10 Ways Kids Ages 10–13 Can Make Money in Their Neighborhood

Kids ages 10–13 can make extra money by helping neighbors with simple jobs such as watering plants, pulling weeds, washing cars, collecting recycling, and wrapping gifts. These activities can introduce children to earning, saving, and managing money while giving them opportunities to practice responsibility.

The best neighborhood jobs for younger kids are usually small, clearly defined tasks for people the family already knows. Parents can help find customers, agree on payment, provide supervision, and make sure the work is appropriate for their child’s age and abilities.

Some traditional money-making ideas, including lawn mowing, dog walking, and babysitting, require more caution. A job that’s reasonable for a mature 13-year-old may not be appropriate for a 10-year-old. Local child labor laws, equipment safety recommendations, and the responsibilities involved also matter.

Here are 10 neighborhood jobs to consider, along with practical ways to find customers, set prices, and keep parents involved.

1. Mowing Lawns

Lawn mowing can provide recurring work during spring and summer, especially in neighborhoods with smaller yards. A child might help maintain one or two lawns on a regular schedule, learning to arrive on time, complete the agreed work, and take care of equipment.

However, operating a lawn mower is not appropriate for most of the 10–13 age range. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be at least 12 years old to operate a walk-behind power mower and at least 16 to operate a riding mower. Children must also demonstrate the necessary maturity, judgment, strength, and coordination. An age recommendation doesn’t override applicable child labor restrictions.

For children who aren’t ready to operate a mower, consider offering related yard services instead. They might pick up toys and lightweight debris before an adult mows, water flower beds, or help organize gardening supplies.

Safety: Children who are old enough and appropriately trained to mow need sturdy footwear, eye and hearing protection, and supervision until they can operate the equipment safely. Check lawns for rocks, sticks, and toys that could become projectiles. Adults should handle refueling, blade maintenance, repairs, and equipment jams. Never mow during storms or on wet grass.

Finding customers: Start with trusted neighbors who have manageable lawns. A parent can share a short flyer or message describing the service, availability, and an adult contact number.

Setting a price: Consider the lawn’s size, terrain, estimated mowing time, equipment costs, and whether cleanup or edging is included. Agree on the exact work and price before starting. A flat rate per lawn may be simpler than an hourly rate when the job is predictable.

How parents can help: Check age requirements and applicable work rules, decide whether the child is ready, maintain the equipment, supervise appropriately, and discuss the work with the homeowner. Children should not independently refuel or repair powered lawn equipment.

2. Pulling Weeds and Helping with Gardening

Gardening is a practical starting point for kids who enjoy working outdoors. Many neighbors appreciate help with pulling weeds, watering plants, planting seedlings, or tidying flower beds.

These jobs are easy to divide into smaller tasks. Rather than promising to weed an entire yard, a child could offer to clear one garden bed, water a few containers, or spend a set amount of time helping with seasonal planting.

Gardening work also changes with the seasons. Spring may bring planting jobs, summer requires watering and weeding, and fall often provides opportunities for light garden cleanup.

Safety: Wear gloves, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing. Children should not handle pesticides, herbicides, unfamiliar plants, or powered garden equipment. Check with the homeowner before removing anything, since seedlings and flowers can look surprisingly similar to weeds.

Finding customers: Ask trusted neighbors whether they need help maintaining a small flower bed. With permission, take before-and-after photos to show the results. A parent can share the pictures privately with other prospective customers.

Setting a price: An hourly rate can work for general weeding, while a fixed price may be easier for a small, well-defined task. Account for the amount of work, supplies, and expected time. Avoid offering unlimited weeding for one price.

How parents can help: Provide appropriately sized gloves and hand tools, identify plants that shouldn’t be touched, and help estimate the work involved. Parents should supervise any activity involving sharp tools or unfamiliar garden conditions.

3. Walking Dogs

Dog walking appeals to children who love animals and enjoy being active. A familiar neighbor might appreciate help taking a calm dog on a short walk, particularly during a busy day.

However, walking someone else’s dog carries more responsibility than it may initially appear. Even a friendly dog can suddenly pull toward another animal, become frightened, or run into traffic. Children must be physically capable of controlling the dog and recognizing potentially dangerous situations.

For kids ages 10–13, accompanied dog walking is generally a more appropriate option than independently handling unfamiliar pets. Start with a calm dog the family already knows, and have an adult attend the walks.

