The Best Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds that Pay well In 2025
There comes a time in every child's life when they realize that their pocket money can just take them so far.
While there's no specific age when such a realization dawns, 11 to 12 is especially notable due to the fact that they're ages when kids start to long for more self-reliance.
If your preteen is at that stage in their life, you're probably wondering whether there are any jobs for 11-12 year olds that pay decently. Wonder no more, as this post has you covered. We expose 16 excellent alternatives your kid can try.
An Introduction of the 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.
Kinds of Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay
There are a couple of ways you can categorize the types of jobs your preteen can do to make additional cash. They consist of:
Traditional Jobs: As the name suggests, these are the finest jobs for typical character-building physical labor, like cleaning, snow shoveling, or yard mowing tasks. Less extreme tasks in this category also consist of animal 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 summertime's day (e.g. a lemonade stand or other summertime jobs) or in winter season (hot chocolate stand, snow shoveling, and so on).
Online Jobs: Kids can do online tasks and come up with organization ideas with just a computer and web connection. Examples include taking online surveys, screening video games, and so on.
Creative Jobs: These jobs use your child's creativity. Activities like composing, working as a Tee shirts designer, running a YouTube channel, and voice acting all qualify as innovative tasks.
Artistic Jobs: Modeling, acting, or voice performing can all be an exceptional outlet for your child's artistic side.
Best 16 Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay Well
The tasks gone over listed below are among the finest jobs for 11-12 years of age to make their own money. Many of them need little in the method of abilities or knowledge.
When they do need them, your child can either obtain the abilities or tap into their natural skill.
1. Pet Sitting
One excellent way your preteen child can earn additional money is to work as an animal sitter.
If a neighbor or member of the family has a pet that needs looking after while they're away, they can leave their companion with your child.
The responsibility of feeding the pet and keeping it safe lies with the preteen up until their customer returns from their trip.
What You'll Need for Pet Sitting
Pet sitting needs the following:
- A pet to look after.
- Pet materials (family pet food, leash, cage, toys, and so on).
Fortunately, the pet's owner will supply everything.
- Younger children can develop nurturing skills when looking after family pets.
- This task can establish a child's sense of duty.
- It's an affordable method for making money.
Con
- This task isn't applicable to all pets (e.g., snakes, tarantula spiders, and so on).
Top Places to Find Pet Sitting Jobs
You can find pet sitter functions online or by asking around your area.
2. Car Washing
If you walk your neighborhood, you'll likely see 2 or more automobiles that could do with a wash.
While some next-door neighbors might be content with taking their vehicles to the local car wash, others may not have the time or disposition to drive down there or do the washing themselves.
Therein lies the opportunity for your 11 or 12 year old. They can use to clean your neighbor's cars and trucks in exchange for payment. And employment if they do an excellent job, it might become a repeating gig.
What You'll Need for Car Washing
You'll require the following to clean vehicles:
- Car vacuum cleaner.
- Bin bags.
- Soap.
- A rag.
- A pail.
You can acquire all of the above at your regional store (if they aren't already lying around the house).
- One of the best character-building tasks.
- It can be done alongside a school schedule.
- The job could get kids interested in cars.
Con
- This task requires care to prevent the car's paint job from peeling.
Top Places to Find Car Washing Jobs
A walk around your area must be sufficient. You can likewise go to local businesses to examine if they need help.
3. Dog Walking
Dog walking is amongst the leading family pet business ideas and is among the very best tasks for 11 and 12 year olds who enjoy man's finest good friend. If your hectic dog-owning neighbor requires someone to walk their pet dog, your kid can offer to enter their stead.
What You'll Need for employment Dog Walking
Your kid will need the following when working as a dog walker:
- A canine.
- A leash.
- A poop scooper.
- Plastic bags.
Regarding the 3rd and 4th products, your child will need to guarantee that they pick up after the canine when it finishes doing its business.
- One of the most simple jobs a preteen can do.
- It's a great way to let childcare for dogs.
- 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 find canine walking Jobs around your area or look online for regional listings on categorized sites.
4. Modeling
Is your 11 or 12 year old conventionally attractive? You might want to consider letting them work as a design in the style industry.
This can be a fun job for fashion-conscious kids who like to dress up and are excellent in front of the video camera.
Even if you don't like the concept of your kid gracing the runway, there are less-demanding modeling gigs they might try, like modeling for stock images and ads.
What You'll Need to Do Modeling
You'll need a kid with conventional charm, an expert photography portfolio, and an agreement with a modeling company.
- It doesn't need too many skills.
- This job can be profitable.
