31 Best Side Hustles for Teens in 2024

Whether you want to save money for college or simply earn extra cash for your personal spending, there are plenty of side hustles for teens.

Most jobs that were traditionally available for teens didn’t pay much. Thanks to modernization and technology, some side hustles offer substantial income to make you financially stable. 

The benefits of doing a side hustle in your spare time are extensive. You gain extra cash, financial literacy, and something to spice up your resume. 

Scrolling through endless lists online to find a side hustle may take a lot of work. Luckily, I’ve done the legwork for you. 

Want to make some quick cash? Try out these money-making ideas:

• Opinion Outpost – Get paid to share your opinion
• Branded Surveys – Take on online surveys for PayPal money and gift cards.

The Best Side Hustles for Teens 

This list is extensive, covering both offline and online side hustles. You can also try weekend side hustles if your weekdays are full of school and sports activities. 

Most of these ideas won’t require any qualifications. If you play your cards right, you can turn these side hustles into full-time ventures to earn more money after completing school. 

Let’s dive into the best ways to make money as a teen.

1. Complete Online Surveys

One of the best ways to make money online as a beginner is by completing online surveys in your spare time. 

Generally, survey sites pay you in points for every survey you complete. Once you accumulate the withdrawal minimum, you can redeem your points for free PayPal money or gift cards.

One notable advantage of survey sites is they’re free to join, so you have nothing to lose. Plus, most surveys take less than 10 minutes to complete. 

Therefore, with 30 minutes of leisure time, you can complete 3-5 surveys daily. The following paid survey sites are worth checking out:

• Opinion Outpost: Opinion Outpost is accessible to members in the U.S. who are at least 17 years old.
• Branded Surveys: Share your opinion on this site, provided that you’re 17 years or older.
• Toluna: In most countries, you can join this survey site if you’re at least 16 years of age.
• Swagbucks: This is one of the best apps to make extra cash if you’re 13 and above. Besides surveys, Swagbucks lets you make extra cash by watching ads and playing games. 
• InboxDollars: You must be at least 18 to use InboxDollars. Like Swagbucks, InboxDollars offers more ways to make money, including ads and games.
• LifePoints: This website accepts members 14 years old and above.
• Survey Junkie: You must be 18 or older and live in Australia, Canada, or the U.S. to earn money on Survey Junkie.

Expect between $0.25 and $3 per survey. The pay varies by length and type of survey. Your location may also influence the kind of surveys you receive.  

2. Play Mobile Games

If you’re a gaming enthusiast who spends most of your free time playing mobile games, why not do it on apps willing to pay?

Several get-paid-to websites pay you to test new games and give your opinion before launching them. Others simply work with developers to help widen their audience. 

You need to achieve certain milestones within the games to earn points redeemable for gift cards and cash.

Here are some examples of gaming apps that pay you to play games:

• Scrambly: You can earn rewards for playing games, testing apps, and taking surveys on Scrambly if you’re 16 or older.
• Mistplay: This is among the leading gaming apps for Android users at least 18 years old. 
• PlaytestCloud: If you’d like to test new games, PlaytestCloud pays about $9 per 15-minute playtest. You can sign up for an account if you’re 13 or above.
• Rewarded Play: This is another Android gaming app similar to Mistplay. The only disadvantage is that Rewarded Play pays in gift cards only. You must be 18 to register.

Remember to play the featured games through the GPT site to get paid. You won’t be eligible for rewards if you launch or download the games outside the site.

3. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting

Are you a natural lover of animals? If so, consider pet sitting in the evenings after school or over the weekends and holidays. 

There’s no age limit for pet sitting, especially if you do it for family, friends, and neighbors. However, you must be 18+ to find pet-sitting gigs on sites like Rover.

According to Indeed, the average pay on Rover is $19.43 an hour. This varies depending on the services you offer. For instance, you can charge more for overnight pet sitting. 

Don’t worry if you’ve never done this job. It’s simple as long as you don’t have allergies. You only need to perform essential pet care services like feeding, cleaning, and administering meds. 

I recommend free pet sitting for a friend or neighbor to familiarize yourself with the job and determine if it’s worth exploring. 

PetSitter.com is another option for teens from 13 years old.

4. Babysitting 

If you like the idea of getting paid to take care of pets but aren’t good with them, consider babysitting. 

Babysitting is an excellent way to make money as a teen, especially since you can choose the age bracket to work with. 

You can start by babysitting your siblings or ask your neighbors and friends to let you watch their kids when they’re busy or out of the house. 

Alternatively, you can widen your audience by registering on sites like Care.com, UrbanSitter, or Bambino to land more gigs. 

