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Image From: 3bugsmom from Getty Images Signature/Canva Pro

Article By: Kelly Kirk-Xu & Emily Stevens

Summer jobs are a great way to keep your kid busy this summer while also giving them the chance to learn important life skills they will carry for the rest of their lives, like responsibility, professional skills, and financial literacy! 

A few popular summer job ideas for your kids include:

Babysitting

Babysitting is an excellent opportunity for young teenagers to make some extra money. To help your child build confidence in their babysitting skills, you can help them find babysitting courses online or in your community.  Sometimes, if your child is not fully comfortable being a babysitter on their own, they can start off as a “parents helper”.  This way, the parent is still at home, and your child can work as a “kid entertainer”.  They will keep the kids busy while the parent can get work done.  Once they’re confident with this, they can graduate to being a babysitter on their own.

Online Entrepreneurship

If your child has a hobby they are passionate about, like graphic design, crafting, or writing, there are tons of online opportunities to sell their goods or services. Just make sure they have been taught about online safety, and they will be ready to earn some money from the comfort of home.

Dog Walking

Is your child a true animal-lover? Then dog-walking can be a super fun summer job for them! Dogs need to get outside every day to stretch their legs and release their spurts of energy. Plus, dogs often benefit from being trained to do things like “sit”, “stay”, and “roll over”.  However, some owners may not have the time to give them the chance to do this, presenting the perfect money-making opportunity for your little entrepreneur.  Let your kid make flyers, boasting their skills and availability.  Or, you can help them spread the word to your friends in the neighborhood.

Lifeguarding

Does your teenager love spending time soaking up the sunshine in the pool? Then lifeguarding may be just the job for them! Lifeguarding also teaches your child valuable skills, like CPR, as they are required to pass a lifeguard course before beginning work.

Lawn Mowing and Other Yard Work

The summer months are a great time to spend your days outside and soak up that sunshine. What better way for your child to spend their days than doing some work outside?  Oftentimes, homeowners have a long list of outdoor chores to get done.  Just asking your neighbors, “Hey, do you need some help” may be all it takes to get a job and start making money.

Summer jobs are a great way to keep your kid busy this summer while teaching them life skills that will stick around for years to come!