Hooray for summer. Tweens and teens everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief thanks to a break from school. While the days of June or July are often filled with rest and fun, it’s also an excellent time for kids to earn a little extra money.
Teaching your children that money comes from work is a gift. Guiding them toward healthy financial habits with their own income allows you to lay a strong foundation for their future. However, it’s not always the easiest to know what sorts of jobs are available and which would be a good fit for their age, personality, and abilities.
Sit down with your child and use this list of jobs as a springboard. Simply reading through these teen summer job ideas together could provide a viable option to help them occupy time this summer while also making some cash.
Babysitting
It’s an iconic teen source of employment. Babysitting during the summer months provides a vital service to many families. Especially when both parents work, school aged kids need extra supervision during the summer days. Brainstorm a list of families you know who might fit into this category and then reach out to them to see if you can meet a need with your teen’s services.
You’ll beat out the competition by being well trained. Consider having your child take a safe sitter class and CPR. Be sure to have documentation to share as a resume booster. If you don’t know any families who need babysitting services, contact your local community center or YMCA to see if they’re in need of counselors for day camp.
Tutoring
For teens who excel in the classroom, tutoring younger students provides an opportunity to use what they’ve learned to make money. Whether your teen rocks a math problem like no one’s business or can break down reading to help those who struggle, offer their services to those in need.
Don’t know who to ask? Consider using your social media platform as a place to advertise availability and expertise, along with hourly rate. Reach out to former teachers to let them know, too. They have the best channels of connecting potential tutors with students who could use a helping hand.
Dog Walker and Pet Sitter
If your child loves animals, consider helping them find jobs caring for pets. Whether it’s cleaning up after a dog or cat, taking a pet for a stroll, or even watching over animals while a family vacations, this employment experience combines passion with need.
Be sure you know the specifics of each situation. Keep a detailed list of specifics for each animal. If your teen is 18 or over, look into joining a service like Rover. Think of this online platform as the Airbnb of pet sitting.
Start an Etsy Store
Have a super crafty tween or teen? You may want to consider starting an Etsy, Redbubble, or Society6 store of their own. On these online platforms, anyone can sell handmade goods or design products. You may need to help them establish their own “store” and provide support for mailing items, though.
Housecleaning
They may have a ridiculously messy room, but more than likely your tween or teen has what he or she needs to clean house. Help them to learn the best methods of how to take on pesky jobs no one likes to do. Think: cleaning windows, dusting baseboards, or re-organizing cabinets. Advertise both their rates and services offered on your social media channels.
Lawn Work
My first job as an 11 year old was mowing a large empty lot. Whether it’s pulling weeds, sweeping sidewalks, or picking up sticks, landscaping can be great work for a teen or tween. Start small by asking your neighbors if they have extra lawn work that needs done. Then move down the street, building a solid client list.
After doing excellent work, ask for referrals of friends or family members who might also need extra help. During the summer months, grass grows quickly so the work is never short in supply.
Referees and Umpires
Believe it or not, in Indiana, kids as young as 12 years old can become certified officials for sporting events. You don’t even need a work permit for these jobs. If your teen loves sports, this might be a good fit. During the summer season, many youth sports teams are in full swing. Take advantage of this busy season and look for employment tied to athletics.
Planning ahead is key with summer jobs. Don’t wait until the last day of summer to begin looking for employment opportunities. Start the search and application processes today instead. Leverage summer vacation to help your teen learn how to earn and manage money well this year.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
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