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How can a 12 year old make money? Are there jobs for 12 year olds? It’s never too early to start learning smart money habits and earning extra cash at a young age.

There are tons of jobs for 12 year olds to make money online or around your neighbourhood that range from traditional paper routes to becoming a YouTube influencer.

So if you are wondering, what jobs can you get as a 12 year old, this post is for you. We will be breaking it down into duties and responsibilities of jobs that are age appropriate.

Check out these 20 legitimate jobs for 12 year-olds that you can start today.  

jobs for 12 year olds

Jobs for 12 year olds

1. Complete Online Research Tasks

While you’ll need to be at least 18 to register to work on micro-task or freelance sites like Upwork or Amazon Turk, there are places that allow 12-year-olds to earn money online.

These include Kidz Eyes, a company that offers online research opportunities for 6–12-year-old children living in the U. S. Once you’ve earned 1000 points, you can redeem them for a check.

2. Babysitting

Looking after small children for your family or neighbours is another way to earn some extra cash.

A babysitter’s job is to supervise small kids while parents are busy or absent.

As a babysitter, you can play with children, give them meals, assist with homework assignments, and get children to bed on time.

Working and communicating with younger children can help babysitters develop good interpersonal skills. Meanwhile, showing up to work on time and keeping to a schedule can also help you develop good time management skills.  

Related: List of babysitting jobs for 13 year olds

3. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting is one of those great jobs for 12 year olds.

Your primary role will revolve around supervising pets when their owners are gone.

This might involve 1-2 evenings a week or a longer period if the owners go on vacation.

It’s also one of those jobs that helps 12-year-olds follow owners’ guidelines for pet health and safety. It can help teach responsibility and attention to detail skills.   

4. Dog Walking Jobs for 12 year olds

This job is like pet sitting, but it involves more active work.

You get fresh air, get the chance to spend time with animals, and get your daily exercise in.

You’ll also have to exercise more responsibility by making sure that dogs don’t run away, eat trash, and safely navigate the neighbourhood and traffic crossings during your walk.

5. Plant Sitting

Plant sitting can sound kind of boring, but it’s one of those low-key jobs for 12 year olds that most preteens can do.

Just water plants and make sure that they get enough sun or shade according to the schedule that the owner lays out for when they are away.

6. Paper Route Jobs for 12 year olds

No list would be complete if this option didn’t top the list of jobs for 12 year olds. A paper route gives children the chance to earn money while getting exercise and working outdoors. 

Your main job as a paper delivery person centre around getting a load of daily newspapers, brochures, flyers, magazines, or other printed media from a local distribution centre.

To stay safe, have a parent or trusted family member drive you to and from the distribution centre to get your daily delivery load. Then deliver each newspaper to the correct address.

Your paper route will typically start early in the morning and may also have weekend shifts. With this kind of job, you can get to know your neighbours, keep to a schedule, and learn how to get to each address efficiently.

7. Car Washing

Car washing is one of those jobs for 12 year-olds that’s an easy and popular gig.

You’ll want to clean cars or other motor vehicles to a standard that you and the owner agree upon.

You’ll also need access to buckets, sponges, hoses, a vacuum cleaner, clothes, and wax and shine kits as needed.

As a car washer, you’ll wash (and sometimes wax) the outside of the car to get off any mud, dirt, or grime.

Then you’ll clean the inside of the car (if requested) by wiping down the inside and spraying windows. Finish off by vacuuming out the interior to remove any debris.

8. Gardening

Do you have a green thumb or like working outside? Check to see if your neighbours need any help with watering, pruning, planting, weeding, or harvesting flowers or produce.  

9. Fence Painting

Almost anyone can pick up a brush and dunk it in a can of paint. If you’re looking for unique jobs for 12 year olds, ask around to see if anyone nearby has a fence that needs a fresh coat of paint. Even if you’re a messy painter, it’s kind of hard to mess up a fence so long as you get the job done. 

10. Recycling

Want to make a little extra cash as a preteen? Recycling is one way to do that. 

If your state has a place to deposit bottles or cans, you can make some money while helping save the earth.

You can go around the neighbourhood to collect cans, bottles, or scrap metal. Just make sure that you don’t go onto private property to hunt for recyclable materials without the owner’s permission. Make sure to get a ride from a parent to the recycling centre so that you can turn your trash into cash.

11. Making and Selling Evergreen Wreaths

Are you creative? You can start a home business by gathering evergreen branches and making wreaths to sell around your neighbourhood or at a local farmer’s market that allows you to sell there.

With your parent’s consent, you can also sell your crafts on Etsy or eBay.  

12. House Cleaning

Are you a tidy person? Are you a whiz at cleaning your room? Offering to house clean for elderly people or busy professionals in your area is one of the top jobs for 12 year olds.  

You’ll want to vacuum floors, wipe down surfaces, tidy, or mop as needed.

13. Blogging

Blogging doesn’t have an age limit. You can start a blog with free platform options such as WordPress. A parent can help you get set up and help you get started earning money by using affiliate links.

 Affiliate advertising is where you earn a commission when someone clicks on the link in your blog post and buys a company’s product that is linked to your page.

14. Tutoring jobs for 12 year olds

Maybe you’re great at math, science, or writing.

If you’re looking to get some teaching experience and earn some money at the same time, consider making an inexpensive business card or a flyer online and putting it up (with permission) at your school.

You might have friends who need help with a subject that you’re good at.

15. Acting Jobs for 12 year olds

If you’re interested in acting or performing a talent that you enjoy and getting paid at the same time, check out these Best Acting Agencies at Backstage.com to help you get started.


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16. Modelling Jobs for 12 year olds

Do you love fashion, strutting new clothes, or dream about modelling one day?

You don’t have to wait until you turn 18 to pursue your dream. Some fashion companies are interested in hiring preteens as models.

17. Start a YouTube Channel

You probably already know that Justin Bieber’s mother launched his career when she uploaded a video of him playing the drums at a talent show to YouTube.

While not everyone will become the next Justin Bieber, you can earn money by posting YouTube content about music, fashion, or other topics that interest you.

You’ll want to learn how to use affiliate marketing to start earning profits from your videos.

18. Get Paid for Poetry Writing

Do you love to scribble verse? There are websites that will pay you for your poetry writing.

Make sure to check any age requirements before submitting. You can earn anywhere from $20-$200 for each poem. The amount depends on the poem’s length.

19. Sell Old School Books Online

Most of us have used books lying around that we no longer want or need. Even if you’re 12-years-old, you probably have some books that you could sell.

Check out Bookscouter, a website that lets you download a free app for iPhone and Android devices.

Just snap a photo of the book’s barcode and upload it immediately instead of typing in the ISBN number.

20. Sell Your Photography

Do you have an eye for photography?

There are places such as FOAP, Alamy, Etsy, or Shutterstock that buy photos of pets, people, or nature. 

Make sure to get permission before posting a photo of an adult or child. Selling photography online just might become a great way to have a steady flow of passive income over time.