19 Easy Jobs For 12 Year Olds That Pay Well
Top five picks
Easiest to start with zero skills. Lots of ways to earn.
Cons
Earning is capped to hours worked. Can only make money in local area.
Potential to make a lot of money and have loads of fun doing it. Many ways to make money.
Cons
Can take a long time to learn and get subscribers.
Best long-term money maker and the most flexible choice.
Cons
Can take a little while to learn and start making money.
You can start making money right away. Great for teens with computer knowledge.
Cons
Lots of competition and lower pay to begin with.
Get paid for playing games!
Cons
Hard to stand out and you'll need to be unique and post all the time to make any money.
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.
The Best Jobs for 12 Year Olds that Pay
So, what are some good jobs for 11 to 12-year-olds? Preteens? And teens?
Local jobs
There are plenty of traditional 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 or dog walking. The list goes on...
There are so many jobs that are suitable for your age group.
Online jobs
Online jobs are also a great option for kids who want to earn money.
They are easy to fit in around school hours, learn valuable skills, provide an opportunity to run their own business, and will often earn more than a part-time job.
There are a variety of part-time jobs that kids can do in just a few hours per week, like writing articles, doing online surveys, or designing websites.
What kind of pay can I expect - below minimum wage?
No - with 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! There are many incredible opportunities out there and it makes a lot of sense to put in the effort and give it a go.
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!
Working in the Family Business - Our Story
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!
Job ideas for 12 year olds
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.
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!
1 Provide Local Services
The opportunities here are endless and you can get started immediately. These are where most teens and preteens start. Some of these ideas have the potential to be very lucrative, and if you love the work, you can build it into a real business too!
- Pet cleanup service
- Window cleaning
- Dog walking - Learn how on Skillshare
- 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
Try these online marketplaces for local providers:
Babysitting: www.sittercity.com
All kinds of services: www.thumbtack.com
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2 Online Surveys
Online surveys are a great opportunity for preteens to make money. They are an easy way to make a little extra cash, and they don't require any special skills. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. This might sound more boring than it is. It's actually pretty cool - you'll have the chance to test apps and games, and watch TV shows and movies. You can earn anywhere from $1 to $200 per month.
There are a number of survey companies that offer online surveys for kids. Some of these companies include:
- Panel Polls: This company offers online surveys for kids aged 8-18. You can review
- Lifepointspanel.com: This company offers online surveys for people of all ages.
- Respondent.io: is a survey company that offers surveys for people of all ages. They are looking for people to take online surveys and share their opinions on a variety of topics.
3 Social Media Content Manager
Many small businesses need someone to help manage their social media 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, or contact local businesses to see if they need any help.
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4 Website Design or Development
If you have a knack for computers and are interested in web design or development, you could find work designing or developing websites.
There are always small businesses or friends of the family who need a website. If you are interested in web design or development, you could offer to design a website for them at a very reasonable price. This is a great way to get started in web design and develop your skills!
You could develop websites or apps for clients using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or by using a web builder like Squarespace, Zyro, or Wix.
All those are great, but WordPress is the widest-used platform and the best in many ways.
Top tip: Use the Breakdance website builder for the absolute best WordPress building experience.
For WordPress website hosting try:
Bluehost: bluehost.com
WPX hosting: wpx.com
5 Selling Stuff
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.
6 Sell Home-grown Produce
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.
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!
7 Start an Etsy Store
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. Try erank.com
8 Create and Sell Stock Photos
If you have an eye for photography, you could make some money by selling photos online. There are a number of websites that allow photographers to sell their stock photos.
This is a great way for kids to make some extra money and develop photography skills. Photos can be taken on just an iPhone, or even better, a high-quality DSLR if you have one.
Some of the best-known stock photo websites include: Shutterstock, iStockphoto, or Getty Images.
These sites are more geared for professional photographers, so might be more difficult to get photos accepted if you are just starting out.
The sites below are better suited for 12 year olds and beginners.
Try Envato Elements, or Dreamstime.
9 Get Paid to Test Websites
If you are skilled in using a computer and know how to navigate websites, you could make money by testing websites for usability. There are a number of companies that offer this type of service, including UserTesting.com.
For this job you will be given a list of tasks to complete on the website, and then you would have to record your thoughts and feelings about the experience.
This is a great way for kids to make some extra money and learn about web design and development.
10 Sell on Fiverr
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!
11 Create Original Digital Products
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.
12 Complete Micro Tasks
Micro tasks are small, easy jobs that can be completed online for a modest payout. This is similar to online surveys, but these tasks can include things like data entry, transcription, online research, and more.
There are a number of websites that offer micro-tasks, including:
These websites allow you to sign up and start completing tasks immediately.
Most of the tasks require only a few minutes to complete, and payments are made through PayPal.
13 Become a Voice-Over Actor
Doing voice-overs is a great way to make money on the side. If you're good at reading aloud and have a pleasant voice, you could do voice-overs for commercials, explainer videos, or audio books.
There are a number of platforms that allow you to find voiceover work, including:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
To get started, you will need to create a profile and list your skills and experience. You should then begin bidding on jobs and submitting auditions.
It's important to be professional and submit high-quality work in a timely manner.
14 Create a YouTube Channel
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.
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15 Print on Demand
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:
1. Choose a niche
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
2. Set up your shop
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.
3. Create high-quality 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.
4. Promote your shop
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.
16 Start a Blog
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.
For WordPress website hosting try: WPX Hosting
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!
Also, check out Breakdance website builder for WordPress. My #1 choice for WordPress builders.
17 Create an NFT Collection
An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a digital asset that is unique and cannot be replicated. This makes them ideal for use in online gaming, collectibles, and more.
It should be noted that this is a complex topic and there are many details that should be considered since there are financial transactions and risks. This is probably best done alongside an adult.
There are many ways to create NFT collections, and new platforms and tools are always coming out.
For now here are a few terms that are good to know.
- NFT: Non-Fungible Token
- NFT minting: the process of creating new NFTs. This can be done manually or through a machine.
- ERC721: Standard for representing non-fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain
- NFT Collectibles: Digital assets that are collected and traded for fun
- NFT Gaming: Online games that use NFTs as part of their gameplay and NFT tokens can be earned while playing
- Floor price: this is the lowest price an NFT is currently selling for
Best NFT marketplaces:
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18 Write an eBook
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.
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19 Stream Video Games and Get Paid to Play
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.
Get 40% off Skillshare until January 31st, 2023
Conclusion
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!
What Parents Should Consider
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
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.
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