What if you could turn your hobbies into cash? For many teenagers, making any income might sound impossible, but it’s more attainable than you can imagine. In this blog we will explore the best ways to make money as a teenager.
If you’re a teenager or a parent of a teen, you know that getting a traditional job isn’t always an option due to age restrictions and school commitments. But there are plenty of practical ways for teens to make money without having to apply for a job, and many of these opportunities can turn into passive income over time.
Here are the 10 best ways to make money as a teenager:
1. Resale Unwanted Items
Reselling items is one of the quickest and easiest ways for teenagers to make money. It doesn’t require much to get started. Begin by decluttering your personal belongings and selling items you no longer need or want on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or directly to friends and family. Popular items that are easy to resell include clothing, shoes, collectibles, game consoles, sports equipment, electronics, and books. You might be surprised at how much-hidden value is lying around your room and home.
2. Get Crafty By Selling Handmade Goods
Selling handcrafted goods is one of the best ways to make money as a teenager. It lets them turn their creativity and hobbies into real money. It also helps develop valuable entrepreneurship skills at an early age. There are SO MANY products you can create and sell, no matter what you’re into. Whether you love crocheting, sewing fashion items, or making jewelry, the options are endless. Lucky for you, I’ve put together the ultimate list of craft ideas guaranteed to make you money!
Once you’ve chosen a craft that resonates with you, platforms like Etsy offer a way to reach an audience of buyers, whom you can sell your products to. Alternatively, you can take it a step further by launching an online store using platforms like Shopify.
3. Work To Learn
This one is GOLD, and here’s why: Your early adult years are the perfect time to pick up a skill you’re passionate about. Once you’ve honed that skill, you can offer your expertise to small companies or entrepreneurs. Whether it’s web development, social media marketing, graphic design, or app creation, there’s a wide range of skills waiting to be explored. With dedication and practice, you can become proficient enough to offer your services and get paid for your results.
Platforms like Skillshare and Udemy offer comprehensive courses taught by industry experts, providing you with all the resources you need to master a craft.
4. Start a Tee Shirt Business
Starting a t-shirt business is a fun way for teens to make money by selling eye-catching designs or catchy slogans. Thanks to print-on-demand services like Printful, launching a t-shirt business in 2024 is incredibly easy since you don’t need to carry any inventory. This is especially beneficial for teenagers, as Printful has no minimum order requirements, allowing you to start selling without any upfront costs. It’s also a great way to generate passive income, with the t-shirt market projected to grow by 5.41% annually over the next four years.
5. Flip Stuff On eBay
This method goes back to the early days of flipping baseball cards on eBay, but it remains a fantastic way for teenagers to make quick money. You can visit local thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales to find items that are cheap but could be highly valuable to others. I recently found a collectible action figure for $1 at my local estate sale and resold it on eBay for $100—the fastest $100 I’ve ever made. If you’re interested in learning more about flipping on eBay, I recommend checking out Rob & Melissa Stephens. They share their knowledge and expertise on making a living through eBay flipping.
6. Offer Oil Changes
If you’re savvy with car mechanics, consider offering oil changes for some quick cash. Make sure you know the basics of car maintenance, especially how to change oil safely and efficiently. You can offer your services to people in your neighborhood—friends, family, and neighbors, and spread the word on social media. Why not make it extra convenient by also offering to swing by their place to get the job done? As a busy mom of two, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished for a service like that!!
7. Sell Stock Photos
If you are artistic and have a passion for photography, one of the best ways to make money as a teenager is by selling photos to sites such as Shutterstock, EyeEm or Adobe Stock. These sites offer an immense marketplace where people and companies can look for top-notch images to use for many kinds of projects, from blogs and websites to marketing materials and ads. Some of the most in-demand subjects are nature scenes, lifestyle images or technology-related content. This is also a great way for teenagers to express their artistic self, while also building passive income in the long run.
