101 Kid-Friendly Business Ideas They Can Build in 2023

Starting a business as a kid isn't just about making a little extra pocket money—it's a masterclass in real-world learning.

Beyond the obvious lessons in basic economics and the value of a dollar, young entrepreneurs acquire invaluable life skills. They learn about responsibility, time management, interpersonal relations, decision-making, and so much more.

It fosters creativity, resilience, and a problem-solving mindset, traits that are invaluable in any future career. Starting young instills a sense of confidence and a belief that one can shape their own destiny. In an ever-evolving global economy, nurturing such entrepreneurial spirit early on is not only commendable but essential.

So, for any budding young business mind, there's no time like the present to dive in and discover the limitless opportunities that await!

Check out these 101 Kid Business Ideas

1. Lemonade Stand: A classic! Set up a stand, sell fresh lemonade, and learn the basics of pricing and customer service.

2. Pet Sitting: Calling all animal lovers! Watch over neighbors' pets when they're away. Here are more pet businesses too!

3. Kid Tutor: Offer tutoring for younger kids in subjects you excel in.

4. Lawn Care Service: Mow lawns, trim bushes, and rake leaves for local homeowners.

5. Handmade Crafts: Use your crafty skills to create jewelry, ornaments, or other decorations.

6. Cookie Cart: Bake and sell homemade cookies around the neighborhood.

7. Car Wash: Set up a weekend car washing station and offer different packages.

8. T-Shirt Designs: Create cool, custom designs and sell them on platforms like Teespring.

9. Dog Walking: Offer daily or weekly dog-walking services.

10. Birthday Party Planner: Organize fun and creative parties for younger kids.

11. Homemade Soap Creator: Learn soap-making and sell unique and aromatic soaps.

12. Computer Helper: Assist elders in setting up or troubleshooting their gadgets.

13. Customized Greeting Cards: Design and sell for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions.

14. Babysitting Club: Team up with friends and offer babysitting services together.

15. Seedling Sale: Grow and sell plant seedlings for gardeners.

16. Magic Shows: Learn magic tricks and offer shows at kids' parties.

17. Baking Lessons: Teach other kids the joy of baking.

18. Bike Repair: Fix flats and do basic bike maintenance.

19. Yard Sale Organizer: Help neighbors declutter and organize their yard sales.

20. Handmade Candle Shop: Create and sell your own candles.

21. Balloon Twister: Create fun shapes and animals for parties.

22. Face Painting: Offer face painting services at local events or parties.

23. Customized Sneakers: Paint and personalize sneakers.

24. Tech Lessons for Seniors: Teach the elderly how to use smartphones or computers.

25. Ice Cream Cart: Sell ice cream during hot summer days.

26. Personal Organizer: Help others declutter and organize their rooms.

27. Kid's Cooking Classes: Share your culinary skills with fellow young chefs.

28. Hand-painted Rocks: Create cute or inspirational designs on rocks and sell them.

29. Homemade Birdhouses: Craft and sell to local homeowners.

30. Origami Art: Teach or sell your intricate paper creations.

31. Sports Coaching: Teach younger kids basics of your favorite sport.

32. Dance Classes: Share your love for dance with beginners.

33. Tie-Dye Shirts: Design colorful shirts and accessories.

34. Neighborhood Tours: Organize local tours highlighting fun spots.

35. Plant Care: Help neighbors water and care for their plants.

36. Jigsaw Puzzles: Design custom puzzles with cool images.

37. Storytime: Host reading sessions for younger kids.

38. Photography: Offer portrait services or sell scenic shots.

39. Musical Performances: Perform at community events or parties.

40. Homemade Snack Packs: Create and sell healthy snack options.

41. Elderly Companion: Spend time with seniors, playing games or chatting.

42. Snow Shoveling: Clear driveways and sidewalks in winter.

43. Sticker Club: Design and distribute cool stickers.

44. Garden Helper: Assist in planting and maintaining gardens.

45. Beach Toy Rentals: Rent out fun beach games and toys.

46. Video Game Tutor: Help others improve their gaming skills.

47. Driveway Chalk Art: Create masterpieces for special occasions.

48. Hair Braiding: Offer creative hair braiding designs.

49. Eco-friendly Bag Making: Design reusable shopping bags.

50. Mural Painting: Decorate kids' rooms or play areas.

51. Movie Night Host: Organize and screen popular kids' movies.

52. Scavenger Hunt Planner: Create exciting hunts for parties.

53. Knitting & Crocheting: Make and sell scarves, hats, or mittens.

54. Guitar Lessons: Teach beginners the basics of playing.

55. Button Making: Design custom pins or buttons.

56. Homemade Lip Balm: Create and sell moisturizing balms.

57. Flower Stand: Grow and sell fresh flowers.

58. Inventor's Club: Design and prototype new toy ideas.

59. Friendship Bracelet Maker: Craft and sell or teach others.

60. Karaoke Host: Organize singing sessions for kids.

61. Homemade Playdough: Make and sell non-toxic playdough.

62. Sand Art: Offer sand art creations or workshops.

63. Board Game Rentals: Rent out popular games for a day or weekend.

64. Bookmark Boutique: Design custom bookmarks.

65. Fort Kit Creator: Compile materials for epic living room forts.

66. Skateboarding Lessons: Teach newbies how to skateboard.

67. Nature Walks: Guide families on local nature trails.

68. Puppet Shows: Perform or sell custom puppets.

69. Mobile Arcade: Rent out video game consoles and games.