You must be 13 or above to sign up as a babysitter on Bambino and at least 18 to register on Care.com and UrbanSitter.

5. Test Websites 

Companies always look for people to test their websites and report on their experience and functionality. 

Website testing is worth venturing into, especially if you often pay attention to detail. This job is easy, and anyone can do it.

You only need to pretend to be a regular user and cruise the site to see if everything works. Even better is if you can code; this may earn you more. 

The disadvantage is you’ll have to do repetitive tasks, but if you don’t mind this, you can try testing websites for cash. 

UserTesting is a great place to start working if you’re 18 or older. Most tests on the site are 20 minutes long and are worth $10. However, the pay varies based on length and type. 

6. Online Tutoring 

Online tutoring is worth your time if you’re skilled in a subject and want to help other students get good grades. 

You can teach any subject you choose, from Math to Chemistry or English. The best place to start is in your neighborhood. 

Start tutoring your friends or classmates who need help understanding concepts. You can also go the extra mile to sell worksheets and summarized notes.

Additionally, you can sign up on sites like TutorPeers to get started.

I like this site since it lets you choose your schedule and prices. If you’re consistent and motivated, you could turn this into a full-time venture once you finish school.

7. Snow Shoveling 

Snow shoveling is a good way to make money during winter. While it has the disadvantage of being a seasonal job, it’s worth considering. 

You could offer to shovel snow for your neighbors in the mornings before school and during the weekends. 

The job is physically demanding, but you could make several dollars daily if you don’t mind some hard work.  

Sites like Shovler let you access a wider audience, not just your immediate neighborhood. Simply sign up and accept shoveling jobs to make extra cash. 

You can make anywhere between $30 and $80 for small jobs on this site. The pay rate on Shovler is based on the type of job and weather conditions. 

Other sites like Shovler include SnoHub and Quikplow.

8. Lawn Care 

Caring for people’s lawns for cash is fantastic if you like outdoor work. Like snow shoveling, this is a seasonal job. You can also stack the two to earn cash throughout the year. 

Lawn care typically involves the following activities:

• Mowing 
• Weeding 
• Clearing debris 
• Watering the lawn 
• Pest control 

You’ll need to invest in a lawn mower and personal protective gear like overalls and gloves. You can also borrow these from your parents if they have them.

You can start by offering your services within the neighborhood. Ask your friends and family to let you care for their lawns for cash.

9. Start a Flipping Business

Another way to make money as a teen is by flipping items for cash. Flipping entails purchasing and reselling items for profit after improving their appearance.

You don’t need to search far and wide for stuff to sell, especially if you need a temporary source of cash. Simply sell stuff you no longer need. 

For instance, you can sell toys you no longer use or declutter your closet to get rid of clothes you’ve outgrown.  

Flipping is an excellent idea for a teenager since you can sell almost anything. The best items to flip include:

• Clothes 
• Shoes 
• Jewelry 
• Pokemon cards 
• Toys 
• Furniture 

Source for the best deals at flea markets, thrift stores, and clearance sales. Once your items are ready to sell, consider sites like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and eBay.

10. Start a YouTube Channel

Many teens nowadays are making millions on YouTube. 

Are you passionate about fashion and video games, or simply don’t mind sharing your daily activities with the world? 

If so, this is the best fit for you. Consider becoming a content creator on YouTube to make extra cash. 

Once you gain a good number of loyal subscribers, you can monetize your account through affiliate marketing, ads, and sponsored content. 

There are plenty of free online resources if you’re unsure where and how to start.

Investing in high-quality equipment such as a camera, ring light, and video editing software is important. You can start with your smartphone and level up as the money comes in.

11. Start a Podcast 

Podcasting is a viable option if you’re specifically passionate about a topic. Some of the most common topics include:

• Health and Fitness
• Inspirational content 
• Dating 
• Food 
• Education 
• TV show reviews 

You can focus on a specific niche or mix them to reach a more diverse audience. Once your podcast is up and running, you can create sponsored content and run ads to make money.

Balancing between podcasting and school may be hectic initially, but you can make it work by choosing a frequency that fits your schedule. For instance, you can opt for biweekly episodes if a weekly schedule doesn’t work. 

Also, find out if there are any resources at school that you can use, like a media lab or recording studio, to give a professional touch to your podcast. 

12. Clean Pools 

Cleaning pools is an easy way to make money as a teenager during your summer break. 

As a pool cleaner, you may be required to check the pH levels of the water, remove floating debris, and clean filters. 

You can start by offering your pool cleaning services within your area. The pay ranges from $10 to $15 an hour. 

