Summertime is almost here, which means summertime boredom is right around the corner. It won’t be too long before your teen or tween starts complaining about having nothing to do. However, there’s a solution to speeding up those dog days of summer: get a job. If your child is old enough to work, summertime is the perfect time for them to get a job. Here’s a list of jobs your child might enjoy this summer.

DOG WALKING
If your teen loves dogs, then getting paid to take someone else’s dog for a walk could be the perfect job for them. Start by asking friends, coworkers, and family members if they need someone to walk their dog for them. Typically, dog walking jobs pay by the hour or half-hour, and you can also volunteer to dog-sit while the owner is away. Keep in mind: your teen needs to be comfortable with a few things to be a dog walker, such as handling a large or easily excitable dog, walking around a neighborhood on their own, and picking up after the dog.

TUTORING
Summertime is the perfect time for a student to practice any school subjects they may be struggling with. It’s also the perfect time to help fellow students prepare for the next school year. Whether your teen is a math whiz or a pro at writing essays, they’ll be able to find a job tutoring younger children in the subject they know best. Local libraries and coffee shops are a great place for your teen to advertise their job as a tutor. They also need to mention their preferred age range and subject in their advertisement.

BABYSITTING
School is out of session, which means many parents will want to hire babysitters to watch their children while they are at work. If your teen is a natural with babies and young children, babysitting is an excellent (and often well-paying) option for their summer job. Ask around for anyone trustworthy who may be interested in hiring a babysitter, and make sure your teen is okay with tasks such as changing diapers, feeding the child, and cleaning up any of the child’s messes.

LANDSCAPING
Summertime calls for plenty of yard work, which makes landscaping another great summer job for your teen. From cutting the grass, to trimming the trees, and even to gardening,  landscaping is a rewarding job for anyone who loves being outdoors. Find some people who need yard work done and set up a regular schedule so their yards will stay fresh all season. Don’t forget to pack plenty  of water.

WORKING A SNOWBALL STAND
Snowballs are super popular during the summertime in Louisiana, so working at a snowball stand calls for a fun, fast-paced summer job that will prepare your teen for any customer-service job they may have in the future. Find out which of your local snowball stands are hiring to get started on this sweet job.

WORKING A CONCESSION STAND
Summertime sports are a popular option for children and teenagers that are looking for something to do when they are not in school. With every sports game comes a concession stand to sell food and drinks to everyone at the game. Usually a parent or staff member will work the stand, but your child may be able to work it, too. See if a nearby school or sports organization would like some help working the concession stand for its summer sports games, then have your child ask for the job.

SELLING FOOD
This is the perfect job for your child if they love to bake. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they would like to purchase something sweet from your child, or set up a stand in a safe location where your child can sell their baked goods in public. Whether it’s cookies, cake pops, or cupcakes, baked goods are sure to sell quickly anywhere you go!

CAR WASHING
Car washing can double as a household chore and a fun, small business your child can set up from the comfort of their own driveway. As part of their allowance, you can let your child wash the family cars every week or so. You can also spread the word to your friends and neighbors that your child is willing to wash their cars for a certain amount of money. Either way, your child will have lots of fun playing in the soap and water while they wash cars, and it’s a great way to stay cool, too.

If your child is too young for these jobs, they can always earn money by doing chores around the house or by selling some of their things. Set up a weekly allowance for them, or teach them to sort through the toys they never play with and the clothes they never wear so they can sell them in a yard sale, to local thrift stores, or to other places that purchase gently-used items. 

There are plenty of summer job opportunities for young teenagers that will keep them occupied all summer long. Even better, they will have a little extra money in their pockets.