10 Best Jobs For 12-Year-Olds

I’ve been a career coach for over twenty years, and if there’s something I’ve learned it’s that a one-size-fits-all method to job browsing does not work. Whether you are a student, an early professional, a skilled job applicant, or a working parent, The Career Counter has customized, tailored resources and design templates to assist you land the task of your dreams!

Sign up for our Newsletter

Stay up to date on the current career and home company articles, news, and suggestions

How Can We Help?

Resume Writing

Resume Templates

DIY Resources

Home Organization Planners

You may also like

Career Products Hand Crafted by a Certified Professional Resume Writer

Professional Career Coaches with Decades of Experience

My energetic tween just recently asked me, “Mom, can I work?” Given my 20+ years as a profession coach, I felt compelled to provide an intelligent, well-informed response. But in truth, I didn’t have a clear answer for her. Can a ten-year-old do work besides family tasks? I believed to myself. “Uh, let me do some research and return to you on that,” I stated while quickly googling the finest jobs for 12-year-olds. By the method, if you have actually got a teen, examine out the very best tasks for teens.

While I know my child is not rather all set to deal with a babysitting or family pet sitting job, she definitely will remain in a couple years. Considered that truth, I chose to sit down and research everything about task opportunities for tweens. Are you in a similar boat with your kids? If so, keep reading to learn more about the finest jobs for 12- year-olds, in addition to general details relating to labor laws and ensuring the security and defense of your kids as they embark upon their first job experience.

Before I dive into the best gigs for tweens, let me first cover the laws concerning child labor. If you’re not familiar, I’ll offer you the general gist: On the federal level, kid labor laws are set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets the minimum age requirements for kid employment, including restricting the number of hours kids can work, as well as designating the types of tasks children can have. Generally, the minimum age for employment is 14, but exceptions exist for tasks like paper shipment, childcare, and farming work, where children can work from a more youthful age under particular conditions.

Each state might likewise have its own laws, which can be stricter than federal laws. In California, for example, the legal working age is 14 years of ages. However, kids under 14 and even under 12 can legally work without a license doing things like lawn mowing, selling arts and crafts, and childcare, to call just a few. Minors can also work specific farming jobs, if the child is employed by a parent or legal guardian who controls, runs, or owns the residential or commercial property.

Children over 14, employment while legally permitted to work numerous tasks, face a lot of limitations. However, that’s an entire other topic that I’ll likely cover in a future post!

Okay, now let’s enter the enjoyable things. Specifically, here are the very best tasks for 12-year-olds that use kids a possibility to have fun, develop a good work principles, learn more about themselves, and most notably, stay safe:(require tips on writing a resume for teenagers? Have a look at How to Write a Trainee Resume).

# 1: Babysitting

Let me begin by emphasizing that this list is not indicated to be in any particular order. With that said, I’m going to begin by discussing babysitting. My really own first task as a 12 year old was, yup, you guessed it, babysitting! It was for a kid who lived next door. And fortunately for me, he was an easy kid to enjoy. Even better, my mom was home while I babysat which provided me comfort. It was the perfect job for my first job!

Babysitting, family pet sitting, and even pet dog walking can be excellent first jobs for tweens. Besides the obvious perks of making their own cash, these jobs enable kids to hone communication abilities and discover obligation. Also, I have to include that it will absolutely help if your kid likes kids and family pets. If they are not actually into having fun with kids and they don’t like canines, they probably won’t last long.

My best guidance as both a mom and a profession coach: encourage your child to do something they like. My child, for instance, absolutely enjoys playing with younger kids and she loves dogs. Like, seriously LOVES them. Maybe even more than she enjoys me. But I digress. Anway, that’s how I know she will truly delight in babysitting and animal sitting. This is not to state that your child can’t do these tasks if they are not natural caretakers. Taking care of kids and animals is absolutely an ability that can be learned. They simply might not enjoy it as much.