Sites like Craigslist help find pool cleaning jobs within your local area. Consider investing in essential pool cleaning equipment in case you find clients that don’t have them. 

13. Make Deliveries 

If you’re still seeking a way to make extra cash, consider delivery gigs like DoorDash and Instacart. 

This typically involves shopping for groceries or making a restaurant order for someone and then delivering it to them in the shortest time. 

You’ll need a car to sign up on these sites, but a scooter or bicycle will do. Simply sign up and accept jobs in your spare time. 

Delivery gigs on sites like DoorDash pay between $15 and $30 an hour. Encourage tips from customers by delivering the correct items fast. 

Extra Reading – Instacart Shopper Hacks To Make More Money

14. House Cleaning 

House cleaning is another great side hustle idea for teens, especially if you like keeping stuff clean and in their correct places.

You can start by asking to clean your neighbors’ houses or contacting businesses whose offices need cleaning. Expect to earn $13 to $20 an hour. 

You’ll need to invest in cleaning supplies like cleaning solutions, mop buckets, dusting cloths, and brooms. You can also invest in a good vacuum cleaner once you gain footing. 

House cleaning is worth considering since you can do it after school. You can also make more by employing people to work with you.

15. Photography 

If you’re passionate about photography, you can take random pictures and sell them as stock photos on sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Etsy. 

Such sites let you earn some money every time someone purchases your photos. The pay depends on the type of work and license. 

16. Blogging 

Many people, including teens, are turning to blogging as a digital side hustle. Consider this venture if you’re passionate about a particular topic. 

Choosing and focusing on one niche is vital to succeeding as a blogger. Some of the most common topics include:

• Finance 
• Fashion 
• Health and Fitness 
• Food and Nutrition 
• Sports 
• Education 
• Travel 

Starting a blog from scratch is not easy, but investing the time and effort will be worth it in the long run. 

Once you’ve gained a substantial, loyal readership, you can monetize your blog in the following ways:

• Affiliate marketing 
• Display ads 
• Sellingdigital products 
• Sponsored content

You can read my detailed guide on how to start a blog that makes money.

17. Become a Social Media Influencer

Are you constantly getting scolded for spending too much time scrolling through Instagram instead of doing homework? 

You don’t need to be a celebrity to earn money from social media. All you need is a substantial number of loyal followers. 

Building a loyal fanbase won’t be easy, but you can gain followers and attract potential clients with the right strategies. 

You can work with brands to promote their products or sell your own merch to your followers. There’s limitless potential in this venture. 

18. Become a Social Media Manager

If you know your way around Facebook, X, and Instagram, you can manage social media pages for companies and individuals. 

Your job as a social media manager would entail posting on the company’s platforms and responding to comments to cultivate a good relationship with the audience. 

You must be creative, skilled in using technology, and up to date with social media trends to make it as a social media manager.

You can find jobs on Upwork, People Per Hour, and Fiverr.

19. Freelance Writing 

Another job you could consider if you need extra cash is freelance writing. You can work for companies or individuals depending on your niche. 

Freelance writing is among the best side hustles for teens since it lets you choose your working hours and rates. This way, you can work during your free time after school. 

You can find writing gigs on sites like FlexJobs and Upwork. The pay may vary based on the type and length of the job. 

20. Deliver Newspapers 

Newspapers may seem like a thing of the past, but some people still read them. To make easy cash, you can deliver the latest copies to your neighborhood before school. 

Your duties as a newspaper delivery person would be to collect the newspapers from the printing press and deliver them along a specific route. 

You may also need to collect money from customers and keep track of the number of newspapers you deliver. 

You can work daily or weekly if your schedule allows. Search for newspaper delivery opportunities on sites like Jobs2Careers and Indeed.

21. Coach a Youth Sports Team 

Coaching a youth sports team may work for you if you enjoy outdoor games such as soccer and basketball. 

This job is demanding; you may need to dedicate your evenings and weekends to coaching the kids. Despite that, it’s an excellent way to help kids nurture their talents and hone their skills. 

You also get to overcome social anxiety, sharpen your leadership skills, and build friendships with local community members, all while getting paid. 

Find a coaching gig on Indeed and Summer Job Finder. You can earn anywhere between $18 and $40 an hour, depending on your level of expertise.

22. Caddying 

Are you interested in golf? If so, caddying is an excellent way to learn how to play and get paid while doing it.

Becoming a caddie involves carrying golf clubs and other equipment for other players. You may also need to clean the clubs, replace flagsticks, and fix the ball marks.

The upside is you can play for free when the club isn’t busy. Expect to earn anywhere between $9 and $30 an hour.

