The Best Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds that Pay well In 2025
There comes a time in every child's life when they understand that their pocket money can just take them up until now.
While there's no particular age when such a realization dawns, 11 to 12 is particularly noteworthy because they're ages when kids start to long for more independence.
If your preteen is at that stage in their life, you're most likely questioning whether there are any jobs for 11-12 years of age that pay decently. Wonder no more, as this article has you covered. We reveal 16 excellent alternatives your child can attempt.
An Overview 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.
Computer Game Testing.
Writing.
Taking Surveys.
Family Business.
Newspaper Delivery.
Types of Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay
There are a couple of ways you can classify the kinds of tasks your preteen can do to earn additional money. They include:
Traditional Jobs: As the name suggests, these are the finest tasks for typical character-building physical labor, like cleansing, snow shoveling, or lawn mowing jobs. Less extreme jobs in this category also consist of pet sitting.
Seasonal Jobs: These tasks are seasonal, however they can be a terrific way for your kid to begin their own organization, whether on a hot summer season's day (e.g. a lemonade stand or other summer season tasks) or in winter (hot chocolate stand, snow shoveling, etc).
Online Jobs: Kids can do online tasks and develop business ideas with simply a computer and web connection. Examples include taking online surveys, screening computer game, and so on.
Creative Jobs: These tasks use your kid's imagination. Activities like composing, working as a Tee shirts designer, running a YouTube channel, and voice acting all qualify as creative tasks.
Artistic Jobs: Modeling, acting, or voice acting can all be an excellent outlet for your child's artistic side.
Best 16 Jobs for 11-12 Year Olds That Pay Well
The jobs talked about listed below are amongst the finest jobs for 11-12 year olds to make their own money. Much of them require little in the way of skills or understanding.
When they do require them, your child can either obtain the abilities or take advantage of their natural talent.
1. Pet Sitting
One excellent method your preteen kid can earn extra cash is to work as a pet sitter.
If a neighbor or household member has an animal that needs taking care of 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 until their client returns from their trip.
What You'll Need for Pet Sitting
Pet sitting needs the following:
- An animal to care for.
- Pet products (pet food, leash, cage, toys, etc).
Fortunately, the family pet's owner will offer whatever.
- Younger children can establish nurturing abilities when taking care of pets.
- This job can develop a kid's sense of obligation.
- It's a low-priced method for earning money.
Con
- This job isn't appropriate to all animals (e.g., snakes, tarantula spiders, etc).
Top Places to Find Pet Sitting Jobs
You can discover pet caretaker functions online or by asking around your area.
2. Car Washing
If you walk your neighborhood, you'll likely see two or more automobiles that could do with a wash.
While some neighbors may be content with taking their lorries to the regional car wash, others may not have the time or disposition to drive down there or do the cleaning themselves.
Therein lies the chance for your 11 or 12 year old. They can provide to clean your neighbor's cars and trucks in exchange for payment. And if they do an outstanding task, it might turn into a repeating gig.
What You'll Need for Car Washing
You'll require the following to clean cars:
- Car vacuum cleaner.
- Bin bags.
- Soap.
- A rag.
- A container.
You can procure all of the above at your regional store (if they aren't currently lying around your house).
- Among the best character-building tasks.
- It can be done along with a school schedule.
- The job could get kids interested in vehicles.
Con
- This task requires care to prevent the cars and truck's paint task from peeling.
Top Places to Find Car Washing Jobs
A walk around your neighborhood must suffice. You can likewise check out regional services to examine if they require help.
3. Dog Walking
Dog walking is amongst the leading pet business ideas and is among the very best jobs for 11 and 12 year olds who enjoy guy's friend. If your busy dog-owning neighbor requires someone to stroll their pet, your kid can provide to enter their stead.
What You'll Need for Dog Walking
Your kid will require the following when working as a pet dog walker:
- A dog.
- A leash.
- A poop scooper.
- Plastic bags.
Regarding the 3rd and employment 4th items, your kid will need to guarantee that they get after the pet dog when it ends up doing its service.
- One of the most straightforward jobs a preteen can do.
- It's an excellent way to let kids care for canines.
- Kids can establish an interest in pets and veterinary practice.
Con
- This job is only suitable for smaller sized and tamer pet dog types.
Top Places to Find Dog Walking Jobs
You can discover pet walking Jobs around your neighborhood or look online for local listings on categorized websites.
4. Modeling
Is your 11 or 12 years of age traditionally good-looking? You may desire to think about letting them work as a model in the fashion business.
This can be an enjoyable task for fashion-conscious kids who like to dress up and are great in front of the video camera.
Even if you don't like the idea of your child beautifying 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 traditional charm, a professional photography portfolio, and a contract with a modeling agency.
- It doesn't need a lot of abilities.
