You’ve finally hit the age of 13. Exciting times! You weekly allowance from mom and dad no longer cut it and you’re keen on getting a job to make some cash. How can 13-year-olds make money, though? The good news is that you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll outline the best ways for kids your age to earn their own cash. I’ll cover both online side hustle opportunities and offline jobs that span year-round and seasonal opportunities.
When I was 13 years old, I tried these side hustles and was able to save thousands of dollars towards my goals. Since I was no longer dependent on my parents, I was able to spend more money and never worry about not being able to buy what I wanted. Additionally, these jobs helped me develop tons of interpersonal and technical skills. Thanks to these gigs, I learned:
- Time management
- How to interact with those younger and older than me
- Budgeting and financial planning skills
.. and much, much more.
Read onto learn about how 13-year-olds can make money.
How Can 13 Year Olds Make Money Without Breaking the Law?
Before I get into the reasons for starting a job at 13 years old and the top opportunities out there for you, I need to cover the legal bases. In most regions of the world, 12 or 13 year olds are too young to seek out formal employment. However, there are still many ways to make money through paid in-person cash jobs and online opportunities such as surveys, selling merchandise and doing creative work. Before you start a job, ask your parents to help you confirm if you’re allowed to work specific jobs.
Why Start a Job at 13 Years Old?
Firstly, why should you start a job at 13 years old? Don’t you have the rest of your life to work? The truth is that there are many reasons you should consider starting a job now. Below are four reasons why you should do it:
Reason #1: Earn More Money Than Through an Allowance
If I can hazard a guess, I’m sure that the $20 weekly allowance your mom and dad currently give you is great, but it’s really no longer cutting it. $20 only goes so far… if you keep earning this amount, you’ll have to save for years to buy that new Xbox! On the other hand, when you earn your own money, you’ll have greater control of your earning potential. Even an extra $100 or $200 a month can help you buy what you need and want.
Reason #2: Understand the Value of a Dollar
Aside from earning your own money to buy what you want, working hard to get that cold hard cash will teach you the value of a dollar. When you spend hours scrubbing floors and walls, you’ll understand how much work it takes. It’s a lot easier to spend money than it is to earn it!
Reason #3: Interact with People of Different Age Groups
At the age of 13, you’ve likely had limited interactions with people from different age groups. Sure, you spend a lot of time at school with teachers and around your parents. However, outside of that, your daily interactions are likely with those of your own age. Making money through a paid job is an opportunity to work with those older and younger than you. Through paid employment, you’ll be able to decide whether or not you enjoy working with children, older adults or seniors.
Additionally, people from different age groups can teach you valuable life lessons. For example, children may teach you the value of uninhibited joy and living in the moment. Adults may have advice to offer on what jobs you may enjoy doing in the future. Seniors may have some valuable life lessons to share. Get out of your comfort zone for a little bit and have fun learning from others!
Reason #4: Inspire Younger Siblings and Friends to Do the Same
Do you have a younger sister, brother or multiple siblings? When you start a job at 13 years old, you’ll inspire your sisters and brothers to work hard, earn their own money and test out different types of jobs.
What Makes a Good Side Hustle for 13 Year Olds?
While this article answers the question “How can 13 year olds make money?”, I also need to cover how you can go about what characterizes a good side hustle.
Good Side Hustles Are Flexible
You’re busy. Between a full day of school, homework, after-school activities, commitments with family and friends and more, it can be hard to find time to do anything else. Why would a side hustle or side job help you? The truth is that when you have more on your plate (just not too much more), you’ll be forced to manage your time better. If you only have a two-hour block of time to get your homework done, you’ll feel the pressure to get it done as soon as possible. Maybe you’ll be able to finish them in 30 minutes and go off and play video games after instead of doing it over the course of 3 hours because you’re distracted or not in a rush!
