Are you a teenager looking for ways to earn extra cash? You can make money by pet sitting, answering online surveys, tutoring, delivering food, and more. We've rounded up the best side hustles for teens that fit into a busy schedule of school, extracurriculars, and social activities.
Key takeaways
- Several gig platforms accept teenagers, including Fiverr and Swagbucks. Some platforms require contractors to be at least 18 years old, while others allow younger teens to use the platform with parental consent.
- You can earn money doing various tasks. For example, you can earn $1 to $5 a day for answering surveys on Swagbucks or charge $5 or more to do easy tasks like data entry on Fiverr.
- Some platforms, such as Cambly or Uber Eats, require that you have your own equipment, such as a laptop or a vehicle.
- It's important to keep in mind the tax regulations and restrictions on working hours for minor workers in your state.
The 7 best side hustles for teens
- Offer services with Thumbtack
- Pet sit with Rover
- Complete online surveys with Swagbucks
- Deliver food with Uber Eats
- Win cash games with Bingo Clash
- Do small tasks with Fiverr
- Tutor English with Cambly
Comparison of the best side hustles for teens
What it is | How old you need to be | Skills you can use | |
Offer services with Thumbtack | Teens can offer various freelance services on Thumbtack to people in their local area | At least 18 |
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Pet sit with Rover | Rover is a gig platform where teens can offer pet-related services | At least 18 |
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Complete online surveys with Swagbucks | Swagbucks allows teens to earn rewards by answering paid surveys and completing simple tasks like watching videos | At least 13 (teens ages 13 to 17 must have parental permission) |
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Deliver food with Uber Eats | Teens can deliver food from local restaurants to customers who order through Uber Eats | At least 18 for delivery on foot or by bicycle
At least 19 for delivery by car and by scooter |
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Win cash games with Bingo Clash | Bingo Clash is a mobile gaming app that allows teens to win cash rewards in Bingo competitions | At least 18 |
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Do small tasks with Fiverr | Fiverr is a freelancing platform where teens can get paid to do small tasks for other people | At least 13 (teens ages 13 to 17 must have parental permission) |
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Tutor English with Cambly | Cambly is an online tutoring platform that connects tutors to students all over the world | At least 18 |
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Offer services with Thumbtack
Pros | Cons |
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Thumbtack is a versatile gig platform that allows side hustlers to post their services and connect with potential local customers. You can offer a wide range of services, from simple ones, such as walking dogs, mowing lawns, or babysitting, to specialized offerings, such as cleaning services, photography, or freelance writing.
However, there are drawbacks. The platform requires you to be at least 18 years old to use Thumbtack. The platform also charges a fee for leads, whether or not the customer hires you, which reduces your earnings.
You can maximize your earning potential with Thumbtack by tailoring your quotes to your customer’s needs and communicating clearly with your customers.
For those younger than 18, it may be best to offer your services on other similar freelancing platforms, such as Fiverr, where younger teens can use the platform with parental consent.
… Or learn more in our Thumbtack review.
Pet sit with Rover
Pros | Cons |
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If you’re a pet lover, Rover would be an ideal platform for you to make extra cash by pet sitting or dog walking. You get to spend time with animals, and the platform allows you to set your own rates and schedule.
Pet boarding services have the highest earning potential on Rover, but it can be difficult for teenagers living with family to bring clients’ pets back to their homes. Dog walkers and pet sitters in the pet owner’s home can be more viable options for most teens, though they pay less.
While the Rover app is very easy to use to get new customers, the service fees range from 20% to 25%, which can significantly affect your income.
Rover has age restrictions requiring all users to be at least 18. The parents or guardians of contractors are not allowed to sign up for Rover on the teenagers’ behalf.
… Or learn more in our Rover review.
Complete online surveys with Swagbucks
Pros | Cons |
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A simple yet legitimate way to earn extra money on the side is by answering surveys and completing simple tasks on Swagbucks.
To set up an account, you must provide personal information, such as your demographic information, interests, and spending habits. This allows the platform to match you with relevant surveys.
The age restriction to join Swagbucks is much lower than most other side hustle options, making it a choice worth considering for teenagers who want to make money. Teens as young as 13 years old can join with parental consent.
However, you might not make a lot of money on Swagbucks, as the pay is, on average, $1 to $5 per day, and surveys are not consistently available, because availability depends largely on the platform's assessment of your qualifications. You can earn additional cash on Swagbucks by doing other tasks, such as watching videos.
… Or learn more in our Swagbucks review.
Get gift cards to Amazon, Target, and more for surfing the web and taking fun surveys.
Deliver food with Uber Eats
Pros | Cons |
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Uber Eats is a popular side gig among teenagers and adults, and for good reasons: you get flexible hours, can choose your workload, and can increase your earnings with tips.
Teens delivering fast food or food from local businesses can share their location with friends or family members using Follow My Delivery and feel secure in knowing RideCheck will immediately notify Uber if they’ve gone off-course, stopped unexpectedly, or gotten in a crash.
However, your delivery options may be limited depending on your age: 18-year-olds can deliver only using a bicycle or on foot, while 19-year-olds with a driver’s license can deliver by car or scooter. You must also provide your own vehicle and pay for your fuel expenses.
While delivering food with Uber Eats is unavailable to younger teens, it’s still a good option for those 18 and older. To maximize your earnings, try to work during peak hours, such as lunch and dinner time. If you have classes during the day, you can work in the early morning and late evening hours.
Learn more in our Uber Eats review.
Make your own schedule and access earnings fast with Instant Pay.
