Help Kids Earn & Learn
Founder of MomAdvice.com and Kenmore Home Management Expert
The younger
set can...
set can...
Summer jobs for kids provide incredible learning and family-bonding opportunities, whether the purpose is to earn income, raise money for charity, nurture a creative interest or simply pass the time. As summer ends, help your kids turn their jobs into weekend and after-school vocations. Check out our top jobs for kids; many can be continued year-round.
The younger set can...
Sell lemonade
This is the ideal job for the youngest entrepreneurs. Keys to success are hot days and a location near neighborhood events like yard sales. Suggest unique offerings to increase sales, such as sparkling water, fresh squeezed lemons and fruit garnishes like watermelon and pineapple slices. Add crushed or shaved ice from your freezer for slushies or snow cones. Encourage children to make and offer light snacks like granola bars.
This is the ideal job for the youngest entrepreneurs. Keys to success are hot days and a location near neighborhood events like yard sales. Suggest unique offerings to increase sales, such as sparkling water, fresh squeezed lemons and fruit garnishes like watermelon and pineapple slices. Add crushed or shaved ice from your freezer for slushies or snow cones. Encourage children to make and offer light snacks like granola bars.
SUPPLIES
- Drink mix or lemons
- Water
- Sugar
- Juicer
- Pitcher
- Ice and cooler
- Cups
- Paper towels or wipes
- Table and chair
- Sign materials
- Optional snacks
- Money holder containing
small bills and change
Do household chores
Little kids learn responsibility by helping mom and dad with cleaning and laundry chores. Establish a fee or reward system for each task, such as 25¢ for each load of laundry. But first, make sure that your cleaning products are safe for kids. Check out my list of age-appropriate cleaning tasks in the sidebar.
Little kids learn responsibility by helping mom and dad with cleaning and laundry chores. Establish a fee or reward system for each task, such as 25¢ for each load of laundry. But first, make sure that your cleaning products are safe for kids. Check out my list of age-appropriate cleaning tasks in the sidebar.
SUPPLIES
- Child-safe cleaners
- Rags and towels
Garden
Kids who enjoy a romp in the dirt will love helping parents and neighbors with yard work. Again, establish a fee or reward system, perhaps 10¢ per pulled weed or 25¢ per planted item. Check out library books or visit a nature center to help kids learn to identify plants and seeds. Have kids collect seeds and plant them. Or, help them package seeds in envelopes and sell them. Help kids plant and maintain a small vegetable or herb garden; they can sell the produce.
Kids who enjoy a romp in the dirt will love helping parents and neighbors with yard work. Again, establish a fee or reward system, perhaps 10¢ per pulled weed or 25¢ per planted item. Check out library books or visit a nature center to help kids learn to identify plants and seeds. Have kids collect seeds and plant them. Or, help them package seeds in envelopes and sell them. Help kids plant and maintain a small vegetable or herb garden; they can sell the produce.
SUPPLIES
- Gardening gloves
- Carpet square or knee cushion
- Watering can
- Three-tine cultivator
- Trowel
- Soil
- Seedlings
- Sunscreen
You'll find a wide variety of gardening supplies at Sears.com,
including sets made just for kids.
including sets made just for kids.
Learning opportunities and safety
- Set boundaries. Make sure kids understand basic safety measures such as staying out of the street and not talking to strangers.
- Math matters. These jobs allow kids to practice simple arithmetic.
Ask: How many cups of lemonade were sold? How much more lemonade
was sold than granola bars? - Teach the value of money. Encourage kids to save their earnings,
spend wisely or donate to a good cause. - Work together. Help siblings cooperate and appreciate their unique talents.
- Enjoy the moment. Relish the time spent teaching your child a new skill.
Young children love "playing work" and get a kick out of dressing the part, so help them design their "uniforms."
- Lemonade seller: add citrus-themed appliqués or iron-on crayon drawings to a plain tee shirt.
- House cleaner: convert an old work shirt into a cleaning smock.
- Gardener: decorate a sun hat or baseball cap and gardening gloves with a plant theme.
- Pick up toys and books
- Carry laundry to the laundry room
- Dust with a clean diaper or an old sock on their hand
- Set and clear the table
- Help prepare food
- Help put away groceries
- Fold and put away laundry
- Vacuum and mop
- Take out the trash
