How To Make Money As A Teenager – 19 Realistic Ideas That Actually Pay

One of the most empowering feelings in the world is having the ability to provide for yourself or to make something out of nothing.

This is the main reason I love side hustles so much and running This Online World.

However, I know that it can be difficult to figure out how to start your first entrepreneurial pursuit, especially if you are young.

I tried a myriad of projects as a teenager, and from writing books to starting a blog on Blogspot, I was always trying to figure out new ways to make money as a teen.

I wasn’t always successful, but the process always taught me something valuable, and I firmly believe that your adolescence should be a time where you try as many new things as possible and focus on learning (especially outside of school).

So, if you have ever wondered how to make money as a teenager and are looking for some inspiration to get started, this is the post for you!

Making Money Online As A Teenager

Since my blog is called This Online World, it wouldn’t be fair to start a list of money making ideas without covering some online methods!

Many common online jobs can be tricky to work for as a teenager because of age restrictions, but there are still plenty of opportunities if you know where to look!

1. Start A Blog

Starting a blog is not easy money. In fact, it is not even guaranteed money.

However, starting your own blog is something I always recommend to students because it is an incredible way to learn in-demand skills, become a better communicator, and to expand your network.

I secured my first internship because I had learned about online marketing from my high school blog.

That internship eventually turned into an online contract that paid for nearly all of my schooling costs…Eventually it even turned into my full-time job. All from starting a blogspot website back in grade 10!

You’d be amazed at how much you learn through blogging. Web hosting, SEO, content writing, social media promotion…running a blog is like running a business, and these skills are more valuable than cash when you’re a teenager (trust me).

Plus, if you get approved for Google Adsense or even platforms like Monumetric, you might find that you can make some decent blogging income every month!

Extra Reading – How To Pick A Blog Niche + 45 Blog Niche Ideas To Get Started.

2. Complete Fiverr Gigs

Fiverr is an online freelance marketplace where people can complete a variety jobs for as low as $5.

Popular gigs on Fiverr include graphic design, marketing/SEO work, coding jobs, and freelance writing. However, Fiverr has plenty of weird opportunities and niches that you can offer your services in, so the sky is the limit!

My recent video breaks down some unique Fiverr tips as well as other online jobs for teenagers!

Unlike most freelance platforms, Fiverr allows anyone over the age of 13 to use the platform (as supposed to 18), so Fiverr is a decent option to make money online as a teenager.

You can also checkout this list of the best Fiverr gigs for some additional inspiration.

3. eBay Flipping

Flipping items on eBay can be a very lucrative side hustle, and it’s also a great way to learn about what goes into running your own business and dealing with clients.

With a bit of upfront capital, you can start to source items from flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales. With some patience and the right eye for what sells, you can slowly build up inventory for your eBay store and start to generate consistent sales.

This isn’t the fastest route to money, but eBay flipping has the potential to earn hundreds or thousands of dollars a month.

Just note, as a teenager you will have to have your parents open the account as eBay only allows minors to operate accounts that are listed under an adult.

4. Open An Etsy Shop

Etsy is one of the most accessible routes to selling your crafts/artwork online, and it’s also a low-cost startup that can be launched quickly.

I’ve experimented with selling POD mugs on Etsy and saw some initial success, but there are plenty of other options you can take. Selling digital downloads, planners, jewelry, funny t-shirts, or custom prints are just a few of the popular categories on Etsy.

Selling on Etsy will also look great on a resume since you’re operating your own online store!

Just note: your parents will have to open the account on your behalf as Etsy has an age requirement of 18.

Extra Reading – 8 Esty Alternatives to Sell Stuff Online.

5. GPT Websites & Apps

If you’re looking for some passive income opportunities that are easy to start, get-paid-to websites are a decent way to get started!

I’ve used GPT websites like Grindabuck or my phone farm to passively earn more than $600, and you can run video running applications in the background of your computer or on some spare phones.

You won’t become rich by using GPT sites or passive income apps, but this is almost free money so it isn’t a bad idea to try out!

You can also read my post on the best survey websites for teens for some ideas to get started.

6. Start A YouTube Channel

As with blogging, starting your own YouTube channel isn’t a guaranteed or fast way to earn extra cash.

However, running your own YouTube channel is an amazing learning opportunity. You will learn how to shoot and edit videos, design thumbnails/other creative elements, YouTube SEO, and social media marketing skills.

Besides, if there are 8 year old YouTube stars making millions of dollars, you might be able to work your way up to a few hundred bucks with enough perseverance!

Extra Reading – How To Make Money On YouTube In 2020.

7. Affiliate Marketing

If I could go back in time to my teenage years, I would have spent some time developing online profiles for the purpose of affiliate marketing.

There are so many opportunities for affiliates out there. If you can grow an Instagram account or a following on another platform, you’d be amazed at how much you can earn in affiliate deals or sponsorships.

I have friends who receive free workout supplements and gear all the time, and they only have a few thousand followers on Instagram…imagine what you could accomplish if you created a high value account in a niche that interests you throughout all 4 years of high school!

Extra reading – find out how to make money on Pinterest!

8. Write Reviews

Companies are always on the hunt for positive (and accurate) reviews of their products/services, so you can actually make money or make money for sharing your opinion!

Between Facebook review groups and websites like Slice The Pie, there are plenty of review writing opportunities out there!

Just remember: never write fraudulent reviews for products you haven’t actually used since these reviews can be cracked down on and you risk not being paid!

Make Money As a Teenager Without A Job

Since many countries have labor laws that prohibit teenagers from working until as old as 16, one of the best ways to earn money is by doing odd jobs, side gigs, or just working under the table and getting paid in cash.

