Congratulations, your child is now a pre-teen—HOORAY! At this stage, they become more curious, self-aware, and capable of handling greater responsibilities.
As parents, we aim to teach them about self-discipline and an understanding of entrepreneurship and financial management in our children. However, traditional jobs are often out of reach for kids due to obvious reasons.
The good news is that there are numerous opportunities and strategies available to achieve these goals without relying on traditional adult jobs. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best, unique, fun, and easy kid-friendly jobs for 10-year-olds (or older).
1. Help With Babysitting
Babysitting is one of the best ways for 10 year-olds to make money, while also staying active and bonding with other children.
As a stay-at-home mom myself, I often take on babysitting gigs to supplement our income, and sometimes my kiddo joins in to help out. He loves reading stories to the younger kids, playing games with them, and lending a hand with light chores like tidying up and preparing snacks—all under my supervision, of course. This experience isn’t just about making money; it’s about learning valuable life skills. Babysitting teaches kids responsibility, independence, communication, problem-solving, and patience—all crucial skills they’ll use throughout their lives.
If you’re looking for babysitting opportunities, apps like June Care can connect you with families in need of childcare services, whether it’s babysitting, nanny placements, or daycare options. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
2. Apply for Child Modeling Agencies
If your child loves being in the spotlight, modeling for advertisements is one of the best kid-friendly jobs out there.
Many small businesses often seek child models for their ads and product endorsements. To get started, you can research and find reputable agencies with a proven track record of working with children in the modeling industry. Once your child is signed with an agency, they may be invited to casting calls or auditions for various advertising campaigns. If selected, they can participate in photo shoots or commercials for different products or brands.
However, it’s crucial for parents to prioritize their child’s well-being and education throughout the modeling process. Ensuring they have appropriate supervision and guidance is essential to maintain a positive and safe experience.
3. Make Kid-Friendly Crafts To Sell
One of the ways I love to encourage my kids to get creative and earn some extra money is by making easy kid-friendly crafts. One of the easiest things to make are custom bracelets and necklaces as you don’t need much supplies nor experience. It’s simple to get started—all you need are some basic supplies like polymer clay, letter beads, and embroidery thread, which you can find online or at local craft stores. Then, they can sell their creations to family, friends, and neighbors who are often eager to support their efforts. It’s a fun and rewarding way for kids to learn about creativity, entrepreneurship, and responsibility with a little guidance from parents.
4. Summer Garage Sale
Hosting a series of garage sales in the summer are awesome kid-friendly jobs for 10-year-olds. It’s also a way for your child to declutter their space and have a fresh start.
Have them sort through unwanted toys, books, clothing, and other items that have been outgrown or are no longer needed. To make the event even more exciting, consider offering cold drinks like lemonade or refreshing snacks like watermelon slices to keep the vibe fun and cool.
Not only does a garage sale help clear out clutter, but it also teaches valuable entrepreneurial and financial skills. Your child can learn how to price items, make change, and manage money—all essential skills for future success. Plus, organizing and running the sale provides hands-on experience in planning!
5. Make Greeting Cards
Let your kids imagination run wild by crafting greeting cards and even selling them for some extra cash! Encourage them to design unique cards for all sorts of occasions, from birthdays to holidays to thank-you notes. Selling these personalized creations to family and friends isn’t just a cool way to make some cash—it also boosts their confidence in their artistic skills.
Personally, I adore this activity with my own children. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to spend quality time together, bonding over a shared hobby that brings us joy. It also gives them the satisfaction of turning their imagination into something tangible.
6. Lemonade Stand, But Make With a Twist
We all know the classic lemonade stand, but why not kick it up a notch and make it super fun for your little one? Let them choose a theme, like their favorite superhero, and deck out the stand with colorful signs and props!! You can set it up in a busy neighborhood, by the street curb, or near a local shopping center (just make sure to check if you need a permit from your county). And for an extra special touch, bake some treats with your child to offer alongside the lemonade. The key is to have fun with it!
7. Help Pet-Sitting
If your kids are big fans of doggies, why not involve them in pet sitting for some extra cash?
They can lend a hand with tasks like feeding, playing, cleaning, and keeping an eye on the pets, all under adult supervision. You can find pet sitting opportunities easily through apps like Rover. Personally, pet sitting was my go-to way of earning extra money when I was pregnant with my second baby. It was a win-win situation; my son got to have fun entertaining puppies while also learning about the importance of caring for animals. Doing this would bring me in about $375 in a week and it’s still something I love doing till this day.
8. House chores, But Make It Fun
If you’re considering giving your child an allowance while also teaching them about responsibilities, one effective method is by having them do simple house chores for money. But let’s face it—traditional house chores aren’t exactly thrilling for kids. To make them more enjoyable, turn chores into games with challenges or races, crank up some upbeat music, and encourage dancing or singing while they work. For instance, you could hide stickers they love under knickknacks and challenge them to find them all while dusting. They only get to enjoy the rewards once everything is dusted. By incorporating fun strategies like these, you can make house chores more engaging for kids while also instilling important life skills and responsibilities
9. Create Fun Internet Content
In this age of technology, why not get creative with your child? If they have a talent or hobby, like drawing, they could start making videos and sharing them on social media. Just keep in mind, that there’s an age requirement for YouTube accounts. But you could always set up a joint account together to manage and supervise the process. It’s a great way for your child to express themselves and maybe even earn some extra cash on the side.
10. Bake for Cash
If you love baking, why not do it with your little one and sell it? It’s one of the best kid-friendly jobs for those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen.
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!
11. Life Insurance With Cash-Value Benefits
Even though it’s not a job for kids, when it comes to securing your child’s future, have you ever thought about getting life insurance with cash value? It’s not just for grown-ups; it can help ease worries like “how will I afford my child’s college?” Personally, I wish they would teach us this in high school; it wasn’t until my late 20s that I truly grasped its significance and began to implement it in my life.
Having this type of policy can be a huge relief, especially when you think about what could happen if you’re ever unable to provide for your child due to unexpected life events. By investing in these insurance options early, we, as parents, can ensure financial security for our child’s education while also teaching them about financial planning and investment. So, while teaching entrepreneurial skills is valuable, securing your child’s future with the right insurance plan ensures they have a solid financial foundation for their educational journey and beyond.
To take action, consider consulting your financial goals with a certified life insurance agent or financial advisor. TrustedChoice.com is a great resource for finding independent agents. They’re free to use, allowing you to speak with multiple agents to find the best fit for your needs, whether it’s price, claims service, ease of access, customer service, or other factors that matter most to you.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this blog useful and that it sparked some ideas you can try out. If any of these kid-friendly jobs resonate with you, feel free to leave a comment below. And remember, parenting is a journey that never really ends.