- The task can be an exceptional confidence booster.
Con
- It might 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 firms like Elite Model Management and IMG Models.
5. Raking Leaves
In the fall, a month or more before the holiday, trees start to lose their leaves, representing winter season's approach.
Instead of see the phenomenon as an extra chore they'll have to do around your house, your preteen can generate money by handling a gig raking the leaves off your neighbor's yards.
What You'll Need to Do Leaf Raking
Leaf- raking requires the following tools and gear:
- Warm clothes (including gloves).
- A rake.
- A dustpan.
- Bin bags.
- (Optional) A small leaf-blower.
Depending on how far your kid will need to travel, they may take their bike.
- This task is an exceptional way to keep the kids busy for a few hours.
- It might be financially rewarding (depending on how numerous neighbors requires the service).
- Your child can add to keeping their environment neat.
Con
- The task needs that your kid work in the cold.
Top Places to Find Leaf Raking Jobs
Your child can discover these kinds of jobs in their local neighborhood.
6. Mowing Lawns
When life gets too hectic, generally gorgeous lawns become neglected, presenting a profitable opportunity for entrepreneurial kids.
During summertime break, your child can provide to cut your neighbors' lawns in exchange for cash.
What You'll Need to Do Lawn Mowing
Here's what's needed to mow yards:
- A lawn mower.
It's most likely your neighbor's will have theirs, but if they do not, you can offer the one from your house.
- The effort involved teaches kids monetary responsibility.
- It can be a rewarding method to make money during summertime vacation.
- Your kid gets to enhance their community.
Con
- Particularly neglected lawns might house weird crawlies and small animals.
Top Places to Find Lawn Mowing Jobs
The very best location to discover yard mowing jobs is within the community.
7. Shoveling Snow
If the holiday season occurs to be a snowy one this year, your 11 or 12 year old can earn money shoveling snow off your next-door neighbors' walkways and cars.
What You'll Need to Do Snow Shoveling
You'll need:
- Warm clothing.
- A shovel.
Shoveling Snow is yet another among those tasks for 11 year olds where the client offers the equipment.
- Seasonal Jobs like this are an excellent method for 11 and 12 year olds to earn money before returning to school.
- Your kid begins the new year proficiently.
- This task 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 area.
8. Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing is another one of 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 kind of pool cleansing with harsh chemicals done commercially, but rather a way to keep the swimming pool clean in between those cleanings.
What You'll Need for Pool Cleaning
Pool cleaning requires the following products:
- Cleaning brush
- Detergent
- A swimming pool web
The customer can offer the above-listed utensils.
- It'll keep your kids busy throughout the summer months
- Your kid might discover a thing or 2 about swimming pools
Con
- It is among the most time-consuming jobs for 11 years of age.
Top Places to Find Pool Cleaning Jobs
The very best place to discover a swimming pool cleaning job is in your neighborhood.
9. Painting Fences
If you walk through your community, you'll see a couple of homes whose fences might do with a new lick of paint.
Your preteen can knock on a few doors to discover whether their neighbors are ready to pay them to paint their fences.
What You'll Need for Fence Painting
Painting fences needs the following tools:
- Paint
- Paint bucket
- Paint brush/roller
- Apron
With the exception of the paint, your child can get the majority of the above from your house.
- Your child can help restore their neighborhood's appeal
- The act of painting can make kids thinking about DIY and home restoration
- It's a fun method to keep kids hectic
Con
- This task isn't appropriate for kids with breathing issues
Top Places to Find Fence Painting Jobs
Your child can discover fence painting opportunities in their neighborhood.
10. Voice Actor
Does your child have a clear speaking voice? They may have the makings of a voice star.
They can get voice acting roles in radio commercials, cartoons and cartoon animations, audio books, and so on.
What You'll Need for Voice Acting
Voice acting needs the following:
- A clear speaking voice
- The ability to create funny or remarkable voices (optional).
Please keep in mind that the type of voice acting functions you look for identify the skills needed.
- Voice acting is among the higher-paying tasks for 11 year olds and above.
- It could turn into a life-long career.
- It's fun.
Con
- This task may be difficult to protect.
Top Places to Find Voice Acting Jobs
You can check sites like Bunny Studio and Filmless to find voice acting tasks
11. Acting
Does your kid have a style for theatrics? You may be raising the next Jennifer Lawrence or Bradley Cooper.
Acting can give your child a satisfying outlet for their performance, so it deserves having a look at if they're talented enough.
What You'll Need for Acting
Getting an acting profession off the ground will require skill and an agent.
