The Best Summer Jobs for Kids 13 and Over
Ah, summer! That splendid time of the year when the days are long, spirits are high, and there’s this infectious zest for life in the air. For many, especially our enthusiastic younger kids and the ambitious high school students gearing up for another school year, it’s not just a break from textbooks and exams. It’s a vibrant season filled with the promise of great summer jobs, extra money in their pockets, and, of course, invaluable work experience. Check out this list of the best summer jobs for kids.
1. Mom or Dad’s Helper
You don’t have to search far to find money-making opportunities that will keep your kids busy this summer. Just look around your home and you’ll surely find something for them to do. If you’re out of ideas, you can use a kids’ chores app to assign additional chores at home in exchange for some extra cash.
Older kids can take on more mature responsibilities like taking care of their younger siblings or supervising meal preparations. Younger ones, on the other hand, can assist you with laundry, cleaning, or gardening.
2. Lemonade Stand
The lemonade stand is a tried and tested business activity for kids. It’s easy to set up and can be a huge hit on a hot summer day.
Lemonade stands are a perfect summer job for kids. This job involves setting up a stand and selling lemonade to passersby. Running a lemonade stand can teach kids about entrepreneurship and marketing, as they will need to create a sign, price their product, and advertise to potential customers. This job can be a great way for kids to make some extra cash while having fun.
But why limit your children to selling lemonades when they can put up an entire snack stand? Aside from lemonades, they can sell sodas, candies, chocolates, and ice cream bars. If your family loves to bake, you can throw in some freshly baked cookies and brownies, too!
3. Yard Work
During the summer months, lawns need to be mowed and maintained regularly. Kids can offer their services as lawn care providers, which can include mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and watering plants. This job is perfect for kids who enjoy being outdoors and getting some exercise. It is also a great way for kids to learn about the importance of taking care of a yard.
Your children can create their own fliers or business cards and hand them over to people in your neighbourhood to advertise their services.
4. Car Wash
A kids’ car wash might just be the coolest summer job around. Most kids love being outside in the sun; getting to play with the hose is a bonus!
Car wash businesses have the potential to bring in good income, especially when located in a high-traffic community, but your child must be ready to put in the work. To make the activity more fun, have your kid(s) enlist a few of their closest friends, and together they can hold a car wash every weekend for the rest of the summer.
5. Pet Sitter
If kids love animals, then being a pet sitter can be a great summer job. This job involves caring for pets while their owners are away on vacation. This may include feeding, walking, and playing with the pets. Pet-sitting is a great way for kids to learn responsibility and care for animals, and it pays well too.
6. Dog Walking
Just like with pet-sitting, if kids love animals, they can offer their services as dog walkers. This job involves taking dogs for walks and ensuring they get enough exercise. Being a dog walker is a great way for kids to spend time outdoors, stay active, and interact with animals. This job can also be very lucrative, especially in urban areas where dog owners are busy and may not have time to walk their dogs themselves.
7. Babysitter/Summer Nanny
For kids 11 years and older, summer is a good time to start taking on babysitting jobs. Have them babysit a relative’s or a close friend’s kids first to learn the ropes. Once they become more experienced, they can sign up for one of those babysitting apps or websites.
Babysitting pays really well. Plus, it’s a lucrative side hustle – not just for the summer, but all year round.
8. Camp Counselor
Summer camps are a popular destination for kids during the summer months. Many camps hire teenagers to work as counselors. This job involves supervising campers, leading activities, and ensuring that campers are safe and happy. This job is perfect for kids who enjoy working with children and want to gain leadership skills.
9. Retail
Many stores hire teenagers to work during the summer months, for e.g. a grocery store hires a grocery bagger. Retail jobs can involve a variety of tasks, including stocking shelves, assisting customers, and operating the cash register. Retail jobs can teach kids customer service skills and about working in a team environment.
10. Food Service
Many food restaurants and food stands hire teenagers during the summer months. This job can involve a variety of tasks, including taking orders, preparing food, and cleaning. Food service jobs can teach kids about the importance of hygiene, customer service, and working in a fast-paced environment.
11. Lifeguard
Lifeguarding is a popular summer job for kids who are a strong swimmer. This job involves supervising swimmers, responding to emergencies, and enforcing safety rules. This job can teach kids about responsibility and the importance of safety. You can try applying at your community pool or water park.
12. Tutoring
Many kids need extra help with their schoolwork during the summer months. Kids who excel in a particular subject can offer their services as tutors. Tutoring can be done in person or remotely via video conferencing. Tutoring is also a great way for kids to improve their skills, stay engaged with learning, and help other students succeed. You could offer tuition in many subjects, such as basic math skills.
13. Animal Shelter
Working at an animal shelter is one of the best summer jobs for kids who are animal lovers. Animal shelters are organizations that take care of homeless and abandoned animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and more. Many animal shelters rely on volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and socializing animals.
14. House Cleaner
House cleaning is a great summer job for kids who want to earn some extra cash while helping out busy families or individuals. Being a house cleaner involves cleaning and organizing the interior of a home, which can include tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, and scrubbing.
15. Amusement Park Worker
Working at an amusement park is an exciting and fun summer job for kids. Amusement parks offer a variety of positions, including ride operators, food service workers, ticket sellers, and game attendants.
16. Bowling Alleys
Working at a bowling alley is a great summer job for kids who enjoy being active and social. Bowling alleys offer a variety of positions, including front desk attendants, lane attendants, and food service workers.
17. Movie Theaters Attendant
Working as a movie theater attendant is a great summer job for kids who love movies and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Movie theater attendants are responsible for tasks such as selling tickets, preparing and serving food and drinks, cleaning theaters between showings, and providing excellent customer service to moviegoers.
18. Golf Caddies At Golf Course
Working as a golf caddy is a great summer job for kids who love golf and being outdoors. A golf caddy is responsible for carrying a golfer’s clubs, helping them select clubs, and providing advice and support throughout the game.
19. House Sitting
House sitting is a great summer job for responsible and trustworthy kids. As a house sitter, kids are responsible for taking care of a homeowner’s property while they are away. This can include tasks such as checking the mail, watering plants, feeding pets, and keeping the house clean and secure.
20. Coffee Shops
Working at a coffee shop is a great summer job for kids who are interested in the food service industry and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Coffee shops offer a variety of positions, including baristas, cashiers, and food service workers.
Encourage Your Children to Work
Summer jobs are a great way of introducing your children to the idea of working and as good a chance as any to teach them how to handle money. Once your child starts earning, talk to them about the importance of budgeting, saving, and even investing.
To make saving more exciting, provide them with their own kids’ debit card! Witnessing how their savings can grow over time will motivate them to regularly set aside a portion of their income or allowance towards their financial goals.
Conclusion
And just like that, as the sun sets on another vibrant summer, we wrap up our journey through the bustling world of summer youth employment. It’s been a whirlwind of opportunity, from the bustling aisles of grocery stores to the sun-drenched fields of local farms, and every snack bar and clothing store in between. For young adults, especially those diligent college students and spirited older teens, this summer has been more than just a break; it’s been a chance to dive deep into the pool of job opportunities, from part-time jobs that fit snugly into their extra time to summer programs that spark new passions.