Good Side Hustles Can Be Tailored to Your Schedule
As you’re a busy student, how can 13 year olds make money without disrupting their schedule? Truthfully, good side hustles can be done in the evenings and on weekends. Many workplaces are happy to tailor your schedule to your needs. When I was in high school, I worked as a pantry chef and takeout clerk at a restaurant. So long as I gave notice to take time off, my employer was happy to give me days off for studying or exams.
Another bonus of many of the jobs on this list: seasonality. Gigs such as shoveling snow can be done for a finite period of time. You can fit in a month of raking leaves on a weekend before the busy midterm exam season and pocket the cash.
How Much Should I Charge for Freelance Jobs?
As a 13-year-old, it’s probably your first job. Many of the gigs listed in this article rely on you setting your own rate. How much should you charge? If you’re not sure where to start, begin with the minimum wage in your state or region. Alternatively, search on a website such as Glassdoor to find the average rate for the gig you want to undertake. As you gain more experience, you can raise your rate.
How Can 13 Year Olds Find Clients for Their Jobs?
One of the biggest concerns that you may have when taking on a job is where you’ll find work. Did you know that word of mouth marketing is a great way to do this? When someone you know knows that you’re offering a specific product or service, there’s a high chance they’ll refer you. This means that when someone they know is looking for a specific service, say, walking their dog, your friend may mention to someone that you offer dog walking services. While you’ll still need to depend on advertising – for example, posting on Facebook Marketplace, placing ads in the library or doing online marketing, word of mouth marketing is a big source of business. This method of advertising contributes to 13% of overall sales.
What Should 13 Year Olds Do with Their Earnings?
What should young teens do with their earnings? Aside from spending the money on short term fun such as new clothes, shoes, games, candy or other stuff teens love, here are a few ways you can use your hard-earned cash from cash jobs, freelance gig work and online passive income:
Stocking an Emergency Account
While you might think an emergency savings account is only for adults, think again. You can stock up your own emergency savings account for future unexpected expenses. These costs might entail anything from repairing a broken musical instrument, paying for school trip or covering the cost of a broken video game console. While your parents may currently be covering the cost of these expenses, having your own backup cash is great practice for when you go off and live on your own.
Saving or Investing for Postsecondary Education
Aside from stocking an emergency account, it’s also good to save for your future education. Even if you don’t know what type of route you’ll take after high school, whether it be college, trade school, joining the military or entering the workforce right away, investing or saving some cash is a good way to prepare for your future goals. Ask your mom or dad for help in booking a visit with their financial advisor or bank representative. The representative can help you choose the correct investment or savings account based on how many years you have left before you need the money and how much risk you are willing to take on.
How Can 13 Year Olds Make Money Year-Round?
I’ve covered seasonal opportunities, but I hear you saying, “How can 13 year olds make money year-round?” The good news is that there are tons of ways that you can earn your own money. Let’s get into the top ways you can do so.
Babysitting Other Children
No list of jobs for 13-year-olds is complete with babysitting. It’s a classic part-time job for teens for a reason! Taking care of other kids is an ideal way to earn some extra cash. Babysitting is an ideal job that will not only teach you how to take care of other kids, but it will also give you real-world life experience surrounding:
- Managing your time to ensure that the kids get enough time for naps, snacks, time outdoors and indoor play time.
- Cleaning
- Grocery shopping and cooking
- Building and maintaining relationships with parents
Tutoring Other Students – How 13 Year Olds Can Make Money While Applying Academic Skills
If you enjoy helping others and are talented in a particular subject area, tutoring other students is a fun way to earn some spare cash. You can either choose to tutor in a public place or online.
Tutoring in a public place is ideal for those who have access to a space to undertake this work. Check with your local library or community centre to see if there’s a space you can use for free or rent at a nominal cost. If you’re hesitant about going to ask, get your mom or dad to do so on your behalf.
One important note: tutoring jobs for teens aren’t limited to in person sessions. Ask your mom or dad for help in posting an ad on Facebook Marketplace. You can set up a tutoring service online and use Skype or another video chat platform to tutor other kids. Additionally, ask your mom or dad for help in setting a tutoring rate and how you’ll get paid, whether it be through PayPal or another platform.
