A Guide to 50 Creative Business Ideas for Kids
Encouraging kids to pursue their business ideas and solutions has benefits far beyond just financial. Critical life skills – including those that impact the emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing of children – are gained when kids are well-supported in starting their own business and in seeing their ideas come to fruition.
We believe that there are infinite ways for kids to put their talents and skills to good use when it comes to being Kidpreneurs. Look beyond traditional ideas, find a market niche, and hone in on the areas your child would like to apply themselves. Capitalize on a child’s eagerness, curiosity and unique perspective to help build their confidence and get them running with their business concepts.
Starting a business can be hard work but also incredibly rewarding! To help keep parents and kids enthusiastic about the process, we offer this guide to 50 of the most creative and accessible business ideas for kids of all ages.
To keep the inspiration going, the guide also includes successful and inventive Kidpreneurs that we’ve featured on our website. Finally, we’ve outlined important skills and character building areas that each of these business ideas can help to cultivate and nurture.
We hope you find this guide helpful! Please feel free to reach out to us to provide your feedback on this guide or to share success stories of YOUR Kidpreneur.
Featured Kidpreneur:
Check out Kidpreneurs Isabel and Caroline Bercaw, who have built a multi-million dollar business with their bath bombs!
Skills and Character Building:
Focus, non-verbal communication, collaboration, receiving constructive feedback, coordination, creativity, imagination, confidence
Face Painter and Balloon Artist
A party isn’t complete without these fun services! Kids can easily learn DIY techniques for face painting designs and balloon creations that will spice up any party.
Art With Heart
Put artistic skills to good use by creating/designing and selling greeting cards and postcards. Kids can use their own drawings or inspirational photos and can easily have these printed with affordable, online printing services.
Copy Editing and Copywriting
Great writers are always in demand! Kids can offer editing services or copy writing to business professionals, students needing help with essays, or authors with editing requests. Online tools for grammar and spell check make this job so much accessible to young kids.
‘Tis the Season
Holidays provide a huge opportunity for those willing to offer seasonal services such as gift wrapping, holiday decorating, meal planning, wreath-making, or holiday baking. Advertise far in advance to book out customers (if allowed, your neighborhood, parent’s workplace, and school are an excellent place to advertise your services).
Beauty-ful
DIY natural bath and body products are all the rage. Kids can learn how to craft soaps, cosmetics, natural fragrances, deodorant, and hair products that are both natural and better for the environment. These make great gifts for any gender and can be sold online or in person.
Featured Kidpreneur:
Check out Kidpreneurs Check out Kidpreneur Seth Damsgard whose company produces low-cost yardage books for golf courses in several states
Skills and Character Building:
Motor skills, coordination, healthy communication, work ethic, determination, courtesy, resourcefulness, confidence.
Yard Maintenance
No matter where you live in the country, people need their lawns mowed, leaves raked, show shoveled, weeds pulled, and plants tended. Kids with a good work ethic can quickly build their reputation with this service and gain steady customers.
Cleaning Campers, RVs, and Cabins
When camping season begins, folks could really use a helping hand with cleaning and freshening up their campers and cabins that may have been vacant in the off season. This is an awesome service to advertise to your local community or to places that store or repair RV’s and campers.
Laundry Extraordinaire
Even some hired housekeepers don’t include laundry services as part of their job. Capitalize on this very needed opportunity by offering to wash, fold, and even put away laundry. Kids could do this task at their customer’s homes or offer pick up and delivery service for the laundry.
Practice Coach
Athletic kids can offer to practice sports with others after school or on the weekends. If they are skilled in their sport, they can even include coaching skills. But even just having another hand to catch or throw a ball, shoot hoops, or provide encouragement and mentoring can be a huge help to parents and their kids.
Lifeguard
Older children who receive their lifeguard certification can enjoy a rewarding seasonal job at the local community center or water park. Additionally, they could offer to be a lifeguard for parties or even just to keep an extra safe eye on kids while swimming at home.
Featured Kidpreneur:
Check out Kidpreneur Ben Hampton, who is an awesome social media influencer on Instagram.
Skills and Character Building:
Problem solving, critical thinking, independent research, patience, motor skills, academic skills (Math, Science, English), retention, multi-tasking, confidence.
Social Media Influencer
If your kid has some expertise or credibility in a certain niche – and has been a decent following on social media – they can consider using that knowledge to become a social media influencer. This means they help to promote or advertise certain products or services and are compensated for doing so.
Tech Support
With technology on the rise and always evolving, there is a huge demand for mobile tech support services. Kids with these technical skills can help with internet or equipment set up, cell phone navigation and apps, or even with getting streaming services ready to go.
Web and Design Pros
Combining their technical and creative skills, kids can find an abundance of jobs requesting website design, video creation and editing, photography, and graphic design. These jobs are often posted online but many small business owners can benefit from these skills as well.
Social Media Managers
Social media is trendy and for good reason. Everyone from entrepreneurs to teenagers use social media to promote their brand, services, or image. Kids that are savvy with social media can be hired to manage social media accounts, create posts, and encourage follower engagement.
