How to Make Money as a Kid in the UK

Job opportunities for kids are limited, but not impossible to find. 

But, what are the ways for kids to make money, and what jobs are suitable for kids of different agen groups?

If you’re looking for ideas, here’s how to make money as a kid in the UK. 

How to Make Money as a Kid Without a Job?

Garage sales

Holding garage sales is a great way to make money as a kid and get rid of stuff that you have no use for anymore. Alternatively, you can ask your neighbours if they have something they have things they don’t need and charge them a commission once you make a sale. 

Lawn mowing

Most people rarely have the time to mow their lawn or the money to hire a gardener for the job. 

You can ask around the neighbourhood or make flyers and put items in the local newspaper. Chances are that a neighbour that’s tight on time will be more than happy to give you that job. 

Selling collectables/toys

One of the easiest ways to make decent money as a kid and also one of the best things to sell for profit is to sell your toys and collectibles. 

All you’ll have to do is research the value of the items you want to sell, take a good picture, and put them on eCommerce sites like eBay.

Baking 

One of the most potentially profitable jobs for 11 year olds in the UK is cooking and baking. 

You can look up simple recipes online and ask for help from your parents. Once you’re done, you can sell them in your driveway, from door to door, and even online. 

Lemonade stand

One of the oldest and most-known jobs for 12 year olds in the UK is selling lemonade in your neighbourhood or any location nearby that encourages bypassers to stop and buy a cup. 

The most important part of the job is pricing the lemonade well. You can also promote your lemonade stand by posting about it on social media or sliding leaflets under your neighbours’ doors.

Grocery shopping

Running small errands like grocery shopping for elderly people in your neighbourhood is one of the easiest ways to make money as a kid. 

You can ask around your neighbourhood and see if you have a neighbour that can use the help.

Second-hand consignment

Many online sites give out free items, often as part of promotions, which you can get and then sell to second-hand shops. 

Alternatively, you can create a listing on eBay and sell to a larger audience.

Car washing

If you have some free time on your hands, enough space, and are looking for jobs for 12 year olds that pay in the UK, then you can try washing cars in your neighbourhood for a fee.

All you need is a bucket, sponges, and a hose to start your business. You can watch a video online to get familiar with the basics of car washing and practice on your parents’ vehicle. 

Gardening 

Gardening is one of the best jobs for kids to make money. You can water the neighbour’s flowers when they’re not home in the summer or rake leaves in autumn. It’s actually one of the best self-employment ideas that doesn’t require you to work on weekends and holidays.

How to Make Money as a 12, 13 and 14 Year Old?

Babysitting

If you enjoy being around younger children, then you can try babysitting. It’s one of the best

ways to make money as a teenager in the UK in the evenings and the weekends. 

You might want to consider first aid training and getting a DBS check before you start offering babysitting services.

Dog walking

Dog walking is one of the ways to make money for 13 year olds if you’re comfortable around dogs. Dog walkers charge by the hour and can earn up to £11.25 an hour.

Keep in mind that you will need a dog leash, toys, and a bag to clean up after the dog. 

Sell photographs

If you dabble in photography, you can use your talents to make some extra pounds. 

There are plenty of online stock sites that accept all kinds of photography. Artists earn a small commission on every download.

Sell printed t-shirts

Selling printed t-shirts online is one of the best ways to earn money for kids and learn the basics of building a business. 

You can use software to design your t-shirts and find a business that can print them for an affordable price. You can then set up an online shop or sell them on popular eCommerce platforms.

Video editing

Video editing doesn’t necessarily require expensive software. 

In fact, many video editors often start their careers by relying on more affordable software and stock programmes, which are more than enough to help you get some online gigs and improve your skills. 

Content writing

Starting a job as a freelance content writer is one of the best ways to make money for 13 year olds  to kick start a career that gives you the chance to express your creativity.

