In this article, I’ll go over the best small business ideas for kids that your child can start today. As an expert on making money who has tried many of these ideas out, I have a firsthand understanding of why it’s a good idea to start your own business as a child.
Starting a business early on taught me tons of skills including patience and hard work.
Read on to find out about the top small business ideas for kids.
Table of Contents
1 – Safety and Legal Considerations When Choosing a Small Business for Kids
Make sure your son or daughter can work! Follow the tips below to make sure you’re all good to go.
- Ask an accountant if you’ll need to pay any taxes if your child decides to work
- Check and ensure your child is legally allowed to offer services. Some merchant platforms require you to be 18 or older to have an account and 13 years of age or older to offer services with a parent or legal guardian’s permission.
- Confirm that your child can legally work for a family member.
- Make sure your child is legally allowed to work – some regions may have minimum working age requirements.
2 – Market Research Tips When Choosing a Small Business Idea for Kids
Help Your Child Choose a Small Business Idea that Aligns with Their Interests
Choosing a business idea aligned with his or her skills is a good idea. For example, if your child enjoys working with people, he or she may want to tutor students or run a lemonade stand.
If your child doesn’t know what type of business suits him or her, no worries! Working different jobs and deciding whether you like them or not is a big part of life as you learn by doing. However, if your child already has a good idea of how introverted or extroverted he or she is, it’s extremely helpful in determining which types of work they will like.
Choose a Skill That’s In Demand
Help your child do some research online about what skills are in demand. After your child’s homework is done on a weekday evening, spend a couple of hours sitting down with them to brainstorm what types of businesses he or she may want to try out. The 40 small business ideas for kids listed later on in this article are all in-demand ideas. Rest assured, there is a market for each skill!
3 – The Top Small Business Ideas for Kids
Business Ideas to Get You Started
Here are the top 40 small business ideas for kids of all ages. Keep in mind that many of these businesses require parental assistance. While there’s some work involved on your part, it’s well worth the effort!
1. Lemonade Stand
A classic small business idea for a reason! Lemonade stands are easy to set up and require relatively inexpensive materials such as lemons, water, sugar paper, pens, and other booth supplies. Plus, it’s a fantastic seasonal job that can be done when your child isn’t in school.
2. Handmade Crafts
Help your child choose a niche such as notebooks and journals, bracelets or party decorations and sell them on Etsy or another online merchant platform.
3. Pet Care Services (Dog Walking, Pet Sitting)
If your child loves animals, help them ask neighbors if they need their dog walked or cat watched while they go on vacation. Easily expand your market by visiting different neighborhoods adjacent to yours.
4. Gardening Service
Gardening tasks such as weeding, watering flowers and repotting plants are especially in demand during spring. Another fun side hustle that gets your child off his or her tablet screen and out helping others!
5. Custom Logo Designs
Business ideas for kids aren’t limited to selling goods and services in person.
If your child likes graphic design, they can set up a shop on Etsy or Shopify and sell designs made on Canva. Since your child is under 18, you must handle all the administrative tasks and account management.
6. Blogging
Blogging is an excellent way for your child to share his or her thoughts with the world while solving problems. Your son or daughter can pick a specific area to talk about such as kid’s toys or vacations. You can make money blogging from tons of different ways including putting ads on your website, selling products and making money from affiliate income. The possibilities are endless!
7. Proofreader
If your child is 13 or over, help them set up an account on Fiverr to offer proofreading services. Alternatively, help your child advertise proofreading services via Facebook Marketplace and word of mouth.
8. Selling Digital Products on an Etsy or Shopify Store
Create fun designs and sell them on an online merchandise platform. This gig requires you to be involved as you’ll likely need to manage the online accounts for your child. If you’re willing to put in the work, it’s a fun and worthwhile job!
The great thing about many merchant platforms is that they handle all the shipping and logistics for you. Set your child up for success by using a tool such as Keysearch to find products that are in high demand and low competition.
9. T-shirt Business
Similar to digital products and logo design businesses, creative kids can sell t-shirts. Check with your neighborhood community centres and local churches about any upcoming craft or flea markets – both great places for your child to sell his or her designs!
10. Flea Market Flipping
Visit the local flea market with your child and scope out any old furniture or other goods that can be flipped and sold for a profit. I’ve found that flipping and selling wooden chairs and tables are easy to start with. I’ve flipped furniture that cost me $10 to buy, sanded it, painted it using chalk paint and then sold it for $50… a $40 profit! All you need to get started is sanding paper, paint brushes and chalk paint.
11. Writer
Many businesses use blogs as a way to drive traffic to their business. Check with friends if they need your child’s writing services.