Before my child takes her very first childcare job, I’m going to ensure a few things remain in place. Top, I desire her to take a kid CPR and first aid course. The last thing I want is for her to be in an emergency situation while she is babysitting and not understand what to do. Another element (and the most essential element) for me is safety. Before she accepts a babysitting job, I will vet the household and ensure my child will remain in a safe environment. In reality, her very first jobs will likely be with families we currently know and trust.

# 2: Creative Jobs

If your child has a specific strength and is self-motivated, you can help them look into ways to earn money doing what I call “imaginative jobs for tweens!”

I recently chatted with a mom buddy of mine who stated her child was making money making hand-written thank you notes. She discussed that her child is working for a good friend of theirs who owns her own online store selling handmade items. The store owner couldn’t stay up to date with the tailored thank you cards for her consumers. So, she hired a tween to do it for her. Brilliant!

I just enjoy this task concept for so numerous factors. First of all, it plays to this particular child’s strengths (whom I understand well because she likewise takes place to be my child’s buddy). She has naturally lovely handwriting. Also, it’s uber-flexible. My pal informed me the very best part is her daughter can write thank you notes from anywhere and write them at odd hours, whenever she has the time and energy.

Other ideas for jobs like this one: If your kid is creative and likes producing, they could make and offer handcrafted art or products on Etsy or a similar website (a grownup will require to develop the account). Does your kid love to write? What about sending pitches or posts to children’s publications? I can not think of a much better way for a kid to refine writing skills and gain confidence!

Is your child more tech savvy than you (don’t worry, your trick is safe with me)? What about looking into ways to establish these abilities like establishing an app or video game?

Is your child a natural-born performer? What about checking out theatre or tv performing or even voice-overs? These kinds of tasks do not have age limitations and can be a terrific way to permit your kid to refine their performing and singing abilities while likewise earning some cash.

# 3: Mother’s Helper

“Mother’s assistant” is another popular task for tweens. This can include aiding with laundry, making treats, babysitting, pet walking, and other household tasks. The nice feature of this type of job is that if your kid is on the more youthful side (like 10 or younger), they can do the task while being supervised by a grownup.

Another perk of this task is that you can easily discover a mommy or caregiver you currently understand who needs assistance. Start by sending a message to your instant circle of mama pals and/or household to see if anybody needs additional aid. You can also post in a local mommy’s group depending upon your convenience level with allowing your kid to get in another home. For me personally, if I went this path, I would initially speak with the family and ensure the environment is safe and protected. I would likewise likely accompany my child the very first couple sees.

# 4: Photographer’s Assistant

Photographer/ Photographer’s Assistant. Does your child love taking pictures? If so, you could either invest in a digital video camera or much better yet simply start with your phone video camera. Your child could begin by assisting with taking photos for family and good friends for totally free to develop their abilities as well as a photography portfolio. There is constantly a big requirement for photos of special occasions like birthdays, graduations, and household photos, to call just a couple of.

Once your child ends up being more knowledgeable and skilled, they can start charging a very little rate for their photography while they continue to refine their abilities. Your kid can even set up a basic site ultimately to promote their services.

# 5: Blogger or Vlogger

Blogger or Vlogger. I wish to begin by specifying that if you kid wishes to make some fast cash, this is definitely not the route to go! As an expert blog writer, I understand from personal experience it takes some time and commitment to develop your blog or vlog and ultimately develop an earnings stream.

That stated, I truthfully don’t see a significant downside to beginning a vlog or blog site. Kids can hone their writing, oral interaction, video modifying, and marketing abilities, in addition to find out the essentials of becoming an entrepreneur!

If your kid hasn’t already, I need to caution you that it’s only a matter of time before they ask the unavoidable concern that every tween appears to be asking these days: can I have a YouTube channel?! YouTube does require that your kid be 13 or have adult permission to create a channel. It will also depend on you as a parent to identify the specific specifications of keeping your kid safe on YouTube.