- This task can be rewarding.
- The task can be an outstanding confidence booster.
Con
- It might involve pulling your kid out of school and homeschooling them.
Top Places to Find Modeling Jobs
You can begin your search on the sites of modeling firms like Elite Model Management and IMG Models.
5. Raking Leaves
In the fall, a month or 2 before the holiday, trees begin to lose their leaves, symbolizing winter's technique.
Instead of see the phenomenon as an additional chore they'll have to do around your home, your preteen can rake in cash by handling a gig raking the leaves off your next-door neighbor's yards.
What You'll Need to Do Leaf Raking
Leaf- raking requires the following tools and gear:
- Warm clothing (including gloves).
- A rake.
- A dustpan.
- Bin bags.
- (Optional) A little leaf-blower.
Depending upon how far your kid will need to travel, they might take their bike.
- This task is an excellent way to keep the kids hectic for a couple of hours.
- It could be profitable (depending upon the number of neighbors needs the service).
- Your kid can contribute to keeping their environment neat.
Con
- The task needs that your child operate in the cold.
Top Places to Find Leaf Raking Jobs
Your child can find these kinds of jobs in their regional neighborhood.
6. Mowing Lawns
When life gets too hectic, usually gorgeous yards end up being neglected, providing a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurial kids.
During summer break, your child can provide to mow your next-door neighbors' lawns in exchange for money.
What You'll Need to Do Lawn Mowing
Here's what's needed to mow yards:
- A mower.
It's most likely your neighbor's will have theirs, however if they do not, you can provide the one from your home.
- The effort included teaches kids financial duty.
- It can be a satisfying way to make money throughout summertime vacation.
- Your kid gets to enhance their community.
Con
- Particularly unkempt lawns may house weird crawlies and little animals.
Top Places to Find Lawn Mowing Jobs
The very best place to find lawn mowing jobs is within the area.
7. Shoveling Snow
If the holiday takes place to be a snowy one this year, your 11 or 12 years of age can generate income shoveling snow off your next-door neighbors' walkways and cars.
What You'll Need to Do Snow Shoveling
You'll require:
- Warm clothes.
- A shovel.
Shoveling Snow is yet another one of those jobs for 11 year olds where the client supplies the equipment.
- Seasonal Jobs like this are an exceptional way for 11 and 12 years of age to make cash before going back to school.
- Your kid starts the new year proficiently.
- This job keeps the environment safe.
Con
- It involves operating in the cold.
Top Places to Find Snow Shoveling Jobs
Kids can discover this kind of job in their neighborhood.
8. Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing is another one of those character-building tasks for 11 and 12-year-olds. Your kid can assist your next-door neighbors clean their swimming pools in the summer season.
This isn't the type of swimming pool cleaning with extreme chemicals done commercially, but rather a method to keep the pool clean in between those cleanings.
What You'll Need for Pool Cleaning
Pool cleansing needs the following items:
- Cleaning brush
- Detergent
- A swimming pool web
The customer can offer the above-listed utensils.
- It'll keep your kids busy throughout the summertime
- Your kid might discover a thing or 2 about swimming pools
Con
- It's one of the most time-consuming jobs for 11 year olds.
Top Places to Find Pool Cleaning Jobs
The very best location to discover a swimming pool cleansing task is in your neighborhood.
9. Painting Fences
If you walk through your neighborhood, you'll see a couple of homes whose fences might do with a new lick of paint.
Your preteen can knock on a couple of doors to learn whether their next-door neighbors want 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 kid can get the majority of the above from your home.
- Your child can assist restore their area's charm
- The act of painting can make kids thinking about DIY and home remodelling
- It's an enjoyable way to keep kids hectic
Con
- This task isn't ideal for kids with breathing issues
Top Places to Find Fence Painting Jobs
Your kid can find fence painting opportunities in their area.
10. Voice Actor
Does your kid have a clear speaking voice? They may have the makings of a voice actor.
They can get voice acting roles in radio commercials, cartoons and animated motion pictures, audio books, and so on.
What You'll Need for Voice Acting
Voice acting requires the following:
- A clear speaking voice
- The ability to produce funny or dramatic voices (optional).
Please keep in mind that the kind of voice acting functions you seek out determine the skills required.
- Voice acting is one of the higher-paying tasks for 11 year olds and above.
- It could establish into a life-long profession.
- It's fun.
Con
- This job might be hard to secure.
Top Places to Find Voice Acting Jobs
You can examine sites like Bunny Studio and Filmless to discover voice acting tasks
11. Acting
Does your kid have a flair for employment theatrics? You might be raising the next Jennifer Lawrence or Bradley Cooper.
Acting can offer your kid 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 career off the ground will need skill and a representative.
- It can be a fulfilling profession.
