23 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money on Side

Scroll through videos on Instagram or search for anything finance related on the internet, and you’ll come across the phrase “side hustle.” This term has become more popular in the last few years, especially as more people learn how to earn money on the side doing what they love. 

Zippia recently did a study and found that people spend an average of 13 hours per week on their side hustles. That leads to an average monthly side hustle income of over $400.

What could you do with an extra $400 a month? If you’re a teenager and like earning money, that $400 could motivate you to find your side hustle.

Our guide below includes almost two dozen side hustles for teens, each catering to different skills and situations. If you’re a teen looking to break into the world of side hustles, this list is for you. 

As you learn more about the side hustles listed below, you can explore your skills and how to use them to earn money. You may even find a new community of friends and gain confidence and work experience. 

Are you ready to learn more about side hustles for teens? Let’s get started!

Best Side Hustles for Teens

You might be surprised to find that the best side hustles for teens can often be a learning experience that earns them more than just a few extra bucks. Keep reading to see how your teen can explore the world through various side hustles. 

1. Social Media Manager

To make money as a social media manager as a teen, you can build a strong social media presence, offer a variety of services, find regular clients, charge a fair price, and provide excellent customer service. You can also be creative, organized, and patient.

By following these tips, you can build a successful social media management business and start making money as a teen. Here are some additional details about each of these steps:

• Build a strong social media presence: This means having a large following on multiple social media sites. The more followers you have, the more valuable you will be to potential clients. You can build your social media presence by creating engaging content, interacting with your followers, and using relevant hashtags.
• Offer a variety of services: As a social media manager, you can offer a variety of services to your clients, such as content creation, social media strategy, social media advertising, social media analytics, and social media customer service.
• Find regular clients: The best way to find regular clients is to network with people in your community. Attend industry events, meet with local businesses, and let people know that you are available to provide social media management services. You can also find clients online through websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
• Charge a fair price: When you are first starting out, it is important to charge a fair price for your services. This will help you build a reputation as a reliable and affordable social media manager. As you gain experience and your skills improve, you can start to charge more for your services.
• Provide excellent customer service: One of the best ways to keep your clients happy is to provide excellent customer service. This means being responsive to their needs, resolving any issues promptly, and going above and beyond to help them achieve their goals.

2. Babysit or Nanny

As cliche as it might sound, babysitting or nannying can be among the most rewarding side hustles, especially if you enjoy working with kids. While babysitting requires a responsible attitude, each session can vary greatly from the last. 

Many teens find babysitting easy, though it’s often best to know CPR and how to deal with an emergency. Plus, you only have to block out a few hours at a time.

Talk to your friends and family to see if they know anyone looking for a sitter. When you turn 18, you can sign up for an account on Care.com, UrbanSitter, or Sittercity and find babysitting jobs through these resources. 

3. Become an Influencer 

Joining the ranks as an influencer isn’t the easiest side hustle. However, once you break onto the scene, you may be exposed to even more opportunities than you first expected. 

One of the best ways to become an influencer is by establishing yourself as an authority on a subject. Most people choose something they’re passionate about and want to share with others. 

You may become an influencer without noticing as you gain followers and share your knowledge. Leverage your social media accounts, and brands may come to recognize how valuable your seal of approval can be. 

Even if you don’t make celebrity status, you can always join a larger community and share your creative interests. Sometimes that’s enough reward.

4. Clean Houses

Cleaning on top of your regular chores might sound like more punishment. However, cleaning houses could earn you some serious cash if you’re great with a mop and bleach. 

Cleaning houses can be hard work. After all, you’re doing the dirty work that no one else wants to do. 

For example, many house cleaners use their own tricks to make bathtubs look whiter or freshen up carpets. If you have a knack for making things look brand-new and fresh, you could earn a lot from this side hustle. 

If you’re looking for housecleaning jobs, you can spread the word to friends, community members, and even family. You may also be able to find jobs through Housekeeper.com, Merrymaids.com, and Care.com if you meet the minimum age requirements. 

4. Clean Neighborhood Pools  

Most people would rather be in a pool than cleaning one. If you’re a teen who knows a thing or two about pool chemicals, cleaning pools could be your gateway to summer side hustle success. 

Pool owners typically prepare their pools in spring for the warm summer months ahead. If you don’t mind working outside, cleaning pools could even help you get other side hustle work, such as mowing lawns or cleaning houses. 

5. Complete Odd Jobs in Your Area 

Completing odd jobs is your best bet if you want to know how to make $25 fast. Though many of these jobs are one-time gigs, they can make for an exciting way to contribute to your savings account. 

