The Big Rules First: What You Need to Know Before Starting

Nobody likes rules, but trust me, you absolutely need to know these before figuring out how to make money at 13. Messing this up can cause real headaches.

Age Laws and Parental Permission

In most places (like the US and UK), 13 is under the legal working age for formal employment. That means no walking into McDonald's and getting hired yet. Legally, your options are mostly informal gigs or working for family. The golden rule? Always, always get permission from your parents or guardians before starting anything. Seriously, don't skip this. They need to know where you are, what you're doing, and who you're doing it for. Plus, they'll likely need to help you handle cash or accounts.

Safety is Non-Negotiable

Your safety is way more important than a few bucks. Never go into a stranger's house alone (gardening for neighbors is fine, working inside alone isn't smart). Always tell your parents where you'll be and when you expect to be back. Meet people in public places if you're selling things. If something feels weird, listen to that feeling and bail. Making money isn't worth risking your safety. I turned down a few "opportunities" that felt off, and looking back, it was absolutely the right call.

The Classic Money Makers: Offline Gigs That Still Work

These are the bread and butter for learning how to make money at 13. They require hustle but build real skills.

Neighborhood Jobs (Your Immediate Community)

Your neighbors are your first potential customers. Start close to home!

• Babysitting: This can actually be great at 13 *if* you start with families you know well (like your neighbors or parents' friends) and maybe begin by assisting an older sibling or babysitter. Get CPR certified (check local Red Cross courses, sometimes they offer youth courses) – parents LOVE this. Rates vary wildly: $5-$10/hour starting for a 13-year-old assistant or watching one kid you know well is realistic. Don't expect $15/hr right off the bat!
• Yard Work Superstar: Mowing lawns, raking leaves, pulling weeds, washing cars. This was my main gig at 13. Be specific! Don't just say "yard work." Offer: "Spring lawn cleanup: raking, weeding flower beds, bagging clippings - $25 for a standard size yard." Knock on doors (with a parent nearby the first few times!) or ask parents to post for you on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor. Be reliable and show up when you say you will.
• Pet Sitting/Dog Walking: Love animals? This is gold. Start with neighbors whose pets already know you. Walks (30 mins): $5-$10 per walk. Feeding/checking in while neighbors are away: $10-$15 per visit. Overnight stays are trickier at 13 and require serious parent involvement/approval.
• Helping Hand for Seniors: Many older folks need help with tech (setting up phones, printing emails), light grocery carrying, organizing, or even just friendly conversation. Be patient and respectful! Charge fairly ($10-$15/hour). Ask your parents if they know anyone in their neighborhood or church group who might appreciate help.

Selling Stuff You Create or Grow

Got a hobby? Turn it into cash. This is how you make money online at 13 or locally with creativity.

• Crafts & Art: Are you good at making bracelets, paintings, keychains, or cool slime? Sell them! Places: School events (check rules!), local craft fairs (parents usually need to rent the booth), or via a parent's Etsy account (strictly against Etsy rules for under 18s to run their own, so parent MUST manage it). Price = Cost of materials + a bit for your time. Don't expect huge profits at first. My handmade keychains sold for $3 each – materials cost $1, so $2 profit each. Sold 20? That's $40!
• Baking & Lemonade (Check Laws!): Everyone loves cookies! BUT check your local health department rules. Often, "cottage food laws" allow non-perishable baked goods (cookies, breads) sold directly by you, but sometimes only at specific events. Lemonade stands? Famous, but often technically need permits (usually overlooked for kids, but be aware). Sell near home on a busy weekend day or at local sports games. Price competitively: $0.50 per cookie, $1 for lemonade.
• Growing & Selling: Got a green thumb? Grow easy things like herbs (basil, mint), simple veggies (tomatoes, zucchini), or even flowers from seeds. Sell small pots or bunches door-to-door or to neighbors. Start-up cost for seeds/soil/pots: $10-$20.

The Digital World: Making Money Online at 13 (Carefully!)

Yes, it's possible to make money online at 13, but it's trickier and requires serious parent involvement. Warning: Lots of scams target teens. Avoid anything asking for money upfront or promising huge earnings fast.