- There's no limit to the mediums your child can appear in (movies, TV series, short-form content online ... etc).
- It can be financially rewarding (depending on your child's star power).
Con
- The shift from child actor to full-fledged actor/actress can be hard.
Top Places to Find Acting Jobs
Some of the finest sites to look for acting tasks consist of Backstage, Actors Access, and Casting Networks.
12. Computer Game Testing
Your kid can get paid to play video games by screening video games online.
This job lets them play video games and provide their feedback on what the video games get right and wrong. Therefore, it is among the most fun tasks for 11-year-olds and above.
What You'll Need to Do Video Game Testing
Computer game screening needs the following:
- A steady web connection.
- A laptop or PC.
- A PayPal account (or other methods of accepting payments online).
You may require to help your kid established this job and employment likewise keep an eye on the games they test.
- It's a fun method for them to earn cash.
- Your kid might establish an interest in video game advancement.
- It does not need too much in the method of resources to begin.
Con
- It needs adult guidance.
Top Places to Find Video Game Testing Jobs
You can do computer game testing on sites like and Bubble Cash.
13. Writing
Does your kid have a way with words and an active creativity? They can earn money to compose prose like narratives, blog posts, and more.
Please note that your child's ability to do this job depends on their aptitude 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 or computer system with a word processing program.
- Internet connection.
- A mode of payment (PayPal, etc).
It's also worth purchasing a tool for spelling and grammar checks (e.g., Grammarly).
- This job can assist improve your child's composing skills.
- Your kid can get paid to develop stories using their creativity.
- It can be lucrative if they write a hit book or story.
Con
- Writing is among the most difficult jobs for 11-year-olds to do.
Top Places to Find Writing Jobs
There are numerous websites like Upwork where you can get writing commissions. However, if your child is going the story route, you'll be better off looking up literary agencies online.
14. Taking Surveys
One of the most unconventional tasks for 11 years of age your child can try is taking studies.
That said, they can address short online surveys and earn a little money to supplement their pocket money. Take a look at our list of high paying studies to get your kid off to a roaring start.
What You'll Need to Do Surveys
You'll need the following to take online studies:
- An internet connection.
- A laptop computer or computer system.
- A technique for collecting payments.
Ensure you keep track of the types of studies your kid takes when they do this task.
- Your kid can do it from the comfort of their home.
- It's a straightforward task anyone can do.
- Some surveys take no longer than 5 minutes to finish.
Con
- This task needs parental guidance.
Top Places to Find Survey Jobs
You can visit websites like Swagbucks to discover study jobs.
15. Family Business
One of the easiest ways for kids aged 11-12 to discover work is to operate in their family's company. It could come from their parents, other household members, or perhaps household friends.
In any case, they can start acquiring valuable work experience and the cash that features it.
What You'll Need to Do a Household Business Job
This task requires a family-owned business 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 household's service.
- It's an outstanding method to prepare an heir to take control of business.
Con
- It might not provide the child the opportunity to fulfill new people.
Top Places to Find a Family Business Job
If you don't own a business your family runs, you can call instant and extended family members who do and need an extra set of hands.
16. Newspaper Delivery
Finally, one of the oldest tasks kids in the US do to generate income is newspaper shipment.
Kids can provide newspapers before going to school and it's outstanding for constructing character and developing a good work ethic.
What You'll Need to Do Newspaper Delivery
This job requires a bike with a compartment for saving the papers.
Pros
- A paper path can provide kids much-needed workout.
- Kids that deliver documents could establish an interest in their community's goings-ons.
- This job can assist to enhance their sense of instructions.
Con
- It requires getting up in the early hours of the early morning.
- Many news firms are going paperless, minimizing the variety of offered newspapers.
Top Places to Find a Newspaper Delivery Job
You can find a paper delivery function by searching in the phone book or online for the local paper's Circulation Department.
Can an 11-Year-Old Work for a Company?
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 avoid actual employment and are mainly easy tasks a preteen can do.
What's the Easiest Job for 11-12 Year Olds?
Raking leaves is the simplest task an 11-12 years of age can do. It does not require any equipment, talent, or skill. And employment opportunities are that the kid in question does it as a chore in their home, anyway.
Which Jobs for 11 Year Olds are the Most Difficult to Get?
Modeling and acting roles are among the most difficult jobs to get. Your kid needs to be incredibly gifted or attractive before firms can confidently gamble on them.
Finishing up
As the short article exposes, there are lots of tasks an 11 or 12 years of age can do to make some extra pocket cash. The ones we have actually curated shouldn't run afoul of child labor laws and are easy enough for children at that age to do.
So what do you consider these tasks? Would you let your kid attempt any of them? Let us understand in the remarks listed below and share this with a good friend who has a preteen looking for additional money on the side!