You’ll find odd jobs in your area on apps like Steady App. Here, you can find everything from gig work to full-time jobs. 

If you want to make money without a car, you can narrow your search to jobs you can do on foot or by biking. These odd jobs are a great addition to your resume as well.  

6. Deliver Newspapers 

You’ve probably heard stories from your relatives about delivering newspapers from their bikes in the wee hours of the morning. If that kind of work sounds fun, you should consider delivering newspapers as your new side hustle. 

Most people who deliver newspapers earn anywhere from $350 to $500 monthly. If you’re saving up for a car, throwing newspapers on people’s porches can help you earn those funds in just a few months. 

7. Donate Plasma 

Side hustles can be one-time jobs or long-term commitments. If you’re donating plasma, you can make extra cash almost whenever you want. 

Look up your local plasma donation center to find out more about how to donate. Most people donate a few times a month and pocket that cash for unexpected expenses. 

8. Find a Part-Time Job 

If you’ve got at least 5 hours of free time per week, you can find a part-time job that will help you increase your savings. Plus, part-time jobs are a great addition to your resume and college application. 

The important thing to remember with a part-time job is that you’ll still need to commit time to your schoolwork. Your education can get you further than any part-time summer job. 

Part-time jobs are also great for meeting new people and learning new skills. You can turn that part-time job into a full-time career. 

9. Have a Yard Sale

Garage sales go hand-in-hand with summer, especially as the days get hotter. If you’re looking for a summer side hustle, a yard sale could give you the cash you need. 

The concept of a yard sale is simple: you place all your items for sale on your driveway or porch and wait for people to come by and offer cash. The tricky part is the advertising. 

Many neighborhoods choose to have a community garage sale to attract more customers. You can advertise these community garage sales in several places to increase foot traffic. 

Yard sales can be a great way to get rid of things without listing them online. If you can save time by having a garage sale instead of meeting people through Facebook Marketplace, you can make some serious cash. 

10. Landscape  

Working outside during the hotter summer months can be exhausting, but if you like to landscape, there could be work all year round. Many landscaping companies also hire seasonal work if you want to try out this side hustle. 

Most landscaping jobs involve working with plants in some way. You could be trimming hedges, planting flowers, pruning trees, and everything in between. 

You can find many landscaping jobs on Indeed, including part-time and full-time work. You can get in shape as you landscape and earn extra money. 

11. Make Deliveries 

If you want to get paid to drive, there’s good money in making deliveries. You can deliver everything from food and groceries to packages and more with your car. 

This side hustle requires you to be 18 and have a driver’s license. However, you can work for companies such as DoorDash, Shipt, and Instacart to see how much you can make. 

The good news about making deliveries is that you can choose your work hours. Depending on your schedule, you can work as often or as little as you’d like.

12. Play Online Games

Playing games for money sounds too much like gambling for some folks, but if you’re a teen and like to play games on your phone, this side hustle is for you. 

Once you know what to look for, you’ll find more game apps to win real money than you first thought. These apps include: 

Playing these games consistently won’t make you as much money as other side hustles. But it can be fun to pass the time and earn cash. 

13. Sell Crafts

If you’re creative and love to craft, you can make a side hustle out of selling your creations on platforms such as Etsy. You only have to be 13 to create an account on this popular website to sell practically any craft. 

In addition to creating your Etsy store, you can also advertise your products on Instagram. If you open a business account on Instagram, you can also link your Etsy store. 

14. Sell Unwanted Possessions

Who knew you could make free money if you sold what you didn’t want? That’s the entire premise behind this side hustle. 

There are many places to sell unwanted possessions, including Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist. You can also sell your items on Mercari or Decluttr for extra cash. 

If you want to sell clothes specifically, Poshmark can be a great resource. Just make sure you get your parent’s permission before selling anything.

15. Sell Your Photos

Your photos can make for some serious cash if you know where to sell them. Passive income websites like iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, and Dreamstime all host photographs from amateur photographers across the globe. 

16. Shovel Snow 

Mowing lawns in the summer can earn you cash but what about during colder months? You can easily turn your lawn-mowing business into a snow-shoveling business as the weather turns colder. 

This side hustle can earn you tons of holiday money if you can stand working outside. However, you can maximize your efficiency and earn cash quickly if you have a snowblower.  

17. Start Freelance Writing  

People read blog posts to learn about new topics, research questions, and find answers. If you like to share your knowledge with people through the written word, you can quickly become a freelance writer. 

