The teenage years are one of the most memorable and enjoyable phases in everyone's lives. That is also when you grow and explore. What you do during your 13 to 18 years of age plays a big role in shaping your character and future.
That is why it is important to explore new side hustles and make money as a teenager.
As you make money as a teenager, you learn more about yourself and the world around you. You also develop stronger social relationships and form your own identity.
Looking back, I could have earned a lot more during my teenage years had I explored more side hustles as a teen. That is why I am writing this article today to help you with the different ways to make money as a teenager.
If you are a parent or a guardian reading this article, I hope the different ideas discussed here will be of great use to your teen kids.
Note: If you are a teenager reading this article, always get parental advice and permission before venturing into your money-making side hustle.
Top 15 Ways To Make Money As A Teenager:
Here is a comprehensive list of the 20 best ways to earn money under 18:
Now let's learn about each of them in detail:
1) Answering Surveys
Answering surveys online can be a fun way for teenagers to make some extra money.
Online surveys are often quick and easy to participate in, and they offer teens an opportunity to express their opinions and get paid.
It is an easy side hustle that requires no skills or experience. And it is perfect for teens above 15 years of age as by that time they start developing a worldview and will be able to give opinions.
As a teen, you just have to meet the age and location requirements to start making money out of surveys. For example, Branded Surveys requires you to be at least 17 years of age and a resident of the US.
Similarly, Swagbucks, a popular survey website allows you to answer survey questions with parental consent if you are over 13 years of age.
Apart from taking surveys, you can also make money as a teenager on Swagbucks by:
watching videos
playing games
searching the web
shopping, etc.!
Swagbucks also has great reviews on Trustpilot:
So, what are you waiting for?
Sign up at Swagbucks and earn gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, PayPal, and many more!
Looking for more survey websites to make money as a teenager? Make use of the 21 best online surveys for teens and start making money today!
2) Crafting
For creative teenagers, crafting is one of the best ways to make money and develop valuable skills.
Be it any craft - photography, knitting, baking, handmade jewelry, custom-designed t-shirts, or drawing, you can sell your creations easily.
Apart from selling online, you can also sell your crafts at local craft fairs, festivals, or community events and make money.
Where can you learn to craft?
Craftsy is a premier online platform that offers video classes and resources for learning various crafts.
As a premium member of Craftsy, you get:
Unlimited access to all of their instructional video classes (Learn anytime, on any device!)
Detailed, step-by-step projects
Expert Tips
A full year of access to over 2,000 Craftsy classes (across more than 20 interest areas)
Access to Craftsy Studios for interactive live events and Q&A sessions from top instructors
Whether you are a seasoned crafter or just starting your creative journey as a teenager, Craftsy helps you learn new skills and techniques from top experts.
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3) Sell Used Books
As a teenager, you must have accumulated lots of books that you might no longer need. Why not sell those used books online to make some extra cash?
Whether you have textbooks left over from college or novels sitting on your shelves collecting dust, there are plenty of online platforms where you can sell them and make money. You can sell both hard copies and soft copies of your books online.
The best places to sell used books are:
Selling books online is certainly a good way to make extra money as a teenager without a job. However, it may not give you enough returns to make a living out of it.
Remember that even Amazon started as a bookselling platform. So who knows what this side hustle could turn you into?
4) Sell Old Clothes
Who doesn't love fashion? As a teenager, you must have outgrown your old clothes, or your fashion sense might have evolved.
Selling old clothes online is a great way for teenagers to make some extra cash without a job.
Check out these best places to sell your old clothes:
No worries even if you don’t have an experience with online selling. These sites are user-friendly and also provide helpful resources for beginners.
5) Start a YouTube Channel
If you are a teen between 13 and 17, you can start a YouTube channel with parental permission.
Starting a YouTube channel about your favorite products or gadgets as a teenager can be an exciting and rewarding experience. You can share your knowledge and opinions with the world, and earn some extra money on the side.
With just your computer or a smartphone, you can start a successful YouTube channel in no time.
6) Teach Online
If you are a teenager, being an online tutor is a great way to gain financial independence and build up your skills. It also helps you learn more effectively while creating an additional source of income.
For example, you can teach on platforms such as Hello Experts even before you graduate and make money.
There are also other ways to make money as a teenager using your academic skills. For example, you can help others with their homework, answer questions online, and make money as a teenager.
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7) Blogging
Blogging is an exciting and rewarding way for teenagers to make money. You can share your thoughts, experiences, and advice with your audience during your spare time to earn extra cash.
By creating quality content and gaining followers, you can monetize your blog in a variety of ways such as affiliate marketing or selling digital products.
For example, if you are blogging about the English language, you can create and sell something as simple as grammar exercise sheets.
The best thing about being a blogger today is that you don't need coding skills to set up your website. Website builders such as Wix offer you an AI-powered drag-and-drop method to create your blog, with no coding involved.
Believe me, I created my website myself without any coding knowledge!
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8) Solve Sudoku Games
Sudoku is one of the best ways to develop analytical and logical thinking. It is one of my personal favorites. Participating in sudoku contests is a great way for teenagers to win cash without a job.
For example, you can download the Sudoku - Make Money app on Google Play. When you play Sudoku games on this app, you get tickets to participate in their cash prize draws.
The more games you play, the more tickets you get and the higher the chances to win cash.
What an easy way to improve your logical reasoning skills while making money as a teenager!
9) Recipe Contests
Love cooking? As a teenager, you can make money and gain some valuable experience by entering recipe contests.
By showcasing your culinary skills and creativity, you can earn cash prizes, free products, and the chance to be featured in magazines.
For example, check out the teen recipe contests on Kids Cooking Activities and Calling All Contestants - Recipe Contests to participate and win cash.
