BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY
Pros
Potential to make a lot of money and have loads of fun doing it. Many ways to make money.
Cons
Takes a bit of work to start, but well worth it!
Best Long-Term Idea
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that can assist you with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating text. For 12-year-olds eager to earn some spending money, ChatGPT can be a game-changer in your job search. Imagine having a personal assistant that can help you research potential jobs, understand child labor laws, and even brainstorm ideas for odd jobs or summer jobs.
Pros
Best long-term money maker and the most flexible choice. Perfect for homeschoolers!
Cons
Takes a while to get started and to start making money.
Easiest to learn
Pros
Easiest to start with zero skills. Lots of ways to earn.
Cons
Earning is capped to hours worked. Can only make money in your local area.
Fastest money earner
Pros
You can start making money right away. You may not need any special skills.
Cons
Harder to find jobs to suit young people. The pay might not be as good as other options.
There’s a certain age when you want to start earning your own money, or maybe you are just curious about getting a job and exploring career ideas.
There are plenty of jobs for 12-year-olds that are suitable for a variety of skill sets, but I’ve compiled a list of the absolute best jobs that will provide the most pay, for the least amount of effort.
Additionally, agricultural jobs such as picking fruits or vegetables can be a great way for 12-year-olds to earn money, especially since these jobs often have more flexible regulations compared to traditional non-agricultural employment.
Owning your own business is by far the most rewarding job, you get to do what you love and get paid for it. Plus you can learn some great skills along the way!
My daughter is 12 years old and was interested in making money and owning a business. She creates art on an iPad and designs t-shirts and clothing, so we set up sunbeamsdaydreams.com.
Maybe you could create your own online business?
When I started my first e-commerce business, my kids (9 and 12 years old at the time) were really excited about it and wanted to get involved, so after a bit of training, they picked and packed all of the orders that came in from our Shopify store.
My 12-year-old ended up being very good at the technical stuff, so he was put in charge of actually creating the shipping labels and delivering them to the post office.
They made $0.80 per order fulfilled, which gave them the motivation to get the job done quickly. And if there was an issue with an order, they didn’t get paid.
This added up to a serious amount of money for them at the end of the month, and they had a lot of fun doing it. Plus it taught them valuable business and communication skills and gave them a really positive experience in the workplace.
It has also given them a taste for entrepreneurship and a desire to start their own business in the future.
I was so impressed how when given the opportunity to take on the responsibility they rose to the challenge and did as good of a job (if not better!) than many adults!
Whether you enjoy crafts, writing, design, or customer service, there’s a job out there that’s perfect for you.
Take a look at the list below for some great ideas!
So, what are some good traditional jobs for 11 to 12-year-olds? Preteens? And teens?
There are plenty of local jobs around the house or local community that you can do, like babysitting, light housework or cleaning services, lawn mowing, a lemonade stand, yard work, washing cars, dog walking, or offering pool skimming services. Here are some more ideas to get you started:
Pet cleanup service
Window cleaning
Dog walking
Power washing
Pet sitting
Landscaping and lawn care
Child care
Leaf removal
House cleaning
Delivery service
Car washing
House sitting
Gift wrapping
Laundry services
Seasonal chores
Holiday decorating & Christmas lights
Errand services
Ikea furniture assembly
Car washing can be a simple and profitable job for 12-year-olds, requiring only basic cleaning supplies and an accessible water source.
There are so many jobs that are suitable for your age group.
Verdict: Local Jobs for Kids
ProsLots of ways to earn with zero experience and plenty of opportunities out there. Friends and family can be your first customers to help you get started. You can combine this with other money-making ideas and build a real business.
ConsMany of these are manual labor. Requires local marketing to keep it going. May require equipment. Earning is capped to hours worked. Can only make money in local area.
4.5 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Easy
Start-up cost
FREE to $
We live in an amazing time! Did you know that AI (artificial intelligence) is growing in popularity and there are lots of ways to make money as a total beginner?
As a young person, you have a chance to learn how to use AI and benefit from it now – and long into the future. It might sound complicated, but once you learn how to use AI, it can actually help you do loads of the jobs in this blog. (Probably better than many adults can!)
