If your teens are looking for something more to do after school or want a bit more pocket money, it might be time to start looking for work. And there’s no better time than the present.
At BusyKid, we believe in the importance of starting young to build a solid financial foundation. That’s why we’ve come up with our list of the best/easiest jobs for 13-year-olds in 2023.
We’re going to break down all the most interesting and high-paying jobs we can think of to ensure you and your kids find the right fit. But first, let’s answer some questions.
Can 13-Year-Olds Work Legally?
This is a pretty difficult question to answer because technically they can and can’t work legally. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the minimum age for employment is 14 and everyone under the age of 16 has a limit to the number of hours they can work.
However, 13-year-olds can still work for their friends, family, neighbors, or online (with parental permission, of course). So while you might not see a 13-year-old working at a restaurant, there’s still a lot they can do.
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to jobs for 13-year-olds is that their work can’t interfere with their education. With that said, every country and state might have different laws. So make sure to check with local ordinates to see when and how much your kids can work.
How Many Hours Can Teens Work per Week?
As we mentioned, how much your kids can work will depend on where you live. For example, in the US, kids between the ages of 14–15 can’t work more than 3 hours on a school day, or 8 hours a day when school isn’t in session. Also, they can’t work before 7 AM or after 7 PM on most days of the year.
On the other hand, Australian laws say that kids from the age of 13 can’t work more than 12 hours during a school week. They can’t work more than 4 hours on a school day or more than 38 hours on weeks that school isn’t in session.
And in the EU, teens under the age of 15 can’t be employed at all, unless they’re doing cultural, sports, artistic, or advertising activities. But even then, they need prior authorization from a competent authority.
The Pros and Cons of Working as a Teen
When it comes to jobs for kids, everything should be done in moderation, so it’s important kids don’t overwork themselves. Even if they love what they’re doing, it’s crucial to keep them on track with their schoolwork and social life.
With that said, starting work early has a ton of benefits, including the fact that teens can develop invaluable skills, no matter what they’re doing. They’ll have to learn organization, time management, and basic financial lessons if they want their money to last.
What’s more, having your kids work will give them a bit of financial independence, which is good for you and for them. Not only that, but later on, when they’re figuring out what they want to do or when they’re applying for schools or jobs, they’ll already have something on their resumes, unlike lots of kids their age.
In addition to all this, jobs for 13-year-olds also instill a sense of responsibility, awareness, and sensibility. They will get your kids excited for the future, while also preparing them for what’s to come. That’s also one of our goals at BusyKid.
We can help motivate your kids to save, share, invest, and spend their earnings the right way. And for only $4/mo., you and your kids will not only have access to the app and everything in it but also to five BusyKid Visa Debit Cards. With the cards, the need for having cash on hand all the time is eliminated, and kids can use them for both online and in-store purchases.
But more on the BusyKid Visa Debit Cards and what they can do for you and your family in a second. First, let’s look at the top jobs for 13-year-olds in 2023.
Top Jobs for 13-Year-Olds in 2023
Business Ideas
If your kids are feeling the entrepreneurial spirit, here are some suggestions on jobs they could be doing.
- Sitting Plants and Houses
13-year-olds can easily care for plants or houses when relatives or neighbors are away. They can offer their services around, and get paid well for a relatively easy job.
- Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
A step up on the responsibility scale is looking after pets or dog walking. However, if your kids love animals, this could be the perfect job for them. They might need to look after the pets, clean up after them, or provide food.
- Babysitting
Not all teens might be responsible enough to do babysitting, but if you feel that yours are, it could be an excellent, high-paying job. To become a certified babysitter, they can check in with the local Red Cross, and even do CPR training there.
- Running Errands
Many adults, especially older folks, are either too busy or simply unable to do basic errands. And with some basic skills and maybe a bike, your teens could perform most of them. Checking in with neighbors and relatives is a great first step toward seeing who needs what done.
- Cleaning Houses
Another great way to earn a bit of money is to do the cleaning. Your teens could either clean your house for an allowance or go around seeing if anyone else needs their services. It’s a fairly easy job and you can bank on adults almost always having something that needs to be cleaned.
Seasonal Jobs for 13-Year-Olds
Next, we’re moving up to jobs for 13-year-olds that are typically done during the summer or winter months. And since there’s no school then, your kids will have plenty of time to try out a few and see what they like best.
- Gardening and Yard Work
Doing yard work can entail a number of different things, depending on the season. Teens are old enough to be able to mow lawns, pull out weeds, rake leaves, shovel snow, or water plants.
- Washing Cars
Washing cars is another relatively easy job that most kids can do in the summer. They need a few cleaning supplies and a bit of instruction, and they can clean and detail cars of the entire neighborhood.
- Painting Houses or Fences
If your kids are handy with a paintbrush, they can try out house or fence painting. Again, they’ll need some basic supplies, but they can easily do it, and even invite their friends to help.
- Cleaning Pools
If you know someone in the neighborhood with a pool, see if your kids can help them clean it. They might not need any supplies, as pool owners tend to have everything, and it’s an easy, summer job.
- Selling Drinks or Snacks
A good business idea for young kids is opening lemonade stands, and your teens can take it to the next level. By selling cold beverages on hot summer days and warm drinks on chilly winter nights, they can make a killing. Add to that some snacks or baked goods, and they’ve got a thriving business.
- Hanging Up or Taking Down Holiday Decorations
Many households have Christmas lights or holiday decorations that they need help putting up or taking down. It’s the perfect opportunity for your teen to earn some extra money for their own Christmas shopping list.
Online Jobs for 13-Year-Olds
Some are more suited to do online jobs for teens, and luckily there’s plenty to be done on the internet.
- Selling Video Game Currency
If your kids are avid gamers, but you don’t want them to do streaming, a great way to do what they love and earn money is by selling game currency. In whatever game they’re playing, they can collect currency, buy or win in-game items, and later sell those on various websites. Of course, to receive the money, they’re going to need a card, and we recommend the BusyKid Visa Debit card.
- Selling Crafts or Other Items
There are tons of virtual stores online where kids can sell their designs, items they don’t use anymore, or unworn clothes. If your teens are artistic, there’s so much they can do, including creating T-shirts, holiday decorations, candles, toys, and much more.
- Doing Surveys
A low-impact job that doesn’t require any equipment or lots of time is doing surveys. There are websites online that pay people to complete short surveys, and earn a bit of money. Now, some might require those taking the surveys to be of a certain age, so make sure to check that beforehand.
To Sum Up: Jobs for 13-Year-Olds in 2023
As you can see, there are plenty of jobs any 13-year-old can do to earn a bit of money. Before you make your recommendations, make sure to take into account your kids’ interests, free time, and skills.
And once you’ve picked out a job, make sure that your kids are receiving their payments safely and securely with the BusyKid Visa Debit Card. Especially because it’s never been easier to get one than now. All you have to do is scan the code, download the app, and apply for the card. We will take care of the rest.
So don’t wait any longer and join the BusyKid community today!