23. Washing Cars 

Another easy way to make money as a teenager is by washing cars for your parents, family, and neighbors. 

I like this venture since it’s easy to do, and the service is constantly in demand. You can easily save money for your next movie ticket or birthday gift. 

Simply walk up to your neighbor’s house and offer to wash their car for a fee. You can also apply for gigs on Snagajob. Teenage car washers usually earn about $10 to $15 an hour. 

24. Reviewing Music 

If you spend much time streaming music from your favorite artists and enjoy discovering new jams, you may like working as a music reviewer.

Artists and record companies pay people to listen to their music and give honest feedback. You’re free to criticize any part of the song, including the melody and lyrics. 

You’ll earn a few cents per song and up to $10 an hour, depending on how many songs you review. Explore sites like Music X-ray and Slice the Pie to get paid to listen to music.

25. Launch an Etsy Store 

Etsy offers a fantastic opportunity to sell your handmade crafts or craft supplies. You can also sell art, stickers, and vintage items. 

You must be 18+ to create an account on Etsy. The platform will allow you to sell under the supervision of a guardian if you’re between 13 and 17 years old.

All you need to do to get started is register on Etsy and upload photos of your items. You’ll need to write descriptions so buyers know exactly what they purchase. 

The pay generally depends on how you price your items. Etsy takes a 6.5% cut and charges $0.20 for listing.

26. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant job is a great way to make money as a teen. You can work from home and choose working hours that don’t interfere with schoolwork. 

You can work as a VA for companies or individuals. Your duties would include:

• Scheduling meetings 
• Responding to emails 
• Making phone calls
• Making travel arrangements 
• Managing social media accounts 

You can find VA gigs on FlexJobs, Fiverr, and Upwork. According to Indeed, the average pay is $24.77 an hour. 

27. Painting Houses 

Painting is easy to learn, primarily through apprenticeship. If you have the skills, you can search for painting gigs in your neighborhood or sign up on sites like TaskRabbit if you’re above 18.

You’ll earn between $17 and $30 an hour as a painter. Your startup costs may include basic painting supplies such as brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, and buckets.

28. Graphic Design 

Graphic design is worth exploring if you’re passionate about art. You can quickly turn this into a full-time job after finishing school. 

You can work with companies or find freelance graphic design gigs on Upwork, Fiverr, or FlexJobs. Simply create a portfolio and bid for jobs on these freelance sites to get started. 

The hourly rate is $15 to $35, though this may vary by client and type of job. 

29. Odd Jobs 

People always need help with their daily activities, so there are unlimited options if you want to do odd jobs for cash. 

Some examples include:

• Moving furniture
• Cleaning the fridge 
• Folding laundry 
• Picking up dry cleaning 
• Cleaning windows 
• Setting up for events

Explore TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, and Handy for such jobs. The pay depends on the type of job. 

30. Clean Carpets 

If you’re still seeking a suitable side hustle for teens, consider cleaning carpets for extra cash.

You’ll need to invest in cleaning equipment like a vacuum cleaner, steam cleaner, and brushes. You can rent the items as you start and then purchase them once you gain footing. 

You can work for your neighbors or sign up on sites like TaskRabbit to access a broader client base. 

31. Become a Sports Referee

Becoming a referee for a youth sports team is a great idea, especially if you’re skilled in a particular game and are familiar with all the rules.

Contact local coaches for reffing gigs. You may need to take a course before you begin working. After the course, you’re free to work as per your schedule. 

The pay ranges from $20 to $30 an hour, but you can earn more depending on your qualifications. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can a 14-Year-Old Do a Side Hustle? 

Yes, kids as young as 14 can delve into different side hustles for extra cash.

Some typical jobs for 14-year-olds include taking surveys, babysitting, and pet sitting.

How Can I Make a Lot of Money at 13?

You can make a lot of money at 13 by becoming a social media influencer, working with brands, and starting a YouTube channel or a podcast. Here are other ways 13-year-olds can make money.

How Can I Make Money at the Age of 17?

There are numerous job opportunities for 17-year-olds. You can make some money by:

• House sitting
• Online tutoring 
• Completing online surveys
• Pet sitting
• Playing mobile games

Final Thoughts 

There are numerous side hustle ideas for teens. You only need to choose one based on your interests and how much you want to earn.

Choose a flexible venture that doesn’t affect your school work or sports activities. You can stack two or more ventures if your schedule allows. 

Beware of scams, mainly when you apply for jobs online.

Looking for other ways to make money as a teen? Check out these posts:

• The Best Jobs for 10 Year Olds