the guiding rule: if your kid wants to work this summer because it sounds fun, because they want to buy a new bike, or because they love dogs and want to earn cash walking them—great. If they feel like they have to? That’s a different conversation.
And as an added bonus, you could even open an IRA for your child too, teaching them financial literacy and giving them a 20+ year head start.
10 Summer jobs for kids 14 and under (that aren’t total BS)
Kids don’t need a resume to earn summer cash; they just need some initiative and a few safe, age-appropriate options.
Here are ten that pay (even if modestly) and help build actual life skills along the way:
1. Pet sitting or dog walking
Feed the cat. Toss the ball. Walk the dog. Send a photo to the owner. For animal lovers, it’s a dream side hustle. Responsible kids can earn $10–$20 per visit depending on the job and neighborhood.
2. Yard help (Nix the power tools)
Raking, weeding, watering, sweeping patios—great entry-level tasks for kids who like being outside. Just steer clear of gas-powered anything. Typical pay ranges from $10–$15 per hour based on data from Modak.
3. Junior tech support
A 12-year-old might not know how to drive, but they can teach someone’s grandpa how to use WhatsApp or update his iPad. $10–$15/hour is fair, and it builds patience and confidence.
4. Car washing crew
Kids can set up a pop-up car wash with siblings or friends using just soap, a bucket, and some elbow grease. Charge $5–$10 per car for exterior-only, or more with interior wipe-downs.
5. Babysitting (junior edition)
They might not be ready for solo infant duty (although more than one frazzled parent trusted me with their babies when I was in middle school), but a 12-year-old can help watch kids alongside a parent or neighbor.
And they’re doing a public service too; giving some reprieve to a sleep-deprived parent who can’t afford the $23 an hour going rate for sitters these days.
Related: See the average babysitter pay per state — and find out out who’s shelling out $28.75 an hour for date night. Read Babysitter Wages 2025.
6. Tutoring younger kids
If your kid excels in math or reading, they can tutor younger students for $10–$15 per session.
Bonus: it strengthens their own skills too. (Average tutoring rate confirmed by Till)
7. Craft seller
Got a creative kid? Let them design friendship bracelets, handmade cards, or custom art and sell at local events or online (with adult supervision, obviously).
8. Yard sale assistant
Older neighbors throwing a weekend sale often need help setting up, pricing items, and making signs. It’s light labor for $25–$35 per event.
9. Household errand runner
If your kid is trustworthy and knows how to count change, they can run simple errands for neighbors—like grabbing milk from the corner store.
Sure there’s always Instacart and Shipt. But sometimes I just need a carton of milk and a dozen eggs and I don’t want to use a side hustle app to order $35 worth of groceries and wait 3 hours for delivery. Personally, I would gladly pay your kid or anyone else’s a few bucks to bike down to the gas station for me.
10. Chores-for-cash deals
It’s old-school, but it works: offer up dishwashing, dusting, laundry folding, and general help around the house for family or friends.
What’s the point if they blow it all on Roblox?
It’s not just about earning; it’s about learning. Once kids start handling their own money, the next step is teaching them how to manage it.
Even if your kid makes just $30 this summer, that’s $30 worth of real-life decisions. Should they blow it all on candy? Save up for a Lego set? Put aside half and use the other half on outings with friends?
Parents can help guide this process, but so can tech. A kid-friendly debit card — with parental controls — turns these micro-decisions into teachable moments. And unlike handing over random cash, it creates an early habit of budgeting, saving, and understanding what it means to run out of money.
Want your kid to be money-smart, not just money-earning?
If your kid’s hustling this summer, whether it’s dog walking, car washing, or tutoring, they’re already showing initiative. Now it’s your turn to back that up with real money lessons.
Apps like Greenlight are built for this. They offer:
- Kid-friendly debit cards with spending limits and parental oversight
- Savings goals kids can set and track themselves (think: “New bike fund”)
- Chore and job tracking tools so payments don’t get forgotten
- Educational games and missions that teach budgeting and financial literacy in bite-sized, fun formats
These tools teach kids about building healthy financial habits before bad ones take root. Kids get to see their money grow, spend it on what matters, and learn how to budget in a safe, low-stakes environment. You get alerts, peace of mind, and a kid who’s better prepared than most adults.
Unlike random dollar bills jammed into a piggy bank, these apps give kids a real relationship with their money—digital, trackable, and teachable. And also practical; fewer and fewer kids these days see their parents handling cash. My husband and I always pay with a credit card or Apple Pay, which makes the inner workings of money all the more mysterious. Kids need to learn how to manage money that comes in the form of digital wallets and plastic cards.
Final take: Jobs should teach, not tax
A child’s summer job shouldn’t be a grind or come loaded with pressure, and it definitely shouldn’t be a requirement to help cover the family’s household expenses.
But when done right—with boundaries, encouragement, and an eye on long-term lessons—earning money can be a powerful way for kids to build confidence, practice responsibility, and learn about money in a way textbooks don’t teach.
So if your 12-year-old wants to start a dog-walking empire or tutor a neighbor’s kid for ten bucks a session—let them. Just make sure they’re learning how to handle the money, too.
