The Best Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds that Pay well In 2025
There comes a time in every kid's life when they understand that their pocket money can just 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 start to long for more self-reliance.
If your preteen is at that stage in their life, you're most likely wondering whether there are any jobs for 11-12 years of age that pay decently. Wonder no more, as this post has you covered. We expose 16 exceptional choices your kid can attempt.
An Overview 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 categorize the kinds of jobs your preteen can do to make extra cash. They consist of:
Traditional Jobs: As the name recommends, these are the very best jobs for common character-building physical labor, like cleansing, snow shoveling, or yard mowing tasks. Less extreme tasks in this classification also consist of family pet sitting.
Seasonal Jobs: These tasks are seasonal, but they can be a fantastic way for your kid to begin their own service, whether on a hot summer's day (e.g. a lemonade stand or other summertime jobs) or in winter (hot chocolate stand, snow shoveling, etc).
Online Jobs: Kids can do online tasks and develop service concepts with simply a computer and web connection. Examples consist of taking online surveys, screening video games, and so on.
Creative Jobs: These jobs tap into your child's creativity. Activities like writing, working as a T-shirt designer, running a YouTube channel, and voice acting all qualify as innovative jobs.
Artistic Jobs: Modeling, acting, or voice acting 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 talked about below are amongst the finest jobs for 11-12 year olds to make their own money. A lot of them need little in the method of abilities or understanding.
When they do need them, your kid can either acquire the skills or tap into their natural skill.
1. Pet Sitting
One outstanding way your preteen child can make additional money is to work as a family pet caretaker.
If a next-door neighbor or relative has a family pet that needs caring for while they're away, they can leave their buddy with your child.
The obligation of feeding the pet and keeping it safe lies with the preteen till their customer returns from their journey.
What You'll Need for Pet Sitting
Pet sitting requires the following:
- An animal to take care of.
- Pet supplies (family pet food, leash, cage, toys, etc).
Fortunately, the animal's owner will provide whatever.
- Younger kids can establish nurturing skills when looking after family pets.
- This job can develop a child's sense of obligation.
- It's an affordable method for generating income.
Con
- This job isn't appropriate to all family pets (e.g., snakes, tarantula spiders, and so on).
Top Places to Find Pet Sitting Jobs
You can discover pet caretaker functions online or by asking around your neighborhood.
2. Car Washing
If you walk your neighborhood, you'll likely see two or more vehicles that could do with a wash.
While some next-door neighbors may be content with taking their vehicles to the regional car wash, others might not have the time or inclination to drive down there or do the cleaning themselves.
Therein lies the opportunity for your 11 or 12 years of age. They can offer to wash your neighbor's automobiles in exchange for payment. And if they do an excellent task, it might become a repeating gig.
What You'll Need for Car Washing
You'll need the following to clean cars:
- Car vacuum cleaner.
- Bin bags.
- Soap.
- A rag.
- A pail.
You can procure all of the above at your local store (if they aren't already lying around your house).
- Among the best character-building tasks.
- It can be done together with a school schedule.
- The job might get kids interested in automobiles.
Con
- This job requires care to prevent the car's paint task from peeling.
Top Places to Find Car Washing Jobs
A walk around your community must be enough. You can likewise check out local companies to examine if they need aid.
3. Dog Walking
Dog walking is among the leading pet organization ideas and is one of the very best tasks for 11 and 12 year olds who enjoy man's buddy. If your hectic dog-owning neighbor requires someone to stroll their pet dog, your kid can provide to go in their stead.
What You'll Need for Dog Walking
Your child will need the following when working as a canine walker:
- A pet dog.
- A leash.
- A poop scooper.
- Plastic bags.
Regarding the third and fourth items, your child will require to guarantee that they get after the pet dog when it finishes doing its business.
- Among the most uncomplicated jobs a preteen can do.
- It's an excellent way to let childcare for pets.
- Kids can develop an interest in canines and veterinary practice.
Con
- This job is just ideal for smaller and tamer pet breeds.
Top Places to Find Dog Walking Jobs
You can discover canine strolling Jobs around your community or look online for regional listings on classified websites.
4. Modeling
Is your 11 or 12 years of age traditionally good-looking? You may wish to think about letting them work as a model in the style industry.
This can be a fun job for fashion-conscious kids who like to dress up and are great in front of the camera.
Even if you do not like the concept of your child enhancing the runway, there are less-demanding modeling gigs they might try, like modeling for stock photos and advertisements.
What You'll Need to Do Modeling
You'll require a kid with traditional beauty, an expert photography portfolio, and an agreement with a modeling agency.
- It does not require a lot of skills.
- This job can be financially rewarding.
- The job can be an outstanding confidence booster.
Con
- It may involve pulling your child out of school and homeschooling them.