Online Surveys & Microtasks (Limited Earnings)

Manage expectations – this won't make you rich, but it can add a few bucks for minimal effort. Essential: Parent must help sign up, handle payments, and verify sites are legit. Reputable sites like Swagbucks or InboxDollars often allow teens 13+ with parental permission. You earn points for surveys, watching videos, simple tasks. Redeem for gift cards (Amazon, Steam) or PayPal cash (sent to parent's account). Expect $10-$30 per month for casual use. It's boring, honestly, but easy during downtime.

Selling Digital Designs or Services

Got digital skills? This is a smarter way to make money online at 13.

• Designs: Create cool graphics, wallpapers, or simple logos using free tools like Canva. Sell them as printables on a parent-managed Etsy shop. Hard to stand out, but possible.
• Simple Services: Offer services on platforms explicitly allowing teens with parental oversight (like Fiverr, but check their current age policy – often 13+ with parent management). Examples: Basic video editing for other teens' gaming clips, simple photo editing, transcribing short audio clips. Again, PARENT must handle the account, payments, and communication. Be realistic about your skills and pricing.

Content Creation (Long Game)

Think YouTube, TikTok, blogging. Can you make money at 13 doing this? Technically yes, eventually, but it's incredibly hard work and takes a long time to build an audience. Monetization (ads, sponsorships) usually requires meeting platform thresholds (like 1,000 YouTube subscribers) AND parents handling contracts/payments. Plus, the rules (COPPA in the US) are super strict for content aimed at kids under 13. If you love creating, focus on learning and building skills now. View money as a potential future bonus, not the immediate goal. The burnout rate is high, trust me.

Thinking Like a Boss: Entrepreneurial Ideas

If you want more control and potentially better earnings, think beyond single gigs.

Tutoring Younger Kids

Are you really good at a subject like math, science, or playing an instrument? Tutor kids a few years younger. Target parents of 8-10 year olds. Charge $10-$15 per hour session. Offer a free 15-minute intro. Market through school bulletin boards (with permission!), community centers, or parent networks.

Tech Helper for Non-Techy Adults

Can you set up a phone, install software, troubleshoot a printer, or explain social media? Many adults struggle! Offer "Tech Help Sessions." Be patient. Charge $15-$25 per hour troubleshooting session. Flyers at libraries or senior centers work well.

Organizing Guru

Are you the kid with the immaculate locker or color-coded notes? Offer help organizing bedrooms, closets, or study spaces for other kids (or even parents!). Requires some basic supplies (labels, bins – client might provide or you add cost). Charge $15-$30 per hour depending on the mess!

Getting Paid and Handling Your Cash

You did the work, now get the money! At 13, this has its quirks.

• Cash is King (Mostly): For local gigs, cash is simplest. Get paid immediately after finishing the job. Count it with the client present. Keep a simple notebook: Date, Job, Who paid, Amount.
• Digital Payments: Apps like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal require users to be 18+. This means payments must go to your *parent's* account. They then give you the cash (or hold it for you). Be upfront with clients: "My parent handles digital payments. We can send you their Venmo/PayPal info."
• Bank Accounts: You generally can't open your own at 13. Many banks offer custodial savings accounts or joint accounts with a parent. This is a SAFE place to store larger sums rather than keeping loads of cash at home. Talk to your parents about setting one up.

Budgeting Basics (Seriously, Start Now)

Don't blow it all on candy! Figure out a simple split:

• Save (40-50%): For bigger stuff later (new bike, gaming console, future car fund!). Put this in the bank.
• Spend (30-40%): Fun money for games, movies, treats. Enjoy it!
• Give (10%): Donate to a cause you care about. Feels good.
• Reinvest (10%): Put back into your "business" (new craft supplies, better gardening tools, gas money for lawn mower). Helps you earn more later.

Balancing It All: School, Work, and Fun

This is crucial. You're 13! School is your main job. Making money should never hurt your grades or mental health.