If you can’t find a gig online, you can reach out to companies in your area that focus on content writing. There are many companies that are looking to train young writers for a good fee. 

Help the elderly with computer stuff

If you’re good with computers, you can help set up routers and speakers or install software for less tech-savvy people. 

You can advertise your service on Facebook groups or other social media platforms or distribute flyers in your neighbourhood. 

Social media account manager

Those who know their way around social media can try applying at companies that offer training and internships to teenagers.

You’ll usually be required to write short descriptions for posts, upload photos and videos, reply to comments and follow a schedule.

Investing 

Minors can invest in stocks and funds, as long as they get permission from their parents. 

If you’re good at saving, you can use part of the money you put aside to invest in shares and hopefully earn a profit by the time you reach 18 (or continue investing). 

Become a tutor

Older teenagers who are skilled in certain subjects can earn some extra cash from online tutoring. Tutoring will allow you to explore topics in-depth and expand your knowledge. It also looks great on a resume, especially for those who are just entering the job market.

How to Make Money as a Kid Online

Start a blog

Although it’s not one of the easy ways to make money as a kid, starting a blog is a great way to get into the world of content creation.

The advantages of starting a blog is that you can choose what you want to write about and it can help you develop a good work ethic. 

Take surveys

Taking surveys is a great way to earn a few pounds. 

However, only a few survey sites in the UK offer cash – most of them pay participants in gift cards. If you can’t find a survey site that pays in cash, you can use the gift card to buy an item and try to resell it later for profit. 

Start a Youtube channel

If you’re into content creation and looking for jobs for 11-12 year olds that pay in the UK, you might consider starting a YouTube channel, especially since more than 95% of UK residents watch content on this platform. 

Not only can a YouTube channel earn you money, but it will also allow you to focus on the things you like, regardless of whether you’re into music or video games.

Selling crafts on Etsy

If you’re good at arts and crafts, you can sell your handmade products on Etsy by setting up a shop – anything from scarves and paintings to jewellery. 

Esports/streaming

Teenagers who are good at video games, can try streaming their gameplays on popular streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Games, which have recorded a combined of over 7 million hours watched in Q1 of 2022.

The highest-earning Twitch streamer, who goes by the name PewDiePie, earned an estimated revenue of $40 million.

Crowdsourcing

Some companies regularly hire people to complete small tasks, like fixing mistakes in transcription, summarising written paragraphs, copying text from scanned photos and similar, for a small payment. 

You can often find these posts on crowdsourcing sites like Appen and Leapforce.  

Selling reviews on Slice the Pie

Selling reviews is one the best ways to earn money as a kid if you like sharing your personal opinion on different subjects. You can write reviews about fashion, commercials, and music, among other things.

Slice the Pie pays based on the quality of the review, so it’s important to pay attention to include as many details as possible. 

Other Things To Look Out For When Working as a Kid

In the UK, it’s illegal for children under the age of 16 to work a full-time job. They are allowed to clock in a limited number of hours, but only when they turn 13. 

Regardless of whether you’re a minor or an adult, anyone who earns an income in the UK has to pay an income tax; although, there are some exceptions to how much children can earn before they have to pay taxes.

 The amount you have to pay depends on your Personal allowance, but most UK citizens aren’t required to pay taxes if they earn less than £12,570 in a year. 

They’re still required to register as self-employed individuals and notify HMRC about their earnings.

Why Should Kids Make Money for Themselves?

Making some extra pocket money on the side will not only give your kid some financial freedom (at least when it comes to their allowance), but it can also help them develop a good work ethic, learn how to manage their time, and better understand the value of hard work and the responsibility that comes with having a job. 

Bottom Line

Finding a job for a kid is challenging, but not impossible. If you’re wondering how to make money as a kid in the UK, there are plenty of options available, depending on your age, skills, and free time. 

The best part about it is that it will teach you money management, responsibility, and help you acquire new skills, which will come in handy at a later stage in your life.