6 Simple Things Kids Can Do To Earn Money

Here are some simple ideas, and practical tips for encouraging kids to earn their own money around the home, and learn some priceless life lessons!

I remember my first job. I was 5 years old. No, it wasn't child labor. It was a kind neighbor who had a catering business and offered to pay little kid me a few coins if I helped out. I took my responsibilities very seriously. Told my mom to record (way back when on VHS) my favorite show Mr. Dress-up (Canadian Mr. Rogers), and off I trekked across the yard, through the gate, and sat up on the kitchen counter with the sweet grandma-like cooks, and stuck colored label stickers on each sandwich they made and wrapped. Not sure I was really that helpful in production, but all these years later I still remember that experience, which set a foundation in me for an ambitious, strong work ethic that has served me well to this day as an entrepreneur.

In our household, my kids each have their own piggy banks, even the youngest little two-year-old. Simple homemade little containers, but they have the opportunity to earn their own income, to learn how to save, give, and spend wisely. We do not have a generic allowance handed out regardless of effort. If they want some new toy or an unbudgeted family outing, then they have to work for it, save for it, learn delayed gratification, and feel the satisfaction of a reward well earned.

There are some great blogs on entrepreneurial ideas on this site. I encourage you to check them out. But what are some simple day-to-do things your kids can do, that actually help out? Even the littlest ones always want to help, right? Sometimes it seems to take longer, and it's not as perfect as you would like it, but the investment of time and patience to grow their character and experience is more than worth it. Even if you are on a tight budget to pay them much extra, you don't have to have a high pay rate early on. Or maybe there is a neighbor, friend or relative they can offer some of these services to as well. My kids love to clean at Grandma's!

Here are a few ideas and tips:

1) Sweeping - get a kid-size broom or handheld dust brush. Imagine if you had to operate a broom twice your size and not knock anything over!

2) Mopping - I know, you think, Kids+Water=More mess! We got a circular bristle brush attachment to insert on our handheld drill....it works wonders and makes the chore the most fun thing!

3) Laundry - Did you know there is a growing trend to not fold laundry? Maybe you can't handle the thought of wrinkled clothes. But my kids at least can untangle them from inside out, sort whose clothes are whose, and place them in the cube bins in their own rooms.

4) Pickup Toys and Clutter - have bins that are well labeled in the toy room where things belong. For the non-readers, print pictures of what type of toys go in what bin, so all they have to do is sort and match.

5) Wash dishes - yes, they will spill water....it will just make the mopping easier! Take out the knives and breakables, and let them do their best. All kids love bubbles!

6) Seasonal chores outdoors. Shoveling, pulling weeds, raking leaves, watering plants. Again, the more kid-size, yet, functioning tools you can, the easier it is for them to participate and feel like it's really being helpful.

There is an endless never-ending amount of chores available, right? Why not let them share the load and take the burden off? Obviously, there are some things we all do as part of the family, without pay, as we are a team who love and serve each other. But sometimes a little extra bonus offer is good motivation to get some extra jobs done! It's a win-win, and they will gain something more priceless than money.

Jesus came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]."

John 10:10 AMP

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Categories: : chores, entrepreneur, money