- It can be a fulfilling profession.
- There's no limit to the mediums your kid can appear in (movies, TV series, short-form material online ... and so on).
- It can be rewarding (depending on your child's star power).
Con
- The transition from child actor to full-fledged actor/actress can be hard.
Top Places to Find Acting Jobs
A few of the very best sites to browse for acting jobs include Backstage, Actors Access, and Casting Networks.
12. Video Game Testing
Your child can earn money to play games by testing computer game online.
This task lets them play games and offer their feedback on what the games solve and wrong. Therefore, it's one of the most enjoyable jobs for 11-year-olds and above.
What You'll Need to Do Computer Game Testing
Computer game screening requires the following:
- A stable web connection.
- A laptop or PC.
- A PayPal account (or other means of accepting payments online).
You may need to assist your child established this task and also keep an eye on the games they check.
- It's an enjoyable method for them to generate income.
- Your kid might establish an interest in computer game development.
- It does not require excessive in the way of resources to begin.
Con
- It requires parental 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 kid have a way with words and an active creativity? They can get paid to compose prose like narratives, article, and more.
Please note that your kid's ability 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 composing jobs:
- An excellent command of English.
- A laptop computer or computer with a word processor.
- Internet connection.
- A mode of payment (PayPal, and so on).
It's also worth buying a tool for spelling and grammar checks (e.g., Grammarly).
- This job can help improve your kid's writing skills.
- Your child can get paid to develop stories using their creativity.
- It can be financially rewarding if they write a hit book or story.
Con
- Writing is one of the most hard jobs for 11-year-olds to do.
Top Places to Find Writing Jobs
There are various websites like Upwork where you can get composing commissions. However, employment if your kid is going the story path, you'll be much better off searching for literary companies online.
14. Taking Surveys
One of the most non-traditional jobs for 11 year olds your kid can try is taking studies.
That said, they can address brief online questionnaires and make a little extra cash to supplement their pocket money. Check out our list of high paying surveys to get your kid off to a roaring start.
What You'll Need to Do Surveys
You'll require the following to take online surveys:
- An internet connection.
- A laptop or computer.
- An approach for collecting payments.
Make sure you monitor the kinds of surveys your child takes when they do this job.
- Your kid can do it from the comfort of their home.
- It's an uncomplicated task anyone can do.
- Some surveys take no longer than five minutes to complete.
Con
- This job needs parental supervision.
Top Places to Find Survey Jobs
You can visit websites like Swagbucks to find survey jobs.
15. Family Business
Among the simplest methods for kids aged 11-12 to find work is to work in their household's business. It might come from their moms and dads, other member of the family, and even family friends.
In either case, employment they can start getting valuable work experience and the cash that comes with it.
What You'll Need to Do a Family Business Job
This job 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 discover the ins-and-outs of their family's service.
- It's an exceptional way to prepare a beneficiary to take over business.
Con
- It might not provide the kid the opportunity to fulfill new people.
Top Places to Find a Household Business Job
If you don't own an organization your household runs, you can get in touch with immediate and prolonged household members who do and need an extra pair of hands.
16. Newspaper Delivery
Finally, among the earliest jobs kids in the US do to generate income is paper shipment.
Kids can deliver newspapers before going to school and it's outstanding for developing character and establishing a good work 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 provide kids much-needed .
- Kids that provide documents could develop an interest in their neighborhood's goings-ons.
- This job can assist to improve their sense of instructions.
Con
- It needs getting up in the early hours of the morning.
- Many news companies are going paperless, lowering the variety of available papers.
Top Places to Find a Paper Delivery Job
You can discover a paper delivery role by looking in the phone book or online for the local paper's Circulation Department.
Can an 11-Year-Old Work for a Service?
No. According to the US Department of Labor, child labor laws (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938) restrict the minimum age of employment to 14. All the tasks in this post prevent real work and are mostly easy tasks a preteen can do.
What's the Easiest Job for 11-12 Year Olds?
Raking leaves is the easiest task an 11-12 year old can do. It doesn't require any devices, talent, or skill. And possibilities are that the kid in question does it as a chore 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 challenging jobs to get. Your kid requires to be exceptionally talented or good-looking before firms can with confidence take a chance on them.
Wrapping Up
As the short article exposes, there are lots of tasks an 11 or 12 years of age can do to make some additional pocket cash. The ones we have actually curated should not contravene of kid labor laws and are easy enough for children at that age to do.
So what do you think about these jobs? Would you let your kid try any of them? Let us understand in the comments listed below and share this with a pal who has a preteen looking for additional money on the side!