Cleaning Others’ Homes
How can a 13 year old make money while learning valuable life skills such as cleaning? Offering cleaning services is a surefire way to earn some spare cash and learn how to properly clean different spaces and surfaces. Many of your parent’s friends and your friend’s parents are busy. They have full days of getting up early to cook, send their kids off to school, go to work and tend to other responsibilities. Rather than keeping the task of cleaning on their plate, they’d much rather outsource this often-tedious task to someone else.
Before you start finding jobs, stock up on some cleaning supplies such as a bucket, mop, broom, dustpan, rags, soap, sponges and vinegar.
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Being a Neighbor’s Helper
Helping Parents
On the note of your friend’s parents being busy, many families need help with other tasks besides cleaning. Being a neighbor’s helper entails anything from helping with cooking, running errands such as grocery shopping and babysitting. Know a family who recently had a baby or adopted a child? They may be in need of your services. It doesn’t hurt to ask if they’re in need of help!
Helping Seniors – How 13 Year Olds Can Make Money While Aiding Those in Need
In addition to families who have recently had a child, many seniors are also in need of assistance. As humans get older, they often need help with basic, day to day chores. These tasks may entail anything from grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. Additionally, many older folks get lonely. Either their family lives far or away or their siblings have already passed away. This is where you come in. Spending an hour or two per day helping a senior with daily chores and errands as well as being a listening ear is a wonderful way to help others while earning.
In addition to earning and helping, you may pick up some valuable tips from the person you’re helping out. Seniors have spent a lot more time on this earth than you. As a result, they may have practical advice to offer you about school, relationships and careers. When I worked as an activation assistant at a nursing home, I picked up tons of valuable advice from the seniors I helped out (in addition to playing games with them all day!).
Helping At the Family Business – How 13 Year Olds Can Make Money at a Familiar Place
If your aunt, uncle, cousin or other member of your family owns a business, why not help out for a few spare dollars? Businesses often need help with cleaning, sorting mail and other miscellaneous administrative tasks.
Before you start working, be sure your mom or dad checks with the local labor laws to ensure you’re allowed to work. As you’re 13 years old, some regions may not permit this until you’re the legal age to work.
Painting – How Can 13 Year Olds Make Money While Staying Active
Painting jobs span in door and outdoor jobs. You can paint anything from walls to fences and much more. Before you get started, check with your parents to see if they’ll let you paint. This job carries some risks such as climbing ladders and inhaling paint fumes, so be sure to get permission and take the necessary precautions. These precautions including wearing a proper mask, being trained on ladder safety and always being supervised by a parent.
Walking Dogs
Walking dogs is a fun way to get exercise while helping a neighbor or friend with this all-important task. If you don’t own a dog but long for the company of a furry friend, walking dogs is a way to scratch this itch.
Pet Sitting
Further to walking dogs, some owners need someone to take care of their pets for a longer period of time. For example, homeowners will go away for a few days, a week or even more. Instead of sending their dog, cat or other pet to an expensive petsitting facility, they’d much rather entrust their beloved pet to someone they trust. Ask your mom or dad if it’s ok if you pet sit at your home. Alternatively, you can travel to the pet owner’s house and watch the pet at the owner’s home while they are away. Talk to your mom and dad and choose the best option for you and them.
Flipping and Shipping Merchandise
If you’re patient and love perusing thrift stores to find treasures, flipping merchandise is another fun side hustle for 13-year-olds. Flipping merchandise means that you’ll find a product for, say, $100 and purchase it. If the product needs repairs, you’ll either do them yourself to get someone to complete it for you. Next, you’ll sell the product at a higher price than you paid it for, say, $200. When someone buys your product, you’ll pocket $100. The buyer can either pick it up from a mutually agreed upon public place or you can ship it.
Ideally, you’ll want to fix up the products yourself or get a family member to do it for free as repair costs will eat into your profits.