Win cash games with Bingo Clash
Pros | Cons |
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Bingo Clash is a game app for Apple and Android mobile devices. You can play free games or enter cash games to compete against other players for a chance to win cash prizes. It’s simple to withdraw the money you win via PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay.
You need tickets or real money to enter cash games. Bingo Clash allows you to earn tickets by playing free games or watching ads. However, earning enough tickets to enter a cash game can take a while. An alternative method is depositing money, which introduces a potential for losing money.
Entering a cash game without winning means losing your entry fee. You may want to limit deposits to small amounts, to limit potential losses. Playing games that have small stakes allows you to build your experience gradually.
You must be at least 18 to participate in cash games. Cash games are unavailable in certain states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Vermont. Users in these states can still play free games.
… Or learn more in our Bingo Clash review.
This legit app gives you opportunities to win cash in fun, fair tournaments.
Do small tasks with Fiverr
Pros | Cons |
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Fiverr is a good side hustle option for younger teens as it allows those aged 13 and above to use their parent or guardian's account with parental permission. Teens over 18 do not require parental consent to offer services on Fiverr.
Teens can offer various services on Fiverr, depending on their skills and interests. Simple tasks include data entry and typing tasks, while skilled teens can provide more specialized tasks, such as social media management and writing.
However, Fiverr’s popularity among freelancers can make the competition steep for gigs. It also charges a service fee, which could take a cut from what a teen earns.
… Or learn more in our Fiverr review.
Tutor English with Cambly
Pros | Cons |
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Cambly is a tutoring service where you get to help people from all over the world learn English. It can be a great side hustle if you like teaching and are a native English speaker.
Working with Cambly counts as having your own business, so you can set your own hours and tutor as much as you like with this platform.
Cambly doesn’t require a bachelor's degree, prior teaching experience, or a teaching certificate. This makes it a good fit for teens aged 18 or older. The platform gives you access to lesson plans and teaching materials, but you can also use your own.
Given that Cambly's curriculum is created to be taught in English, you do not need to be fluent in any other language. However, you should consider the disparities in language and culture and the differences in time zones.
Cambly has an hourly rate of $10.20 to tutor adults and $12 to tutor kids. You get paid every Monday via PayPal. However, competition from fellow tutors can make it challenging to consistently earn good money.
How to choose the best side hustles for teens
Every job has pros and cons, but there are a few things to consider when choosing the best side hustle for you.
Your skills and interests
Choose a side hustle that you’re interested in and are good at to make the job more enjoyable and rewarding. Assess what your strengths are: Are you tech savvy? Are you good with kids or animals? Do you have experience in photography or design?
When you’re looking into how to make money as a teen, this will help narrow down your options and make it easier to find a side hustle that’s in line with your skill set.
Time commitment and availability
Factor in your availability and the amount of spare time you can commit to the side hustle. For instance, if you are working while attending high school, you can opt for a side hustle that lets you make your own hours.
Choose a side hustle that you can easily manage alongside your school work, extracurricular activities, and other commitments. This can help you decide whether you can do a full-time or part-time job.
Income potential and investment needed
Identify side hustles that will help you reach your financial goals. Consider the amount of effort you can put into the side hustle and how much money you can make in return.
Research the market and the competition before you decide on one. Be sure to factor in the time and money you will need to invest in it, such as purchasing any necessary supplies or marketing materials.
Reputation and work environment
Check out the reputation of the company or person you’re working for. Choose a reputable gig provider you can trust to deliver payments and one that will offer you a safe work environment. Be sure to be wary of signs of possible scams, such as being asked to pay a fee to start working.
FAQ about side hustles for teens
Can a 14-year-old make money from a side hustle?
Yes, the minimum age for employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is 14 years old. However, there are limitations to the type of job and the number of hours you work, depending on your state of residence. Two recommended side hustles for teens 14 or older are taking surveys on survey sites, such as Swagbucks or Survey Junkie, or doing small tasks on Fiverr with parental permission.
Can a 10-year-old sell stuff online?
Many platforms require you to be at least 18 to open a seller account or list items for sale, including Facebook Marketplace and eBay. However, some platforms, such as Amazon or Etsy, may allow teens under 18 to list items for sale, with parental permission.
Do teens have to file taxes?
Yes, teens are required to report their income and file taxes if they earn more than a certain amount. For example, all people, including teenagers, have to file a federal income tax return if their income is above the standard deduction. Additional tax considerations apply if the income is considered self-employment or small business income. Check with a tax advisor for detailed information on filing taxes as a dependent teen.
What is a reliable side hustle for a teenager?
The best side hustles for teens over 18 include pet sitting with Rover, live streaming on TikTok, or delivering meals with Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart. With parental permission, teens over the age of 13 can earn money by selling crafts or printed t-shirts on Etsy, doing small tasks on Fiverr, monetizing content on a Youtube channel, and more.
Best side hustles for teens: bottom line
Teens can choose from a variety of side hustle options ranging from simple tasks, such as survey taking and video gaming, to more specialized gigs like professional freelancing. The key is to choose a side hustle that fits your skills, interests, and availability while meeting the company’s age requirements.
Choose the side hustle that is a good fit for you, and then follow our guide for starting a side hustle to start earning cash on the side.
Methodology
To determine the best side hustles for teens, we analyzed various sources and compiled a list of the top opportunities that teenagers may find rewarding and enjoyable.
While choosing these specific side hustles for teens, we considered factors such as earning potential, flexibility, and ease of entry. We also considered the age, skillset, and experience required.
It is important to note that our list is not exhaustive, and there may be other side hustles for teens that we did not consider. Our recommendations are meant to be an educational resource for parents and teens to begin their research into the most appropriate side hustle.