Start learning about AI and get ready to be a part of the future. You never know where it might take you!
There are plenty of resources on this website about how to use AI and which tools are the best ones to use.
Grab the book “All In On AI” for 55+ AI side hustle blueprints, now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C93R9BSF
Verdict: Make Money with ChatGPT
Pros
Tons of potential to make money with very few skills. Help prepare you for the future. Lots of fun!
Cons
Many of these ideas require a bit of work, but the step-by-step guides in “All In On AI” will help you get there.
5 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Low
Start-up cost
FREE
Many small businesses need someone to help manage their social media content and accounts. If you are good with computers and have a good understanding of social media, this could be a great job for you.
You would be responsible for posting updates, responding to comments, and engaging with followers on behalf of the company.
This is a great job for kids who are good with computers and have a good understanding of social media. It’s also a great way to learn about marketing and customer service.
You can find jobs via UpWork, Fiverr, or create your own social media profile and start contacting local businesses to see if they need any help.
Verdict: Social Media Content Manager
Pros
A fantastic way for teens to get started in marketing. You can make $10-12 per hour starting out.
Cons
You might need some training first. Lots of competition on platforms like UpWork.
4 out of 5
Best For
Savy Social Teens
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
FREE to $
If you have things around the house that you might otherwise take to goodwill. Ebay, Facebook marketplace or Craigslist could be great options for selling them.
You can list things like old toys, Lego, clothes you’ve grown out of or stuff that your parents don’t want anymore.
It’s as simple as photographing the items and posting them online. You’ll need to answer any questions buyers may have about the product, and handle taking them to the post office.
Watch out for shipping fees and marketplace fees like eBay and PayPal.
Pros
Great for extra money if you have stuff to sell. Good for the environment.
Cons
You’ll need plenty of stuff to keep you going. Watch out for eBay and PayPal fees. Parental guidance is suggested.
4 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Easy
Start-up cost
FREE
If you are 12 years old and enjoy gardening, why not make a business out of it?
You could sell at farmers’ markets or other local markets, or just put up a stand near your house. Agricultural jobs like picking fruits or vegetables can also be a great way for young gardeners to earn money.
Ripenear.me is a website that connects local growers with people who want to buy fresh produce. This is a great way for kids to make some extra money and help out their local community.
They allow anyone to sell the food they grow themselves, or you can sell produce growing in a public space. It’s free to add as many different foods as you grow, and you decide whether to swap, sell or give away your spoils!
Verdict: Selling Your Produce
ProsPerfect if you love gardening. Lots of options to sell.
ConsNot likely to be a big cash generator. Seasonal nature can make it difficult if you don’t have space for a large crop.
3.5 out of 5
Best For
Country Kids
Learning curve
Hard
Start-up cost
FREE
Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade and vintage items, and it’s a great platform for budding entrepreneurs. To get started, you’ll just need to create an account and set up your shop.
Then, you’ll need to choose what kind of products you want to sell. If you’re crafty, you could sell items like jewelry, accessories, or wedding favors.
If you are a tech-savy teen, you could use a Cricut vinyl cutter to personalize products like pet bowls, stationery, phone cases or anything else you can think of. If you are artistic, you could sell paintings or other types of art.
Etsy favors sellers who have prompt tracked shipping and respond to messages within 24 hours.
To get started just make sure that you do some research to discover what kinds of products are selling the best.
Verdict: Selling on Etsy
Pros
Ideal for creative 12 year olds. Lots of opportunities.
Cons
Can be competitive and difficult to get sales if you don’t do your research.
4.5 out of 5
Best For
Creative & Techie Kids
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
FREE
There are a number of different jobs that teens can do on Fiverr to make some extra money. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Graphic design: If you are skilled in graphic design, you could create logos, illustrations, or infographics for clients.
Voiceover work: There are plenty of voiceover gigs for teens and kids on Fiverr. You could record voiceovers for commercials, explainer videos, or audiobooks.
Writing and editing: You could help with content writing, copywriting, or proofreading for clients.
Arts & crafts: Many people are willing to pay for your artistic skills if you are brave enough to share them!