Safety: Use a properly fitted harness or collar and a secure leash. Walk familiar routes away from busy roads and loose dogs. Avoid extreme temperatures, and don’t take several dogs at once. Never allow a child to enter an unfamiliar home alone to collect a pet.

Finding customers: Parents can ask familiar dog owners whether they need occasional help. Arrange an introductory meeting with the owner, child, and supervising adult before agreeing to regular walks.

Setting a price: Consider the length of each walk, the dog’s needs, the travel involved, and the level of adult assistance required. A fixed amount for a clearly defined short walk is often easiest.

How parents can help: Meet the owner and dog, assess whether the animal is suitable, establish safe routes, and accompany the child. Bring waste bags, drinking water when appropriate, and emergency contact information.

4. Pet Sitting and Pet-Care Assistance

Pet sitting can include feeding animals, refreshing water bowls, providing supervised playtime, and helping with simple cleanup. These tasks may appeal to children who enjoy animals but aren’t ready to take on dog walking.

For younger kids, supervised pet-care assistance is a better starting point than independent pet sitting. A child might accompany a parent to feed a trusted neighbor’s cat or help care for a familiar rabbit while its owner is away.

Before accepting an assignment, confirm the pet’s feeding schedule, normal behavior, exercise needs, and any special instructions. Owners should also provide emergency contact information and identify who is responsible if the animal becomes ill.

Safety: Only care for animals that are appropriate for the child’s abilities and that the family has met beforehand. Children should not administer medication independently, handle aggressive animals, or take responsibility for overnight stays. A parent should accompany visits requiring entry into another person’s home.

Finding customers: Parents can prepare simple pet-care cards listing approved tasks such as feeding, refreshing water, and supervised play. Share them with familiar neighbors or family friends who own pets.

Setting a price: Base the charge on the number of visits, their duration, the type of animal, and the duties involved. A brief feeding visit and an extended pet-care session shouldn’t automatically cost the same amount.

How parents can help: Meet the pet and owner, review care instructions, attend visits, and take responsibility for unexpected problems. Keep a written checklist so feeding and other essential tasks aren’t forgotten.

5. Babysitting and Parent’s Helper Jobs

Babysitting is a traditional way for older children and teenagers to earn money. However, there is a significant difference between entertaining younger children while a parent remains home and being solely responsible for their safety.

For many 10–13-year-olds, working as a parent’s helper is a sensible first step. The child might read books, organize crafts, play board games, or entertain younger siblings while the responsible adult remains nearby and available.

As children become older and more mature, babysitting training can help them develop the necessary skills. The American Red Cross offers babysitting education, including an online course designed primarily for ages 11 and older and an in-person course for ages 11–16. Training covers child care, safety, and emergency response, but it doesn’t automatically establish that a child is ready to babysit without supervision.

Safety: Begin with families the child knows well. For a parent’s helper role, the supervising adult should remain on the premises. Children should not independently care for infants or accept responsibilities they haven’t been trained to handle. Parents should assess maturity, emergency readiness, and applicable local laws before considering any unsupervised babysitting arrangement.

Finding customers: Parents can ask family friends whether they would appreciate help entertaining children while they work or complete household tasks. Share an adult’s contact information rather than publicly advertising the child’s age, home address, or phone number.

Setting a price: Consider the number and ages of the children, the duration, the tasks involved, and whether the parent remains present. A supervised helper role should be priced according to its responsibilities rather than treated as identical to independent babysitting.

How parents can help: Arrange appropriate training, meet the family, confirm supervision arrangements, and discuss activities that are suitable for the younger children. Make sure the helper knows how to reach a responsible adult immediately.

6. Running Small Errands for Neighbors

Some neighbors appreciate help with small errands, particularly tasks that are inconvenient because of busy schedules or limited mobility. These might include bringing empty garbage cans back from the curb, delivering a lightweight item between familiar households, or collecting mail from a community mailbox.

Errands are most manageable when the work is predictable and close to home. For example, a trusted neighbor who has difficulty walking to a community mailbox might arrange for a family to help retrieve mail on specified days. An adult should coordinate permission and supervise the arrangement.

Children shouldn’t be expected to shop independently for strangers, handle large amounts of money, or collect packages from unfamiliar locations. Tasks involving busy roads, driving, financial transactions, or access to private information are better handled by adults.

Safety: Parents should approve the customer, route, timing, and exact assignment. Keep errands within a familiar, supervised area and avoid carrying valuables or sensitive documents without appropriate adult involvement.