• School Comes First: Always. No exceptions. Don't take gigs during homework time or if you have a big test.
• Set Limits: Decide HOW much time you can realistically spend working. Maybe 5-10 hours MAX per week during school terms? Weekends and holidays can have more.
• Talk to Your Parents: They see the big picture. If they say you're working too much or grades are slipping, listen. They're probably right.
• Don't Skip the Fun: Hang out with friends, play sports, relax. Burnout is real, even at 13. Making money should feel empowering, not draining.

FAQs: Your Questions About How to Make Money at 13 Answered

Is it even legal for me to make money at 13?

Yes, generally. However, you can't legally be employed by a company in a traditional job (like working in a store or restaurant) in most countries until you're older (14-16, depending on location). The ways outlined here (informal gigs for neighbors, selling crafts online via a parent, small entrepreneurial efforts) are typically legal *as long as* your parents are aware and involved, you follow safety rules, and you aren't breaking specific local child labor laws (like working too late on a school night). When in doubt, ask your parents to check local regulations.

What's the easiest way for a 13-year-old to start making money?

Honestly? Look around your neighborhood and leverage what you already know or have. Mowing lawns for neighbors if you have access to a mower, walking dogs for people on your street whose pets you know, or offering to help an elderly neighbor with their garden or tech problems are usually the easiest entry points. They require minimal setup costs, you can start immediately, and people often appreciate the help from a responsible kid. Babysitting for younger kids in familiar families is also a common starter job.

Can I really make money online at 13 without getting scammed?

It's possible, but you have to be incredibly cautious, and your parents MUST be deeply involved. Legitimate online options for 13-year-olds are limited. Participating in surveys/microtasks on reputable sites (like Swagbucks or InboxDollars) *with parental permission and account management* is one way. Selling crafts or digital designs through a parent's Etsy account is another. Offering very simple services (like basic editing) on platforms that allow teen accounts with parental oversight (check Fiverr's current policy) is a third. Major Red Flags: Anything requiring you to pay money upfront, anything promising huge earnings fast ("$100/hour!"), anything asking for your personal info (SSN, bank details) - AVOID. Assume most "online jobs" advertised directly to teens are scams.

How should I handle the money I make?

This is super important! For cash: Keep it safe (a lockbox at home is good), track what you earn and spend in a notebook. Don't carry large sums around. For digital payments: Since you can't have your own Venmo/PayPal at 13, payments MUST go to a parent's account. They should then give you the cash or hold it securely for you. Talk to your parents about opening a custodial savings account or a joint bank account to deposit larger amounts safely – it's much better than a pile of cash under your bed! Start practicing basic budgeting – saving some, spending some on fun stuff, maybe donating a little, and reinvesting a bit back into your "business" (like new craft supplies).

How much money can I realistically make at 13?

Manage your expectations. You're not going to make thousands of dollars a month legally at 13. Realistically, with consistent effort:

• Neighborhood Gigs: $20 - $75 per week ($80 - $300 per month) is achievable depending on gigs available and time spent (e.g., 2 lawns @ $25/each = $50 on a Saturday, plus a dog walk @ $10 = $60 for the week).
• Online (Surveys/Microtasks): $10 - $30 per month for casual effort.
• Selling Crafts/Baked Goods: Very variable. $0 some weeks, $50+ during a good sale event. Profit margins matter (Revenue minus cost of supplies).

Focus on learning skills, responsibility, and earning enough for your specific goals (a new video game, concert tickets). Consistent smaller earnings are better than unreliable big promises.

My parents are worried about safety/scams. How can I reassure them?

This is smart of them! Address their concerns head-on:

1. Plan Together: Present specific ideas (like walking the neighbor's dog, Mrs. Smith's, on Tuesday afternoons) instead of vague "I want to make money."
2. Emphasize Known Contacts: Start with people your family already knows and trusts (neighbors, friends, family).
3. Outline Safety Rules: Tell them your plan to never enter a stranger's house alone, always tell them where you are, have your phone charged, and check in. Agree on boundaries (no evening work, certain streets off-limits).
4. Parental Oversight for Online: Agree that ANY online money-making attempt will be managed 100% by them (setting up accounts, handling payments, reviewing communications).
5. Share Your Budget Plan: Show them you're thinking responsibly about saving and spending.