So you’re a budding young entrepreneur?
I opened my first business when I was 15-years old. I remember canvassing all of the restaurants in a small geographic area … I sold ad space on a restaurant menu (place setting) and offered the menus to the restaurants for free, and although I didn’t make too much money, it planted the entrepreneurial spirit at a young age.
Fast forward a few years. I was in the second year of college, and I opened a lawn irrigation company selling sprinkler systems to homeowners. I grew the business to a crew of 8 installers and did quite well, and that’s what prompted me to start my larger business that I grew to a 50-person telecom company, and eventually sold in 2017 to private equity.
And that brings me to you … a kid who wants to make a few extra dollars.
There are several ways to make money fast as a kid.
You can, of course, open a business, or, there are many other ways as well, and that’s what I review in this article. How to make money as a kid.
The first one I list is one of the easier ones … doing surveys. So let’s review:
Best Ways to Make Money as a Kid
1. Surveys for Money for 12-Year-Olds:
Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie is the most popular of the survey options. You can make anywhere from $2 to, believe it or not, $75 per survey. It’s also the same program that my own children used. And yes, they did get paid. It takes a few minutes to sign up (it’s free to sign up by the way), a few more minutes before you’re taking your first survey, and then a couple of weeks before you get paid. You can check them out here. And by the way, you don’t have to be 12-years-old to join Survey Junkie – anyone can join whether you’re 12, 22, or 82, but if you’re looking for surveys for kids to make money, give this one a try.
2. Product Reviews
These are interesting ways to make money fast as a kid because they do not involve any risks or investment. There are several sites that pay well for honest reviews and opinions. There are many sites that will even send you free products for review. The user can keep the product or return them as per the agreement. Such survey sites usually work with a big brand. The main objective is to get feedback on products before they are made available for use.
3. Start Your YouTube Channel – Become a Blogger
Vlogging is now quite a trend. If you are regular and manage to create good content, it is one platform that can help you to earn a lot of money. YouTube is quite popular and used by millions of people across the globe. With their videos, kids can make money, though it takes time and lots of hard work. To get started or to create a channel, one needs to talk about all things which one is passionate about. You can be passionate about anything – it can be video games, movies, toys, or any craft. To create a YouTube account, the minimum age required is 13 years. Many young bloggers are doing well and earning lots of money – it is undoubtedly one of the safest and best ways for kids to make money.
4. Become a Photographer
For all those kids and teens who love to click photographs using their mobile phones or any camera they have, this is the ideal opportunity. There are several online stock sites. Such sites accept different kinds of photographs. Buyers can purchase rights to use your photographs. You can earn money as you will get paid every time a buyer downloads a photograph. If kids manage to click good photographs and can upload them, they can make good money by selling the photos. So if you’re asking yourself how to make money as a kid – becoming a photographer is an excellent and potentially profitable option.
5. Create an Online Course
It is quite surprising to know that there are hundreds of people who are willing to pay money for an online course. If you feel you have the skill which no one else has, why not teach others? It is not just satisfying but can even help you to raise money. You can sell digital textbooks. You can also create a membership site and include videos and guides which learners can download. This is one of the easiest ways for teens to earn money fast.
6. Be an Online Tutor
Teenagers and kids who do well in studies can use their knowledge and teach other kids. Online tutors have a lot of demand these days. There are several tutoring sites through which tutors can connect with interested students. This is a unique online one-on-one interaction, which helps students in getting aid from their teacher. Kids who teach others not just earn money but they can build their self-confidence and improve their knowledge. Think about it … if you can charge $50 per tutor session, and you can do 4 sessions, you can earn $200 today.
7. Become a Web Content Writer
Kids or teenagers who have a flair for writing or love to write can become a content writer. If you write well and if you are dedicated, then content writing can be a quick way to make 500 dollars. Many people hire good writers to get content done regularly. They hire writers to write blogs, product descriptions, articles, reviews, website content, and more. You can get paid on an hourly basis or per word basis. Freelance content writing is a good career option, and one of the best ways to earn money.
9. Sell Crafts
If you are creative and often spend time creating handmade products, then selling crafts is a good way to earn money. People are always looking forward to handmade products like cards, cards, bags, scarves, and several other products. Custom made greeting cards and beautiful designer boxes sell well. All you need to do is use your imagination and create things you love. You can sell them on different platforms and earn money. This could be a way to make $700 fast.
10. Social Media Job
These days social media is the king. Almost everyone has a social media presence – whether it is on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. To be a part of the social media scenario, companies are now hiring employees to manage their social media accounts. Teens who are familiar with social media, can take up these part-time jobs and earn money from home. Tasks are usually in the form of creating posts, replying to comments, and managing the entire brand presence online. How to make money as a kid? If you’re web savvy, social media could be a fun option
For all those who do not wish to do something which involves the internet, mobiles or computers – do have other options. These include:
- Water Plants – It’s a unique opportunity to around your neighborhood and helps others. In several neighborhoods, kids make money by watering their neighbors’ plants. Often elders are exhausted after a long day and do not feel like watering their plants. Kids can help them and earn money in return.
- Walk Pets – Just like watering plants, youngsters can earn money by walking the neighbor’s pets. You can also earn money by checking overfishes, birds or even cats if the owners are away for a long-time.
- Wash Cars – Cars are often neglected by the owners because they do not have enough time. Kids can earn money by washing the car a number of times. Teenagers can go around the neighborhood and ask if anyone needs their car washed.
