Starting from the time our two oldest boys were nine and five, they had to earn and save money for big purchases and summer camp. In those early days they had flower-bulb-selling and porch- and driveway-sweeping businesses. As they grew they worked at odd jobs and ran their own businesses, and they also acquired great experience: They learned to communicate with adults in a professional manner, realized the importance of being responsible when working for others, and discovered creative ways to advertise. They also learned to delay gratification, found out how to make good financial decisions, and acquired an appreciation for what things cost. Finally, they experienced the satisfaction of knowing what it is to do a job well.
Begin a business by brainstorming about the types of services or products your kids can offer. Check with local government offices to see if a business license or permit is needed. Then create an advertising flyer or a business card to distribute to homes or post on public bulletin boards. Let the following inspire your own ideas:
- Aid the elderly—do their shopping, run errands.
- Babysit.(Distinguish your service by taking a CPR course, bringing art/craft projects, etc.)
- Bake and sell homemade bread and cookies.
- Brand yourself as a home-office assistant. Help people who work at home with filing, data input, and other business-related tasks.
- Caddy for a golfer.
- Clean carpets.
- Clean houses or move furniture.
- Clean swimming pools.
- Clear away old junk and trash.
- Clip and organize coupons in envelopes for Mom. (Let your children keep the refunds.)
- Distribute flyers for local small businesses.
- Bathe and groom pets.
- Help people move—pack and clean up.
- Hold a garage sale; in addition to your own things, sell neighbors' items for a percentage of the price.
- Learn to make balloon sculptures and hire yourself out as a birthday-party clown.
- Make and paint signs.
- Mow lawns.
- Start a messenger or delivery service.
- Offer tech support. Teach tech-challenged adults to use new electronic gadgets or various computer functions.
- Paint outdoor furniture, fences, doghouses, porches, decks, storage sheds.
- Paint house numbers on curbs with stencils.
- Pet-sit. Many working adults are delighted to pay someone else to give their pet care and affection, or walk their dog while they're at work.
- Plan and host birthday parties. Older kids can help parents give birthday parties for small children. They can dress up like a party-theme character, help with crafts, organize and oversee games, pass out food, pick up trash, and help watch for small guests who might wander off.
- Plant a garden and sell produce. (Plan ahead, too. Plant a pumpkin patch, and sell the pumpkins in October.)
- Produce a backyard carnival and sell tickets for the games and refreshments.
- Publish a neighborhood newsletter. Collect information about opportunities in your community, who has what for sale, services or items that neighbors would like to trade, and other facts of interest to the people in your area. Print copies to sell to neighbors.
- Pull weeds.
- Put on a backyard day camp.
- Run an errand service, including grocery and dry-cleaning delivery.
- Start an odd-job service. Advertise by passing out flyers in the neighborhood.
- Sweep porches and driveways.
- Tend and entertain younger children.when neighbors host meetings or parties.
- Tutor younger children in reading.
- Type, do word processing.
- Wash cars. Try an on-the-spot car wash. Kids can go door-to-door carrying cloths, buckets, window spray, whisk broom, and portable vacuum.
- Wash windows.
- Water plants and yards for vacationing families.
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