8. Take Online Surveys
While you might only earn a few dollars at a time, taking surveys can be a simple and convenient way for teenagers to make extra cash in their spare time. Companies often seek feedback from consumers to improve their products and services, and they’re willing to pay for your opinions. By signing up for survey websites like LifePoints, you can participate in various surveys on a range of topics and earn between $0.25 and $5 per survey. Some of the highest-paying surveys can even pay up to $5–$10 each.
Pro Tip:
LifePoints is more worthwhile if you are selective with the surveys you choose. By focusing on higher-paid surveys, the platform’s algorithm will eventually filter out lower-paid options, introducing you to better-paying surveys over time. After a month or so, you’ll start seeing higher rewards for your participation. I personally earn around $80 per month from LifePoints and find that there are always plenty of surveys available.
9. Bake And Bank
If you have a passion for baking, why not turn it into a side hustle? Selling homemade baked goods is a fun way for teens to earn money. You can sell items like cookies, brownies, cupcakes, or specialty cakes.
When I was only 11 years old, with the help of my grandma’s delicious recipe, I started making banana bread loaves. Selling each loaf for $5 to friends and family, word quickly spread, and soon people were coming to me asking for loaves for themselves and their relatives. By the end of the summer, I had made $300 doing something I absolutely loved! Not too shabby for an 11-year-old.
10. Sell Digital Products
Creating digital products is one of best ways to make money as a teenager, which can also turn into passive income. It requires minimal to no startup costs—no need for inventory or additional expenses. All you need to start it up is a little bit of imagination and time at home. This method is incredibly scalable; you can sell an unlimited number of products per day, after just making it once. Moreover, there are no delivery or wait times—customers get instant access through digital downloads. Easy peasy!
Here are 8 digital product ideas teenagers can sell in 2024:
- Kids Printable Worksheets: Engaging educational resources designed for young learners.
- Tutorials: Informative guides or videos offering step-by-step instructions on diverse skills and interests.
- Digital Planners: Organizational tools in digital format, helping students schedule tasks and goals.
- Canva Frames: Customizable design templates created with Canva software, ideal for social media posts, presentations, or personal projects.
- Social Media Planners: Tools for scheduling and organizing social media content
- Digital Invitations: Digital alternatives to traditional paper invitations for various events and occasions.
- DIY Craft Patterns: Digital guides or templates for crafting projects, providing instructions and patterns for creating handmade items.
- AI Artwork: Artistic creations generated or enhanced using artificial intelligence algorithms.
Turning a Teenage Passion into Profit: Bella Lin’s Story
17-year-old used $2,000 in savings to start an Amazon side hustle—now it brings in $34,000 a month.
(Courtesy of Bella Lin/GuineaLoft)
At just 17, Bella Lin transformed a $2,000 investment into a booming Amazon side hustle, now raking in an impressive $34,000 monthly. Her journey traces back to age 12 when her backyard guinea pigs mysteriously vanished in San Francisco. Frustrated with conventional cages, she began sketching prototypes for a more spacious solution. By age 17, Lin, now a senior at Khan Lab School, launched GuineaLoft on Amazon with an initial investment of $2,000. The venture soared, selling nearly 11,000 cages and generating over $410,000 in revenue last year. Despite a full academic load, Lin dedicates 20 hours weekly to GuineaLoft. Her remarkable success has led her to contemplate delaying college to focus on her burgeoning business.
Bella Lin’s story exemplifies the potential of teenage entrepreneurship, proving that with passion, persistence, and a willingness to innovate, anyone can turn their ideas into reality and create a thriving business at any age.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this guide and learned some of the best ways to make money as a teenager. Whether you’re into crafting, flipping, or baking, there’s something out there for everyone. And hey, if Bella Lin can turn a passion for guinea pigs into a six-figure hustle, who knows what you could achieve?
Start exploring those ideas, tapping into your passions, and see where they take you. Remember, it’s not just about the money—it’s about the journey, the learning, and the satisfaction of turning your ideas into reality.
If you found any of these ideas helpful, drop a comment below.