The best part about freelance writing is choosing which topics to write about. While you’ll earn a few cents per word to start, you can quickly turn this side hustle into a part-time or full-time job with the right experience and connections. 

Websites such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer host various freelance writing jobs. Check the guidelines for each site before signing up for an account. 

18. Take Online Surveys

Did you know you can earn free PayPal money just by sharing your opinion? Survey sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Branded Surveys will pay you to know what you’re thinking about various products and services. 

You must be at least 13 to sign up for a Swagbucks account. Survey Junkie and Branded Surveys require you to be at least 16 years old to create an account and earn money for reading emails, shopping online, watching videos, and playing games. 

19. Test Websites 

Testing products can be fun, but there is good money if you want to test websites. You can use websites like UserTesting to find these jobs, as long as you are 18. 

UserTesting makes it easy to earn extra cash if you test websites a few times a week. You can earn $4 for five-minute tests, $10 for 20-minute tests, and up to $120 for live interviews. 

20. Tutor Online 

Do you like to teach your friends and family about new things? If so, consider offering tutoring services online. 

Tutoring is a great way to share your knowledge and help others simultaneously. If you’re passionate about a subject, you may even find community members who share the same interests. 

Even if you specialize in one subject, you can earn a tidy sum by tutoring online. Cambly is a tutoring website that pays you around $10 per hour to teach English. 

21. Walk Dogs and Pet Sit 

This side hustle was made for you if you love furry animals and taking dogs for a walk. People who later become veterinarians often start walking dogs and caring for pets. 

If you already have a dog or pet, you can easily use your responsible care for this animal to your advantage. It’s also a great way to learn how to care for a dog if you’re considering one. 

Once you turn 18, you can turn your dog-walking side hustle into a part-time job or career. Rover offers several pet care listings, allowing you to earn some real cash for playing with your furry friends. 

22. Customer Service Representative

Customer service can be a great way for teens to earn money and gain valuable experience. There are a few different ways to get started in this field.

• Work for a company that hires teens for customer service roles. Some companies that hire teens for customer service include U-Haul, Amazon, Apple, Verizon, and Walmart.
• Start your own customer service business. You can do this by offering customer service services to local businesses or by creating a website or blog where you offer customer service advice.

No matter which route you choose, it’s important to be prepared for the challenges of working in customer service. Customer service can be demanding, but it can also be rewarding. If you’re good at listening, have a positive attitude, and are able to solve problems, you can be successful in customer service.

23. Start an Online Store

Starting an online store through platforms like Shopify can be an incredibly advantageous side hustle for teenagers, offering flexibility, low startup costs, and a user-friendly interface. The flexibility of running a Shopify store allows teenagers to manage their business around their existing commitments, whether it be school or extracurricular activities.

With Shopify’s intuitive interface, setting up and customizing an online store becomes a straightforward process, requiring little to no technical expertise. Moreover, Shopify offers various pricing plans to suit different budgets, including affordable options for beginners.

By leveraging Shopify’s platform, teenagers can bypass the need for significant upfront investments in inventory or a physical store. This makes it feasible to start small, selling products they are passionate about or even creating their own unique items.

Additionally, Shopify provides a range of tools and integrations for marketing, order management, and customer support, empowering teenagers to build a professional online presence and provide exceptional shopping experiences.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Side Hustles for Teens

Making your own money as a teenager can be a freeing experience, especially if you’re saving up for a big purchase. Here are some pros and cons to consider as you look into side hustles for teens. 

Pros:

• Earn your own money 
• Learn how to manage and save money
• Gain work experience
• Meet new people
• Learn responsibility
• Develop a work ethic
• Learn a new skill
• Start your business venture
• Explore career options 

Cons:

• Certain side hustles require a minimum age 
• Some side hustles require a car and a driver’s license
• An initial investment required for some side hustles
• Too much side hustle work can lead to burnout
• Can be challenging to balance work, school, and friends
• It may turn you off from your favorite hobbies  

FAQs

Earn Your Own Money with Side Hustles for Teens

Getting your first paycheck can feel like a huge milestone, especially if you’re a teen who wants to make their own money. The best side hustles for teens can bring a lot of great experiences and teaching moments in addition to these monetary rewards. 

We hope this article has inspired you to find a side hustle that fits you. What you do with that side hustle is up to you. 

Side hustles can help you in many ways, from learning life lessons to meeting new people and participating in new experiences. You may even like a side hustle so much that you want to turn it into a career. 

The sky’s the limit with side hustles, which is probably why so many people have one. How can you use a side hustle to achieve your goals?