He can sell off his old stuff at a garage sale. That’s something he can do legally and mostly by himself

My 11 yo is trying to get me to set up a pet sitting dog walking account on Rover. She looked and she’s too young herself so she wants me to do it and promises if we get jobs, she would do the work. I haven’t because I would still have to go and I don’t have the time but it’s an idea if you are willing to go with him. Maybe he could get some pet sitting or dog walking jobs.

My kids are like this. Does/did he play any sports? My kids started earning $25-$50 per game for umping in 5th grade. I know some kids also referee.

Is he good at repairs? My brother started a business like that as a kid and actually had regular customers.

My kid started a slime business around that age and made ~$500 over the summer.
She charged $5 a kid and brought all the supplies to make slime and was there for an hour to play with the kids when they finished up. We advertised on our local list serve and there were a ton of parents who were interested.
Minecraft lessons for younger kids is also a money making option if your kid plays.

Anonymous wrote:He could be paid to be a friendly visitor to elderly folks/rent a grandkid. There might be couples where one is well and one is ill. Make it clear he isn't a caregiver or aide, but he could come over and play board games, chat, engage in hobbies, etc. It's better as volunteer work for things like honor society, but he could try it as a business as long as he doesn't charge much and knows he must not accept extra gifts from them.

I love this!!!

OP, I’ve found that an apartment building is a *great* place for a kid to gain customers. Our condo building isn’t even very big (fewer than 50 condos, mostly single people), but DD put up a sign about petsitting and wound up with 5 or 6 regular customers. She charges about $10/day for catsitting or $10 for a dog walk. She’s great with animals and it’s cheaper than a service, so it’s win-win for everyone. And the money has added up surprisingly fast. She’s not a big spender so has ended up putting her “wages” in the bank, and large number keeps growing. Someday when she wants her own laptop or a school trip or whatever, she’ll be ready.

Particularly at their young age, I think it helps to go with something they’re already good at and enjoy. For DD, it’s animals. But your DS might be able to figure out a more technical service if that suits him better — optimize/organize their electronics devices, teach them how to use something, etc. If he’s social, I love PP’s idea. Or there’s always general chores.

Anonymous wrote:Check with the local grocery store. (S)he might be able to bag groceries, retrieve carts from the parking lot, help patrons put their purchases from the cart into their car, stock shelves, help empty the chain's delivery trucks, etc. I don't know the local laws but (s)he might need to be older than 11 to do these jobs, but maybe not. And if the law says too young, find out how old you need to be. Something to consider for the future.

You need to be 14.

Check with the local grocery store. (S)he might be able to bag groceries, retrieve carts from the parking lot, help patrons put their purchases from the cart into their car, stock shelves, help empty the chain's delivery trucks, etc. I don't know the local laws but (s)he might need to be older than 11 to do these jobs, but maybe not. And if the law says too young, find out how old you need to be. Something to consider for the future.

Bake and sell cookies or brownies? Lemonade? Help people clean cars?

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is doing plenty. Let him be a kid!

OP here. He wants / needs money to build things that I can no longer fund. So, he can be a kid earning money to fund his projects.

My kids walk the dog, feed her and the cat, they do their own laundry and help with the laundry of others in the house, they do the dishes (empty and refill the dishwasher) take out the trash and recycling, empty the trash cans around the house, vacuum and mop the floors.

Anonymous wrote:He could be paid to be a friendly visitor to elderly folks/rent a grandkid. There might be couples where one is well and one is ill. Make it clear he isn't a caregiver or aide, but he could come over and play board games, chat, engage in hobbies, etc. It's better as volunteer work for things like honor society, but he could try it as a business as long as he doesn't charge much and knows he must not accept extra gifts from them.

Np I have never heard of this rent a grandkid. How would you advertise that and wouldn't you as a parent be concerned about the envirpnment you are sending your kid into?

Maybe the kid could water plants/take in mail/clean kitty liter/play with cats. I wouldn't be comfortable having an 11 year old walk a dog

Anonymous wrote:What chores do you all have for your 11 year old? paid and unpaid -- looking for ideas

sorry to hijack, OP

Unpaid: Unload dishwasher each morning, dinner dishes (on a rotation with siblings), own laundry, wipe down bathroom sinks on weekend
Paid: Yard work and deep cleaning or organizing

Your kid is doing plenty. Let him be a kid!

My 12 yo has a gig catsitting for our neighbors. When they go on vacation, he changes the water, cleans the litterbox, feeds the cat, and hangs out with her for a little bit.

Also -- if you live in an apartment building, I bet you can get plenty of used electronics for him to take apart for free. Do you have a listserv where you can post a request?

Op here. My son:
- vacuums apartment weekly
- dusts living room weekly
- wipes and sets dinner table
- helps clear table
- helps with dinner preparation a couple times each week
- feeds and plays with our high energy cat and dog
- helps me carry laundry to and from basement
- helps fold laundry and distribute to others
- helps take out trash and recycling
- and, of course, keeps his room somewhat picked up and bed made

I guess he does quite a bit!