There comes a time in every kid's life when they realize that their pocket money can only take them up until now.
While there's no particular age when such an awareness dawns, 11 to 12 is particularly notable because they're ages when kids begin to crave more independence.
If your preteen is at that phase in their life, you're most likely questioning whether there are any jobs for 11-12 year olds that pay decently. Wonder no more, as this post has you covered. We reveal 16 excellent alternatives your child can try.
A Summary 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.
Video Game Testing.
Writing.
Taking Surveys.
Family Business.
Newspaper Delivery.
Types of Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay
There are a couple of methods you can classify the types of tasks your preteen can do to earn extra money. They include:
Traditional Jobs: As the name recommends, these are the finest tasks for common character-building physical labor, like cleaning, snow shoveling, or lawn mowing tasks. Less extreme jobs in this classification also consist of pet sitting.
Seasonal Jobs: These jobs are seasonal, however they can be a great way for your kid to begin their own service, whether on a hot summer season's day (e.g. a lemonade stand or other summer season jobs) or in winter (hot chocolate stand, snow shoveling, and so on).
Online Jobs: Kids can do online jobs and develop organization concepts with simply a computer system and internet connection. Examples consist of taking online surveys, testing video games, and so on.
Creative Jobs: These jobs use your child's creativity. Activities like writing, working as a T-shirt designer, running a YouTube channel, and voice acting all qualify as creative jobs.
Artistic Jobs: Modeling, acting, or voice performing can all be an excellent outlet for your kid's creative side.
Best 16 Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay Well
The tasks gone over below are among the very best jobs for 11-12 years of age to make their own cash. Many of them need little in the method of skills or knowledge.
When they do require them, your child can either get the abilities or tap into their natural skill.
1. Pet Sitting
One excellent method your preteen child can make extra money is to work as a pet caretaker.
If a next-door neighbor or relative has a pet that requires caring for while they're away, they can leave their companion with your child.
The duty of feeding the family pet and keeping it safe lies with the preteen until their consumer returns from their journey.
What You'll Need for Pet Sitting
Pet sitting needs the following:
- A pet to look after.
- Pet materials (pet food, leash, cage, toys, etc).
Fortunately, the family pet's owner will provide whatever.
- Younger children can establish nurturing skills when taking care of animals.
- This job can establish a kid's sense of obligation.
- It's a low-priced way for making money.
Con
- This job isn't suitable to all family pets (e.g., snakes, tarantula spiders, etc).
Top Places to Find Pet Sitting Jobs
You can find pet sitter functions online or by asking around your neighborhood.
2. Car Washing
If you walk around your area, you'll likely see 2 or more cars that might do with a wash.
While some next-door neighbors may be content with taking their cars to the local car wash, others might not have the time or disposition to drive down there or do the cleaning themselves.
Therein lies the opportunity for your 11 or 12 years of age. They can provide to wash your next-door neighbor's vehicles in exchange for payment. And if they do an exceptional job, it could develop into a recurring gig.
What You'll Need for Car Washing
You'll need the following to wash vehicles:
- Car vacuum.
- Bin bags.
- Soap.
- A rag.
- A bucket.
You can procure all of the above at your regional shop (if they aren't already lying around the house).
- One of the very best character-building jobs.
- It can be done alongside a school schedule.
- The job might get kids thinking about autos.
Con
- This job requires care to prevent the automobile's paint job from peeling.
Top Places to Find Car Washing Jobs
A walk around your neighborhood ought to be adequate. You can also check out regional businesses to check if they require aid.
3. Dog Walking
Dog walking is amongst the leading pet service concepts and is among the very best tasks for 11 and 12 year olds who enjoy guy's best buddy. If your hectic dog-owning neighbor requires someone to walk their dog, your kid can provide to go in their stead.
What You'll Need for Dog Walking
Your kid will need the following when working as a pet dog walker:
- A canine.
- A leash.
- A poop scooper.
- Plastic bags.
Regarding the 3rd and 4th items, your child will need to ensure that they get after the canine when it ends up doing its organization.
- Among the most uncomplicated tasks a preteen can do.
- It's a good way to let childcare for canines.
- Kids can develop an interest in canines and veterinary practice.
Con
- This task is only ideal for smaller sized and tamer pet breeds.
Top Places to Find Dog Walking Jobs
You can discover canine strolling Jobs around your area or look online for local listings on classified websites.
4. Modeling
Is your 11 or 12 years of age traditionally good-looking? You may wish to consider letting them work as a design in the style market.
This can be an enjoyable job for fashion-conscious kids who like to dress up and are good in front of the electronic camera.
Even if you don't like the concept of your kid beautifying the runway, there are less-demanding modeling gigs they could attempt, like modeling for stock images and ads.
What You'll Need to Do Modeling
You'll require a kid with conventional beauty, an expert photography portfolio, and an agreement with a modeling agency.
- It doesn't require too lots of abilities.
- This task can be rewarding.
- The task can be an outstanding self-confidence booster.
Con
- It might include pulling your kid out of school and homeschooling them.
