Summertime is a great opportunity for kids to learn how to work and
earn a little bit of spending money. Often, kids need something to do
during the summer months, and a small part-time job can teach them
valuable lessons about earning money and working to achieve their goals.
If your child needs a summer job, here are a few options to consider:
Neighborhood Chores and Services
Simple
tasks such as mowing the lawn or washing windows offer a great
opportunity for kids to earn money. Many of the neighbors enjoy the help
with yardwork and cleaning up the property, and they are willing to pay
for the service to have the neighborhood kids help with the work. It is
beneficial to hire a neighborhood kid instead of a landscaping company,
because the costs are much cheaper.
If your kids are interested
in these types of summer jobs, then they should make a flier at the
beginning of the summer. By passing the papers around the neighborhood,
everyone will know that the services are available and it is will be
easier to get a few consistent clients.
Summer Camps
Did your child enjoy attending
summer camp when they are younger? Some of these camps hire teenagers to
help during the summer months, and job openings include camp counselors
or activity leaders. Find a camp that matches the interests of your
child, so they can do something they enjoy throughout the summer months.
For
example, if your child loves horseback riding, see if you can find a
ranch summer camp where they can work. Or if they like music, then they
might be able to find a camp that incorporates music and instruments
into the activities.
Lifeguard
Lifeguarding
is a great seasonal job, because the pool is usually only open during
the warmer summer months. Your child will enjoy the work because they
can spend time in the sun and see their friends at the pool, and at the
same time they are getting paid to work.
Certain certifications
and training programs are needed to work as a lifeguard, so make sure
that your child has these certifications in advance to increase their
likelihood of getting the job.
Babysitting or Summer Nanny
Babysitting
younger kids in the neighborhood can be a good way to earn money,
especially if your child is responsible enough to watch the kids for the
whole day. The summer months can be hard if both parents are working
full-time, and they often hire a summer nanny to watch their children
during the day.
Instead of paying full-price for an adult nanny,
it is much cheaper to hire a neighborhood teenager to be the nanny over
the summer. It’s a great solution because the teenager can earn money,
and the parents are saving compared with the costs they would be
spending on a full-time nanny. When summer break is over, both the
teenager and the younger children will be going to back to school at the
same time.
Garage Sale
Are
you looking for a way to clear the clutter out of your house and help
your child earn a little money at the same time? Plan a garage sale to
get rid of the unused items in storage. You will be happier because your
house will be less cluttery, and your child will be happy because they
will have some spending money in their pocket.
Lemonade/Cookie Stand
Younger
children aren’t quite mature enough to have a bigger summer job, but
they can handle smaller activities such as selling lemonade or cookies
on the street corner. Help them learn about preparing the food, setting
up their stand, and handling the transactions when they make a sale.
By Andrea Travillian
Kids & Money Expert
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