Top Places to Find Modeling Jobs
You can start your search on the sites of modeling agencies like Elite Model Management and IMG Models.
5. Raking Leaves
In the fall, a month or 2 before the holiday, trees start to lose their leaves, signifying winter season's approach.
Instead of view the phenomenon as an additional task they'll need to do around your house, your preteen can rake in money by handling a gig raking the leaves off your next-door neighbor's yards.
What You'll Need to Do Leaf Raking
Leaf- raking needs the following tools and gear:
- Warm clothes (including gloves).
- A rake.
- A dustpan.
- Bin bags.
- (Optional) A small leaf-blower.
Depending upon how far your kid will require to take a trip, they might take their bike.
- This task is an exceptional method to keep the kids busy for a couple of hours.
- It might be rewarding (depending upon how lots of neighbors needs the service).
- Your kid can add to keeping their environment tidy.
Con
- The task requires that your child work in the cold.
Top Places to Find Leaf Raking Jobs
Your child can find these kinds of tasks in their local community.
6. Mowing Lawns
When life gets too busy, generally gorgeous lawns end up being unkempt, presenting a lucrative chance for entrepreneurial kids.
During summer season break, your kid can offer to mow your next-door neighbors' lawns in exchange for money.
What You'll Need to Do Lawn Mowing
Here's what's required to cut yards:
- A lawn mower.
It's likely your neighbor's will have theirs, however if they do not, you can supply the one from your house.
- The hard work involved teaches kids monetary duty.
- It can be a rewarding method to generate income during summer season holiday.
- Your kid gets to enhance their area.
Con
- Particularly unkempt lawns may house scary crawlies and little animals.
Top Places to Find Lawn Mowing Jobs
The very best place to discover yard mowing tasks is within the neighborhood.
7. Shoveling Snow
If the holiday happens to be a snowy one this year, your 11 or 12 years of age can generate income shoveling snow off your neighbors' pathways and vehicles.
What You'll Need to Do Snow Shoveling
You'll require:
- Warm clothing.
- A shovel.
Shoveling Snow is yet another one of those jobs for 11 year olds where the customer supplies the equipment.
- Seasonal Jobs like this are an exceptional method for 11 and 12 years of age to make cash before returning to school.
- Your kid begins the new year proficiently.
- This task keeps the environment safe.
Con
- It includes operating in the cold.
Top Places to Find Snow Shoveling Jobs
Kids can find this kind of job in their area.
8. Pool Cleaning
Pool cleaning is another among those character-building jobs for 11 and 12-year-olds. Your kid can assist your neighbors clean their swimming pools in the summer season.
This isn't the type of pool cleaning with extreme chemicals done commercially, however rather a way to keep the swimming pool tidy in between those cleansings.
What You'll Need for Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing needs the following products:
- Cleaning brush
- Detergent
- A pool net
The consumer can supply the above-listed utensils.
- It'll keep your kids busy during the summertime
- Your kid may find out a thing or 2 about swimming pools
Con
- It is among the most lengthy jobs for 11 year olds.
Top Places to Find Pool Cleaning Jobs
The best place to find a pool cleaning task is in your community.
9. Painting Fences
If you stroll through your community, you'll see a couple of houses whose fences might do with a new lick of paint.
Your preteen can knock on a couple of doors to discover whether their neighbors are prepared to pay them to paint their fences.
What You'll Need for Fence Painting
Painting fences requires the following tools:
- Paint
- Paint bucket
- Paint brush/roller
- Apron
With the exception of the paint, your kid can get the majority of the above from your house.
- Your child can help restore their area's charm
- The act of painting can make kids thinking about DIY and home restoration
- It's a fun way to keep kids busy
Con
- This job isn't suitable for kids with breathing problems
Top Places to Find Fence Painting Jobs
Your kid can discover fence painting chances in their community.
10. Voice Actor
Does your child have a clear speaking voice? They might have the makings of a voice actor.
They can get voice acting roles in radio commercials, animations and cartoon animations, audio books, and so on.
What You'll Need for Voice Acting
Voice acting requires the following:
- A clear speaking voice
- The capability to develop amusing or remarkable voices (optional).
Please keep in mind that the kind of voice acting roles you look for figure out the abilities required.
- Voice acting is one of the higher-paying jobs for 11 year olds and above.
- It could turn into a life-long profession.
- It's enjoyable.
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 style for theatrics? You might be raising the next Jennifer Lawrence or Bradley Cooper.
Acting can provide your kid a satisfying outlet for their efficiency, so it's worth taking a look at if they're talented enough.
What You'll Need for Acting
Getting an acting profession off the ground will need talent and an agent.
- It can be a fulfilling career.