Get started by perusing garage sales, thrift stores and family members’ basements to find old goods they:
- No longer want
- Are willing to depart with for free or a nominal cost
How Can 13 Year Olds Make Money Seasonally?
Want to make money but afraid about committing to something long term? There are tons of seasonal side jobs for teens out there you can try ranging from a month or two or work to even a little bit longer. Seasonal jobs are a great option because you can make some cash before you get busy with school. Read on to learn about the top seasonal jobs for teens aged 13 and even older.
Washing Cars
Washing cars is first on my list to answer the question “How can 13 year olds make money on a seasonal basis?” If you’re feeling active, washing cars is a fun way to scratch the itch to:
- Help others
- Clean
- Have fun working with other kids and your siblings
Ask your mom and dad for help in arranging a special car wash on weekend. Create some fun-looking flyers and post them around the neighborhood. Ask your local library or community center if you can post ads on their bulletin boards and on their e-newsletter. Make it a whole event by including a barbeque portion as well! Selling burgers, fries, hot dogs and cold drinks is another way to make some cash in the spring and summer.
Gardening and Lawn Care
If you have a green thumb, gardening and lawn care is another fun way to make some cash on a seasonal basis. Weeding, mowing lawns and general landscaping work can be done in the evening and on weekends. Tip: try asking senior neighbors or friends of friends if they’re in need of your services. At this age, many people are not physically capable of completing these tasks. At the very least, these chores take them a long time to complete, and property renters or homeowners would much rather outsource the work to someone else.
Raking Leaves
Fall means falling leaves – at least, if you live in a region that experiences temperature changes. Raking leaves is another way to earn money and get fit while enjoying crisp, cool air. Another great benefit of choosing raking leaves is the fact that there is minimal investment required to get started. All you’ll need is a rake, gloves, leaf bags and garbage bags.
Shovelling Snow
After the leaves have fallen and the snow piles up, take full advantage by shoveling snow. In the same way that many renters and homeowners don’t want to deal with raking leaves, they’d also rather outsource shoveling snow to someone else. Bundle up and get cracking at clearing driveways and alleyways. Shoveling snow is another fantastic side hustle that only requires a shovel.
If you’ll be working on larger properties, see if your mom or dad is willing to help you invest in renting a snowblower and operate it for you. Remember: you’re too young to operate one, so this is only a good idea if your mom or dad is willing to help you.
Selling Drinks or Food Outdoors
Selling lemonade is a classic side hustle for kids. Of course, you can do it too, but what about other ways to make money selling food and drinks? Shopping for, preparing and cooking lunches in the park or near a sports area is a fun way to hone your meal preparation skills. This side hustle will not only help you learn how to become a better cook, but you’ll feel good providing nutritious, tasty meals for busy park-goers and athletes.
Set yourself up for success by investing in a quality cutting board, knife, cooler and sustainable food takeout containers.
Before you set out to sell food or drinks, get your mom or dad to check with the local municipality to ensure you’re legally allowed to sell goods in public places. You may need a permit, so cover your bases first.
How Can 13 Year Olds Make Money Online?
How can 13 year olds make money online? There are many ways for you to earn some cash without leaving the comfort of your own home! Read on to learn about how you can get started.
Doing Surveys
While technically not a part-time job, completing online surveys is a fun and easy way to supplement allowance money and other income. Sign up for websites such as InboxDollars and SurveyJunkie. On these websites, you’ll be able to take surveys and redeem points for cash or gift cards. One important note: you’ll need your mom or dad to create an account for you on your behalf and take surveys with you. If they’re willing to invest the time to help you, paid online surveys are a fun side hustle to add to your list of jobs for 13-year-olds.
