57 Best Jobs for 11 Year Olds to Make Money

Having your child work can help you, too.

According to a Pew Research Center poll, 70 percent of adults across 19 countries — including the United States — fear that the next generation will be financially worse off than their parents.

If you fear for your child’s financial future, getting them a job now could put your mind at ease since they might be in a better financial position by the time they’re adults.

Below are ideas to help your child get started on the road to financial independence.

Full-time & Part-time Jobs for 11 Year Olds

Your preteen might want to take on one or more of these jobs.

1. Running a Lemonade Stand

I know this one’s a bit cliché, but you can’t go wrong with lemonade stands, especially on a scorching summer day.

Your kid doesn’t have to limit themselves to lemonade, though.

They can sell fruit punch, iced tea, or Arnold Palmers.

2. Babysitting

Babysitting was and still is one of the first jobs for teens and preteens.

Most parents these days hire college students or nannies to look after young children.

However, if your kid is mature and responsible for their age, they can begin watching over the neighbors’ children and possibly prepare for a career as a preschool teacher.

3. YouTubing

Apparently, everyone and their dog has a YouTube channel these days.

It’s also cool that people can monetize their video content.

This is perfect if your child enjoys being in front of the camera and has creative ideas they want to film and display on the Net.

4. House Sitting

Going out to run an errand for a few hours?

Have your child look after the house while you’re gone, then pay them when you return.

5. Blogging

Blogging’s perfect for young aspiring writers to express their thoughts and interests while making money.

They can build a free website using a platform like WordPress to begin.

6. Pet Sitting

Young pet lovers can start their own pet business by watching over their neighbors’ animals and go from there.

7. Car Washing

Just because they’re too young to drive doesn’t mean they can’t learn to wash a car.

This activity isn’t just a money-earner; it’s a money-saver since it teaches kids that they don’t have to bring a vehicle to a car wash to keep it clean.

8. Web Development

Does your kid enjoy coding?

If you happen to be a web developer, they can aid you in your projects while getting paid, kind of like an at-home apprenticeship.

9. House Painting

Have them help you paint the house (and pay them) when needed.

Your child could also advertise house-painting services around the neighborhood.

10. Dog Walking

Dog walking allows your kid to kill two birds with one stone: they earn money and get exercise.

11. Assisting in Your Family Business

Own a restaurant or grocery store?

Let them assist you in your duties. (This is good practice if you plan on having your kid take over the business one day.)

12. Plant Sitting

Plant sitting is a very easy job.

All one has to do is water it and make sure the plants get some sunlight.

13. Leaf Raking

When fall arrives, your kid can get paid to rake leaves.

They can make the job easier (and more fun) by inviting their friends over to help.

14. Snack/Soda Selling at Sports Games

Sports fans?

You and your kid can sell snacks and soda at baseball or football games while spending quality time together.

15. Lawn mowing

Your kid can cut the lawn and earn money for it.

That said, gas-powered mowers may present a hazard, so depending on your kid’s maturity level, it’s probably best if they use a push mower instead.

16. Computer Repair

If they can diagnose and fix a computer problem, it’s about time they start getting paid for it.

A knack for fixing computers could lead your kid on a path to a computer technician career in the future.

17. Snow Shoveling

If your kid doesn’t mind working hard in cold weather, they can operate their own snow-shoveling business in the neighborhood.

18. Modeling/Acting

Do they wish to be in a film, TV show, or commercial?

Seek out opportunities where they can bask in stardom.

19. Senior Assistance

Some seniors live alone and have virtually no support system available.

Consider checking local senior centers to see if your kid can lend a hand by running errands or helping with chores.

20. Selling Goods at a Farmer’s Market

If you have fruit, vegetables, meats, arts and crafts, or other products, you and your kid can sell them at your local farmer’s market.

21. T-shirt Design

Does your kid possess an artistic flair for T-shirt design?

They can make money by selling them to their peers at school or craft events.

22. Office Assistance

Work from home?

If so, your kid can help you lighten your workload by shredding papers or filing documents.

23. Answering Surveys

Survey sites aren’t just for teens and adults.

KidzEyes and PanelPolls appear to be the only survey sites that are okay for 11 year olds.

24. Hot Cocoa Stand

Everyone’s familiar with lemonade stands, but hardly anyone’s heard of hot cocoa stands.

When winter arrives, your kid can set up shop in an indoor space and sell hot cocoa drinks.

25. Pool Cleaning

Own a pool?

Your kid can make some extra bucks cleaning and maintaining it.

26. Origami Making

Being able to make artwork from pieces of paper is awesome enough.

It’s even better if a kid can earn money by selling their creations in person or online.

27. Dusting

Have a barely-used feather duster?

Your kid can put it to good use —plus get paid — by dusting around the house.

28. Yard Sale

If your kid has old toys and clothes lying around, encourage them to sell them at your next yard sale.

Holding a yard sale helps them clean up a bit and earn money while doing so.

29. Make and Sell Gift Baskets

Most people enjoy purchasing gift baskets for holidays and special occasions.

Your kids can put together gift baskets to sell to friends and loved ones. (This option is likely to be a real boon during Easter.)

