Looking for ways to make money as a 13 year old? Read on to see our picks for the best online jobs for teens.
At Smarts, we've tested dozens of different ways people can get paid fast. After going through them all we ranked our top easy ways to make money.
At 13 years old, you're likely figuring out the value of money and even considering starting your own business one day or getting your dream job.
How to make money as a 13 year old? You know you can't skip years, but it's possible to make money online with side hustles and online jobs for teens.
Learn to become independent as you grow into a teenager and show your parents you can be a great side hustler.
It’s no wonder why these earning opportunities to earn extra cash online are gaining popularity. Here is a long list of our favorite ways to make extra money for teens – scroll on through and decide what is best for you.
How to Make Money as a 13 Year Old
1. Start a Neighborhood Snack Stand
A snack stand is a classic money maker because it is simple and works in almost every neighborhood. You can set up a table in your driveway or at a busy corner and sell lemonade, cookies, brownies, or bottled drinks. Parents, dog walkers, and neighbors love supporting local kids who show initiative. If there are weekend yard sales, youth sports practices, or block parties near you, those are perfect opportunities to make even more.
2. Recycle Bottles and Cans for Cash
If your state offers bottle deposit refunds, you can earn money by collecting and returning cans and bottles. Ask neighbors if you can take their recyclables or collect them during weekend events. It might seem small at first, but a few bags each week can add up quickly. This is also one of the easiest jobs to start because you do not need equipment or upfront money.
3. Use Game Apps to Win Real Money
Wouldn’t it be fun to get paid to play games on your phone. You already do it for free so you might as well make some cash while you are at it. Game developers constantly offer real rewards to attract new players and you can earn money by joining tournaments, leveling up, or completing in-app challenges. These are the best places to start.
Blitz Win Cash: This is one of the top real money gaming hubs right now. You can play fast skill based games like solitaire and bingo and compete against players at your same skill level. When you win, you earn real payouts and cash out through PayPal. It is great for quick games with higher earning potential.
Bingo Cash: Another fan favorite for real money bingo. You play short timed rounds and high scorers win the prize pool. The gameplay is simple, the payouts are fast, and beginners do well because the matching system keeps things fair. If you want an easy starter app, this is the one.
4. Sell Baked Goods
If you enjoy baking, you can make cookies, muffins, brownies, or treats to sell to friends, family, or neighbors. You can even take simple custom orders for birthdays or holidays with a parent assisting. Homemade sweets always sell well and you can turn this into a small mini bakery business from your kitchen.
5. Earn Cash in Your Spare Time Taking Surveys
Taking surveys online with Survey Junkie to make extra cash as a teen is a no-brainer. You won’t get rich or make hundreds of dollars per day with surveys alone, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money easily. This is a free survey app for your phone that pays you to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and try new products. And, I really mean free all around – free to join and they don’t charge anything to be a member (they will actually pay you in cash via PayPal). Join for free through this link and get your free registration bonus.
- Earn cash by taking quick, simple surveys
- Redeem earnings with low payout thresholds through PayPal and gift card cash-outs
- Trusted by millions – 10M+ users with a 4.3 Trustpilot rating and $76M+ paid out
6. Run Errands for Neighbors
Older neighbors especially appreciate help carrying groceries, picking up packages, organizing their pantry, taking trash cans to the curb, or doing small household tasks. These are simple jobs that a 13 year old can safely do with parental approval and they often lead to repeat business.
7. Get Paid for Reviewing Music
How about getting paid to listen to your favorite music? Branded Surveys asks for information about you so that they can match you with fitting surveys and you can even review music and test new products. At up to $75 a pop for some surveys and a free $1 just for signing up, it pays to check in daily to see which ones are available to you. Ready to get free cash now by turning your free time into extra income? The only requirement is that you are at least 18 years of age – or if you're between 13 and 17, that you have a parent's consent to participate.
8. Investing at 13 Years Old
Another way to make money as a teen is through investing. Even if you have little amounts of money to invest — you can still make a lot of money by investing in ‘meme stocks' like GME, AMC, and others that getting pumped up by a group on Reddit called Wall Street Bets. You'll likely make a ton more money than you would by taking boring surveys too. There are a lot of different apps like Robinhood that can help you get started investing start investing with as little as $1!
While Robinhood looks perfect for teenagers, keep in mind that you will need to be over 18 years old to participate in the fun. There is no way around it. You can use investing apps geared for kids like Greenlight. Here you can buy fractional shares of your favorite companies, with no trading fees, and parents approve every trade, right from the app.
9. Get Paid to Read Emails
Another way to make money as a teen is by getting paid to read emails. Yup, for real. These online platforms give you a chance to get paid to read emails:
- InboxDollars: Get paid to read brand emails. If you’re interested in their sales, promotions, or products, you can get a member discount from InboxDollars; if not, you still get paid for reading the email. Sign up for a $5 bonus!
- Swagbucks: Offers a variety of tasks in exchange for rewards. One of these tasks is reading emails. You’re able to redeem coins for cash or gift cards as per the number of emails you read.
10. Referee or Scorekeeper Youth Sports
Local recreation leagues always need teens to help run games. You can keep score, set up fields, help coaches organize players, or handle equipment. If you enjoy sports, this is a great way to stay involved while making money on weekends. It also builds leadership skills and looks good on future applications.
11. Sell Handmade Crafts Online with a Parent
If you enjoy creating things, you can turn that hobby into cash. Thirteen year olds make bracelets, keychains, candles, slime kits, room decor, stickers, and more. With a parent or guardian setting up an Etsy or Facebook Marketplace account, you can upload photos, take simple custom orders, and let your creativity make money. It is one of the best ways to learn basic business skills early.
