Are you a parent looking to help your 12-year-old kickstart their financial journey, or perhaps a young reader eager to make some pocket money? You might think opportunities for tweens are scarce, but in 2025, there are plenty of creative, safe, and rewarding ways for 12-year-olds to earn cash while learning valuable life skills. From neighborhood gigs to online ventures, these jobs are not only fun but also teach responsibility, time management, and the value of hard work.
As someone who fondly recalls earning my first dollars through small tasks like pet sitting, I know how empowering it is for kids to have their own income. In this article, I’ll share 12 exciting job ideas tailored for 12-year-olds, packed with practical tips, safety advice, and insights to spark their entrepreneurial spirit. Let’s dive into these opportunities that can turn a tween’s free time into a productive and profitable adventure!
Can 12-Year-Olds Work Legally?
Before we explore the job ideas, let’s address the legal side. In the U.S., federal and state labor laws, such as those outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor, generally set 14 as the minimum age for most formal employment. This ensures young workers are safe and not overworked. However, 12-year-olds can still earn money through informal jobs like helping neighbors, family, or friends, as these don’t fall under standard employment regulations.
Safety First: Guidelines for Young Workers
To keep things safe and stress-free:
- Parental Supervision: Always ensure a parent or guardian knows where the child is working and with whom.
- Trusted Contacts: Stick to jobs with familiar people, like neighbors or family friends.
- Open Communication: Encourage kids to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe in any situation.
- School Priority: Jobs should never interfere with schoolwork, sleep, or extracurricular activities.
With these precautions in mind, let’s explore the best jobs for 12-year-olds that are both fun and rewarding.
Top 12 Jobs for 12-Year-Olds
1. Babysitting: A Responsible First Step
Babysitting is a fantastic way for mature 12-year-olds to earn money while caring for younger children. Tasks include playing games, helping with homework, or preparing simple snacks. It’s a job that builds confidence and teaches responsibility.
How to Start:
- Take a basic CPR or first aid course (online or community-based) to boost credibility.
- Start with short gigs, like watching a neighbor’s child for a couple of hours.
- Charge $5–$10 per hour, depending on the area and number of kids.
Pro Tip: Create a small flyer with your availability and contact info (with parental permission) to share with trusted neighbors. My first babysitting gig was watching my cousin, which gave me the confidence to take on other families in the neighborhood!
2. Dog Walking: A Pet Lover’s Dream
For animal-loving tweens, dog walking is a fun and active way to earn money. Many busy pet owners appreciate help exercising their dogs, especially during the day.
How to Start:
- Offer services to neighbors or family friends with dogs.
- Start with small or calm dogs to build experience.
- Charge $5–$8 for a 15–30-minute walk.
Safety Note: Ensure the child is comfortable with dogs and knows basic handling techniques. A parent can accompany them initially to ensure safety.
Why It’s Great: It’s a win-win—kids get exercise, and dogs get their daily walk. I recently saw a 12-year-old in my community advertising dog walking for $6 per walk, with their parent nearby for support. It was a heartwarming way to start a small business!
3. Yard Work: Outdoor Fun with a Paycheck
Yard work is perfect for kids who enjoy being outdoors. Tasks like raking leaves, pulling weeds, or watering plants are manageable for 12-year-olds and in high demand.
How to Start:
- Knock on neighbors’ doors or post flyers offering services.
- Begin with simple tasks like weeding or watering ($5–$10 per job).
- For bigger tasks like lawn mowing ($15–$25), ensure adult supervision and equipment training.
Why It’s Great: It’s a physical job that teaches kids the satisfaction of a job well done. Plus, it’s seasonal, so they can ramp up efforts in spring or fall.
4. Paper Route: A Classic with Modern Twists
While traditional paper routes are less common in 2025 due to digital news, some local newspapers or community newsletters still need delivery help. This job teaches time management and reliability.
How to Start:
- Contact local papers or community boards for opportunities.
- Charge $10–$20 per week, depending on the route size.
- Ensure early morning deliveries align with school schedules.
Modern Twist: Kids can also distribute flyers or local business ads for a similar payout. My friend’s family ran a paper route when we were kids, and it was a fun group effort that taught us punctuality.
5. Lemonade Stand: A Timeless Venture
A lemonade stand is a classic way for 12-year-olds to earn money, especially on hot summer days. It’s also a great introduction to entrepreneurship.
How to Start:
- Set up in a high-traffic area (with permission) like a park or community event.
- Use simple supplies: lemons, sugar, water, and cups (total cost ~$10).
- Charge $1–$2 per cup, or offer combo deals with cookies.
Pro Tip: Add a twist, like flavored lemonades (strawberry or mint), to stand out. My childhood lemonade stand was a blast—we even made signs to attract more customers!
6. Pet Sitting: Caring for Furry Friends
Pet sitting involves feeding, watering, and playing with pets while owners are away. It’s ideal for kids who love animals but don’t want to commit to daily walks.
How to Start:
- Offer to pet sit for neighbors during vacations or work hours.
