It can be seen that kid-run businesses can fill the gaps in formal education with business and life skills that help them succeed, bearing in mind that entrepreneurship from the start helps children find their interests and future career options, also this is a great opportunity to create your own e-commerce.
Having a child-friendly business is a way of learning and a fun family activity, let’s see some small business ideas for children with the supervision of their parents:
- Online content creator
Children can create video reviews, make a podcast, or also demonstrations or unboxings on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or Twitch, in order to find subscribers and followers so that over time the content can be monetized.
Skills gained:
- video editing
- community building
- Dealing with bullies (online trolls)
- Pint-sized pop-up shop owner
To develop sales skills, children can be helped to sell everything from homemade candy to handmade crafts.
Skills gained:
- communication
- You go out
- working with money
- Inventor of the Next Big Thing
Some children may be interested in STEM, where they can put their skills to use by solving a problem common to their generation, for example, Carson Kropfl’s skateboard didn’t fit in typical lockers, a 14-year-old invented a version of it by solving this problem, and got a contract with Shark Tank.
Skills gained:
- Design
- Problem solving
- Research
- Entertainer extraordinaire
There are many children with creative skills such as playing an instrument, demonstrating card tricks or cosplaying, which can lead them to have a very good business idea, they can even use these skills in social networks by uploading content on YouTube or TikTok.
Skills gained:
- Creativity
- Public speaking
- Confidence
- Magnificent maker
There are small items, such as jewelry or handmade soaps, that with the help of parents can be sold online. An initial investment is needed to create the products, but you can still learn how to create your own online store.
Skills gained:
- Creativity
- Marketing
- Fine motor skills
- Plant or pet sitter
Taking care of plants or animals is a good option when children are still too young to be able to take care of other children, and they can dedicate themselves to it with the help of their parents by creating their website where they put all their information and even payment methods.
Skills gained:
- Time management
- Responsibility
- Customer service
- Budding artist
Craft, design or art can explore the skills of children and form their own business by selling their own self-created products, or even creating video content by making tutorials.
Skills gained:
- Website building
- Creativity
- Customer service
- Neighborhood helper
Children can serve in their neighborhood by tending the lawn, raking leaves, shoveling snow, and running simple errands; they can make flyers and have their own website so that everyone knows what they offer.
Skills gained:
- Using manual and electric tools
- Time management
- People skills
- Coding wizard
There are children who have the ability to learn code to create websites, children can take classes and then create their own business where they can create web pages, teach or offer other services that are related to their knowledge.
Skills gained:
- Coding
- Problem solving
- Communication skills
- Festival or beach vendor
In the summer with the help of their parents, children can buy products such as water, popsicles or sunscreen in bulk and sell them at festivals or the beach, or even a mobile lemonade stand.
Skills gained:
- Design
- Money skills
- People skills
- Reseller
One option for kids is to resell products they can get from thrift or vintage stores, and can sell at other locations or online, as well as creating content about it on social media.
Skills gained:
- Photography
- Website creation
- Social media
- Social impact crusader
A social impact business can help children build skills for charities or donations, being a non-profit activity but more to help the community.
Skills gained:
- Compassion
- Fundraising
- Activism
- Dog walker
This is a good idea for children to start a business, they can take care, play and walk dogs in summer or in their free time.
Skills gained:
- Empathy for animals
- Communication skills
- Working outdoors
- Maker and Etsy seller
Etsy allows parents to create an account for their children, here they can create a business selling products online.
Skills gained:
- Marketing
- Fine motor skills
- Customer service
- Recycling collector
This is a very good option for children to earn money and at the same time help the environment. For example, California offers a minimum of $1.33 for clear PET plastic bottles, $1.66 for aluminum cans, and 10¢ for glass bottles.
Skills gained:
- Activism
- Conscious consumerism
- Staying organized
- Kids’ book author and illustrator
There are children who have the skills to create stories and illustrate them, this being a great opportunity for them to publish their stories online or create their own books. For example, Storyjumper offers that for just $2.99 people can read online and creators get royalties for each read or on Amazon as well.
Skills gained:
- Writing skills
- Creativity
- Publishing
- Babysitter
Taking care of other children can be a great option where they can develop skills such as confidence and communication. Children over the age of 16 can create a profile on Care.com to start their business.
Skills gained:
- First aid and safety
- Communication skills
- Child development
- Tutor
A child who is studious can help another with tutoring in some subjects, via the internet it is easy for children to contact others for tutoring.
Skills gained:
- Empathy
- Technical knowledge
- Patience
- Car washer
This option is great for children, to start they do not need a large investment, and they can do it with more children in a group, this helps to create group work skills.
Skills gained:
- Attention to detail
- Physical skills like dexterity
- Ability to work well with others
- Greeting card maker
With design and writing skills, a child can start his card business using virtual platforms.
Skills gained:
- Knowledge of digital content tools
- Interpersonal skills
- Writing skills
- Costume maker
If the kids know about sewing, sculpting, and crafts, creating cosplay-like costumes is a great way to start your business. They can upload their products and content on social networks and they can also have their own e-commerce, click here to find a guide to start your e-commerce.
Skills gained:
- Attention to detail
- Fine motor skills
- Social media marketing
- Voice artist
There are many children who have expressive voices that are used for dubbing, if this is an option for them their parents can help them, there are even channels like Disney, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids that have children’s voice overs.
Skills gained:
- Auditioning
- Confidence
- Acting skills
- Skateboard repair tech
If a child likes to ride a skateboard, he or she can acquire knowledge in skateboard repair, also can have clients in his/her group of friends and create a web page for the business.
Skills gained:
- Working with tools
- Communication
- Money handling
- Professional gamer
For young teenagers it is a great option if they like games, many children find in these a business option, with this they can participate in tournaments and make live broadcasts.
Skills gained:
- Social media and streaming
- Fine motor skills
- Social skills
Most of the options require little investment, some previous experience and from home, they can also have more knowledge online, and have the guidance of their parents. The ideal is to focus on the interests and strengths of the children, also adjusting to their school schedules.