A 10-year-old can get informal jobs like pet sitting, yard work (weeding, watering), running a lemonade stand, helping with chores for neighbors (folding laundry, organizing toys), or selling crafts, focusing on light tasks they can do safely and responsibly, often with parental supervision, as formal employment is generally for older teens.
10 best jobs for 10-year-olds
There is no minimum legal working age for those who want to start working. For specific areas of work such as door-to-door sales, the salesman has to be older than 14 years and 9 months. The minimum age for full time work is 17 years old.
There are plenty of ways for younger kids to make money, including cleaning the house or yard, selling lemonade and other items, or helping neighbors. Teenagers can make money by pet sitting, dog walking, tutoring, babysitting, refereeing, lifeguarding or getting a seasonal job.
To make $500 as a kid, combine service-based jobs like yard work, car washing, pet sitting, or tutoring with selling items like crafts, baked goods, or unwanted toys at garage sales or online (with parent help). Focus on tasks people pay for, get referrals, and consistently market your services to reach your goal, potentially starting with smaller gigs and scaling up to bigger jobs like painting or power washing.
The rules vary depending upon the particular age of the minor and the particular job involved. As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years old as the minimum age for employment, and limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16.
Employers must wait until they receive a permit before having the employee start their job. Until a permit is issued by Employment Standards, work cannot be done by an employee 14 years of age or under.
Best Ways to Make $100 Fast as a Kid
The "3-3-3 Rule" for kids is a simple mindfulness technique to manage anxiety by grounding them in the present moment: first, name three things they can see; next, identify three sounds they hear; and finally, move three different parts of their body. This engages their senses, shifts focus from worries, and helps them regain control when feeling overwhelmed, like during test anxiety or social situations.
We apply a minimum age policy of 14 years, except where State specific legislation applies (refer below). This ensures McDonald's restaurants provide a safe work environment, whilst supporting the academic commitments of young people.
Safe and age-appropriate jobs for 11-year-olds
Most states do not have laws specifying a minimum age for babysitters, but some states have guidelines for how old a child should be before being left home alone. Many experts believe the best babysitting age is at least 12 or 13.
How to make $1000 fast as a 14-year-old? You could make $1,000 by combining online jobs like freelancing, taking surveys, or selling clothes online with local gigs like babysitting, yard work, or flipping items. Promoting your services through social media or flyers may help you find more opportunities quickly.
It is an unfortunate fact that children do get injured, even killed, in the workplace. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that 160,000 American children suffer occupational injuries every year—and 54,800 of these injuries are serious enough to warrant emergency room treatment.
The "777 rule for kids" has two main meanings in parenting: one focuses on daily connection time (7 mins morning, 7 mins after school, 7 mins before bed) for feeling seen and valued, while another defines developmental stages (0-7 play, 7-14 teach, 14-21 guide) for parents to tailor their involvement. A third variation suggests limiting screen time to 7 hours/week, maintaining 7 feet distance, and avoiding screens 7 days before events. All aim to build stronger parent-child bonds through intentional, focused interaction or developmentally appropriate parenting roles.
See our list of the best type of jobs for 9 year olds to make money:
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
Gen Z struggles to find jobs due to a mix of economic shifts, AI disrupting entry-level roles, and evolving workplace expectations, facing fewer opportunities for new grads, demands for immediate contribution, and a perceived lack of soft skills despite digital fluency, leading to high underemployment and frustration with a job market that doesn't align with traditional career paths or offers high pressure without adequate support.
Business development, programming, and counselling require these skills. These jobs are also amongst the best careers for the next ten years. Technological- This includes everything from basic to advanced IT skills, data analysis, and engineering. These future skills are likely to be the most highly paid.
How to get your first job with no experience
However, 10-year-olds can still earn money through informal tasks, like helping neighbors or doing small jobs under parental supervision. If you're wondering at what age can you start working, the answer is usually 14 for formal employment, but younger children can take on age-appropriate tasks as outlined below.
The minimum age to work at McDonald's varies by location, but generally, you can start at 14 or 15 years old, depending on local labor laws and franchise policies, with some places requiring a work permit, while certain roles or late hours (past 10 PM/midnight) often need you to be 18 or older. Always check with your specific local McDonald's for their exact age requirements and available positions, as rules differ between company-owned and franchised locations.
The general rule is that a young person under school leaving age (16) can get a part-time job from the age of 14. However, they can only be employed in what is considered 'light work'. This means that they cannot do any job that may affect their health and safety or interfere with their education.