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Kids are enterprising people. When they need more money, they will actually ask what they can do. Teach your children the value of a dollar earned with these five tips for them to make money.

1. Find work around the house. These additional jobs do not have to include their usual chores. Resist creating a job just for them to make the money. This is the same as opening your wallet and handing the cash over to them. Examine what already needs to be done and choose an age-appropriate task.

Asking what they need the money for can drive the fee paid for the service. Don’t make it unreasonable, though. Cleaning out the closets may be worth ten dollars but certainly not thirty or forty.

2. Help your child start a service business in your neighborhood. Once our child is old enough, they can begin something like a lawn care business with your help. You can create flyers and deliver them around the neighborhood, stating your services and fees. Elderly neighbors who have difficulty doing these things, as well as busy people make the best clients. Make sure to closely watch your child at each job, and only help when you need to.

3. Have your child create crafts or something else that you can sell on EBay. If your child enjoys making crafts, you can find a market in which to sell their creations. EBay is a great place to try selling things at no pressure, and where kids can watch the selling occur. Follow EBay’s rules for setting up an account. If your child is too young, you may have to set up and own the account for them. Help your youngster take photos of the items, and help your child to write descriptions of what they are selling. Ebay introduces kids (and parents!) to the process of starting, owning and keeping a business.

4. Have a child watch their younger siblings. Children who are seven and up can help keep an eye on a younger sibling if you are nearby in the house. This is not technically a babysitting job- it is simply a monitoring one. When you are busy around the house or doing your own chores, hire your older child to keep an eye on their younger sibling while you do it. Be sure to remind them of certain things: keep them away from the stove, keep toys out of their mouths, etc. Don’t give them too many instructions or your child is likely to zone out on you.

5. Consider having a yard sale. If a child wants to make some extra money, have them pick out (with your help) some toys they no longer play with and some clothes that don’t fit. By selling them in a yard sale, they can make a few dollars, and clean up their rooms. Selling used items is much more beneficial than throwing them away or simply storing them and not using them. Let others benefit from them as well.

Children can be hard workers if given the chance. If they ask you for work, it is a sign that they are learning how valuable money is, and that they need it. Try these methods to help them get on the road to making money for themselves.

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Tags: Finance