Literally anything you want! Yep! You’d be surprised about all the things that are on Fiverr. Custom Puppet Shows, meal plans, sharing your opinion, editing worms into photos, you name it!
To get started on Fiverr, you will need to create a profile and list your services. You can then begin accepting orders from clients.
Fiverr is one of the best ways for 12-year-olds to make some extra money, but it’s important to remember that you should only offer services that you are skilled in. No sense in advertising a skill that you are able to deliver!
Verdict: Selling on Fiverr
Pros
Super easy to get started. Requires no special skills. Good $ per hour. Projects can be fun and creative.
Cons
Stuff goes for pretty cheap so you may not get the most value for your time. Parental guidance is suggested.
4.5 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Easy
Start-up cost
FREE
Selling digital products online is a great way for kids to make money.
If you have some graphic design skills in Photoshop or Canva, you could create logos, illustrations, or infographics for clients on one of these platforms:
Creative Market: Creative Market is a platform that allows you to sell fonts, graphics, textures, and more.
Envato Elements is a platform that allows you to sell graphics, fonts, templates, and more.
Etsy – Digital products sell great on Etsy too!
Here are some more ideas to get you started… Consider printable downloads for activities and events, Cricut templates for stickers, Cricut handwriting packs, Cricut layered images, Cricut stencils and more!
All of these platforms allow you to create an account and set up your shop for free. They also provide a variety of tools to help you promote and sell your products.
To get started, you will need to create a product that is unique and interesting. You should also make sure that you write an accurate description and price your product accordingly.
It’s also important to have high-quality images or videos to help attract buyers.
Verdict: Creating Digital Products
Pros
Create something once and get paid for it many times. Can make money for years without any more work.
Cons
Requires some skills to create the products. You have to be really creative to stand out.
4.5 out of 5
Best For
Creative & Techie Kids
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
FREE
Starting a YouTube channel can be a fun and profitable way to make money, and top of the list for dream jobs for 12 year olds!
However, it’s important to choose a niche that is both interesting and profitable.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
– Reviewing toys and games
– Playing video games
– Giving fashion advice
– Arts and Crafts
– Baking
You will need to come up with a catchy name and create a profile. You should then begin uploading videos talking about topics that interest you.
It’s important to make high-quality videos that are both interesting and informative. Your child should also be prepared to respond to comments and questions from viewers.
Learn YouTube on Skillshare – Get 30 Days for free!
Verdict: Become a Youtuber
Pros
Lots of fun. Best social media platform for long-term income. Possible to start without any equipment – just a phone.
Cons
Takes a lot of practice to get good at making videos. You need to post a video several times a week for many months before you can make money.
5 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
FREE
Creating a print on demand shop can be a fun and profitable way to make money online. Here are a few steps to get you started:
The first step is to choose a niche that is both interesting and profitable. Some ideas include:
– Graphic designs
– Custom T-shirts
– Phone cases
– Customized mugs
Once you’ve chosen a niche, you will need to set up an online shop. The best platforms for this include Shopify and Etsy. You don’t need to have your own website.
TeeMill is a platform that allows you to create your own print-on-demand shop. You can customize the shop to match your brand, and TeeMill provides a wide range of tools to help you promote and sell your products.
In order to attract buyers, you will need to create high-quality products that are both unique and interesting. Be sure to accurately describe your products and price them accordingly.
It’s important to promote your shop on social media and other online platforms. You can also use paid advertising methods like Google AdWords or Facebook Ads.
Verdict: Print on Demand
Pros
Super easy to get started. Great if you have a social media platform to promote your designs.
Cons
You’ll have to do the marketing and promotion yourself. Need to price high to get decent commissions.
5 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
FREE
If you enjoy writing, you could find work writing articles or blog posts for various websites. There are a number of websites that pay for articles, and many of them are looking for content from young writers.
You could also create your own blog. This is arguably one of the best jobs for 12 year olds. It’s a great way to share their thoughts and ideas with the world, and it can also be a great way to eventually make a lot of money.
It’s good to focus on a niche, perhaps fashion, toys, crafts, baking, music, gaming or sports. That way, you can become an expert in that area and offer valuable advice to your readers.