Tech Research
With so many overwhelming options for new technology and products, many people are in need of someone who can provide in depth research on products to make recommendations. Kids that are interested in the newest tech can research options, read reviews, and compare products such as cameras, laptops, cell phones, video gaming systems, and much more.
Featured Kidpreneur:
Check out Kidpreneur Kenzie Hinson, the determined founder of Make a Difference Food Pantry.
Skills and Character Building:
Empathy, compassion, kindness, life skills, patience, healthy communication, mindfulness, respect, good citizenship, gratitude, confidence.
Pet Services
This is a large and profitable industry that is always in need of helping hands and TLC. Kids can offer to walk pets, groom and wash them, clean small cages and aquariums, feed and water pets while owners are on vacation, or scoop litter boxes and yards.
Childcare
While this is a traditional service, it is one of the most sought after services for families. Consider getting CPR certified and taking babysitting classes to appeal to more families. Child Care services can be for after-school care, date nights, or even during parties.
Elderly Care Services
Having an extra person to run errands or provide basic care for the elderly is a critical need in communities. Kids can run errands, pick up prescriptions, drive the elderly to doctor appointments, clean and make meals, and be a trusted companion.
Community Helper
Local nonprofit organizations are always in need of people willing to help out with daily tasks and larger projects. While volunteer work is always avail, most offer paid jobs as well. Kids can help serve food at shelters, organize shelves at food pantries, clean kennels at animal shelters, or lead summer camp programs.
Crafts for a Cause
Kids who can sew, knit, crochet, or felt can create wonderful handcrafted accessories such a stuffed animals, blankets, and small toys. They can sell these and offer to donate a percentage of funds to their favorite organization or can have customers sponsor these items for local children in hospitals or shelters.
Featured Kidpreneur:
Check out Kidpreneur Isha Pani and her delicious cookbook and YouTube channel.
Skills and Character Building:
Sensory exploration, Science and Math skills, nutrition, problem solving, planning, patience, collaboration, communication, confidence.
Meal Planner / Shopper
Sometimes, it’s the planning that makes dinnertime so challenging. For those that are of driving age, offer to plan meals and shop for the ingredients at the grocery store.
Community Cook
For those kids who like to combine cooking and lending a helping hand, they can offer to cook simple meals for elderly neighbors, busy parents, for kids after school, or for parties. This can be an invaluable service as well as provide a way to connect to the community.
Meal Train Deliverer
Meal trains are where a group organizes meal delivery around a significant event in someone’s life (birth of a child, hospitalization, death in the family, sickness). While there are internet sites for a meal train to be organized, often the concept of getting these meals to the recipient holds people back from participating. Kids who can drive can offer to do pick up and drop off for these meal trains.
Cookbook Contributor
Everyone loves a good cookbook! Your child can brainstorm their favorite tried-and-true recipes and create their very own cookbook. Online sites make designing and printing books easy. These cookbooks can be sold at school or community functions or through an online marketplace. They can also create a food blog or YouTube channel or get paid to submit their recipe to magazines or books.
Food Tester
Believe it or not, there are some companies that will pay your children to taste test their foods. If your kid has brave taste buds, and is willing to put them to the test for some cash, consider checking out these online options.
Featured Kidpreneur:
Check out Kidpreneur Mikaila Ulmer and her amazing flaxseed lemonade creation that was featured on Shark Tank.
Skills and Character Building:
Persistence, resilience, problem solving, creativity, goal setting, creative and emotional expression, project management, confidence.
Running Errands
Busy parents and professionals alike know that running errands is often a task that gets pushed to the bottom of the list. For those of driving age, offering to pick up the slack
Online Resellers
Selling gently used clothing, toys, and other household goods is a great way for kids to learn commerce and business. Online sites make this job easier than ever. Kids can list any item, communicate with the buyers, and coordinate the entire process all via apps. Parents can outsource this task to their kids as well to save time.
Home Organizer
For kids who are detailed-oriented, home organization may be the perfect job. Services can include decluttering and organizing offices, kitchens, closets, drawers and cabinets, and garages. Satisfied customers are usually happy to refer more business to kids who do a fabulous job.
Packaging and Shipping
Many home businesses spend a ton of time packaging and shipping their products to customers. Kids can help tremendously by offering to take over that task. They can inventory products, label and address them, package them up nicely, and prepare them for shipping. If they can drive, kids could also drop them at the post office.
Party Planner and Server
This is a fun opportunity for kids to be creative as well as resourceful. Kids can help with the planning of parties by doing research for decorations and themes, setting up, and even helping with serving food and clean up.
Trash Duty
This one doesn’t sound fun, but resourceful kids can offer to clean up trash after parties or events or even in yards. Along the same lines, cleaning curbside neighborhood trash cans is definitely a dirty job but one that many residents are happy to pay for.