Participating in Paid Market Research Studies
Ever heard of paid market research studies? They’re a great way for 13-year-olds – and people of any age – to make some spare cash. Companies and businesses all over the world are constantly creating and updating their products and services. These organizations spend a huge amount of time and money investing to ensure a return on what they’ve created. Rather than go back and fix their public image and spend more time and money fixing products, they’d rather get it right the first time. This means they invest time and money interviewing people within their target demographic. Companies use market research platforms such as Respondent and User Interviews to ask people just like you and me about:
- What you like about a current product or service they’re offering
- What types of products or services you would be interested in in the future
- Live feedback on a demo of a product or service the company is working on
How Do I Sign Up for Market Research Platforms?
It’s easy to get started with participating in paid market research studies. However, many platforms require you to be 18 years of age or older, so you’l need to ask your mom or dad to create an account on your behalf and apply to studies for you. If your parents are willing to help you out, this is a great way to make some extra cash.
Running a Blog
Have a knack for writing and feel creative? Creating and running a blog is another fun way for 13 year olds to make income. Blogging is great because it’s:
- Flexible and can be done on your schedule
- Can be scaled up or down – it’s up to you to decide how much you want to blog based on how many hours per week you can put into it
- A fun way to unleash creative energy – writing about different topics is a great way to express yourself while helping others answer questions on a wide variety of different topics
- Requires a low amount of equipment
- Has low start-up costs: all you’ll need to buy is a domain, choose a website host and invest in a few other software products such as Canva Pro or other royalty-free image software
Blogging is a lot of work, but it has the potential to be incredibly lucrative. You can make income from affiliate marketing sales, advertising revenue, product sales and much more. Ask your mom or dad for help on choosing a blog topic. This is the subject area you’ll write on. You can choose to write on many different topics such as school, toys or games you love, travel and more.
Get started by signing up for a domain name on a site such as Namecheap and a blogging hosting website host such as Bluehost, HostGator or Dreamhost.
Starting a YouTube Channel How – 13 Year Olds Can Unleash Their Creative Energy and Generate Passive Income
Creative teens, pay attention to this side hustle option! Starting and running a YouTube channel is a fun way to make money while sharing your views on video. YouTube is easy to get started. All you’ll need is access to a decent phone camera, tripod, ring light and a laptop for editing. While YouTube is incredibly competitive, the effort is worth it. If you reach over 4,000 viewing hours, on your channel you can display ads on your videos. When a viewer clicks on one of the ads, you’ll receive a portion of the income the advertiser receives.
Selling Digital Prints on Etsy
Another creative way to answer the question “How can 13 year olds make money online?”, selling digital prints on Etsy or another platform is fun way to make money. Create eye-catching designs on Canva and sell printables on Etsy, Redbubble or another account. You can make designs to be sold on anything from:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Posters
- Keychains
- Phone cases
- Tote bags
… and much more. Selling digital prints is awesome because it’s the ultimate form of passive income. This means that once you do all the work of creating a product, there is no limit to the number of times you can sell it.
How to Get Started Selling Digital Prints
Get started by creating a Canva and Etsy account. Since you’re under 18 years old, you’ll need your mom or dad to create an account for you.
Review different designs on Canva for inspiration. Be sure not to copy anything another creator has made! You’ll need to make your own designs. Export the designs and upload them to your Etsy or Redbubble account. Once a buyer purchases your design, Etsy or Redbubble will print and ship the product to the customer for a commission fee.
A Final Word on How 13 Year Olds Can Make Money
There are tons of ways for answer the question “How can 13 year olds make money?”. From online side hustles to year round and seasonal gigs, there is something to suit every schedule and personality. Ask your mom or dad for help in picking a side hustle that works for you. Why not try out more than one if your schedule allows for it? Be sure that you’re enjoying yourself and learning new skills. Money isn’t everything!
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Janita is a frugal living expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance. With over five years of personal experience finding and trying out the best ways to make and save more money, she's eager to share her knowledge. Janita's strategies have helped her save thousands of dollars for funding investments and traveling to over 20 countries.
Janita completed training in personal finance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University, two prestigious Canadian universities. Her expertise has been shared on GoBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, and NASDAQ.com.