Top Places to Find Modeling Jobs
You can begin your search on the websites of modeling firms like Elite Model Management and IMG Models.
5. Raking Leaves
In the fall, a month or 2 before the vacation season, trees begin to lose their leaves, representing winter's approach.
Instead of view the phenomenon as an additional chore they'll have to do around your home, your preteen can rake in cash by handling a gig raking the leaves off your neighbor's lawns.
What You'll Need to Do Leaf Raking
Leaf- raking requires the following tools and gear:
- Warm clothing (including gloves).
- A rake.
- A dustpan.
- Bin bags.
- (Optional) A small leaf-blower.
Depending upon how far your child will require to travel, they might take their bike.
- This job is an outstanding way to keep the kids busy for a couple of hours.
- It might be lucrative (depending on how lots of neighbors requires the service).
- Your child can add to keeping their environment tidy.
Con
- The job needs that your kid operate in the cold.
Top Places to Find Leaf Raking Jobs
Your kid can find these kinds of tasks in their regional community.
6. Mowing Lawns
When life gets too hectic, usually gorgeous lawns end up being unkempt, presenting a profitable opportunity for kids.
During summertime break, your kid can offer to mow your neighbors' lawns in exchange for cash.
What You'll Need to Do Lawn Mowing
Here's what's required to mow yards:
- A mower.
It's likely your next-door neighbor's will have theirs, but if they don't, you can supply the one from your home.
- The hard work involved teaches kids monetary obligation.
- It can be a fulfilling method to generate income throughout summertime getaway.
- Your child gets to enhance their community.
Con
- Particularly neglected yards might house creepy crawlies and little animals.
Top Places to Find Lawn Mowing Jobs
The very best location to find lawn mowing jobs is within the neighborhood.
7. Shoveling Snow
If the vacation season happens to be a snowy one this year, your 11 or 12 years of age can generate income shoveling snow off your next-door neighbors' pathways and automobiles.
What You'll Need to Do Snow Shoveling
You'll require:
- Warm clothing.
- A shovel.
Shoveling Snow is yet another among those tasks for 11 year olds where the customer offers the equipment.
- Seasonal Jobs like this are an exceptional way for 11 and 12 year olds to make cash before returning to school.
- Your kid begins the new year productively.
- This job keeps the environment safe.
Con
- It includes working in the cold.
Top Places to Find Snow Shoveling Jobs
Kids can find this type of task in their neighborhood.
8. Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing is another among those character-building jobs for 11 and 12-year-olds. Your child can help your next-door neighbors clean their pools in the summer season.
This isn't the type of pool cleaning with harsh chemicals done commercially, however rather a method to keep the swimming pool tidy in between those cleansings.
What You'll Need for Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing requires the following items:
- Cleaning brush
- Detergent
- A pool web
The consumer can supply the above-listed utensils.
- It'll keep your kids hectic during the summer season months
- Your child might learn a thing or 2 about pools
Con
- It's one of the most time-consuming jobs for 11 year olds.
Top Places to Find Pool Cleaning Jobs
The very best place to find a pool cleansing task is in your community.
9. Painting Fences
If you stroll through your community, you'll see a number of homes whose fences could do with a brand-new lick of paint.
Your preteen can knock on a few doors to learn whether their next-door neighbors are willing to pay them to paint their fences.
What You'll Need for Fence Painting
Painting fences needs the following tools:
- Paint
- Paint container
- Paint brush/roller
- Apron
With the exception of the paint, your child can get the majority of the above from the home.
- Your kid can help restore their community's beauty
- The act of painting can make kids thinking about DIY and employment home restoration
- It's a fun way to keep kids busy
Con
- This job isn't ideal for kids with breathing problems
Top Places to Find Fence Painting Jobs
Your kid can find fence painting opportunities in their area.
10. Voice Actor
Does your child have a clear speaking voice? They may have the makings of a voice actor.
They can get voice acting roles in radio commercials, animations and animated motion pictures, audio books, and so on.
What You'll Need for Voice Acting
Voice acting requires the following:
- A clear speaking voice
- The ability to produce funny or dramatic voices (optional).
Please keep in mind that the kind of voice acting roles you seek out figure out the abilities needed.
- Voice acting is among the higher-paying tasks for 11 years of age and above.
- It could establish into a life-long career.
- It's fun.
Con
- This job may be hard to protect.
Top Places to Find Voice Acting Jobs
You can inspect websites like Bunny Studio and Filmless to discover voice acting tasks
11. Acting
Does your child have a flair for theatrics? You might be raising the next Jennifer Lawrence or Bradley Cooper.
Acting can give your child a fulfilling outlet for their efficiency, so it's worth inspecting out if they're talented enough.
What You'll Need for Acting
Getting an acting career off the ground will need skill and an agent.
- It can be a fulfilling career.
- There's no limit to the mediums your child can appear in (motion pictures, TV series, short-form content online ... and so on).
- It can be lucrative (depending upon your child's star power).
Con
- The shift from child star to full-fledged actor/actress can be difficult.