Here are some of the best jobs for teens that fit into this category!

9. Dog Walking

While gig apps like Rover are a great way to find dog walking jobs, the minimum age of Rover walkers is 18. However, dog walking is still a service that is in high demand, and you can use other online forums to find side work!

Post an ad on your local classifieds or Facebook groups, or leave pamphlets in mailboxes around your neighborhood offering your services! You’d be surprised at how much people are willing to pay for a consistent dog walker!

10. Babysit

If you take some time to obtain basic first aid training or even take a basic child care course, babysitting is a straightforward way to make money as a teenager.

You don’t even need to have an extensive network of families that hire you; a few relatives or close friends in your neighborhood will be enough to earn some side income without forcing you to apply for a regular part-time job.

Checkout Care.com if you want to start applying to local babysitting jobs!

11. Yard Work

When I was a kid, one of the quickest ways to make extra money was to offer to shovel snow for people (I guess this is one of the perks of living in Canada!)

Whatever the season, you can probably find some sort of yard work job if you just make the offer. From cleaning gutters to mowing lawns, there’s plenty of money to be made in lawn care!

Just note: you might have to invest some startup cash into this teenage side hustle if you want to get off the ground, or you’ll have to borrow equipment from family.

Extra Reading – The Best Summer Jobs For Teens.

12. Tutoring

One of the best ways to make money at school is to help younger students with their studies!

Tutoring is a high paying online job, but you can still make decent money by tutoring students in person. If you have strong grades in a particular subject, you can probably find parents of younger students who are willing to pay you for some help.

This teenage money making idea is probably more suited for slightly older kids who are finishing highschool, but don’t be afraid to give it a try even if you are slightly younger.

Extra Reading – Best Online Tutoring Jobs For Teens.

13. Wash cars

Washing cars has always been a go-to fundraiser idea, but it’s also a reliable way to make money as a kid.

If you print some flyers and canvas your surrounding neighborhoods during summertime, you will probably find some interest.

Just be sure to buy the right amount of supplies beforehand and to go above and beyond in your work. Car owners can be very meticulous about the products that are used on their vehicles, such as various waxes or finishes, so outline your process very clearly from the get-go.

14. Sell Stuff At School

When I was 12, one of my friends was very into Rubik’s Cubes.

He was so interested in them that he eventually became one of the top Cubers in Canada, and even as a teenager, his solve times were very fast.

Anyway, he eventually started buying Rubik’s Cubes from a Chinese supplier, and he would optimize the cubes to make them turn faster. He would then offer to teach other classmates how to solve the cube, as well as selling them his improved cubes.

This is a perfect example of how you can take your passions and turn them into an opportunity. This story also shows that making money as a kid doesn’t have to always take a traditional route either!

15. Coaching & Refereeing

If you’re a sports fan, coaching or becoming a referee is a great way to make some cash.

I had plenty of friends who coached or refereed soccer while I was growing up, and while you may need to complete some training before being eligible for work, they pay can be worth it…Many starting jobs pay $15+ per hour, and you can earn even more as you work with higher skill levels and age brackets.

Additionally, both these side jobs look great on a resume, so that’s an added bonus!

Extra reading – 10 side job ideas for busy people.

16. Teach Music

Like tutoring, teaching younger students how to play an instrument is a lucrative skill you can hold in your back pocket.

Traditional music lessons can be very expensive, so many parents would jump at the opportunity to have their child instructed by a more affordable peer. Besides, if you’re truly skilled at your instrument of choice.

Music lessons are also a great side hustle option because they can be stable…you might end up teaching the same pupil all throughout your teenage years if they stick with it!

17. Pet Sitting

If your parents are comfortable with having pets in the house, offering pet sitting services is a straightforward way to earn money as a kid.

Kennels can be very pricey, so many people who own pets and travel prefer to find friends and family to take care of their pets to save money. When this option fails, however, you can position yourself as the perfect middle ground and offer to take care of their pets for an affordable rate.

Once you establish a few clients, you may find that you have enough recurring gigs, especially during the summertime when many people travel more often.

18. Collect Cans

While this isn’t a glamorous teenage money making idea, it is an absolute no-brainer.

Collecting cans and bottles from your neighborhood or even downtown strips is a quick way to make $10-$20. With cans/bottle going for between $0.05-$0.25 depending on their size and material, you can use this idea to make some spare change if you ever have the need.

Plus, if there’s one job that will teach you the value of money, it’s this one!

19. Be The Family Cashback Guru

There are more opportunities than ever before to save money through cashback rewards or passive income apps, but implementing them into the family budget can take some upfront effort.

For example, you could take charge of your family grocery trips and look for offers on apps like the Checkout 51 app or Caddle. Plus, you could pair that with a variety of receipt scanning apps to earn even more money for your bills.

These small changes won’t break the bank, but it could be a fun way to collaborate with your parents on a new frugal challenge!

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I think your teenage years should be a time where you focus on personal development, learning new skills, and being happy.

You have your entire life to work, and there is certainly value to being a care-free kid.

However, if you are the type of person who has an entrepreneurial itch, feeding this desire with new side hustle ideas or challenges is a great idea. Hopefully, some of the ideas in this post or these extra money making ideas for kids can help get you started on the right path!

And whatever you do, just remember that hard work and perseverance are the key! You may not start making money overnight, but as long as you keep taking the right steps, you’ll end up somewhere you’d never imagine is possible.

Catch you guys in the next one!

Extra Reading:

• How To Be A Successful Teenager.
• Passive Income Ideas For Students.
• My $20,000 College Side Hustles.