- Help with Yard Work – Kids can earn money by offering help with yard work. It can involve picking twigs or cutting grass or just cleaning the yard. Homeowners happily pay kids, especially to encourage them. This could be a way to make an easy $500 dollars, and get in shape!
- Holiday Decorator – Kids earn money by becoming holiday decorators. Whether it is Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, kids can earn money by helping others with their decorations. If you do the job well, chances are high that you will be hired again.
12. Additional Survey Options:
At the beginning of this article, I reviewed Survey Junkie as the number one way surveys for kids to earn money, but, there are other survey companies which I review below:
Best Ways for Kids to Earn Money:
Companies need to gather information which is done mainly through market research. If the product is related to kids, kids’ surveys are essential. Special online surveys are created just for kids. Now, like any other online survey, kids’ surveys can be free or paid. Surveys are the best ways for kids to make money, safely, and from home. There are many surveys which are suitable for kids who are as young as 13 years.
We have listed 10 additional websites that offer surveys and help kids to earn money.
e-Poll
To take part in the surveys on this website, the minimum age is 13 years. Kids who participate are required to provide their opinion on different subjects. Members can choose subjects of their choice or something about which they have knowledge. The company focuses on TV shows and various media. Members who take part can earn rewards in the form of Amazon gift cards and PayPal cash.
Swagbucks
Kids looking for a quick way to make 500 dollars can join Swagbucks. Till now, the website has paid more than $331 million to members. Kids can join the site for free and even get $10 as signing up bonus. Points are earned after completion of every survey. The more the surveys, the more the points. These points can be redeemed at Walmart, Starbucks or Amazon gift cards. Teenagers who are regular and participate in the surveys on a regular basis, can make money quickly.
Toluna
One of the best ways for kids to make money is through Toluna which offers polls and surveys. Such surveys for kids to earn money are safe, easy and convenient members are occasionally asked to test some products as well. Kids earn points whenever any task or survey is complete. Toluna offers regular sweepstakes giveaways to its members as a bonus. The points earned on surveys can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.
Pawns.app
Pawns.app is a platform that allows people to earn money by completing surveys and sharing their unused internet bandwidth. The international team behind Pawns.app developed the platform with the goal of enabling anyone in the world to earn money with minimal effort. Initially created as a network to help businesses and individuals access the internet without censorship, the platform has since grown into a full money-making app. Users can earn cash, gift cards, and bitcoin through the platform on their smartphone or desktop PC. The company is dedicated to helping people worldwide afford a happier life by providing them with ways to earn passive and active income in their free time. Pawns.app aims to make a positive impact and contribute to income equality globally.
Survey Savvy
This is one of those sites which pays for even referring members who will take the survey. To become a member of survey savvy, the minimum age is 13. After joining all information related to the member is placed on the database of the site. Whenever there is a matching criterion an email is sent with instructions. Most surveys include questions related to snacks, toys, video games and more. Payment is made for every survey taken.
Kids Opinions
This is a part of Panel polls surveys where children can earn money. There are many surveys related to testing a new toy or playing a video for which, a kid can earn money. On completion of every survey, points are earned. These points can be redeemed for gift cards or for cash. These polls and surveys are one of the most popular ways for teens to earn money fast
Paid Viewpoint
Kids from the age of 13 can become a member of this website. For every completed survey, the website pays cash. This is one of the best ways to make money fast as a kid. The more the surveys, the more is the ‘TrustScore’. This TrustScore helps the company in identifying which members are providing honest answers. It also helps in identifying the people who are simply answering as many surveys they can in a short time. As the TrustScore rises, payment too increases.
VIP Voice
To be a member of VIP Voice it is necessary to be at least 13 years old. Kids who are members can easily earn points as they complete surveys, as it happens in all other websites. The points earned here are used for gaining entry into sweepstakes. On any day, a variety of prizes are given away by sweepstakes. Winners are paid in cash, electronic items, vacations and other ways. Kids are excited to win rewards and get easy entry to sweepstakes.
Teens Eyes
One of the popular websites for 13-year old to make money, Teens Eyes is an interesting survey site which is suitable for kids between the age of 13 to 18. As the teen takes a survey, points are earned. These points can be redeemed for cash as the balance accrues. On several occasions, Teens Eyes provides sweepstakes or contest entries and not points.
Harris Poll Online
The minimum age required to be a member of this website is 13. This is a free to join website, which offers different types of kid surveys for cash. Members can take surveys on different subjects as per their interests. Points are earned after completion of each survey. These points can be used to purchased gift cards on Amazon, for Starbucks or iTunes. There is a bonus offer as well, where points are used for different sweepstake entries.
Teens Panel
Teens Panel is a division of Panel Polls and one of the most frequented survey sites. To participate in the surveys, a kid needs to be 13 years or above. There are special surveys for money for 12-year-olds, who can earn money during their free time. Members are required to watch a television show, play video games, or even check a movie. Later, teens are asked to share their thoughts and opinion on the movie, game, or show. As in the case of all other surveys, teens earn points for their participation. Such points are used to purchase gift cards or even cash.
These were some of the many sites which offer surveys for kids to earn money. So, all you need to do is register on any of the above or any other website which offers online surveys, if you are looking for easy ways to make money as a kid.
Go ahead and start earning in some easy steps right away!