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This convo started over coffee.
I was catching up with a mate — she’s got a teen who’s been asking how to make some of their own money. Not for anything major. Just enough for Macca’s runs, clothes, maybe a concert ticket or two.
We started swapping stories about all the random ways we made money growing up. Washing cars. Selling baking. One of us even made cash helping neighbours set up their TVs and phones (wild times).
Thing is, it’s still totally doable today. If anything, teens have more options — they’ve grown up with tech, know how to find stuff online, and most of them have way more hustle than we did at that age.
So if you’ve got a teen in your life asking for ideas — or if you are that teen doing some sneaky research — here’s a bunch of ways to earn without needing a full-on job, licence, or grown-up approval.
Let’s dive in.
It’s not fancy. It’s not Insta-worthy. But it works.
This is one of those simple, no-fuss side hustles that pretty much anyone can do — and it’s surprisingly in demand. You offer to take neighbours’ wheelie bins out to the kerb on rubbish day, then bring them back in later. That’s it.
Sounds basic? It is. But think about who this helps: older folks who struggle with steep driveways, shift workers who forget pickup days, busy families juggling a million things. For them, paying $5 a week to not think about bins is a no-brainer.
How to get started:
Make a few flyers or do a quick post in your local Neighbourly group. Offer a free trial week to get your first few sign-ups. Once you’ve built trust, offer a weekly or monthly rate — $5 per bin is fair, maybe $7 if they’ve got a long driveway or extra bins.
If you line up 5–10 houses on the same street, that’s an easy $25–50 a week for about 15 minutes of work. Rain or shine, it’s money for walking down a driveway. Not bad, aye?
This one’s for the teens who already live on TikTok and Instagram — might as well get paid for it.
Lots of small Kiwi businesses know they should be on social media, but have zero time or clue where to start. That’s where your teen can step in. A couple of photos a week. Maybe a story here, a reel there. Nothing major — just enough to keep their page active and looking decent.
Think: cafes, hairdressers, local gift shops, tradies, markets — all those places that would love a hand but don’t need (or want) a full-blown agency.
How to pitch it:
Pick a business you already go to and offer a free trial week. Take a few decent photos, schedule some posts, and show them the difference. Once they see the value, offer a basic package — like 2–3 posts a week for $30–$50. You could even do comment replies or run a giveaway if they want more.
It’s flexible, creative, and looks amazing on a CV later — even better if they end up running a few accounts at once.
If your teen’s got baking skills (or just a killer brownie recipe), this one’s a sweet little side hustle — literally.
Birthdays, school stalls, sports events, or just mates with a sweet tooth… people are always up for good baking. And because it’s homemade, personal, and fresh, it’s easy to stand out — especially with a bit of creative flair or packaging.
Popular picks:
Cupcakes, brownies, cookies, fudge, lolly cake, or themed treats for holidays.
How to kick it off:
Start small. Make a batch, snap a few pics, and offer them up on Instagram stories, to friends, or in a school group chat. You can even do birthday boxes or “just because” treat boxes. Price it fair — enough to cover ingredients, packaging, and a little extra for your time.
One thing to check:
Some schools or events have rules about food sales, so it pays to double-check. And if you’re baking regularly for others, get a parent involved for safety and support.
It doesn’t have to be perfect — just tasty. And once word spreads? Orders can come in fast.
If you’re one of the younger teens on the lookout for a fun way to make money, this is a classic. And yep — it still works.
Set up a little table outside your house, at a sports field, or near a park, and sell drinks or treats. Lemonade’s the go-to, but you could also try fizzy drinks, ice blocks, cupcakes, or fruit kebabs. If you’ve got a dog crowd, even homemade dog biscuits are a hit.
What you’ll need:
A fold-out table, a jug or chilly bin, cups, a sign, and maybe a friend to help. Don’t stress about it being perfect — people just love the effort.
Best times to try it:
Hot weekends, school holidays, or during local events when people are out and about.
Ask first!
Check with your parents and make sure it’s okay to set up where you’re planning. If it’s near a school or park, you might need to ask a grown-up to stay nearby.