Fruit Stand
All over the country, people have fruit trees that produce more fruit than they can pick of use. Kids can offer to pick this fruit for free and then sell it at a neighborhood stand.
Car Washer
Ah, the good ol’ car wash gig! The reason this has stuck around is because it’s a perfect match for kids AND car owners. Kids can take advantage of the hot weather by not only cooling off while they work but making good money. Kids can upsell by offering to clean and vacuum out the inside of cars as well.
Window Washer
Few people have the time or patience to clean their windows. But what a difference it makes! With some cleaner, rags, and a handy squeegee, kids can get dirty windows (inside and/or outside) sparkling clean.
Christmas Tree Disposal
For kids that can drive, and have a vehicle large enough to haul a tree, disposing of Christmas trees is an awesome way to pick up some extra cash after the holidays.
Rock Rings
This is an easy and fun way to create unique pieces of jewelry from nature. All you need is jewelry/metal glue, adjustable ring blanks, and an eye for hunting pretty rocks, minerals, and geodes. Sell these beautiful creations online or at a local market or event.
Digital Photo Scanner
Many people have boxes of old photos that they’d love to have digitized. If your kid has a scanner and a few technical skills, they can charge for this useful service. Upsell and create a slideshow of these photos.
Homegrown Produce
Kids that love to garden can sell herbs and produce to local neighbors or markets. If you have chickens, this can be an easy and wonderful way for kids to make money by selling and delivering farm fresh eggs.
Hot Beverage Stand
Kids can take advantage of cold days by selling hot cocoa or tea at a neighborhood stand, park, or at local events. A thermos will go a long way in keeping liquids hot. Add in marshmallows or baked good for extra cash flow.
Kid DJ
If your kid loves music, has an ear for good tunes, and loves entertaining crowds, they could make decent money as a DJ for parties, events, and fundraisers. Invest in a few good speakers and a microphone and they are good to go.
Apron Designer
For kid that love to sew, and have an eye for fashion, crafting aprons is an excellent side business. Cooks of all ages love sporting a unique, fun, and utilitarian apron. It makes a great gift for parents and grandparents as well.
Shovel Snow
Making money is often about capitalizing on opportunities like inclement weather. Kids can bundle up and offer to shovel snow from driveways, sidewalks, and even scrape it off of cars.
Makeup or Nail Artist
With the accessibility of so many DIY articles and video channel, many kids have become amazing makeup and nail artists. Offer to do makeup or nails for proms, dances, special events, parties, or photo shoots.
Personal Shopper
Fashionistas can offer their creative skills to people in need of a makeover or shopping assistance. They can help friends or even adults find a perfect outfit for a special occasion or to refresh their wardrobe.
Art Instructor
Budding artists are always on the lookout for mentors and guides to help them boost their art skills. Kids with artistic talent can offer to teach in-home art lessons or even host art parties.
Pedicures
Who doesn’t like a nice, relaxing pedicure and foot massage? Kids can offer these services as a party package or for slumber parties. Just make sure they are following safe protocols with clean tools and they are bound to have fun while making money.
Acting Coach
Kids with big personalities and acting skills can be in big demand for sharing their tips and tricks with other kids (and adults). If they are adept at improvisation, they can consider hosting improv parties or events, which are fun way to get people engaged and laughing.
Viral Dance Coach
We all can name a dance move or two that has gone viral and is making the rounds. Let kids take advantage of this trend, and make some extra bucks, by offering to teach the viral dance moves. This could be done in a group setting as well.
Social Media Graphics
Local businesses are always in need of some quick and eye-catching social media graphics to post to their pages. Kids that have decent design skills can easily advertise their services or put together monthly packages for social media graphics.
School Photos
Not every parents wants to pay the fees for standard school photos. But you bet they’d be willing to pay less for a quick and simple digital photo of their cute school kid. During first/last day of school and school picture time, enterprising young photographers can offer their services and even book an event where clients can drop in for just a few minutes to get their photo taken. Bonus – a photo of the school kid with their parents!
BONUS JOB #51 – Flyer/Door Hanger
This classic cash-earning task has stuck around for ages because it’s always in demand. Kids can advertise this services in their local neighborhood and hand out customer flyers or hang door tags. For even more fun, kids can take a friend and offer to split the money.
This classic cash-earning task has stuck around for ages because it’s always in demand. Kids can advertise this services in their local neighborhood and hand out customer flyers or hang door tags. For even more fun, kids can take a friend and offer to split the money.
50 Business Ideas for Kids and the Kidpreneurs Book!
If you are ready to empower the kidpreneur in your life with these 50 business ideas for kids and empower them to:
- Take charge of their future
- Be prepared to think on their feet
- Learn the skills of entrepreneurship that are rarely taught in school
- Boost their self-esteem and competence
- And so much more…
…then click here to grab your copy of our award-winning Kidpreneurs book which teaches kids between the ages of 7 – 12 years old the basic principles of entrepreneurship in a fun, safe and engaging way!
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by Kidpreneurs
06 Jun 2023