Myself and my partner, for example, chose that if we let our kids start a YouTube channel, we will not permit them to utilize their genuine name or identity. A minimum of while they are under 13 years of ages. We’ll see what our convenience level will be when they age. Every moms and dad undoubtedly has different convenience levels concerning online security for their children.

Your Future Starts Here

In terms of how to start a blog site, all your kid truly requires is pick a blog topic they are passionate about. That, and ideally something that they desire to share with the world and/or something they can teach people about. There are some terrific totally free platforms that allow you to easily produce a blog like Wix or Ionos. I understand that Wix does need users to be a minimum of 13 years of ages to create a website.

Once your child has an established blog site or vlog, they can likewise market it later on their high school or college resume or even in the college application procedure. Employers are always trying to find skills like self-motivation, imagination, drive, and ambition!

# 6: Landscaping Helper

Landscaping helper. This can involve things like raking leaves, pulling weeds, shoveling snow, and other odd tasks. If your kiddo is active and likes being outside, this might well be the job for them! My idea is to make a flyer and walk around to your next-door neighbors with your child, to see if anybody might need some landscaping help. As they age and end up being more accountable, your kid can branch out and broaden their services.

# 7: Lemonade Salesperson

Lemonade stand. Of course, employment I have to point out the lemonade stand! I do not understand that I would consider this as an actual “job” as much as a method to make periodic money throughout the summer season. But this is a terrific very first job for a more youthful kiddo who is feeling inspired to make a little cash and test out their sales and entrepreneurial abilities!

# 8: Help in Family Business

Family organization. If you are the sole owner of a dining establishment or other kind of household business, your 12-year-old child can operate in lots of capacities as long as they aren’t considered hazardous or harmful. You also need to make sure to adhere to your state’s kid labor laws concerning the number of hours and employment times of days that you child can legally work.

That stated, this can be a fantastic very first work experience for a kid. Discovering the household service first-hand will develop confidence, work principles, and will likewise permit your kid to learn more about themselves and their strengths and interests regarding the work world.

# 9: Plant Sitter

Plant sitter. This task is exceptional for kids who have an interest in and who enjoy to find out about gardening and plants. Watering plants for next-door neighbors on vacation is likewise an excellent way to make earnings while finding out about the fundamentals of growing plants, veggies, fruits, and flowers!

# 10: Season Job

Seasonal job. Rounding out my leading ten jobs for 12-year-olds are seasonal tasks. These jobs can include covering presents throughout the vacations or even assisting with party preparation. If there’s one thing that I understand most mamas would like is a holiday assistant or even a birthday party assistant. Am I right ?!

This time of the year, while certainly wonderful, can also be exhausting for moms and dads. Between getting presents, wrapping presents, decorating the home, and all the other little things, it’s a lot. Your child, relying on their interests and strengths, might provide their services to buddies and next-door neighbors throughout the holiday.

In Conclusion

As you can see, these ten tasks for 12-year-olds provide wonderful opportunities to explore their interests, establish confidence, and cultivate a strong work principles. Encouraging your child to try a job at this young age can be an important steppingstone towards their future success.

– What are some popular tasks for 12 years of age?

The most popular jobs for 12 year olds include childcare, pet sitting, backyard work, pet dog walking, and mom’s assistant.

While 12 years of age are not lawfully allowed to operate in more standard roles like those at junk food dining establishments, they can work in a personal home setting doing the above discussed jobs.

– Are there any limitations or constraints on jobs for 12 year olds?

Yes, there are some restrictions and constraints on tasks for 12 years of age. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets standards for the types of jobs and number of hours that young can carry out. For employment instance, 12 years of age usually can not work in dangerous occupations or during school hours. It is necessary to consult your local and state laws, in addition to get any required authorizations or permissions.

– How can 12 years of age discover task chances?