- There's no limit to the mediums your kid can appear in (motion pictures, TV series, short-form material online ... etc).
- It can be profitable (depending upon your child's star power).
Con
- The shift from child star to full-fledged actor/actress can be challenging.
Top Places to Find Acting Jobs
A few of the finest sites to search for acting tasks consist of Backstage, Actors Access, and Casting Networks.
12. Computer Game Testing
Your kid can get paid to play video games by testing computer game online.
This job lets them play video games and give their feedback on what the video games get right and wrong. Therefore, it is among the most enjoyable jobs for 11-year-olds and above.
What You'll Need to Do Computer Game Testing
Video video game screening requires the following:
- A steady internet connection.
- A laptop or PC.
- A PayPal account (or other methods of accepting payments online).
You may require to assist your child set up this job and also monitor the video games they test.
- It's a fun way for them to generate income.
- Your child might develop an interest in computer game advancement.
- It does not need excessive in the method of resources to start.
Con
- It requires adult guidance.
Top Places to Find Video Game Testing Jobs
You can do video game testing on sites like Rewarded Play and Bubble Cash.
13. Writing
Does your child have a way with words and an active creativity? They can make money to write prose like narratives, post, and more.
Please note that your child's capability to do this job depends on their ability for reading and writing.
What You'll Need to Do Writing
You'll require the following to get writing tasks:
- An exceptional command of English.
- A laptop or computer with a word processing program.
- Internet connection.
- A mode of payment (PayPal, and so on).
It's likewise worth purchasing a tool for spelling and grammar checks (e.g., Grammarly).
- This job can assist improve your kid's composing skills.
- Your child can earn money to produce stories using their imagination.
- It can be lucrative if they compose a hit book or story.
Con
- Writing is one of the most difficult tasks for 11-year-olds to do.
Top Places to Find Writing Jobs
There are numerous sites like Upwork where you can get composing commissions. However, if your kid is going the story route, you'll be better off searching for literary firms online.
14. Taking Surveys
One of the most unconventional tasks for 11 years of age your child can attempt is taking studies.
That said, they can address short online questionnaires and make a little additional money to supplement their spending money. Check out our list of high paying studies 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:
- A web connection.
- A laptop or computer system.
- A technique for employment gathering payments.
Ensure you keep track of the kinds of surveys your child takes when they do this job.
- Your child can do it from the comfort of their home.
- It's a straightforward task anyone can do.
- Some studies take no longer than five minutes to finish.
Con
- This task needs adult guidance.
Top Places to Find Survey Jobs
You can visit sites like Swagbucks to discover study tasks.
15. Family Business
One of the easiest ways for kids aged 11-12 to discover work is to operate in their family's company. It could come from their moms and dads, other relative, or even household buddies.
Either way, they can start gaining important work experience and the cash that features it.
What You'll Need to Do a Household Business Job
This task needs a family-owned organization for the preteen to work for.
- You can be sure that your kid remains in a safe environment.
- The child gets to find out the ins-and-outs of their household's organization.
- It's an excellent way to prepare a successor to take control of the organization.
Con
- It might not provide the child the opportunity to meet new people.
Top Places to Find a Household Business Job
If you don't own a business your family runs, you can call immediate and prolonged household members who do and an additional pair of hands.
16. Newspaper Delivery
Finally, among the oldest jobs kids in the US do to earn money is newspaper delivery.
Kids can provide newspapers before going to school and it's excellent for constructing character and establishing a great ethic.
What You'll Need to Do Newspaper Delivery
This job requires a bike with a compartment for keeping the newspapers.
Pros
- A paper path can give kids much-needed exercise.
- Kids that deliver documents could establish an interest in their neighborhood's goings-ons.
- This task can help to enhance their sense of direction.
Con
- It requires getting up in the early hours of the early morning.
- Many news agencies are going paperless, minimizing the number of offered newspapers.
Top Places to Find a Newspaper Delivery Job
You can find a newspaper shipment role by looking in the phonebook or online for the local newspaper's Circulation Department.
Can an 11-Year-Old Work for a Service?
No. According to the US Department of Labor, kid labor laws (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938) restrict the minimum age of work to 14. All the jobs in this short article avoid real employment and are mostly easy 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 does not need any equipment, talent, or ability. And opportunities are that the kid in question 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 roles are amongst the most tough jobs to get. Your child requires to be very skilled or attractive before agencies can with confidence gamble on them.
Finishing up
As the post reveals, there are plenty of jobs an 11 or 12 year old can do to earn some extra pocket cash. The ones we've curated should not run afoul of kid labor laws and are easy enough for children at that age to do.
So what do you think about these tasks? Would you let your kid try any of them? Let us know in the comments listed below and share this with a buddy who has a preteen searching for money on the side!