40 Creative Ideas on How to Make Money as a 15-Year-Old

Are you a 15-year-old in Canada eager to make some cash to buy clothes, gadgets, food, hang out with friends, and maybe just look cool? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Finding suitable jobs at a young age can be a challenge, but don’t worry—I’ve done the research and compiled 40 creative ideas for making money as a 15-year-old in Canada.

Imagine earning money and gaining invaluable life skills along the way. It’s a win-win situation, right? Whether you’re looking to fund your adventures or impress your parents with your responsible attitude, sit back and keep reading.

In this blog post, we’ve curated a list of the 15 best ways for a 15-year-old in Canada to make money. Read on to explore exciting opportunities for embarking on your journey toward financial freedom.

40 Creative Ideas on How to Make Money as a 15 Year Old

As a 15-year-old, you are in that peculiar stage where you are not quite adults yet, but you’re yearning for a taste of financial independence. Unfortunately, getting a traditional nine-to-five job is often out of the question.

But fear not! There are plenty of money-making opportunities out there that don’t require a blue or white collar. Think outside the box, my friend, because knowing how to make money as a teenager without a typical job can make a difference in your life.

Let’s uncover the 40 creative ideas on how to make money as a 15-year-old without relying on the traditional job market. Get ready for a world of possibilities!

1. Babysitting

This is a tried and trusted way for teens to get money in their pockets on weekends, holidays, and after school.

Teens can get up to $10 or higher for every hour they work, which isn’t a bag take home for a kid. We recommend starting with people you can trust, like family and friends, then take it from there.

Babysitters who mean business may raise their game by getting gear and branding. This can lead to higher pay and people taking you seriously. Knowing essentials like CPR and how to use a first aid kit could also give you an edge.

With the supervision of a trusted person who is 18 or older, you can find babysitting jobs on websites like Babysits.ca, CanadianNanny.ca, and Care.com.

2. Pet Sitting

Some people just have a way with animals. If you are one of those people, you can turn your hobby into a legitimate way of making money.

Taking care of others’ pets in their homes is something you could do. Sometimes, the pet owner may even let you take the fluffy and furry cutie home. You can find pet-sitting jobs at Petsitter.com and Care.com.

3. Walking Dogs

Besides dog walking helping you make money, it is also a chance to do light exercise and get fresh air. It could be a mini getaway from all the gadgets and screens of today’s world.

If you walk dogs, you can make as much as $10 for a short walk. For teenagers who are 18 or 19, you may also sign up for Rover (a service that helps dog walkers find jobs).

4. Helping Out Seniors

This is a very valid way to make money on the side as a teen. Things you can do for them include shopping, snow shovelling, cleaning and chores, gardening, dog walking, and others.

Since senior citizens could also use your help with tech gadgets like mobile phones and laptops, they might even give you extra money for your services if they like you.

5. Become a YouTuber

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make money as a teenager online, you better pay attention to this.

Even kids that are not up to fifteen are making big bucks from YouTube channels. If you feel you have the charisma and talent to make people want to watch you, you can create a YouTube channel and monetize it.

You could be a singer, dancer, artist, or whatever people can find interesting. With Google Adsense, monetizing your content won’t be a problem.

Also, you do not have to be a viral sensation to make good money on YouTube. Just have a strong presence, and you are good to go.

6. Become a Social Media Influencer

This is yet another way to make money, thanks to the power of technology. Teenagers can also be influencers on social media and make big bucks via affiliate marketing and sponsored posts. Instagram and TikTok are recommended.

Having a large and interactive follower base is important if you want to attract potential clients. If your page has a lot of engagement, the clients will be willing to pay you for sponsored posts because of the visibility you will offer them.

Some people earn up to $1,000 and even more for every post they make on Instagram. This way of making money could bump you into the big time.

7. Work at Retail Stores

This is a tried and trusted way of making money for yourself as a teenager. If you are 16 or above, an application can be tendered by a guardian or parent (on your behalf) for the role of a cashier or an associate for retail sales.

With a job like this, you can also improve your social skills due to your constant interaction with different customers. Other jobs you can get in a grocery store as a teenager include stocker, grocery bagger, or cashier.

8. House Sitting

If they intend to travel or go on vacation, people who want their vacant houses supervised and looked after may ask their family and friends to play the WatchGuard.

They can hire a house sitter if they do not want to bother their friends and family. That sitter could be you if you want.

When they are away, your responsibilities may include mowing the lawn, feeding pets, collecting mail, watering the garden, and other tasks.

Doing a thorough job could get you other housesitting jobs because the house owners could be impressed and recommend you to other houseowners they know.

9. Food Delivery

Delivering food and groceries to people willing to pay is a great way to make money. However, remember that most delivery services only let people 18 or above sign up.

Examples of food delivery services include DoorDash, Instacart, and others. You can work part-time or full-time with these services, depending on your schedule.

10. Sell Your Photos

Many mobile phone cameras are awesome these days, so you don’t even have to have a professional camera to capture amazing images. Websites where you can sell stock images online include iStockphoto and Shutterstock.

You may even take it a step further by covering events like birthday parties, weddings, and other events. So, if you’ve ever wanted to know how to make money as a 15-year-old, you’ve got another valid option.

11. Sell Your Items

Do you have an old bike or PlayStation that you no longer use, just catching dust? You could sell it online for some cool cash.

Generally, you can sell whatever you want. You can even sell your parents’ or siblings’ stuff with their consent.

Websites you can put these things up for sale include Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay. Make sure you are with an older person when you meet strangers who you wish to sell your stuff.

12. Blogging

This is a very viable way to make money, not just for teenagers but for adults as well. A blog simply means writing about anything you want on the Internet. If you get clicks and views, you can monetize your writing skills. You can place adverts on your blog or even sell merchandise.

