*This is a guest post 

If your child is interested in earning a little bit of money on the side over the summer and you’d like them to learn valuable lessons in responsibility and accountability, there plenty of opportunities for them to do so safely and successfully. Even middle schoolers can hold down a part-time job, the trick is knowing where to look.

Most of these types of jobs are particularly great during the long summer months when school is out. While not all of them are weather-specific, the summer is usually the time when lots of kids are looking to make a little extra money.

Here’s a list of some great jobs for children that work well for children of all ages.

Dog Walker

If your child is an animal lover, a part time dog walking gig may be just the ticket. This is especially a good idea in the summertime when dog owners are working and if they have kids, they’re also off of school. While experience with dogs is important for this job, it doesn’t take much to teach your child how to safely take Fido for a walk.

Babysitter

While babysitting is more suited for children who are over 14 years of age, children as young as 12 or 13 depending on their temperament and experience with young children, can often be trusted to mind young children for short periods of time. Better yet, enroll your child in a CPR class and get them certified (many CPR classes will accept kids as young as 10).

Lawn Care

While kids knocking on doors offering to rake leaves and shovel snow seems like a scene from a bygone era, the truth is that it can be a lifesaver for people who cannot handle intense yardwork on their own (particularly the elderly, families with young children, etc.). If your child is old enough to handle a shovel or a rake, they are old enough to offer their neighbours a helping hand.  Safety must be first, so encouraging them to stay in the neighbourhood is always a good idea. This is also an opportunity for your child to get some much needed “outdoor time” which is extremely important to their overall mental and physical wellbeing.

Selling Crafts

Kids selling crafts online (things such as slime or hand sewn products) is a relatively new phenomenon, but it can be very lucrative if your child has a special, creative, skill. There are tons of sites on the internet that cater to crafters, and it can all be done from the comfort of the home computer.  A good place to start is to see what other people are selling on Etsy and if your teen can make them too, consider helping them create a small business of their own.

Lifeguard

While this job is more suitable for older children, being a summer lifeguard is one of the best kid-friendly jobs for lessons in accountability, responsibility, and safety. Different locations have different age requirements, but being a strong swimmer and going through a training period is a must.

Website Design

Is your child tech-savvy? Put those skills to work! Children who were born and raised in the internet age are remarkably savvy when it comes to technology.  You may be astounded at what your child is able to do without much instruction. If they have a penchant for it, try advertising their services to local businesses.

Painter

Local contracting companies may need some help painting drywall, doors, fences, etc., and older children who have a knack for it may enjoy earning a few extra pounds.

Summer Nanny

Most people work all year round, and tons of parents look to the teens in their area for summer help with their children who are also off from school. Ask around in your neighbourhood or encourage your child to post an ad at a local supermarket.  You may be surprised what comes back as an opportunity.

Paper Route

An oldie, but still a goodie. Many local papers will still employ kids with bikes to deliver the morning papers. Bike safety is important for this job, but it can work particularly well in the summer when the kids are off from school.

Car Wash

With professional car wash prices getting out of hand, many people are looking to get the job done more economically.  While car washing companies generally won’t hire kids, your child can open up a little business of their own and talks to folks around the neighbourhood. All you need is a hose, some soap, rags, and a bucket.

Author bio:

Ron Stefanski founded www.JobsForTeensHQ.com and has a passion for helping teenagers find jobs.  He founded the website because he feels that teenagers need to focus on their professional passions much earlier in life and aims to teach them how they can do it.  When he’s not working on his website, Ron is a college professor and loves to travel the world.

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