Businesses for Kids

Kids can earn money in different was ranging from simple household chores to starting their own business.

I, personally, would rather start my own business than wash dishes for a week.

There are a number of jobs and businesses that children can create and work for, but the most common include setting up a lemonade stand, walking the neighborhood dogs, and delivering the newspaper.

If you have any other suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them and add to my small list. Please list them in the comment box below.

This is a great idea for kids during the summer months. Set up a small lemonade stand, selling fresh squeezed lemonade.

Make sure that there is an adult present or nearby. Children may think that they can handle the stand on their own, but there are so many criminals out there running the streets, that you don't want to leave your child on their doorstep, so to speak.

Setting up a small stand is a great way to teach your child money and business. They learn what it takes to make a dollar and how to efficiently gain profit.

Plus, when the day's over and the lemonade stand is closed, it's time for a math lesson. Counting up the revenue for the day and subtracting all the prior costs in order to come up with the net profit or loss for the day.

Setting up a lemonade stand can be a cool project for your kids. Have them figure out which days and times are the best to make the most money.

Just make sure to buy a cup or two of lemonade, and throw in an extra tip on the days that you notice fewer sales.

For your older kids, you may suggest that they create a small business as a dog walker for the neighborhood.

Have him make flyers and post them around the neighborhood. Consider putting them in the mailboxes, as well.

Yes, this can be a safety concern, but again with older children in a safe neighborhood, you should be fine. But, again, to settle your nerves, consider going along for the walks.

You may consider letting your younger kids be a dog walker; let the young child walk smaller and more well- behaved dogs, while you help with the larger and more roudy dogs. So that the child earns his money, have him pick up the dog's deed.

This small child business works great for apartment and condo complexes.

Have the child set up times with the dog's owners as to when he will be available to walk the dog(s), and help him set appropriate pricing.

I'd suggest a higher fee for larger dogs than smaller.

Maybe the child could create a report for himself, and as he grows older continue his dog walking services for the neighbors. Maybe even stretching to nearby neighborhoods when he's old enough to drive or walk by himself.

Many local newspapers will higher kids to deliver the paper. This would be a great way to get your child into being a little responsible. Although, he's not creating his own small business, he's still working and making money.

This is a great position for older kids who can deliver the paper on foot or on their bike.

The child learns great responsibility, as the paper must be delivered early in the morning in most cases.

You may have to help the child get started, but after a few weeks, he should get the hand of it.