As a general rule, you need to be at least 14 years old to start working legally, but at this age the only feasible side hustles are casual and local.Â
At 16, you can begin earning money online with paid game testing and paid surveys, which are the best overall side hustles for teens. Â
For your safety, always let a parent or guardian know where and when you are working (if local), and before trying online gigs, check the Trustpilot reviews for the site you want to use.Â
Whether you want to earn spending money for the weekend or save up for something specific, here are 16 side hustles for teens in 2025 worth considering. Each entry includes the minimum age required and which platforms are open to younger users.
Test Games for Money on Freecash (Ages 16 and Up)
Paid game testing on Freecash involves installing a mobile game and completing tasks — typically something like reaching a set level within a set timeframe. No experience or qualifications are needed, and you can work at any pace from your phone. Freecash is one of the few platforms that lets teens earn cash by gaming.
Signing up is free, with instant login via Google or Facebook. Browse the available game offers and pick one that looks worth your time. You can read more about how to get started on Freecash before committing to anything.
Lemonade in summer, hot cocoa in winter — a drinks and snacks stand has low startup costs and consistent appeal in most neighbourhoods. Pricing fairly and rotating between different spots each weekend keeps foot traffic fresh and earnings steady.
Presentation matters more than most people expect. A tidy, well-organised stand at a busy corner will outperform a poorly presented one at a prime location every time.
Sell Items at a Garage Sale (Any Age)
Clearing out unused clothes, books, and toys converts clutter into quick cash with no upfront investment. Ask friends and family if they want to contribute items in exchange for a cut of the proceeds — it expands your inventory and makes the sale worth running.
A garage sale is a one-time earner, but the cash it generates can fund other ideas, like the ingredients for a regular food or drinks stand.
Take On House Sitting Jobs (Any Age)
House sitting pays you to be present in someone's home while they're away — typically involving tasks like watering plants, feeding pets, or collecting mail. Opportunities don't come up constantly, but asking family friends and neighbours before summer starts is the most reliable way to line up work in advance.
Treat the home with the same care you'd want shown to your own. Misusing the trust involved is the fastest way to lose access to this kind of work permanently.
Start a Car Washing Service (Any Age)
A hose, a bucket, and soap are all the equipment you need to start washing neighbours' cars. Weekends and dry weather are the natural window for this work, and reliable results tend to generate repeat customers without any additional outreach.
Once you have a few regulars, posting on Nextdoor extends your reach to the wider neighbourhood and fills gaps in your schedule.
Offer Lawn Mowing, Leaf Raking, or Snow Shovelling (Any Age)
Outdoor maintenance work shifts with the seasons — lawn mowing in spring and summer, leaf raking in autumn, snow shovelling in winter — which means the earning opportunity runs all year. Start with immediate neighbours, be clear about your rates upfront, and bring a rake or shovel to show you're ready to work.
When you're comfortable with a regular client base, expand through Nextdoor to reach more households in the area. You can find more tips in our guide to the best side hustles for teenagers.
Complete Paid Surveys on Freecash (Ages 16 and Up)
Freecash lets teens earn money through surveys as well as game offers. Surveys typically take around ten minutes, pay roughly a dollar each, and ask straightforward questions about spending habits. Each one shows the expected duration and payout before you start, so there are no surprises.
The pay per survey is modest, but the time investment is minimal. It's easy to fit a few in during downtime each day and watch the balance build. For more ways to increase what you earn, check out our guide to maximising survey earnings on Freecash.
See how much you could earn on Freecash...
Use our earnings calculator to see whether Freecash is worth it for you.
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**Values based on our market research; individual platform payouts can differ based on location and user activity
Parents frequently turn to teen babysitters as a more affordable alternative to adult care services like Care.com. Start with family and close friends, do a thorough job, and ask them to pass your name on to others if they're happy with the work.
Some experience with younger children helps build confidence before taking on paid jobs. Without any prior experience, starting with shorter, lower-stakes sessions gives you a chance to find your footing.
Walk Dogs for Neighbours (Any Age)
Dog walking gets you outside, keeps you active, and pays you for time you'd spend doing something similar anyway. Dedicated platforms like Rover and Wag restrict sign-ups to users aged 18 and over, so teens are better served posting directly on Nextdoor to find local clients.
Pay rates for dog walking are generally modest — most pet owners spend less on animal care than on childcare. It works best as a reliable regular income alongside other side hustles rather than a standalone earner.
Offer Tutoring Through Tutorpeers (Ages 13 and Up)
Teens aged 13 and over can create an account on Tutorpeers and earn by helping younger students or peers with subjects like maths, science, or English. Strong grades in a subject are the only real qualification needed to get started.
Online tutoring fits easily around a school schedule and builds communication skills alongside the income. For more ways to turn academic ability into earnings, see our guide to the best online jobs for students.
Earn Through App Sign-Up Offers on Freecash (Ages 16 and Up)
Freecash includes tasks where users register for apps or websites in exchange for a reward. The tasks are straightforward, but it's worth using a dedicated email address to keep sign-up confirmation messages separate from your main inbox.
Always get a parent or guardian's permission before providing personal details for any offer. You can browse all available tasks after creating a free account at Freecash.com.
Edit Videos on Fiverr (Ages 13 and Up, Adult Account Required)
Teens can access Fiverr through an adult account and pick up video editing gigs for TikTokers, YouTubers, and small businesses. CapCut is free to download and capable enough to handle most entry-level client work on a laptop or PC.
Video editing is a transferable skill that holds value well beyond a teen side hustle. Time spent practising on paid projects is time invested in a skill with long-term career applications.
Offer Graphic Design Services on Fiverr (Ages 13 and Up, Adult Account Required)
Graphic design gigs on Fiverr are plentiful and accessible to beginners. Photopea runs entirely in a browser at no cost and covers most of what Photoshop does — it's a practical starting point before committing to paid software.
A laptop or PC is the only hardware requirement. Building a small portfolio of sample designs before applying for gigs helps secure the first few clients faster.
Start a YouTube Channel (Ages 13 and Up, Adult Account Required to Monetize)
A YouTube channel costs nothing to start and can be filmed entirely on a smartphone, though a laptop makes editing more manageable. Teens who cover topics they genuinely know and enjoy tend to build audiences more organically than those who chase trends from the start.
Monetisation requires a parent or legal guardian to manage the account. Treat the channel as a creative project first — consistent, authentic content is what converts viewers into subscribers over time.
Sell Handmade Crafts on Etsy (Ages 13 and Up, Adult Account Required)
Custom bracelets, bookmarks, stickers, and similar handmade items sell consistently on Etsy. The platform requires that the account be set up and managed by a parent or legal guardian — sellers are ID-verified, so there's no route around this requirement.
Turning a profit takes time and consistent output. Starting with the creative process rather than focusing on revenue gives the shop a better chance of developing an authentic identity that attracts repeat buyers.
Try Voice Acting on Fiverr (Ages 13 and Up, Adult Account Required)
A clear voice and comfort reading from a script are enough to get started with voice acting. There is steady demand for younger voice actors on Fiverr, and a parent or legal guardian will need to manage the account and handle payments.
A mid-range USB microphone is worth the investment once you have your first few paid jobs lined up — use earnings from other side hustles on this list to fund it. Audacity is free recording software that handles everything you'll need at the start.
