The Best Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds that Pay well In 2025
There comes a time in every child’s life when they recognize that their spending money can just take them so far.
While there’s no particular age when such a realization dawns, 11 to 12 is particularly notable since they’re ages when kids start to long for more independence.
If your preteen is at that stage in their life, you’re most likely questioning whether there are any jobs for 11-12 years of age that pay decently. Wonder no more, as this post has you covered. We reveal 16 excellent alternatives your kid can try.
An Overview of the very best Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds
Pet Sitting
Car Washing
Dog Walking
Modeling.
Raking Leaves.
Mowing Lawns.
Shovelling Snow.
Pool Cleaning.
Painting Fences.
Voice Acting.
Acting.
Computer Game Testing.
Writing.
Taking Surveys.
Family Business.
Newspaper Delivery.
Kinds of Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay
There are a few methods you can categorize the kinds of tasks your preteen can do to make extra cash. They include:
Traditional Jobs: As the name suggests, these are the best tasks for typical character-building physical labor, like cleaning, snow shoveling, or yard mowing jobs. Less intense jobs in this classification also include family pet sitting.
Seasonal Jobs: These jobs are seasonal, but they can be an excellent way for your kid to start their own company, whether on a hot summer’s day (e.g. a lemonade stand job or other summertime jobs) or in winter (hot chocolate stand, snow shoveling, etc).
Online Jobs: Kids can do online jobs and create service concepts with simply a computer system and internet connection. Examples include taking online surveys, screening computer game, and so on.
Creative Jobs: These jobs take advantage of your child’s creativity. Activities like writing, job working as a Tee shirts designer, running a YouTube channel, and voice acting all qualify as innovative tasks.
Artistic Jobs: Modeling, acting, or voice performing can all be an excellent outlet for your child’s artistic side.
Best 16 Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay Well
The jobs gone over listed below are amongst the very best tasks for 11-12 years of age to make their own cash. Much of them require little in the method of abilities or knowledge.
When they do require them, your kid can either get the skills or tap into their natural talent.
1. Pet Sitting
One excellent method your preteen child can make additional cash is to work as a pet sitter.
If a neighbor or member of the family has an animal that needs caring for while they’re away, they can leave their companion with your kid.
The duty of feeding the pet and keeping it safe lies with the preteen until their customer returns from their trip.
What You’ll Need for Pet Sitting
Pet sitting requires the following:
– A pet to care for.
– Pet products (family pet food, leash, cage, toys, etc).
Fortunately, the pet’s owner will supply everything.
– Younger kids can establish nurturing skills when looking after family pets.
– This task can develop a kid’s sense of obligation.
– It’s a low-priced way for making money.
Con
– This job isn’t suitable to all pets (e.g., snakes, tarantula spiders, and so on).
Top Places to Find Pet Sitting Jobs
You can discover pet caretaker roles online or by asking around your neighborhood.
2. Car Washing
If you walk your neighborhood, you’ll likely see two or more cars that could do with a wash.
While some neighbors might be content with taking their vehicles to the regional automobile wash, others might not have the time or inclination to drive down there or do the cleaning themselves.
Therein lies the opportunity for your 11 or 12 year old. They can use to wash your next-door neighbor’s automobiles in exchange for payment. And if they do an excellent task, it might develop into a recurring gig.
What You’ll Need for Car Washing
You’ll need the following to clean automobiles:
– Car vacuum.
– Bin bags.
– Soap.
– A rag.
– A container.
You can procure all of the above at your regional store (if they aren’t already lying around your house).
– One of the very best character-building tasks.
– It can be done together with a school schedule.
– The task could get kids thinking about vehicles.
Con
– This task requires care to prevent the vehicle’s paint job from peeling.
Top Places to Find Car Washing Jobs
A walk around your neighborhood need to be enough. You can likewise visit local companies to check if they need help.
3. Dog Walking
Dog walking is amongst the top family pet organization concepts and is one of the very best jobs for 11 and 12 years of age who love male’s finest buddy. If your hectic dog-owning next-door neighbor needs somebody to walk their pet, your kid can offer to go in their stead.
What You’ll Need for Dog Walking
Your kid will require the following when working as a pet walker:
– A pet dog.
– A leash.
– A poop scooper.
– Plastic bags.
Regarding the 3rd and 4th items, your child will need to guarantee that they select up after the pet when it ends up doing its business.
– Among the most simple tasks a preteen can do.
– It’s a great way to let children care for canines.
– Kids can develop an interest in canines and veterinary practice.
Con
– This task is only appropriate for smaller sized and tamer canine types.
Top Places to Find Dog Walking Jobs
You can find pet dog walking Jobs around your neighborhood or look online for regional listings on classified sites.
4. Modeling
Is your 11 or 12 years of age conventionally good-looking? You may want to consider letting them work as a model in the fashion market.
This can be a fun task for fashion-conscious kids who like to dress up and are good in front of the electronic camera.
Even if you do not like the concept of your kid enhancing the runway, there are less-demanding modeling gigs they might attempt, like modeling for stock photos and ads.
What You’ll Need to Do Modeling
You’ll require a kid with conventional appeal, an expert photography portfolio, and a contract with a modeling company.