Top Places to Find Acting Jobs
A few of the best websites to look for acting jobs consist of Backstage, Actors Access, and Casting Networks.
12. Video Game Testing
Your child can earn money to play video games by screening video games online.
This job lets them play video games and provide their feedback on what the video games solve and wrong. Therefore, it is among the most fun jobs for 11-year-olds and above.
What You'll Need to Do Computer Game Testing
Computer game testing requires the following:
- A stable web connection.
- A laptop or PC.
- A PayPal account (or other ways of accepting payments online).
You may need to help your kid established this job and likewise monitor the video games they test.
- It's a fun way for them to make money.
- Your kid might develop an interest in computer game development.
- It doesn't need excessive in the way of resources to start.
Con
- It needs adult guidance.
Top Places to Find Video Game Testing Jobs
You can do computer game testing on websites like Rewarded Play and Bubble Cash.
13. Writing
Does your child have a way with words and an active creativity? They can earn money to write prose like narratives, blog posts, and more.
Please note that your child's capability to do this job depends upon their aptitude for reading and writing.
What You'll Need to Do Writing
You'll require the following to get composing tasks:
- An excellent command of English.
- A laptop or computer system with a word processing program.
- Internet connection.
- A mode of payment (PayPal, and so on).
It's likewise worth buying a tool for spelling and grammar checks (e.g., Grammarly).
- This job can assist enhance your child's writing skills.
- Your child can earn money to produce stories using their imagination.
- It can be rewarding if they compose a hit book or story.
Con
- Writing is among the most difficult jobs for 11-year-olds to do.
Top Places to Find Writing Jobs
There are numerous websites like Upwork where you can get composing commissions. However, if your kid is going the story route, you'll be much better off looking up literary companies online.
14. Taking Surveys
One of the most unconventional tasks for 11 years of age your kid can try is taking surveys.
That stated, they can respond to brief online surveys and make a little additional cash to supplement their spending money. Take a look at our list of high paying surveys to get your kid off to a roaring start.
What You'll Need to Do Surveys
You'll need the following to take online surveys:
- An internet connection.
- A laptop or computer system.
- A technique for gathering payments.
Ensure you keep an eye on the kinds of surveys your child takes when they do this job.
- Your child can do it from the convenience of their home.
- It's an uncomplicated job anyone can do.
- Some surveys take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.
Con
- This task needs parental supervision.
Top Places to Find Survey Jobs
You can visit sites like Swagbucks to discover study tasks.
15. Family Business
Among the easiest ways for kids aged 11-12 to discover work is to operate in their family's business. It might come from their parents, other family members, or even household friends.
In any case, they can start gaining important work experience and the cash that includes it.
What You'll Need to Do a Family Business Job
This job needs a family-owned service for the preteen to work for.
- You can be sure that your kid is in a safe environment.
- The kid gets to discover the ins-and-outs of their household's service.
- It's an excellent way to prepare a successor to take over business.
Con
- It may not offer the kid the opportunity to meet new individuals.
Top Places to Find a Family Business Job
If you don't own a service your family runs, you can contact instant and prolonged household members who do and need an extra set of hands.
16. Newspaper Delivery
Finally, among the earliest jobs kids in the US do to make money is paper delivery.
Kids can deliver papers before going to school and it's excellent for building character and developing a great work ethic.
What You'll Need to Do Newspaper Delivery
This job needs a bike with a compartment for saving the newspapers.
Pros
- A paper route can provide kids much-needed exercise.
- Kids that deliver papers could develop an interest in their neighborhood's goings-ons.
- This task can assist to enhance their sense of instructions.
Con
- It needs getting up in the early hours of the early morning.
- Many news agencies are going paperless, reducing the number of readily available newspapers.
Top Places to Find a Paper Delivery Job
You can find a newspaper shipment function by searching in the telephone directory or online for the local newspaper's Circulation Department.
Can an 11-Year-Old Work for an Organization?
No. According to the US Department of Labor, kid labor laws (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938) restrict the minimum age of employment to 14. All the tasks in this post avoid real employment and are mostly simple jobs a preteen can do.
What's the Easiest Job for 11-12 Year Olds?
Raking leaves is the simplest task an 11-12 year old can do. It doesn't require any devices, talent, or ability. And opportunities are that the child in concern does it as a task in their home, anyway.
Which Jobs for 11 Year Olds are one of the most Difficult to Get?
Modeling and acting functions are among the most tough jobs to get. Your child requires to be incredibly gifted or good-looking before firms can confidently gamble on them.
Wrapping Up
As the post exposes, there are lots of tasks an 11 or 12 years of age can do to make some additional spending money. The ones we've curated shouldn't run afoul of child labor laws and are easy enough for children at that age to do.
So what do you consider these tasks? Would you let your kid attempt any of them? Let us understand in the remarks below and share this with a good friend who has a preteen searching for money on the side!
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The Best Jobs for 11 12 Year Olds that Pay well In 2025
Abby Bancks edited this page 3 days ago