Finding a job can be tricky, especially if you are under 18 years old. However, if you are motivated, dedicated, and eager to work, check out these 15 side hustles you can do in your free time to earn some extra cash!

Note: If you earn more than a certain amount per quarter, the IRS will require you to file taxes and report how much you earned from your side hustles. Speak with a parent or trusted adult for guidance before starting your side hustle and visit the IRS website for more information. 

Social media side hustle

Do you love social media, keep up with all the latest trends, and have mastered all the apps? Become a social media assistant and help people step up their social media game, sell products, or increase their number of followers. You can also search for “social media management” on sites like Coursera to get some free training to add to your resume! 

Babysitting & nannying

If you have free time after school or on the weekends, offer to babysit or nanny for families in your area! You can also use Care.com to start your search. Working for family and friends is a great way to build up your network and job experience! 

Blogging & vlogging

If you enjoy writing or being on video, use those skills to start a blog or vlog. You may not earn money right away, but if you get enough followers, you may be able to land some sponsorships in the future.

Dog walking or pet sitting

If you are responsible and love animals, consider becoming the neighborhood pet sitter or dog walker. Sign up for a site like Rover to find even more people in your area. Just like babysitting or nannying this experience can showcase great responsibility, which is key on any resume going forward.

Errand & task running

Run errands and tasks for people in your neighborhood (like getting groceries for an elderly neighbor). If you are older than 18, you can also sign up for a company like Taskrabbit.

Gardening & yard work

Doing some gardening or yard work for neighbors in your area is a great way to get some sun, fresh air, exercise, and extra money. If you happen to see landscaping being done in your neighborhood, see if any of the work trucks have phone numbers or websites where you could see about working for them.

Photographing & videographing

If you know how to capture great video footage, have an eye for photography, and are good at using editing software, photography, and videography may be a good fit for you. You can sell your photos to stock photo companies, like Shutterstock.

Repairing computers or other hardware

If you’re handy with computers or phones, offer your repair services to family and friends to earn some extra cash.

Selling things on Instagram, Mercari, or Etsy

Want some extra cash and more space in your closet? You can sell clothes you don’t want on Instagram or Mercari. If you have a skill or hobby like drawing or painting, you can sell your art on Etsy.

Sports coaching & refereeing

Check with your city’s recreation department to learn more about coaching or refereeing for youth sports. This could also include roles like lifeguards for your local pool or beaches. 

Teaching gaming

Yes, this is a real thing! Websites like Gamer Sensei can match you with paying students who are looking to improve their skills in games you’ve already mastered.

Teaching music lessons

If you play an instrument (or two), consider teaching classes in person or virtually. This could also be a great offering to families with young kids who may want you to babysit or tutor in academics! 

Transcribing audio files

Sites like Rev match you with companies that pay outside contractors to transcribe audio files into documents for them. This is perfect if you have great attention to detail and are self-motivated.

Tutoring in a second language

Do you speak more than one language? Many parents often look for second language tutors for their young children. You can teach in-person or online classes. Similarly to music lessons, you can offer this as a package deal with babysitting or tutoring in other subjects.

Website testing & online survey-taking

Companies need testers and survey takers to try out new features on their website and provide feedback on products and services– and you can receive a small payout for every task you complete. Often these don’t pay a lot, so be sure to research your options and stay motivated!

Not quite ready to start a side hustle? Check out ways to build skills that can help you land a job, or text #Jobs to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our job coaches! If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!