– It doesn’t need a lot of skills.
– This job can be financially rewarding.
– The job can be an excellent confidence booster.
Con
– It might include pulling your kid out of school and homeschooling them.
Top Places to Find Modeling Jobs
You can start your search on the sites of modeling companies like Elite Model Management and job IMG Models.
5. Raking Leaves
In the fall, a month or 2 before the vacation season, trees begin to lose their leaves, signifying winter season’s technique.
Instead of see the phenomenon as an additional chore they’ll need to do around your home, your preteen can generate cash by taking on a gig raking the leaves off your next-door neighbor’s yards.
What You’ll Need to Do Leaf Raking
Leaf- raking needs the following tools and gear:
– Warm clothes (consisting of gloves).
– A rake.
– A dustpan.
– Bin bags.
– (Optional) A small leaf-blower.
Depending on how far your child will to take a trip, they might take their bike.
– This job is an exceptional method to keep the kids hectic for a few hours.
– It might be lucrative (depending on the number of neighbors requires the service).
– Your child can add to keeping their environment neat.
Con
– The job needs that your kid operate in the cold.
Top Places to Find Leaf Raking Jobs
Your child can discover these sort of tasks in their local area.
6. Mowing Lawns
When life gets too hectic, normally beautiful lawns end up being unkempt, providing a profitable chance for entrepreneurial kids.
During summer season break, your child can use to mow your neighbors’ yards in exchange for cash.
What You’ll Need to Do Lawn Mowing
Here’s what’s required to cut lawns:
– A yard mower.
It’s most likely your neighbor’s will have theirs, however if they do not, you can provide the one from your home.
– The effort included teaches kids monetary obligation.
– It can be a fulfilling way to make cash during summertime holiday.
– Your kid gets to beautify their community.
Con
– Particularly unkempt yards might house scary crawlies and small animals.
Top Places to Find Lawn Mowing Jobs
The very best location to discover yard mowing tasks is within the community.
7. Shoveling Snow
If the vacation season occurs to be a snowy one this year, your 11 or 12 years of age can earn money shoveling snow off your neighbors’ pathways and lorries.
What You’ll Need to Do Snow Shoveling
You’ll need:
– Warm clothing.
– A shovel.
Shoveling Snow is yet another one of those jobs for 11 years of age where the customer provides the equipment.
– Seasonal Jobs like this are an outstanding way for 11 and 12 year olds to earn cash before going back to school.
– Your kid begins the brand-new year productively.
– This job keeps the environment safe.
Con
– It involves working in the cold.
Top Places to Find Snow Shoveling Jobs
Kids can discover this type of job in their area.
8. Pool Cleaning
Pool cleaning is another among those character-building tasks for 11 and 12-year-olds. Your kid can assist your neighbors clean their pools in the summertime.
This isn’t the kind of swimming pool cleaning with harsh chemicals done commercially, but rather a method to keep the pool tidy in between those cleansings.
What You’ll Need for Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing requires the following items:
– Cleaning brush
– Detergent
– A swimming pool internet
The customer can supply the above-listed utensils.
– It’ll keep your kids busy throughout the summer season
– Your kid may discover a thing or job 2 about pools
Con
– It’s one of the most lengthy tasks for 11 years of age.
Top Places to Find Pool Cleaning Jobs
The very best location to discover a swimming pool cleansing job remains in your community.
9. Painting Fences
If you stroll through your community, you’ll see a couple of houses whose fences might do with a new lick of paint.
Your preteen can knock on a couple of doors to find out whether their next-door neighbors are willing to pay them to paint their fences.
What You’ll Need for Fence Painting
Painting fences requires the following tools:
– Paint
– Paint bucket
– Paint brush/roller
– Apron
With the exception of the paint, your child can get the majority of the above from your house.
– Your kid can assist restore their neighborhood’s appeal
– The act of painting can make kids interested in DIY and home restoration
– It’s an enjoyable method to keep kids busy
Con
– This task isn’t ideal for kids with breathing problems
Top Places to Find Fence Painting Jobs
Your child can find fence painting opportunities in their area.
10. Voice Actor
Does your kid have a clear speaking voice? They might have the makings of a voice actor.
They can get voice acting functions in radio commercials, animations and cartoon animations, audio books, and so on.
What You’ll Need for Voice Acting
Voice acting needs the following:
– A clear speaking voice
– The capability to develop funny or dramatic voices (optional).
Please keep in mind that the kind of voice acting functions you seek out determine the abilities needed.
– Voice acting is among the higher-paying jobs for 11 year olds and above.
– It might become a life-long profession.
– It’s enjoyable.
Con
– This task might be difficult to protect.
Top Places to Find Voice Acting Jobs
You can check websites like Bunny Studio and Filmless to find voice acting tasks
11. Acting
Does your kid have a style for theatrics? You may be raising the next Jennifer Lawrence or Bradley Cooper.
Acting can give your child a fulfilling outlet for their performance, so it’s worth having a look at if they’re talented enough.
What You’ll Need for Acting
Getting an acting career off the ground will require skill and an agent.
– It can be a fulfilling profession.