Here are a few ways for 12 years of age to discover task opportunities:
– Ask family and pals: Let your friends and family understand that you’re searching for employment work. They might have connections or understand someone who requires assist with tasks.
– Local organizations: Visit regional shops, dining establishments, or recreation center and ask if they have any part-time job openings for young employees.
– Online platforms: Some sites and apps particularly accommodate linking young employees with task opportunities. Try to find respectable platforms that adhere to labor laws and guidelines.

Remember to constantly prioritize your safety and wellness when thinking about task opportunities, and speak with your parents or guardians before pursuing any employment.

Lee Cristina Beaser

MS, CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer).
Lee brings over 20 years of know-how in assisting people towards profession success. During her tenure at San Jose State University, she helped countless students write compelling resumes to land their first tasks and internships. More recently, Lee founded The Career Counter, a platform dedicated to offering job hunters with tools and services customized to their special fields and career objectives.

Comment navigation

– Hermione Eldridge

21 hours ago Reply

I am 12 years I have constantly had a great deal of love for animals and I was seeking to have a summertime task so I was thinking I might be a dogsitter also I am looking for a job near to me -Kayla Thomas
I was questioning

the number of jobs I can do cause I child sit chickens totally free and I have a crochet club however i have not done is recently, so I was considering babysitting however I am not exactly sure about it.

Hi Kayla,

Thanks for connecting:-RRB-. Sounds like you enjoy animals. You could attempt to make some earnings by using pet-sitting services (you currently have experience, so now you can charge for employment your services and you can utilize your present employer as a referral to get you more tasks). Keep doing the crochet club! Seems like a fantastic hobby. You never ever know … eventually pastimes can develop into income also.

Susy

Hello, do you believe I can operate at a library I truly like books and I can give great suggestions for books and I seem like even kid libraries would be excellent. What do you think?

2 weeks ago Reply

Hey there! I love that you have discovered something you like and you wish to try to get a job included with books. First thing I would suggest doing is asking good friends and household if anyone has connections to any public libraries or book shops in your area. You can likewise visit your library and ask about jobs. There may be an age requirement. If there is and you are not old enough for a task, you can inquire about offering. This is an excellent method to find out about working in a library. When you do get old enough, you’ll be ready for a paying task!

Jayla Lancaster

Can I babysit I’m 12 years of ages

3 weeks ago Reply

Hello Jayla! Yes you can babysit if you are 12 years old. That’s really a great age to begin doing this type of job. Start by calling friends and family and letting them understand you are interested in a babysitting task. Once you start acquirings ome experience sitting for individuals you know, they will tell other individuals they understand about how remarkable you are and you’ll get recommendations!:-RRB-:-RRB- Elena Victoria Hey
Mrs. Beaser

How can I get task

? I have experience in babysitting, looking after a canine, and I might probably tutor someone, however my older sis constantly gets those jobs and she will not let me have one; also I make certain people would rather have a 16-year-old v. a 12-year-old. Do you have any suggestions?

1 month ago Reply

Hello fantastic question thank you for connecting! Try not to get too stuck on your age. If you don’t think in your abilities no one else will either (there are great deals of 12-year-olds who are more accountable than 16-year-olds!:-RRB- How about examining to see if your moms and dads or caretakers have any buddies with younger kids or animals? If a household currently understands you and understands your moms and dads, there is currently some trust there and they will be more most likely to desire to employ you. You might likewise make some leaflets promoting your services and walk your street (with a parent or guardian) and ask if anybody requires help strolling their dog. Start with individuals you already understand. After they employ you and you do an aamzing task, you can use these people as referrals for other jobs.

Don’t quit! Keep attempting and you will get a great job quickly!

Oakleigh

Do you think assisting my mother in her hair beauty parlor would be okay? If not I might pick up childcare. I’ve got experience, especially with 5 more youthful brother or sisters.

