41 Legit Ways To Make Money As A 13 Year Old (2022 Update)

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You’re 13 and ready to start making your own money. Amazing work!

Whether you want to save up for something special, help out your family, or just have some spending cash, there are tons of ways you can start earning right now.

Some of these ideas you can do from your phone or computer, while others get you out into your neighborhood actually talking to people and building real-world skills.

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Online Ways to Make Money as a 13-Year-Old

These are perfect if you want to earn money from home, have internet access, and can get a parent or guardian to help you set up accounts.

1. Take Online Surveys

Companies actually pay teens to share their opinions about products, games, TV shows, and more.

You won’t get rich, but you can easily make $50-$100 a month just answering questions in your free time.

Swagbucks is one of the best platforms for this and gives you a $10 bonus just for signing up.

Pro Tip: Set aside 20-30 minutes each day for surveys. You’ll be surprised how quickly the money adds up when you make it a daily habit.

2. Play Games on Your Phone

Yes, you can actually get paid to play mobile games.

Companies need people to test their games and apps before they launch them to everyone.

TesterUp pays you to download games, play them for a specific amount of time, and share your feedback.

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3. Watch Videos Online

If you’re already watching videos online anyway, why not get paid for it?

Platforms like InboxDollars will pay you to watch short video clips – usually ads, movie trailers, or product reviews.

Plus you get a $5 welcome bonus when you sign up.

4. Search the Web

You can earn money just by using a search engine instead of regular Google.

Swagbucks has its own search engine (which actually is just Google ultimately) that gives you points every time you search for something.

It’s literally the easiest money you’ll ever make.

5. Start a Blog

If you’re into writing and have something you’re passionate about, starting a blog could turn into serious income over time.

You can write about video games, sports, fashion, books, or literally anything you care about.

The best part is you can make money through ads and affiliate marketing once you build an audience.

Get Started: Bluehost makes it super easy to start a blog, even if you’re not tech-savvy. They include a free domain name and the setup takes less than 15 minutes.

laptop on desk ready for a 13 year old to make money online

6. Create and Sell Printables

Digital printables are things like planners, coloring pages, stickers, or wall art that people download and print at home.

If you’re creative and decent with design, this could be a goldmine.

Tons of teens are making money – with some already earning hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a month selling printables on Etsy.

Learn How: This free workshop teaches you exactly how to create and sell digital printables on Etsy, even as a complete beginner. Their students have earned over $3.3 million total – yes, that’s not a typo.

7. Design T-Shirts

You don’t need any special equipment to sell custom t-shirts online.

Sites like Printify let you upload your designs, and they handle all the printing and shipping.

You just create the artwork and earn money every time someone buys your design.

8. Sell Your Old Stuff

Look around your room right now.

How much stuff do you have that you don’t use anymore?

Old video games, clothes that don’t fit, toys you’ve outgrown – all of that can be turned into cash on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari.

9. Self-Publish Your Own Books

If you love writing stories, you can publish them as ebooks on Amazon Kindle.

People of all ages are buying ebooks, and Amazon makes it super easy to upload and sell your work.

You keep most of the money from each sale.

10. Start a YouTube Channel

Creating YouTube videos is more work than some other options on this list, but it can also pay the most.

You can make videos about gaming, DIY projects, product reviews, cooking, sports – literally anything.

Once you get enough subscribers and watch time, you can make money from ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links.

Reality Check: Building a successful YouTube channel takes time and consistency. Don’t expect to make money your first month, but if you stick with it, the income potential is huge.

11. Offer Online Tutoring

If you’re really good at a school subject, you can help younger kids who are struggling.

You can tutor in-person or online through video calls.

Math, reading, science – whatever you excel at, there’s probably a parent willing to pay you to help their child.

12. Become a Social Media Assistant

Do you spend hours on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest anyway?

Small businesses and influencers need help managing their social media accounts – posting content, responding to comments, and engaging with followers.

This is an easy way to make money doing something you already know how to do.

laptop on bed with someone figuring out how to make money as a 13 year old as an online job

13. Design Simple Websites

If you know basic HTML or can use website builders like Wix or Squarespace, you can help small businesses create their websites.

You don’t need to be a coding expert.

Many small businesses just need a simple, clean website with their hours, menu, or services listed.

14. Sell Your Crafts on Etsy

Are you crafty?

Etsy isn’t just for adults – tons of teens sell jewelry, keychains, bookmarks, stickers, and other handmade items on the platform.

If you can make something unique, people will buy it.

15. Try Freelance Writing

If writing comes naturally to you, businesses and bloggers will pay you to write articles and blog posts for them.

You can start on platforms like Fiverr or reach out directly to small businesses in your area.

Even at 13, you can charge $25-$50+ per article once you get some experience.

16. Review Music

Some websites will actually pay you to listen to music and write short reviews.

It’s not going to make you rich, but if you love discovering new music anyway, you might as well get paid for it.