Even if you just make $20–30 in a couple of hours, that’s a pretty solid payday for something that’s actually fun to do.
This one’s a win-win: tidy your space, make some money.
Start with your own room — books you’ve finished, clothes you’ve outgrown, games you don’t play anymore. As long as it’s clean and still in good nick, there’s probably someone out there who’d buy it. Then, if you get the hang of it, offer to help your family or neighbours sell their unused stuff too (and take a small cut for your time).
Where to sell:
Trade Me is solid for NZ buyers. Instagram Stories or Facebook Marketplace (with a parent’s help) also work well for things like clothes, gadgets, or shoes.
Tips to boost your sales:
You’ll learn how to price things, write listings, and deal with buyers — all skills that come in handy later. Plus, it feels pretty good turning something dusty in the cupboard into a $20 top-up for your savings.
This is one of the easiest side hustles for teens — especially if you’re responsible and good with animals (or plants that act like divas).
When neighbours go away for the weekend or head off on holiday, they still need someone to feed the cat, walk the dog, or keep their pot plants alive. That’s where you come in. It’s low-effort, but super appreciated — and it builds trust fast.
What you might be doing:
How to get started:
Offer your help to family friends or neighbours first. If it goes well, ask them to spread the word or write you a little review. You can even print a simple flyer or put a post on Neighbourly with a parent’s help.
People love hiring someone local — especially someone their dog already knows.
It might sound gross — because it is — but that’s exactly why people will pay someone else to do it.
If you’ve got a strong stomach and don’t mind getting your hands (gloved) dirty, offering a weekly dog poop cleanup service can actually be a solid little earner. Especially in suburbs where people have big yards and busy lives.
Why it works:
No one wants to spend their Saturday scooping poop. If you can show up with gloves, a bucket, and a can-do attitude, you’re solving a real (stinky) problem.
How to start:
Offer it to dog-owning neighbours or post on Neighbourly. A fair rate might be $10–15 per yard, depending on size and the situation. You could even offer a “first clean free” deal to get them on board.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable — and the repeat business is gold. Just remember to double-bag everything and dispose of it properly (ask your council if you’re unsure).
If your teen’s already spending hours on Roblox, here’s a way to turn that screen time into something pretty epic — real money.
Roblox lets users build their own games, design avatar items (like hats or shirts), and sell them to other players. It’s called UGC — user-generated content — and it’s how some Kiwi teens are already making serious coin. We’re talking thousands. From their bedrooms.
The cool part?
It teaches coding, 3D design, and digital business skills — without feeling like school. Teens learn how to build in Roblox Studio, publish games or accessories, and earn Robux (Roblox’s currency), which they can then cash out once they hit the right criteria.
How to get started:
There are loads of free tutorials on YouTube that break it down step-by-step. It takes time to learn, but once they’ve got a few games or items live, it can become a passive income stream — especially if their stuff goes viral.
It’s not a quick money-maker like bin runs or bake sales — but for creative teens with patience, it’s one of the most future-proof side hustles out there.
Whether it’s scooping poop, selling cupcakes, or coding Roblox gear, the best way for teens to learn how to make money… is to just start.
They don’t need a business plan. Or perfect timing. Or even much money upfront. They just need permission to try, make mistakes, and see what clicks.
Some of these ideas will stick. Some won’t. But every attempt teaches something useful — confidence, people skills, pricing, or just how to show up on time. And honestly? That stuff’s way more valuable than most part-time jobs.
If they need help getting their first few “customers”, point them to this guide: How to Market Your Side Hustle in New Zealand. It’s got simple tips anyone can use — no matter their age.
And if they’re starting to earn regularly, it’s worth showing them a few basics around saving and budgeting — Sorted.org.nz has a solid beginner’s guide.
Tried one of these? Got your own teen hustle idea?
Flick me a message — I’m always curious what’s working out there.
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Hey, I’m Rachel! I started Side Hustles NZ in 2021 with the goal of helping Kiwi’s start and grow small businesses in New Zealand. During the week you’ll find me discussing side hustle ideas in our Facebook group, working in my website design business, or riding my horses.