There are a number of ways to make money from blogging, including advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling products or services.
WordPress.org is the best place to start blogging – you’ll need to find a website host and register a domain name too.
The best place to start is WPX hosting. They are the best WordPress hosting and they will install WordPress for you. Once it’s set up, you just need to log in and start blogging!
Check out the Breakdance website builder for WordPress. My #1 choice for WordPress builders.
Verdict: Print on Demand
Pros
Amazing long-term business. Potential to make great money with affiliate marketing and ads.
Cons
You might need help getting started. High learning curve. Can take a long time to see any results.
5 out of 5
Best For
Beginners
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
$
If you are good at writing you could write an eBook. Yes, even if you are only 12 years old – you are capable of writing a book!
There are a number of platforms that allow you to sell eBooks, including:
The first step is to choose a topic that you’re interested in and knowledgeable about.
Next, you need to create an outline for your book. This will help you organize your thoughts and make sure you cover all the important points.
Once you have your outline, it’s time to start writing. You should try to write at least 500-1000 words per day so you can finish the book in a reasonable amount of time.
Once the book is complete, it’s time for the editing process. This is where you’ll need to tighten up your writing, fix any errors, and make sure the flow is smooth.
Make sure you get an adult or someone who is good at spotting errors and grammar issues to proofread your book – this is a must for every writer!
There are a number of ways to promote an ebook, including:
– Advertising the book on social media platforms
– Emailing friends and family members about the book
– Contacting book bloggers and reviewers to ask for help spreading the word
The most important thing is to be proactive and enthusiastic about promoting the book. The more effort you put in, the more likely it is that people will take notice.
Verdict: Write an eBook
Pros
Lots of ways to sell. Passive income: create it once and sell it many times. Once it’s launched you can start earning right away.
Cons
You’ll need to market and promote it yourself. Lots to learn before you start.
4.5 out of 5
Best For
Writers
Learning curve
High
Start-up cost
FREE
Twitch and YouTube are great places to earn money for 12-year-olds who love to play video games. There are a number of people who watch others play video games for entertainment, and these gamers can make a lot of money from sponsorships and ads. Some gamers make over $100,000 per year from streaming their gaming sessions!
Tips, Patreon, ad income, brand collaborations, and other methods can all help generate money. It’s a popular approach for teenagers to get started earning money, and if you stick with it long enough, it might eventually turn into a full-time job.
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Verdict: Streaming Games
Pros
Potential to make lots of money doing something you love.
Cons
You need to be unique to stand out. You might need to buy equipment to stream your games.
4 out of 5
Best For
Gamers
Learning curve
Moderate
Start-up cost
$$$
No – with many of these jobs you can make way more than that! Take it from me, it’s totally possible for kids to legitimately make really good money! While most traditional jobs are restricted for 12-year-olds due to labor laws, there are still many opportunities to earn money through alternative means.
If you are willing to start something on your own, there are many incredible opportunities out there and it makes a lot of sense to put in the effort and give it a go. It’s important to note that many jobs for 12-year-olds can only be done outside of school hours, in compliance with child labor laws.
You’ll not only develop skills that will last a lifetime, but you’ll also be able to make a seriously good income from the comfort of your home!
So, there you have it! 19 jobs for 12 year olds that pay well, and are suitable for pre-teens and teens.
These are great options to help you make some extra money and could maybe eventually lead into a full-time career.
Which of these jobs will you choose?
You might want to also read my post about how to make money online for beginners for even more great ideas!
Parents should be aware of the following things when their preteens are looking for odd jobs to earn their own money:
Their age and maturity level
The type of work the teen will be doing
Local child labor laws and if a child employment permit is needed
What type of supervision they’ll need
The hours they will be working
Types of work that will help them develop essential skills
If your child enjoys working with younger kids, consider jobs like tutoring or babysitting, which can be both rewarding and educational.
It’s also worth thinking about the type of work your child will be doing. If you have younger children you probably don’t want them working in a public place or where they’ll be handling money or dealing with customers – that’s why online jobs are a great option.