Sites like Slice the Pie pay a few cents per review.

boy listening to music as a way to earn money as a 13 year old

17. Become a Voiceover Artist

If you have a clear speaking voice, you can record voiceovers for YouTube videos, audiobooks, or online courses.

Sites like Fiverr and Voices.com connect voiceover artists with people who need audio recordings.

You just need a decent microphone and a quiet space to record.

Free Training: This free course walks beginners through voice acting, podcasting, and audio editing – perfect for getting started with work-from-home voiceover opportunities.

In-Person Ways to Make Money as a 13-Year-Old

These options get you out of the house and into your community.

They’re great for building real-world skills and meeting people.

18. Sell Food and Drinks

The classic lemonade stand still works, but you don’t have to limit yourself to lemonade. Depending on the season, almost any type of food or drink is going to sell well.

Set up at community events, sports games, or just on a busy street corner on a hot day. Just make sure to check if you need any permits in your area.

path in a market with 13 year olds making money by selling things

19. Rent Out Your Stuff

Got a bike you barely ride? Sports equipment collecting dust? Board games sitting on a shelf?

You can rent these items to people in your neighborhood who need them temporarily. Post on local Facebook groups or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor.

20. Sell Things at School

This one depends on your school’s rules, but you might be able to sell snacks, drinks, or school supplies to classmates.

Buy items in bulk at a discount store and sell them individually for profit – things like candy and chips usually sell the fastest.

Important: Always check your school’s policies before selling anything on campus. Some schools have strict rules about this.

21. Flip Items for Profit

This is basically buying things cheap and selling them for more.

Hit up garage sales, thrift stores, or Facebook Marketplace looking for underpriced items you can resell.

Video games, sports equipment, and electronics usually have good profit margins.

Learn the Strategy: This free webinar teaches you exactly how to find hidden deals locally and flip them for big profits. The instructors have made tens of thousands doing this.

22. Do Extra Chores

Talk to your parents or guardians about doing additional chores beyond your normal responsibilities.

Make a list of tasks you’re willing to do and what you’d charge for each one.

Things like organizing the garage, deep cleaning the kitchen, or washing windows can earn you $20-$50 depending on how much work is involved.

broom to be used by a 13 year old to earn money

23. Babysit Your Siblings

If you have younger siblings, offer to watch them for a few hours when your parents need to go out.

Start with shorter time periods to prove you’re responsible, then work your way up to longer babysitting sessions.

You can charge less than an outside babysitter would, but still make good money for your time.

24. Organize Garage Sales (and Take a Commission)

Does your family have a ton of stuff to sell?

Offer to organize and run the entire garage sale yourself.

Sort items, price everything, set up displays, handle money, and negotiate with buyers. Then keep 10-20% of all sales as your commission.

25. Help With a Family Business

If your parents or guardians run a business from home, ask if there are tasks you can help with.

Filing paperwork, packaging products, updating spreadsheets, managing social media – there are tons of ways you can contribute and earn money.

26. Babysit for Neighbors

Once you’ve proven yourself with your own siblings, start babysitting for families in your neighborhood.

Word of mouth spreads fast when you’re reliable and good with kids.

Babysitters in most areas charge $12-$20 per hour, depending on how many kids and your experience level.

kid being babysat by someone learning how to make money as a 13 year old without a job

27. Walk Dogs

Dog owners are always looking for reliable people to walk their pets, especially during the day when they’re at work.

Start with your immediate neighbors and their dogs, then expand from there.

You can charge $10-$20 per walk depending on your area.

Marketing Tip: Put up fliers at local dog parks to reach pet owners. Include your contact info, rates, and availability.

28. Offer Pet Sitting

People need someone to care for their pets when they go on vacation or work long hours. This could mean feeding, playing with, and checking on pets at their house.

It’s easier than dog walking if you don’t want to leave your neighborhood, and you can usually charge $15-$30 per visit.

Plus, here’s a tip: that flier idea above works really well for this too!

29. Tutor in Person

Similar to online tutoring, but you meet face-to-face with students who need help.

This works especially well with younger kids in your neighborhood who need help with reading, math, or homework.

Parents will pay $15-$30 per hour for a responsible tutor.

notebooks on desk being used by a tutor as a way to make money as a 13 year old

30. Wash Cars

Everyone needs their car washed, but not everyone wants to do it themselves.

You can offer car washing services right in people’s driveways.

Charge $15-$30 per car depending on whether you’re doing exterior only or interior cleaning too.

Pricing Strategy: Start with a lower price to get your first few customers, then raise your rates once you have good reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.

31. Clean Garages or Basements

These are spaces that get messy fast and most people keep putting off cleaning them.

Offer to spend a few hours organizing, sweeping, and helping people reclaim these spaces.

You can charge $50-$100+ for a full garage or basement cleanout depending on how much work is involved.

32. Do Yard Work

Mowing lawns is the obvious one, but don’t stop there.

