As parents, it’s our job to instill a sense of work ethic, responsibility, financial understanding and other skills in our kids. Of course, this can be easier said than done sometimes. However, making sure future generations grow up with an understanding of these major life skills is crucial and can actually be easier than you think.
Kids learn best through doing and there’s no better way to answer the question, ” Mom, how can I make some money?” than by giving kids fun activities that will teach them major life skills. The following four ideas are a great way to instill these skills while having fun. Give your kids the chance to test them out and they’ll be on their way to being mini entrepreneurs and successful adults!
1) Create a food stand
A food stand is a fun and tasty way to reel in the neighborhood. Not only will they be learning life skills it will help keep them social and test their math abilities. Let the kids create a sign, set up a table (we used this awesome In & Out Activity Table and Play Around Chairs by Simplay3 and before you know it you’ll have seasoned salesmen!
The lemonade stand isn’t the only way kids can earn a few bucks. Depending on the season, there are many different stand-worthy snacks and drink ideas that can be turned into an adorable and lucrative venture.
Seasonal snack stand ideas:
Summer: popsicles, juice boxes, apples, water, lemonade, watermelon slices, popcorn, hot dogs
Fall: mini pumpkins, apple cider, pumpkin bread/muffins, caramel apples, boiled peanuts, butter beer (here’s a super easy recipe!)
Winter: hot cocoa, homemade soup, holiday cookies, gingerbread, candied pecans
Spring: cupcakes, flowers, painted eggs, strawberry lemonade, mini pies, chocolate covered strawberries
2) Make something and sell it
Spark imaginations and motivate entrepreneurship by having kids create something and then sell it.
Earlier this Summer my 7-year-old daughter attended a camp that taught her how to make bracelets. She asked if she could make some money selling them so we put an add up on facebook and 2 days later she was $48 richer!
There are so many different things children can make and sell that can create a sense of business ownership.
A few ideas are:
- Jewelry
- baked goods
- balloon stress balls
- painted rocks
- bath bombs
- bird seed pine cones
- soap
- beeswax candles
3) Grow a garden
Growing a garden is a great way for kids to learn responsibility, be awarded for hard work and have the chance to make money off of something they helped to create.
Gardens can be small or large and be grown indoors or out. Everything from squash to corn and herbs to flowers can be grown by the whole family. Taking care of a plant is a wonderful way to groom kids for caring for pets
Taking care of a garden is a wonderful way to groom kids for caring for pets or other situations that require responsibility and patience. Once their garden starts to yield the “fruits” or “vegetables” of their labor, they can offer them up to friends and family and earn a few dollars at the same time!
4) Create their own business
We’ve all heard about grandpa’s paper route and how he had to trek through the snow to deliver them all. Paper routes may not be so popular today but being a mini CEO can be empowering and help teach kids skills such as time and money management, customer service, and work ethic.
There are many different DIY business ideas that are fun, kid-friendly and easy to put together.
A few ideas are:
- Mowing lawns/yard work
- Pet sitting
- House Sitting
- Pet walking
- Clipping coupons
- Cleaning
- Washing cars
- Recycling
- Babysitting
Empowering our kids to get out in the world and make something for themselves is part of our job as parents. As long as we can give them the right tools, setting them free in the world won’t be as scary as it sounds knowing they’re well prepared.
What do your kids do to make money?
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