And what's more, you could start making money as a teenage chef in no time!
10) Drawing & Painting
Drawing is another excellent way for teenagers to make money. By making use of your free time, you can create beautiful artwork and share it with the world.
Some examples of profitable artwork are:
Doodles
Cartoon
Illustrations
Portrait paintings
By selling artwork as digital downloads or prints, you can easily make money as a teenager while honing your creative skills.
If you are too busy with your studies, you can also make use of your handwriting to make money!
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11) Play Video Games
Looking for an exciting way to make money as a teenager? Well, you can start making money by playing video games.
With gaming apps, you can play your favorite video games and earn rewards in the form of gift cards and real cash.
Many gaming apps will require you to be at least 18 years old to sign up. Always read the terms and conditions before signing up for them.
12) Become An Influencer
If you are a teenager and looking for an exciting way to make money, becoming an influencer is a perfect choice.
As a teen, you have the unique ability to connect with other teens and understand what they want. You can quickly become an influencer on social media platforms and start earning income from sponsorships and reviews.
The world of social media is constantly evolving, so now is the best time to make money online.
Not sure where to start? Read the 10 easy steps to become a micro-influencer and the 15 best books every aspiring influencer must read to get started today!
13) Sewing
Sewing provides an opportunity to think creatively and express yourself through your projects. It is also a great option to make money as a teen while honing your craft.
You can create unique items and sell them online or at local markets. For example, you can make:
Custom clothing such as dresses and aprons
Accessories such as bags
Pillow Cases
Toys
14) Web Designing
If you are a tech-savvy teenager looking to make some extra money, web design could be the perfect way to do it.
With no-coding website builders such as Wix and SquareSpace, you can start creating stunning websites for clients in no time.
By creating user-friendly designs that engage customers, you can easily make money even as a teenager.
15) Typing Jobs
One of the easiest ways for teenagers to make money is by doing typing jobs.
With the help of a computer and internet access, you can earn extra income by typing documents, reports, and other materials for businesses or individuals.
Some of the typing jobs that can be done easily are:
Data Entry
Translation
Transcription
Moderator
Image-to-text conversion jobs
Through these typing jobs, you can gain valuable experience while also earning an income.
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16) Write and Sell e-books
If you are a teenager with a passion for words, writing and selling e-books online is a great way to express yourself and make money.
E-book writing provides you an opportunity to research the market, understand what readers want, and also hone your writing skills.
This is an easy side hustle for teenagers that requires no investment.
17) Graphic Design
If you love colors, trying your hands on graphic designing could be a great way to make money as a teenager.
With free tools like Canva, you can come up with cool designs easily even if you are an absolute beginner!
By creating eye-catching designs, you can help businesses stand out from their competition and make money.
For example, you can make money by creating and selling ready-to-use designs for:
Websites
Logos
Banners
Flyers, etc.
18) Solving Puzzles
For teenagers looking to make some extra money, solving puzzles online is an ideal way.
For example, if you are a resident of Australia, New Zealand, or the UK, you can participate in online competitions conducted by Lovatts Puzzles and win a $100 gift card. You also get to win cool prizes by buying their magazine!
Not only can you have fun while doing it, but you will also be able to put your problem-solving skills to the test while earning a bit of cash.
So why not give it a try?
19) Voice Over
Voice-over work is another easy way for teenagers to make money.
By using your vocal talents and recording software, you can record voiceovers for commercials, animation, audiobooks, etc.
This is an interesting side hustle where you can turn your voice into a source of income.
You can find voice-over opportunities as a teen on freelance platforms like Fiverr.
If you are between 13 and 18 years of age, you can provide voice-over services as a minor on Fiverr through your parent's account with their consent.
Here is a quick overview of the Fiverr Minors Policy for your reference:
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20) Sell Photos
With the digital age upon us, everyone owns a smartphone. According to statistics, teens today spend more than 7 hours a day on their phones. Why not turn your screen time into a profitable side hustle?
Yes, one easy way to make money as a teenager is by selling photos online.
Just sell off those scenic pics you clicked during your recent vacation or even those fun candid photos you never thought anyone would be interested in!
Not only can it be a great source of income, but it can also serve as an outlet for creativity and self-expression.
Not sure where to sell the photos you clicked? Read the 12 Best Apps To Sell Photos Online and start making money!
21) Sell Digital Products
As a teenager, you can make money easily by selling printables and digital templates online. This is a quick way to start earning some extra cash with minimal investment and effort.
With the growing popularity of online marketplaces such as Etsy, creating and selling digital products is one of the easiest ways to generate passive income.
All you need is your computer and free software like Canva to start making digital templates!
You can sell your digital products on Etsy with the permission and guidance of your parent.
Here is a quick snapshot of the Etsy Minor Policy for your reference:
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Why Should You Make Money As A Teenager:
As teenagers, there are many benefits to making money. While it helps you gain independence and financial freedom, it can also enable you to build valuable skills and experiences that will be useful in the future.
In short, making money as a teenager will help you:
learn how to manage your finances
develop soft skills such as communication and problem-solving
save up for college or your first car
fund your hobbies
invest in the stock market
become more independent and self-reliant
Amazing, isn't it?
Final Thoughts On How To Make Money As A Teenager
Today's teens are tomorrow's leaders. Learning how to make money as a teen can have a huge impact on both your present and future.
Not to mention, having money of your own gives you the freedom to explore more opportunities and make more of the choices that are important to you.
It also gives you an invaluable experience that teaches you how to save, budget, invest, and manage your finances. So why wait?
Hope this article provided you with valuable insights and ideas as to how you can make money as a teenager.
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