30. Garage Cleaning

Clutter in your garage?

Give your kid an incentive to clean it up by offering to pay them to spruce it up.

31. Book Writing and Selling

There’s no age limit for writing a book.

Your kid can pen a fiction or non-fiction story and sell it as an e-book on sites like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

32. Voice Acting/Narration

If your kid has a knack for reading texts aloud or character impressions, they might like to engage in voice acting or narration.

Some of the opportunities available in this niche include audiobook narration, cartoon dubbing, and commercials.

33. Party Entertainment

Is there a younger kid in the neighborhood with a birthday coming up?

Your child can surprise and entertain them with any talents they might possess, like balloon-making, clowning, or singing.

34. Christmas Gift Wrapping

Your child can make extra bucks during the holidays by wrapping presents with friends, family members, and neighbors.

35. Logo Design

If your kid enjoys playing with graphic design tools like Photoshop or Canva, they can make money creating logos.

Where to find clients?

Help them search for potential clients in town and online through Freelancer, Upwork, and other freelancing platforms.

36. Recycling

Talk about turning trash into cash!

Many recycling centers pay money in exchange for bottles and cans.

37. Landscaping

Working in the yard gives your kid plenty of fresh air and allows them to apply their creative touches.

Besides pulling weeds and watering flowers, they can earn money decorating the yard with strategically-placed stones, flamingos, and pinwheels.

38. Selling Baked Goods

Does your child enjoy baking sweet treats like cookies and cakes?

They can bake and sell their treats at upcoming parties or raise money for a special cause.

39. Fence Painting

If your fence needs a new coat of paint, enlist your kid to help you and pay them afterward.

(Just make sure they don’t trick the neighborhood kids into doing the work for them, ala Tom Sawyer, ha!)

40. Errand Running

Sometimes, people need someone to run errands on their behalf and are willing to pay money for it.

Your kid can carry out tasks like picking up laundry or mailing letters/packages.

41. Photography

Is your kid a shutterbug?

They can make a side income by snapping pictures of loved ones or nature and selling them online.

42. Advertising/Marketing

Perhaps you own a business (or know of some local businesses) and thought about having your child help with advertising measures.

If your kid doesn’t mind interacting with the public, they can pass out flyers, pamphlets, and/or coupons to attract customers.

43. App Development

Nearly everyone these days enjoys playing app games on their phones.

Maybe your child received inspiration from an app game they played and wants to apply their programming skills to build a new game (and money from it).

44. Jewelry Making

Does your kid like making homemade necklaces and bracelets?

They can make money with their talents by selling their wares online or in person.

45. Window Washing

If your house windows are overdue for a scrubbing, consider paying your kid to get the job done.

Your child doesn’t have to stop there; they can offer to wash their neighbors’ windows, too.

46. Golf Ball Fetching

Some country clubs and golf courses need people to retrieve stray golf balls.

This creates a win-win for both golf establishments and your kid because golf courses stay clean, and your child makes money from the golf balls they sell.

47. Tech Support

Many kids today possess computer and phone skills that surpass most adults.

Your kid can assist others with tech-related tasks like installing a new operating system on a computer or web design.

48. Event Setup

Run a catering business?

Have your kid assist you (and earn money) in event setup.

They can help set up chairs and tables before an event and then take them down when said event ends.

49. Farm Work

If you run a farm or know someone who does, your child can be a farmhand.

Farm hands typically assist with feeding animals, cleaning, and growing crops.

50. Bike Repair

Some kids do an excellent job fixing up their bikes, and if your child’s one of them, they can use their talents to aid others in repairing their bikes.

(This could also be a stepping stone towards opening a bike shop.)

51. Tutoring

If your child gets good grades in school, they can earn money helping other kids with schoolwork.

Tutoring sessions can take place after school or during summer vacation.

52. Soap/Bath Bomb Making

Soap-making has been around for centuries, and the art seems to be returning.

Does your child create their own soap or bath bombs?

They can begin a new business venture by selling their creations to friends and neighbors or on the Web.

53. Video Game Testing

If your kid’s a fan of video games, they can earn money to test them.

Some game testing events take place in person, while others are online.

54. Selling Used Clothes

Have gently-used kids’ clothing?

Stores like Plato’s Closet buy brand-name used clothing as long as it’s in good condition. (If there’s no Plato’s Closet in your town, sell them online.)

It’s fast pocket money for your child.

55. Power Washing

Cleaning the gutters or anything else outside the house with a power washing machine can be a fun way for a kid to make money.

56. Furniture Assembly

Is your child your go-to person when you have trouble putting together new furniture?

Pay them next time you need help assembling a new table or chair.

57. Christmas Decorating

Kids can make money assisting their neighbors in putting up Christmas lights and ornaments during the holiday season.

Financially Empower Your Preteen with These Jobs for 11 Year Olds

It’s wonderful that preteens these days have so many ways to earn extra money.

Some of them — like app development and survey taking — didn’t exist when I was a kid. (I didn’t get my first job until I was 15, and that was at a fast food restaurant.)

Because there are plenty of jobs for 11 year olds today, your kid can start earning now so they can be financially prepared for the future.