Job Ideas for Kids Ages 11 & Up

Pet Sitting

• Approach a neighbor about a pet-sitting job. Perhaps the dog owner works during the day and could use help in letting Fido out for a mid-afternoon walk. Or maybe the neighbor has a few cats and would welcome having a kid come in and keep them entertained for an hour or so. Kids 11 and older should be responsible enough to take care of pets in order to earn a bit of cash on the side. It is important that the kid arrives at the designated time every day, keeps the dog on a leash if walking down the street and handles the pets accordingly.

Car Wash

• Offer to wash cars. Adults may welcome a clean car at a decent price. Get a bucket of suds, an old cloth and get to work. Be sure the car is close to a water hose and situated far enough away from other objects that may not need to get wet. After washing the car, bumpers and tires thoroughly, dry the car to prevent water spots. Ask the owner if he wishes for you to clean the inside of the car which may include washing the windows, cleaning out trash or vacuuming.

Babysitting

• Baby-sit on the weekends or in the afternoons for a few extra dollars. Kids 11 and older should be responsible enough to watch younger children for a couple of hours, especially if the child being babysat is past the toddler stage. Babysitters can fix snacks, keep younger children entertained and be responsible enough to make sure they are kept out of danger while the parent runs out for a short time.

Yard Work

• Mowing lawns, raking leaves, picking up sticks and throwing away trash from nearby streets and communities are jobs that 11-year-olds can do. Grandparents, aunts, uncles or just a few nearby neighbors may be willing to let kids do these odd jobs on occasion. Be sure to ask ahead of time if the yard tools will be provided or if you will need to bring a few from home.