Weeding gardens, trimming bushes, planting flowers, spreading mulch – all of these are yard tasks people will pay for.

Charge $20-$50 depending on the size of the yard and what needs to be done.

33. Paint Fences or Furniture

If you’re careful and detail-oriented, you can make good money painting outdoor furniture, fences, or even accent walls inside homes.

Start small with simple projects to build your skills and reputation.

paint roller being used as one of the ways for a 13 year old to make money fast

34. Run Errands

Busy adults will pay someone reliable to handle small tasks they don’t have time for.

Picking up groceries, dropping off dry cleaning, returning items to stores – these errands might seem minor but they save people valuable time.

You can charge $10-$20 per hour plus reimbursement for any purchases.

35. Referee or Umpire Youth Sports Games

If you know the rules of a sport well, you can get certified to referee games for younger kids. This usually pays $15-$30 per game and you get paid to watch kids play sports.

Check with your local recreation department about requirements or to find openings.

36. Deliver Newspapers

Yes, this is still a thing in many areas. In fact, it’s one of the few jobs that explicitly hires younger teens.

You’ll have to wake up early, but you can usually finish a route in an hour or two before school.

37. Be a Golf Caddy

If you live near a golf course, caddying can pay really well. You carry clubs, help golfers find their balls, and give advice on club selection and course strategy.

Caddies can make $50-$100+ per round, and you’re outside getting exercise.

38. Collect Golf Balls

Here’s an easier golf-related money maker – find lost golf balls at courses and sell them back to golfers.

Early morning is the best time to search because you can find balls before players arrive. From there, you can sell them individually or in bulk.

39. Shovel Snow in Winter

When it snows, everyone needs their driveways and sidewalks cleared. Get out there early before school or on weekends and offer your services.

You can charge $20-$40+ per driveway depending on size and how much snow there is.

shoveling snow as a way for a 13 year old to make money at home

40. Rake Leaves in Fall

Similar to snow shoveling, raking leaves is seasonal work that needs to be done. Many homeowners would gladly pay $20-$40 to avoid spending their Saturday raking.

And if you’re fast and efficient, you can do multiple yards in one day!

41. Hang and Remove Holiday Lights

This is surprisingly lucrative because most people hate dealing with holiday lights. Hanging them up is tedious, and taking them down is even worse.

You can charge $50-$150+ depending on the house size and complexity of the setup.

christmas decorations being removed as one of the best ways to make money as a 13 year old from home without a job

How to Get Started Making Money

Here’s your action plan for actually starting to earn money:

Pick 2-3 ideas from this list that interest you most. Don’t try everything at once or you’ll burn out.

Tell your parents or guardians what you want to do. You’ll need their help setting up payment accounts and possibly transportation.

Start with the easiest option first. Build confidence and some initial earnings before tackling more complex ideas.

Set a specific goal. Are you saving for a new phone? A special trip? Having a target makes it easier to stay motivated.

Success Mindset: The teens who make the most money are the ones who show up consistently and treat their work seriously, even if it’s just a side gig. Be reliable, do quality work, and the money will follow.

baseball cards being sold for a 13 year old to make money online

Common Questions About Making Money at 13

Do I need my parents’ permission?

Yes. At 13, you’ll need a parent or guardian to help you set up accounts for online platforms and receive payments. For in-person jobs, they should know what you’re doing for safety reasons.

How do I get paid?

Most online platforms use PayPal, which requires you to be 18 or have a parent set up an account for you. For in-person work, cash is easiest.

How much money can I realistically make?

It completely depends on what you choose and how much time you invest. Some teens make $50-$100 a month doing surveys and online tasks in their spare time. Others running legitimate small businesses (like selling printables or offering services) can make several hundred or even thousands per month.

Is any of this illegal?

Everything on this list is legal for 13-year-olds, but some activities might require parental consent or have specific rules in your area. Always check local regulations and get your parents’ approval before starting.

girl working on her laptop to see how a 13 year old can make $1,000 dollar

Final Thoughts

Making money at 13 isn’t just about the cash.

You’re building skills that’ll serve you for life – responsibility, time management, customer service, and entrepreneurship.

The money-making ideas you’re probably most excited about right now might not be the ones you actually end up doing, and that’s totally fine.

Try a few different things, see what you enjoy and what pays well, then double down on what works.

And remember – every successful adult started somewhere. Starting to earn money at 13 means you’re already ahead of most people your age.

There are plenty of online jobs for teens and other opportunities if you’re willing to look for them and put in the work.

So pick something from this list and get started today.

Anna Barker

Anna is the founder of LogicalDollar and a personal finance expert, having been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Bankrate, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, CreditCards.com and many more. With more than 10 years of experience in the financial and legal industries, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in these fields, as well as her own journey in turning $60,000 in debt into a thriving investment portfolio, she’s committed to helping others get on the path to financial freedom.