The summer “side hustle” challenge: 5 fun ways for kids to earn extra cash

1. The car washer

A chore that’s been handed down through the generations, car washing is one of the original side hustles for kids. It’s a rite of passage and offers instant results.

You’ll need to provide them with a bucket of warm, soapy water, a sponge, a hose and a microfibre cloth. If they do a good job, why not pitch their services to close neighbours or grandparents? And it’s not just the outside that needs doing; they could always earn a little more by cleaning the inside as well.

You can set “car washing” as a task in your GoHenry smart money app, including how much you’ll pay and whether this is a one-off task or a weekly task.

2. The wardrobe and toy declutterer

The summer holidays are the perfect time for a bedroom reset. Selling old toys, books and clothes they’ve outgrown is one of the quickest ways to learn about earning money, recycling and decluttering all at once.

You’ll need to set aside an afternoon to go through their wardrobes and toy boxes. If you have older kids, let them take the photos and list the items on Vinted or eBay. Handling the descriptions and packaging the parcels will give them the satisfaction of earning their own money, even if they are technically selling things you originally bought for them!

3. The green-fingered garden helper

Gardens are in full bloom in the summer, which means they need a lot of upkeep. It’s the perfect time for your kids to step in and help out. They can get stuck into weeding flowerbeds, watering the plants, or even tackling the lawn under your watchful eye.

If they really want to boost their earnings, why not see if the neighbours need some help during the summer months? If they’re going on holiday, your child can offer a “plant-sitting” service to ensure their tomato plants or lawn are still thriving by the time they return home.

4. The tech tutor

While smartphones and tablets may be second nature to your kids, older family members might struggle with them. One way to earn a bit of extra cash this summer is for your tween or teen to run “tech support” sessions for grandparents, aunts and uncles.

They could help organise digital family photos, show them how to use video calling apps or clean up the apps on their smartphones. It’s a good way for them to build patience and communication skills, all while earning a bit of extra cash.

5. The holiday pet sitter

With families jetting off on their summer holidays, there are plenty of opportunities for your kids to provide reliable pet care. Smaller pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish or even independent cats are usually happier staying home with someone dropping in to top up their food and water.

Younger kids will need supervision, while older kids can independently help out. If they want, they could even offer a “VIP” package, including cleaning out rabbit hutches or hamster cages, brushing fluffy pets and sending photo updates.