12. YouTuber
Creative kids who love putting themselves out there can make YouTube videos about their daily lives and generate income through ads, corporate sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
13. Tutoring Services
Your child can tutor other kids who are struggling in a subject area your child is talented in. When I was in high school, I made over $300 a month tutoring kids in English and music. Check your local library to see if you can rent a room or space for your child to tutor.
Alternatively, help them set up ads on Facebook Marketplace.
14. Social Media Manager
Help your child ask family members or friends if they need someone to schedule Pinterest posts, make Instagram updates or post TikTok stories to enhance their business marketing.
15. Car Wash Services
Help your child set up a carwash on a weekend in the spring or summer. A fun way to stay fit and help others with a task many would rather outsource!
16. Eco-Friendly Products
Visit the grocery store and make some eco-friendly, inexpensive cleaning products to sell to family and friends.
17. Party Planning Services
Your child can help plan birthday parties, retirement parties, baby showers and more! Help your child set up Facebook Marketplace ads regarding their services.
18. Flipping Sneakers
Find new sneakers at the thrift store and sell them online for a profit.
19. Acting
Check with your local high schools and colleges to see if they need child actors for roles.
20. Selling Soda
Sell soda on a hot day in a park field or on the sidewalk.
21. Selling Candy and Gum
Offer candy, gum and other treats to hungry customers outside. This is ideal in the fall when the weather isn’t too hot or too cold!
22. Online Surveys
If your child is 13 or over, he or she can take online surveys on MyPoints.
23. Mowing Lawns
A great way to stay active while making some cash seasonally!
24. Shoveling Snow
Another way to help neighbors and friends while staying in shape.
25. Raking and Bagging Leaves
Raking leaves is a fun way to stay active and enjoy the crisp, fall air. Plus, all you need are bags, a rake and gloves!
26. Selling Paintings
Artsy kids can sell paintings at craft fairs. Check with your local community centre to see if there’s an upcoming event they can sell their art at. Alternatively, rent out a gallery and hold a special art show where your child can sell their paintings.
27. Selling Used Books
Clean out your shelves and sell your old books your child no longer uses.
28. Sell Popsicles or Ice Cream
Sell cold, sweet treats on a hot summer day in a sports field or at the park.
29. Curb Painting
Paint homeowners’ curbs in the spring or summer.
30. Washing Cars
Help your child set up a carwashing event in the community centre parking lot with his or her friends. A fun way for kids to make money!
31. Building Websites for Local Businesses
Know a family member or friend who just started a business? Your child can help them set up an eye-catching website – no coding required! Get started by signing up with a hosting provider such as Bluehost and choosing a domain name. Pick an eye-catching, visually appealing theme such as Astra and save time by using Elementor.
32. Live Streaming Video Games
Help your child set up a Twitch account and make money streaming video games.
33. Sell Baked Goods
Sell baked goods at the park or a local community center bake sale.
34. Teaching Music Lessons
Invest in a piano or other instrument (renting it is just fine) and allow your child to offer music lessons in your home.
35. Collecting Cans and Bottles
Spend the evening before morning garbage collection helping your child collect cans and bottles. Head to the local liquor store to return the bottles and receive the deposit refund. Be sure your child is allowed to accompany you – alternatively, go out and finish this task on your own.
36. Repairing Bikes
If you’re handy, help your child repair and flip bikes for profit.
37. Selling Jewelry
Sell jewelry online on a platform such as Etsy. Alternatively, help your child sell the merchandise at a church or community centre craft market.
38. Sports Coaching
If your child is talented in soccer, baseball or another sport, he or she can help younger kids perfect their kick or pitch.
39. Plant Sitting
Aside from gardening and weeding, many renters and homeowners want their indoor plants watered while on vacation or while they’re away for a longer period.
40. Thrifting for Profit
Similarly to flipping flea market goods, hit up a thrift store. Help your child choose some high-quality goods that are at a fair price where you can sell them for a profit. Wash the clothes, mend them if needed and resell them on another platform such as Poshmark.
4 – Helping Kids Become Successful with Their Entrepreneurial Ventures
Starting a business isn’t easy – you’re starting from scratch and need to promote your services! Help your child get set up for success by telling your family and friends about your child’s venture. Anything from telling your hairstylist that your daughter set up a baked goods business to telling your morning yoga classmates about your son’s printable business are fantastic ways to help your child generate leads.
5 – Conclusion
There are many different business ideas for kids to get on today. Help your child choose a venture that suits their personality, aligns with their skills and compliments their busy schedule. Be sure to provide regular feedback and inspire your child to work hard. Remember, success lies well beyond how much money is made. Help your child keep the big picture in mind: learning valuable life skills and the importance of hard work!