Finding customers: Ask trusted neighbors about specific recurring tasks. A parent can distribute a brief message offering approved assistance rather than encouraging children to approach unfamiliar households.

Setting a price: Consider the distance, time, frequency, and responsibilities involved. A set amount per completed errand may work for occasional jobs, while a weekly arrangement can be more convenient for recurring tasks.

How parents can help: Review each request, establish safe routes, accompany the child where needed, and handle errands involving money, identification, keys, or private information.

7. Washing Cars

Car washing can be a satisfying outdoor job because children can immediately see the results of their work. With suitable supplies and adult supervision, they can help clean a family vehicle or offer basic exterior washing to trusted neighbors.

Begin with a simple exterior wash rather than promising complete car detailing. Older children might later add vacuuming floor mats or wiping appropriate interior surfaces as an extra service.

Make sure the customer understands what’s included. Washing the exterior, cleaning wheels, drying the vehicle, and vacuuming the interior are different tasks, and adding them without discussing the price can create disagreements.

Safety: Work in a traffic-free driveway with the vehicle parked and turned off. Use products intended for automotive finishes rather than ordinary household cleaners. Keep hoses and buckets out of walkways. Children should never move vehicles, work underneath them, or handle harsh detailing chemicals. Check local restrictions on outdoor water use and runoff.

Finding customers: Parents can offer the service to familiar neighbors through private messages or local contacts. A supervised family car wash can also help children practice before accepting paid work.

Setting a price: Consider vehicle size, washing time, supplies, and whether interior work is included. Agree on the total charge before starting and clarify what happens if the vehicle needs more cleaning than expected.

How parents can help: Supply proper car-cleaning products, prepare a safe work area, supervise the washing, and inspect the vehicle before and after the job.

8. Helping Neighbors While They’re Away

Neighbors who are traveling may need help watering plants, collecting mail, or bringing garbage cans back from the curb. These small tasks can give responsible children an opportunity to earn money while helping people their family already knows.

For ages 10–13, supervised assistance is more appropriate than being independently responsible for someone’s home. A parent can manage access arrangements and accompany the child, while the child completes approved tasks.

Prepare a checklist before the neighbor leaves. Record which plants require watering, when bins need moving, how frequently visits are expected, and whom to contact if something goes wrong.

Safety: Only help trusted neighbors. Parents should manage keys, alarm codes, and entry into the property. Never enter a home if there are signs of forced entry, an unexpectedly open door, or other suspicious circumstances. Leave the area and contact a responsible adult.

Finding customers: Parents can privately offer supervised plant-watering or mail-collection help to familiar neighbors. Avoid publicly advertising when a household will be vacant.

Setting a price: Consider the number of visits, the tasks required, and the time needed for each visit. Agree on a per-visit amount or total payment for the entire period before the neighbor leaves.

How parents can help: Coordinate access and instructions, supervise visits, maintain the checklist, and take responsibility for unexpected situations.

9. Recycling Assistance

Recycling assistance can be a manageable job for younger children, particularly when it involves collecting clean refundable containers or helping neighbors organize recycling bins.

In areas with bottle and can deposit programs, families may be able to redeem eligible containers for refunds. Which containers qualify and how much each is worth depend on the local program. Parents can help children identify accepted containers and understand how the system works.

Other tasks might include moving empty bins back from the curb or helping sort clean recyclable materials according to local collection rules. These jobs can be scheduled weekly or handled occasionally.

Safety: Children shouldn’t sort mixed garbage or handle broken glass, sharp metal, contaminated containers, or hazardous waste. Use appropriate gloves and wash hands afterward. Parents should supervise sorting and transport containers to redemption locations. Always obtain permission before taking someone else’s recyclables.

Finding customers: Ask trusted neighbors whether they need help organizing returnable containers or bringing bins in after collection. Parents can explain exactly which materials the child will handle.

Setting a price: For a recurring collection service, agree on a weekly fee that reflects the work involved. If redeeming containers, clarify beforehand who receives the deposit refunds and whether those refunds are part of the child’s compensation.

How parents can help: Check local recycling requirements, provide safe containers and gloves, supervise handling, and help transport materials. Children can practice calculating their earnings after any agreed expenses.

10. Seasonal and Holiday Help

Seasonal work is useful for children who want occasional earning opportunities without committing to a regular weekly schedule. Different times of year bring opportunities for light garden cleanup, raking leaves, wrapping gifts, or organizing holiday decorations.