- Charge $5–$15 per visit, depending on tasks (e.g., feeding, litter box cleaning).
- Accompany the child to the pet’s home or bring the pet to yours with owner approval.
Why It’s Great: It’s flexible and teaches empathy. I started pet sitting for my aunt’s cat, which led to more gigs in my neighborhood.
7. Car Washing: Shine and Earn
Car washing is a fun, low-cost way for 12-year-olds to make money, especially in warmer months. All they need are sponges, soap, and a hose.
How to Start:
- Advertise to neighbors or set up a car wash station in your driveway.
- Charge $10–$20 per car, with extras like interior vacuuming for $5 more.
- Work in pairs for bigger jobs to make it faster and more fun.
Why It’s Great: It’s a social job that can turn into a mini-event with friends. I loved washing cars as a kid—it felt like a game with a paycheck!
8. Household Chores: Earning at Home
Extra chores at home are a great way for 12-year-olds to contribute while earning money. Tasks like cleaning, organizing, or pet care are perfect.
How to Start:
- Negotiate a chore list with parents (e.g., $2 for dishes, $5 for vacuuming).
- Take on bigger projects like organizing a garage ($10–$20).
- Create a weekly chore schedule for consistent earnings.
Why It’s Great: It teaches life skills and helps the family. My first “job” was cleaning my family’s garage, which sparked my love for organizing.
9. Tutoring Younger Kids: Sharing Knowledge
If your 12-year-old excels in subjects like math or reading, tutoring younger kids is a rewarding option. It’s a great way to build communication skills.
How to Start:
- Offer tutoring to younger siblings or neighbors’ kids.
- Charge $8–$15 per hour, depending on the subject.
- Use video platforms like Zoom for online sessions if in-person isn’t feasible.
Why It’s Great: It boosts confidence and reinforces their own knowledge. Tutoring my little brother in math made me realize how much I enjoyed teaching.
10. Garage Sale Assistant: Organizing and Selling
Helping with garage sales is a fun weekend job for 12-year-olds. They can assist with setup, customer service, and cleanup.
How to Start:
- Offer services to neighbors planning sales (check community boards).
- Charge $10–$20 for a full day or $5 per hour.
- Teach basic money-handling skills for transactions.
Why It’s Great: It’s a short-term gig that teaches teamwork. I helped my neighbor with a garage sale and loved haggling with customers—it was like a game!
11. Online Content Creation: A Digital Opportunity
In 2025, 12-year-olds can explore online ventures like starting a YouTube channel or creating digital art for sale. This requires parental oversight due to platform age restrictions.
How to Start:
- Create kid-friendly content (e.g., toy reviews, crafts) with parental consent.
- Use platforms like Etsy to sell digital stickers or designs ($1–$5 each).
- Monetize YouTube views after reaching 1,000 subscribers (earnings vary).
Safety Note: Parents must manage accounts and ensure compliance with COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).
Why It’s Great: It’s a creative outlet with global reach. A friend’s kid started a slime-making channel and earned $50 in a month!
12. Acting or Modeling: For the Spotlight Lovers
For 12-year-olds who love performing, acting in local theater or modeling for small businesses can be exciting. Opportunities include commercials, school plays, or social media ads.
How to Start:
- Check local casting calls on community boards or websites like Backstage.
- Join a youth theater group to build skills ($50–$200 per production).
- Work with a reputable talent agency for bigger gigs.
Why It’s Great: It builds confidence and creativity. A neighbor’s child landed a commercial role and earned $300 for a day’s work!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can 12-Year-Olds Make Money Safely?
They can babysit, walk dogs, do yard work, or run a lemonade stand. Always work with trusted people and have parental supervision.
Are There Jobs for 12-Year-Olds with No Experience?
Yes! Neighbors and family often hire for simple tasks like pet sitting or chores, no experience needed.
Can 12-Year-Olds Earn Money Online?
With parental guidance, they can sell crafts on Etsy, create YouTube content, or offer digital tutoring. Ensure compliance with platform age rules.
What’s the Best Way to Start?
Talk to neighbors, create flyers, or ask family for small jobs. Start with what the child enjoys, like animals or crafts, to keep them motivated.
Why These Jobs Matter
These jobs do more than just put money in a 12-year-old’s pocket. They teach financial literacy, like saving for a new game or budgeting for supplies. They build confidence by showing kids they can contribute meaningfully. And they foster a work ethic that will serve them for life.
I still remember the thrill of earning $10 for pet sitting—it wasn’t just about the money but the pride of doing something valuable. In 2025, with so many opportunities, 12-year-olds can start their journey with small steps that lead to big lessons.
Final Tips for Parents and Kids
- Set Goals: Decide what the money is for—a new toy, savings, or charity.
- Track Earnings: Use a simple notebook or app to log income and expenses.
- Celebrate Wins: Reward hard work with praise or a small treat to keep motivation high.
What’s your favorite job idea for a 12-year-old? Have you or your child tried any of these? Share your thoughts in the forum—I’d love to hear your stories!