70. Gift Wrapping Service: Offer creative wrapping during holidays.

71. Digital Art Commissions: Create custom artwork for clients online.

72. Science Kit Maker: Assemble DIY science experiment kits.

73. Travel Snack Packs: Compile fun snacks for road trips.

74. Joke Books: Write and sell your hilarious compilations.

75. Keychain Creator: Make and sell custom keychains.

76. Custom Phone Cases: Design cool or personalized phone protectors.

77. Recycling Service: Collect cans and bottles, then recycle for cash.

78. Henna Art: Offer temporary henna tattoos.

79. Home Movie Theater: Host movie sessions with a projector.

80. Personal Shopper: Help pick out gifts or outfits for friends.

81. Basketball Clinics: Teach basics or shooting techniques.

82. Fashion Shows: Organize and host kids' fashion events.

83. Mystery Box Creator: Assemble and sell surprise gift boxes.

84. Flower Crown Making: Design and sell or host workshops.

85. Costume Rentals: Rent out outfits for Halloween or plays.

86. Toy Cleaning: Offer cleaning and sanitizing for kids' toys.

87. Memory Boxes: Design keepsake boxes for mementos.

88. Singing Telegrams: Deliver fun messages through song.

89. Recycled Crafts: Create art or utility items from recyclables.

90. Card Games: Invent and sell a new card game.

91. Nail Art: Offer creative nail designs and manicures.

92. Memory Videos: Create videos from photos for special events.

93. Digital Stickers: Design for platforms like iMessage or WhatsApp.

94. Slime Shop: Make and sell custom slimes.

95. Virtual Reality Experiences: Host VR game sessions.

96. Miniature Models: Craft and sell mini furniture or homes.

97. Custom Puzzle Hunts: Design unique puzzle scavenger hunts tailored to individual interests or party themes.

98. Eco Warriors Cleanup: Organize neighborhood clean-up days, providing supplies and education on the importance of a clean environment.

99. VR Storytelling Sessions: Use virtual reality to immerse listeners in the center of the story you're narrating.

100. Personalized Songwriting: Write and record custom songs for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion.

101. DIY Escape Room Kits: Craft and sell kits that allow families or groups of friends to turn their homes into thrilling escape rooms for an evening.

New Kid Business Opportunity

Opportunity: Freeze Dried Candy

One of the latest trends to catch fire on TikTok is freeze-dried candy.

Freeze-dried candy is candy that's been frozen and then dried in a freeze dryer (link to example).

Here’s the process: First, the candy is frozen until it's super cold. Next, all the icy parts inside the candy turn into a kind of mist or vapor, skipping the watery stage. Then, any last bits of water are taken out.

After all this, the candy still looks like itself but feels different. It becomes crunchy and light, and the taste gets even more concentrated.

The rising popularity of freeze-dried candy on TikTok owes it’s virality to its novel texture and enhanced flavor.

Popular TikTok creators have been showcasing the process of both making the candy and the taste experiences, these videos have an ASMR-like quality enhancing their appeal (link to a video).

The key demographic engaged with this trend is predominantly 18-24 year olds, and the trend is notably popular in the United States.

Despite the seeming dominance of major TikTok accounts in this niche, the opportunity is actually ripe outside of the platform.

On Google the search term "freeze dried candy" gets 58,000 searches per month in the U.S. alone, with a keyword difficulty of 7.

In other words, it's easy to rank in the top 10 on Google for this search term if you take an SEO focused approach to the freeze dried candy market.

The competition is putting 100% of efforts into TikTok and missing an easy market opportunity on Google.

If you have an interest in this niche, pursuing a strategy outside of TikTok would be a a great opportunity.

Here’s a link to subreddits where you can learn more about this niche (link).

Learn how to monetize this trend in the Deep Dive (link here)

Conclusion

Starting a business as a kid offers more than just an opportunity to earn. It teaches essential life skills, promotes responsibility, and instills confidence. Young entrepreneurs learn the importance of hard work, dedication, and problem-solving.

As they navigate the ups and downs of their ventures, they prepare themselves for future challenges in any career. In short, early entrepreneurship sets the stage for success, encouraging kids to think big and take initiative. Every experience, whether it leads to profit or a lesson learned, is invaluable.

Q&A For Parents

Q1: What's the main benefit of starting a business as a kid?
A1: Starting young teaches essential life skills, from responsibility to problem-solving, that can be applied in any future career.

Q2: Can kids really handle the challenges of a business?
A2: Absolutely. With the right guidance and a determined spirit, kids can navigate challenges and learn from them.

Q3: What type of business is best for kids to start?
A3: It depends on the child's interests. From lemonade stands to online ventures, the best business aligns with their passion and skills.

Q4: How can parents support their child's entrepreneurial journey?
A4: Parents can provide guidance, resources, and encouragement, ensuring their child has a safe space to experiment and learn.

Q5: Is it all about profit?
A5: No. While earning is a perk, the true value lies in the learning experience, skill development, and confidence gained along the way.