Gift wrapping is a particularly accessible indoor option. Children can practice wrapping family presents, then offer the service to relatives or trusted neighbors. They might also make simple gift tags or decorative bows as part of the job.

In fall, light leaf raking can provide outdoor work. During spring, neighbors may need help preparing flower beds or organizing gardening supplies. Children should avoid heavy snow removal, climbing ladders, hanging exterior lights, lifting large objects, or operating powered tools.

Safety: Match the work to the child’s age and physical abilities. Use lightweight equipment, wear appropriate clothing, and take breaks. Leave heavy or hazardous tasks, including icy snow removal and electrical decorations, to adults.

Finding customers: Create seasonal flyers or messages listing specific services. A parent can share them with familiar households. For example, a holiday flyer could offer gift wrapping and handmade gift tags rather than vaguely promising help with all holiday chores.

Setting a price: For gift wrapping, consider charging per gift or for a small group of gifts, with the cost of paper and ribbon agreed upon. For yard cleanup, estimate the time and work involved before quoting a price.

How parents can help: Provide supplies, approve each assignment, supervise outdoor work, and make sure the child isn’t taking on more than they can safely complete.

Check the Rules for Kids Working in Your Area

Before arranging paid work, parents should check the rules that apply to their child’s age and location. In the United States, federal child labor law generally restricts employment of children under 14 in covered nonagricultural jobs. However, some informal neighborhood activities, such as occasional babysitting and certain yard work for neighbors, may fall outside those federal employment restrictions.

The U.S. Department of Labor provides guidance on employment restrictions for children under 14. State laws may impose additional requirements, and the rules can differ depending on whether a child is helping a neighbor casually or working for an established business.

Families outside the United States should check their own provincial, state, or local regulations. Even when an activity is legally permitted, parents still need to decide whether it is safe and appropriate for their particular child.

How Kids Can Find Neighborhood Customers Safely

Finding customers doesn’t have to involve knocking on strangers’ doors or posting personal information online. For young children, parents can start by asking people they already know whether they need help with a manageable task.

• Start with familiar people: Family friends and trusted neighbors are sensible first customers.
• Use a parent’s contact information: Flyers or messages should direct inquiries to an adult.
• Describe exactly what’s offered: A flyer advertising light weeding and watering is clearer than one promising general yard maintenance.
• Protect personal information: Don’t publish a child’s address, school, personal phone number, or daily schedule.
• Keep arrangements supervised: Parents should approve customers, locations, working times, and any changes to the agreed job.

A simple message from a parent might say: “We’re helping our child learn about earning money by offering supervised watering and light gardening help for neighbors we know. Please contact me if you’d like to discuss a small job.”

How to Charge Customers and Handle Earnings

Deciding how much to charge is part of learning to earn money. Children need to understand that a job’s price should reflect the time, supplies, and effort involved, while customers need to know exactly what they’re paying for.

1. Agree on the work: Describe the task, estimated time, equipment, and expected result before starting.
2. Choose a payment method: A fixed price works well for clearly defined jobs, while an hourly rate may be more practical when the amount of work varies.
3. Account for expenses: Determine who provides supplies and whether those costs are included in the agreed amount.
4. Record completed jobs: Keep a notebook or spreadsheet with the date, customer, task, agreed charge, expenses, and payment received.
5. Arrange payment: For an occasional small job, payment on completion may be easiest. Parents can coordinate recurring or electronic payments.
6. Handle nonpayment through an adult: If someone forgets to pay, a parent can send a polite reminder. Children should never return alone to confront a customer over money.

Here’s a simple example of how expenses affect earnings. Suppose a neighbor agrees to pay $15 for a small gardening job, and the child spends $4 of that payment on supplies. The child has $11 remaining after that expense. If the neighbor provides the supplies instead, the child keeps the full $15. These numbers are hypothetical and illustrate the calculation, not a recommended local gardening rate.

Parents can also help children decide what to do with their earnings. An envelope system is an easy place to start: one envelope for spending, one for savings, and another for a particular goal, such as a bicycle or a gift.

Keep records of regular paid work and check applicable tax requirements if a child’s earnings become substantial. Small neighborhood jobs shouldn’t automatically be assumed exempt from every reporting rule.

For a first job, reliability matters more than earning the highest possible amount. Completing a manageable assignment, communicating politely, and receiving payment for work well done can help children build useful habits while parents ensure the experience remains safe.