– There’s no limitation to the mediums your kid can appear in (films, TV series, short-form material online … etc).
– It can be lucrative (depending on your child’s star power).
Con
– The transition from child star to full-fledged actor/actress can be tough.
Top Places to Find Acting Jobs
A few of the finest sites to browse for acting tasks include Backstage, Actors Access, and Casting Networks.
12. Computer Game Testing
Your kid can get paid to play video games by screening computer game online.
This task lets them play games and provide their feedback on what the video games get right and wrong. Therefore, it’s one of the most fun tasks for 11-year-olds and above.
What You’ll Need to Do Video Game Testing
Computer game screening needs the following:
– A steady internet connection.
– A laptop or PC.
– A PayPal account (or other methods of accepting payments online).
You might require to assist your kid set up this task and also monitor the video games they test.
– It’s a fun way for them to earn money.
– Your kid might develop an interest in video game development.
– It doesn’t require too much in the way of resources to begin.
Con
– It needs parental supervision.
Top Places to Find Video Game Testing Jobs
You can do computer game screening on websites like Rewarded Play and Bubble Cash.
13. Writing
Does your child have a method with words and an active imagination? They can earn money to write prose like brief stories, blog posts, and more.
Please note that your kid’s capability to do this task depends upon their ability for reading and writing.
What You’ll Need to Do Writing
You’ll need the following to get composing tasks:
– An outstanding command of English.
– A laptop or computer with a word processor.
– Internet connection.
– A mode of payment (PayPal, and so on).
It’s also worth purchasing a tool for spelling and grammar checks (e.g., Grammarly).
– This task can assist enhance your child’s composing skills.
– Your kid can make money to develop stories using their imagination.
– It can be financially rewarding if they write a hit book or story.
Con
– Writing is one of the most difficult tasks for 11-year-olds to do.
Top Places to Find Writing Jobs
There are various sites like Upwork where you can get composing commissions. However, if your kid is going the story route, you’ll be better off looking up literary companies online.
14. Taking Surveys
One of the most unconventional jobs for 11 year olds your kid can attempt is taking studies.
That said, they can respond to short online questionnaires and earn a little money to supplement their pocket cash. Have a look at our list of high paying studies to get your child off to a roaring start.
What You’ll Need to Do Surveys
You’ll need the following to take online studies:
– A web connection.
– A laptop or computer.
– An approach for gathering payments.
Make certain you keep track of the types of studies your kid takes when they do this job.
– Your child can do it from the convenience of their home.
– It’s an uncomplicated job anybody can do.
– Some surveys take no longer than 5 minutes to finish.
Con
– This job requires parental guidance.
Top Places to Find Survey Jobs
You can check out websites like Swagbucks to discover study tasks.
15. Family Business
Among the easiest methods for kids aged 11-12 to find work is to operate in their family’s organization. It might belong to their parents, other household members, or even household friends.
In any case, they can start getting important work experience and the money that features it.
What You’ll Need to Do a Household Business Job
This job requires a family-owned organization for the preteen to work for.
– You can be sure that your child is in a safe environment.
– The kid gets to find out the ins-and-outs of their family’s business.
– It’s an excellent way to prepare a beneficiary to take control of business.
Con
– It may not offer the kid the chance to satisfy brand-new individuals.
Top Places to Find a Family Business Job
If you do not own a business your family runs, you can call instant and prolonged family members who do and require an additional pair of hands.
16. Newspaper Delivery
Finally, one of the earliest tasks kids in the US do to make money is paper shipment.
Kids can provide newspapers before going to school and it’s excellent for building character and establishing an excellent work ethic.
What You’ll Need to Do Newspaper Delivery
This task needs a bike with a compartment for saving the newspapers.
Pros
– A paper path can give kids much-needed exercise.
– Kids that provide papers could develop an interest in their community’s goings-ons.
– This job can assist to enhance their orientation.
Con
– It needs getting up in the early hours of the morning.
– Many news firms are going paperless, reducing the number of available papers.
Top Places to Find a Paper Delivery Job
You can find a paper shipment function by looking in the phone book or online for the regional paper’s Circulation Department.
Can an 11-Year-Old Work for a Company?
No. According to the US Department of Labor, child labor laws (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938) restrict the minimum age of employment to 14. All the jobs in this article prevent real employment and are mainly easy jobs a preteen can do.
What’s the Easiest Job for 11-12 Year Olds?
Raking leaves is the simplest job an 11-12 years of age can do. It does not need any equipment, talent, or ability. And opportunities are that the kid in question does it as a task in their home, anyhow.
Which Jobs for 11 Year Olds are one of the most Difficult to Get?
Modeling and job acting functions are among the most difficult jobs to get. Your child requires to be incredibly gifted or attractive before agencies can confidently gamble on them.
Concluding
As the post reveals, there are plenty of tasks an 11 or 12 year old can do to earn some extra spending money. The ones we have actually curated shouldn’t run afoul of child labor laws and are simple enough for kids at that age to do.
So what do you think of these jobs? Would you let your kid try any of them? Let us know in the remarks below and share this with a good friend who has a preteen trying to find money on the side!