12. Start Investing Your Change
Interested in making money with investing? Your parents can create an account for you with Acorns Early. Your parents will have to open an Acorns Early account for any child under the age of 17. Your parents can start investing for the future of you with just $5. They can make one-time contributions at any time and even set up a recurring contribution.
Once you're 18 years old you can access the funds in your Early account. Tell them about it, and you’ll get a $20 bonus when you sign up and set up recurring investments! The sooner you start investing, the sooner your money can start to grow toward your goals. This is one of the best ways to make extra money at 13 years old that can help you earn real passive income over time.
- Round up spare change from everyday purchases and invest automatically
- Even small investments can grow significantly over time with automated reinvesting
- Get a free $20 bonus investment when you invest just $5
13. Help With Yard Work
Yard work is something adults often do not have time for and teens can easily handle. Tasks like pulling weeds, watering gardens, raking leaves, sweeping porches, or planting flowers can all be done by a 13 year old. You can charge per job or per hour and quickly build a list of regular customers. Plus, it is an easy way to stay active while earning money.
14. Wash Cars in Your Driveway
A car wash business takes almost no startup cost. All you need is a bucket, soap, towels, and a sign. Offer a basic wash and an optional interior vacuum for a higher price. Many neighbors will gladly stop by for a quick, affordable wash while supporting a hard working teen. It is a great weekend hustle that can easily bring in steady cash.
15. Animal Lovers Can Walk Dogs
This one is for all the animal-lovers out there. Dog walking has two lucrative benefits – you get to spend time with your four-legged friends and you yourself get some exercise.
You can find pet walking opportunities by setting up fliers in your neighborhood or taking to social media. Once you start getting regular clients, you'll be able to earn some steady cash in your teens.
By signing up as a dog sitter through Rover, you’ll be connected to a nationwide network of pet owners in need of caring providers who offer boarding, pet sitting, or dog walking.
Watch out for Scams
When you are looking for online jobs whether you are a teen or not — you should be careful about scams.
Just use your common sense and don't pay any money, give out your credit card information, or provide too much personal information.
When in doubt, you look up customer reviews about the company on BBB and TrustPilot to see if they are legitimate. If they don't have any customer ratings — it is best to avoid them.
FAQs on Making Money at 13 Years Old
At such a young age, there are numerous ways a 13-year-old can start earning their own money. While traditional jobs like delivering newspapers have been a staple for decades, the rise of the internet and tech skills has opened the door for more online job opportunities. Some great jobs and business ideas include dog walking, babysitting, starting a lemonade stand, or even joining a family business.
Younger kids can also explore creating an Etsy shop to sell crafts online or design t-shirts and partner with printing companies to bring their visions to life. Young teens with a knack for tech might consider creating websites or offering social media management services. Yard work, such as mowing lawns or shoveling snow, can also provide good money, especially during seasonal times like summer months or colder months.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the U.S. has set the minimum age for employment in non-agricultural jobs at 14 years old. However, 13-year-olds can still work in non-traditional roles like babysitting, lawn mowing, or odd jobs in their local community. It's essential to understand the labor laws in your state or country and always get parental consent before starting any work.
The digital age offers numerous opportunities for tech-savvy teens to start making money online. From taking paid survey sites that offer cash rewards or free gift cards to opening their own online store, the possibilities are vast. They can self-publish stories, create printables, or even start a YouTube channel. Other survey sites and platforms pay good money to teens to provide feedback on games or apps. However, remember to be cautious online, always involve a trusted adult or parents, and ensure the chosen sites are legitimate.
Promoting your business or services, whether they're digital or physical products, can be achieved in various ways. Utilize social media accounts to spread the word, create flyers to distribute in your neighborhood, or tell family members and friends to help get the word out. If selling crafts, such as jewelry or artwork, joining platforms like Etsy or hosting yard sales can be excellent methods. Additionally, word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools, so always ensure you provide quality service or products to have happy customers who'll refer others.
Starting to earn your own money as a 13-year-old is an excellent opportunity to learn about finances. It's essential to understand the importance of saving, especially if you have specific goals, like buying a new bike or tablet. You can ask your parents for tips or even search online articles (like on Forbes or USA Today) for money management advice tailored to teens. Opening a savings account, if you don't already have one, can be a great way to see your money grow and understand the value of saving.
Starting at a young age, whether it's doing odd jobs or opening your own business, comes with numerous advantages. You develop a strong work ethic, gain new skills, and understand the value of hard work and responsibility. It's not just about earning money; it's about developing leadership skills, time management, and becoming more organized. Plus, as a teen, you can usually offer services at a lower rate than adults, giving you a competitive edge in the market.
Balancing school and work can be challenging but not impossible. It requires excellent time management and prioritization skills. Always prioritize school work, as education is essential. However, during free times, like weekends or holidays, you can focus on your job or business. Discuss your schedule with family members to get extra help and ensure you're not overworking yourself. Remember, it's crucial to find a balance to ensure you're not missing out on your childhood while still enjoying the benefits of earning your own money.
Teens Can Make Money Online
While most of these ways to make money won't generate a full-time income for most teens, it's exciting to make some extra money! Just be sure that you have one of the best debit cards for kids so that you can use your extra money with ease.
Which ways to make extra money at 13 are you currently interested in? Let us know!
Thankyou this was very helpful!😀
hi my name is israa iam 13 years old