Hello and thank you for your question! I think assisting in your mom’s hairdresser would be a terrific very first job. However, you and your mama need to consult the labor laws in your state to ensure you are legally enabled to work there. Many states allow kids to operate in the family business, but there are constraints (like variety of hours you can work, kind of work you can do, etc).

Babysitting is constantly an excellent alternative too. With five younger siblings, I bet you would be a professional!:-RRB- Dimpho

So this is my very first time but considering that I already pet my pets, I think I might be an animal caretaker, am only offered in Eastern Cape hope I will get this task cause.I wish I might animal sit a dog cause I enjoy pets thanks.

2 months ago Reply

Since you currently have canines you can definitely utilize that experience to get a job as a pet walker. Start by asking your household, pals, and neighbors (i.e. individuals who already understand you). After you get some experience, you can utilize them as referrals to get more tasks. Good luck!

Graeson

Can I do backyard work cuss I’m 12

3 months ago Reply

Hi Graeson! Yes you can do lawn work. Start by using your services to neightbors and people you know. Once they employ you and trust you, they will likely tell their buddies and you can get more organization.

Ellie

Can I do the babysitter club since I’m 12

– Lee Beaser

4 months ago Reply

Hello Ellie, babysitting is a fantastic job for 12-year olds! I’m not exactly sure which sitter club you are describing, however you can definitely babysit at 12!

Comment navigation

Leave your remark (Cancel Reply)

Δ

Related Articles

10 Trade Jobs Worth Exploring (and How to Land One)

In a world where standard four-year college degrees frequently control the discussion about profession paths, trade tasks are a terrific yet ignored career option that should have more attention. The truth is that trades experts perform crucial work that assists society in a lot of methods. For example, keeping the lights on, maintaining comfortable living spaces, or …

Top 10 Flexible Law Careers for Moms

If you’re a mother taking care of children, you likely already know that balancing a profession in law with the obligations and demands of family can seem like a significant difficulty. Although I do not operate in the field of law, I’ve got mama friends who do. Many have actually discovered flexible career courses in law that …

The Future of Automotive Careers: Three Exciting Opportunities to Explore

Are you the sort of person who loves working with your hands, fixing issues, and seeing immediate outcomes from your efforts? Maybe you’ve constantly enjoyed repairing things, taking them apart, and figuring out how they work-or maybe you’re the go-to individual for troubleshooting mechanical issues among your family and friends. If this seems like you, …

Pharmacist Job Outlook – Trends and Tips

Let’s be honest-when many people think about pharmacists, they picture someone in a white coat, staring down at a sea of prescription bottles, sometimes asking, “Do you have any questions for the pharmacist today?” However, a career in pharmacy is so much more than deciphering chicken-scratch medical professional handwriting!As health care develops, driven by technological improvements, an …

What is Pediatric Nursing (and How to Land a Terrific Job)

Job markets ebb and flow. But the one sector of the workforce that constantly appears to hold steady? Healthcare. Whether it’s nurses or medical professionals, health care professionals are constantly in need. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% boost in health care jobs by 2031-proof that this field isn’t slowing down anytime soon.Of all healthcare specialists, …

Jobs Helping Kids – Plus Tips to Get Hired

Interested in learning about tasks assisting kids? There are many opportunities that involve helping kids that cover throughout fields like education, healthcare, arts, and social work. From teaching a kid their first word to mentoring a tween or teenager through obstacles, each task opportunity permits you to make a meaningful distinction in a kid’s …

Top Jobs in Philanthropy (and How to Land One)

Bill Gates. MacKenzie Scott. Dolly Parton. What do these individuals share? They’re not only multi-billionaires, but also benefactors. Gates may be a tech tycoon and the godfather of Microsoft. However, his legacy lies securely in his humanitarian initiatives, from HIV research to fair access to vaccines.Here’s the important things: all of these big names …

Careers That Involve Helping People (and Pay Well Too)

Money or significance? This choice has actually haunted countless experts. You imagine making a genuine difference. But you can’t since you have a mortgage to pay.