Gone are the days of chimney sweeps and children being sent down the mines — thank goodness. But plenty of kids still want a bit of extra pocket money, and earning it themselves is a great way to build confidence, learn the value of money, and take on a little responsibility. Here are 10 ways for kids to make money in their free time, whatever their age.
Most of these ideas suit older children and teenagers best, and none of them should get in the way of schoolwork. If your teen is considering paid work, it’s worth checking the current rules on age limits and working hours for young people, as these are set out officially and can change — Citizens Information has the up-to-date details.
1. House Chores
This is usually the starting point for younger children who want to “help” around the house in exchange for a little extra pocket money. Think vacuuming, tidying their room, sorting laundry, polishing, or helping wash the car.
Older kids and teens might also take on extra chores when they’re saving for something specific — a new outfit, a gadget, or topping up their phone credit.
You may also like: Make Chores for Kids Fun with these 8 Easy Tips
2. Paper Round
The classic paper round is still going in plenty of areas, and it’s a solid option for a child with a bike who’s happy to be up before school or out on weekend mornings. Some newsagents will also take on younger staff to help out in the shop during school holidays.
You may also like: 20 Simple Ideas for Summer Jobs for Teens
3. Babysitting
There’s no single official minimum age for babysitting, but common sense should always come first — think about maturity, experience, and whether the family and child are a good match. It might be minding younger siblings, a neighbour’s children, or family friends’ kids. Babysitting is one job that’s always in demand.
Read more: 10 Babysitting Tips to Make You the Best Sitter Ever!
4. Saturday Odd Jobs
Shops and cafes are often glad of extra hands on busy Saturdays — helping in the stock room, clearing tables, or serving customers. Any part-time work like this should follow proper health and safety guidelines for young workers.
Teens who want to save may like: 11 Money Management Tips for Your Teen
5. Local Stables
If your child loves horses, this could be a job they genuinely enjoy — even with the mucking out involved alongside grooming, exercising, and feeding. Local stables are often glad of extra help before and after school or at weekends, and it’s a great option for animal-mad kids who want to stay active.
6. Walking Dogs
Busy neighbours with dogs often welcome a hand keeping them exercised, especially during school holidays or after school. Your child could walk one dog at a time or a few together (as long as they get along), earning a bit of money while getting some fresh air themselves.
7. Local Sports Clubs & Leisure Centres
A sporty kid might enjoy helping out at the local club or leisure centre — tidying locker rooms, helping on reception, or selling programmes and snacks on match days. It’s a great way to stay active, stay involved in a sport they love, and it can sometimes lead to further opportunities like coaching or summer camp work.
8. The Family Business
If there’s a family business, or a family friend runs one, there may be jobs a teenager can help with at weekends or during holidays. Many young people are quick to pick up website updates, social media, or basic content writing, which can suit a tech-savvy teen well. Otherwise, there’s usually plenty going — filing, kitchen prep, farm work, or helping out behind the scenes.
9. Care in the Community
A socially minded child might enjoy helping out locally — checking in on elderly neighbours, running errands, minding children, or supporting carers. It may not pay much, but it can bring a real sense of satisfaction from helping others.
You may find this useful: 6 Tips for Teaching Children Good Money Skills
10. Local Farm Help
Kids who grow up on a farm are often expected to pitch in, and may eventually take over parts of the work. But even children without a farming background can sometimes find work by approaching a local farmer directly — extra hands are usually welcome during holidays and at weekends.
As with any physical work, proper health and safety precautions matter. For a child who’s genuinely interested, hands-on experience like this can even spark an interest in studying agriculture later on.
A Few Final Thoughts
Whichever option suits your child best, earning their own money — even in small amounts — is a brilliant way to build confidence and a sense of achievement, while picking up real-life money skills along the way.
We’d love to hear from you: what did you do to earn pocket money as a child, and do you have other ideas to add to this list? There are always more ways for kids to make money in their free time than could fit in one article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum age for kids to start earning money?
There’s no single blanket age that applies to every activity. Informal jobs like chores or babysitting come down to maturity and common sense, while paid part-time work has official age and hour restrictions that are worth checking directly with Citizens Information before your child takes on formal employment.
What’s a good first way for a younger child to earn pocket money?
House chores are usually the easiest starting point for younger kids, giving them a taste of earning money for tasks they can manage safely at home.
Are there rules around how many hours teens can work part-time?
Yes — working hours for children and teens are restricted by law and vary by age. These rules are updated from time to time, so it’s best to check the current guidelines before your teen starts a part-time job.
What should I consider before letting my child babysit?
Look at their maturity, experience with children, and how comfortable both you and the other family are with the arrangement. Our babysitting tips guide is a useful starting point.
Related Articles
- Make Chores for Kids Fun with these 8 Easy Tips
- 20 Simple Ideas for Summer Jobs for Teens
- 10 Babysitting Tips to Make You the Best Sitter Ever!
- 11 Money Management Tips for Your Teen
- 6 Tips for Teaching Children Good Money Skills
Save This for Later
Not ready to put these ideas into action just yet? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite parenting board so you have it handy the next time your child asks how they can earn some extra money.
Want More Ideas Like This?
Sign up for our free newsletter and we’ll send you fresh parenting tips, activity ideas, and family life inspiration straight to your inbox every month. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more ideas throughout the week.
