Odd jobs: 10 money-making ideas for your child

1. HALO-HALO STAND OWNER
Shop for fruits in season and show your child how to choose fresh ones. Ask older kids to jot down prices of ingredients to help them figure out a reasonable price for their product based on costs.

2. HOME THEATER MAGNATE
Convert your living area into a movie theater, have your child design and print tickets, and throw in a bag of popcorn at minimal cost for the complete experience!

3. LIBRARIAN
Let your child gather his favorite books and help him print out borrower’s cards and tracking sheets for each one. Fees will depend on the number of days the book is out.

4. CRAFTS TEACHER
Organize a mini arts and crafts workshop with your child demonstrating his techniques. You may include the art sets in the enrollment cost. Have an art gallery where each child can exhibit and sell his works.

5. PETSITTER
Brief your child about the do’s and don’ts of caring for a pet. Request that the pet owner provide a complete and detailed step-by-step list.

6. RECYCLER
Let him segregate your neighborhood’s newspapers, empty bottles, cans, cartons, plastic, and anything else your junkyard is willing to take.

7. CAR WASHER
Have them purchase their cleaning equipment (soap, car wax, tire black, rags, etc.) as their start-up investment. Explain how they will profit after a few occasions, once they’ve earned back their initial investment.

8. FUNMEISTER
Set up an inflatable pool and a rental stall for goggles, snorkels, balls, sunglasses, and just about anything under the sun! Being in charge is the best part of the job, so he can be the admissions officer or the lifeguard. Make sure there is still adult supervision to ensure safety.

9. GARAGE SALE WONDER
Let your child clean up his room, separating stuff that is hardly used but in good condition. Computer savvy kids can post their items on eBay.

10. HANDY KID
Give your child an incentive for doing extra house chores.

(First published in Good Housekeeping, March 2009; photo source: sxc.hu)