Understandably, it might take a while to get people to know you (because there are tons of blogs out there), but you might get it right eventually. You can use social media as a promotion tool for your blog.

13. Hand Out Flyers

There are businesses out there that will give money to people willing and able to hand out flyers in places with many people of interest.

If it is legal (and generally normal where you are), the work may also involve leaving flyers under the windshield wipers of parked cars. So, if you’re wondering how to make money as a 15-year-old, remember this.

14. Tutoring

There may be kids out there who could use some guidance and tutelage when studying a subject they struggle to wrap their heads around. This is where that big brain of yours comes into the picture.

Whatever subjects you are good at, can be monetized as long as there are people who also need the same knowledge.

You can get in touch with parents and ask if you could be of help to their kids academically. You could even tutor adults if you’ve got the brain for it.

15. Proofreading

Ever read an article online that made you cringe because of its punctuation and grammatical errors? Well, you don’t have to just cringe at it. You can also make money from correcting these errors.

Proofreader jobs can be found on online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, and others. Proofreading is a full-time job for some adults, so you might want to take it seriously if you have lots of potential for it.

16. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a website that gives free rewards. With this platform, you can make extra money in your spare time.

Things you can do there include playing games, watching video ads and getting money, searching for stuff online, answering surveys, and many others.

If you are 13 or above, you can join for free. A $5 welcome bonus is handed to you when you sign up. You can read my Swagbucks Review for more information.

17. Using Grocery Receipt Apps

Cash back apps for groceries like Checkout 51, TopCashback, Caddle, Receipt Hog, Ibotta, and others offer you money to scan your grocery receipts and then upload them online.

With the help of a smartphone, you can make money with the method. The weekly app offers should determine the purchase receipts you upload.

Cashback is credited straight to your account after your purchase receipt is processed. If you want to cash out, you can do so via PayPal or cheque.

18. Play Video Games

Platforms like Mistplay can make playing video games a financially rewarding experience. You can get gift cards from them (cards like Amazon, Visa, iTunes, PlayStation, Nintendo, Google Play, and others).

Signing up is free if you are 13 or above. What’s more? You get more goodies if you successfully invite friends to join.

Find out more apps that pay you to play games and earn money.

19. Get Paid to Walk

All those errands you run could fetch you some money. Just walking around could be a means of making money for you.

Platforms like Sweatcoin give you 0.95 Sweatcoin for every 1,000 steps you take. Also, getting friends to sign up with a referral link can get you 5 Sweatcoin. Your friends can learn how to make money as a 15-year-old from this.

These coins can be exchanged for rewards like Apple Watches, iPhones, PayPal money, fitness classes, Yoga classes, sports gear, and other goodies. You just have to be 13 to sign up.

Find out more apps that pay you to walk and earn money.

20. Scan Groceries

You can scan grocery items for money with the help of a mobile app or a hand-held scanner.

Nielsen Homescan offers you money to scan your grocery shopping weekly in Canada. With the help of your parents, you can sign up for grocery scanning.

21. Sell Stuff at School

One of the most effective methods to make serious cash as a teenager is the good old-fashioned buying low and selling high.

You can easily sell items like candy, soda, energy drinks, gum, baseball hats or other accessories, and school supplies.

Remember, choosing the right product to sell depends on your target customers’ interests. What flies off the shelves in middle school may not have the same appeal in high school. So, pick wisely and get ready to rake in the profits!

22. Launch an Online Course

Looking to make money online? Creating your online course can be a lucrative option. You need to offer something unique and valuable. Being experienced in a particular skill or subject is crucial.

Take a moment to think about your exceptional talents. Can you juggle like a pro? Are you a piano virtuoso? Or perhaps you have the fastest speed-reading skills around?

Now, it’s important to note that there will likely be competition in your chosen niche. Don’t fret! Competition is a good sign of demand. To stand out, infuse your course with your unique personality. People connect with instructors they can relate to, so let your true self shine!

Once you have your course idea, you’ll need a hosting platform. Consider Skillshare (16 years or older), Teachable (13 years or older), or Udemy (13/16 years or older, depending on location).

23. Do Yard Work

Enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind some solo work? Give yardwork a shot and make money while helping out your neighbours!

Consider doing potential yardwork gigs such as lawn mowing, leaf raking, snow shovelling, plant watering, weeding, fence painting, and scooping dog poop (yes, it’s a thing!).

Be friendly, deliver quality work, and watch repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals start rolling in.

24. Rent Your Stuff

Renting out items you already own can be a fantastic money-making strategy. Consider renting items such as video games, books, or Sports equipment (bikes, skateboards, scooters, basketballs, etc.).

Just remember, always collect the payment upfront before lending out your belongings. It’s time to turn your possessions into profitable assets!

25. Ask your Parents for Odd Jobs

Looking to make some quick cash? Your parents might have some odd jobs around the house that they’d rather not do themselves. And that’s where you come in!

I still recall the time when I tackled the daunting task of cleaning a spider-infested crawl space under my house. It was a nerve-wracking experience, but you know what? I earned $5, and it was worth it.

So, don’t be afraid to lend a helping hand with those dreaded household chores. You never know what opportunities await; the rewards can be pretty sweet.

26. Sell Services on Fiverr

Fiverr is an incredible online marketplace where you can buy and sell a wide range of services starting from $5.

Create a Fiverr account, craft enticing gig listings, and start offering your skills. Whether it’s logo design, voiceover, writing, video editing, or even unconventional gigs like video game coaching or meme creation, Fiverr has it all.

Don’t limit yourself to just one gig. Create multiple listings (even for the same service) to maximize your visibility on the platform.

27. Start an Etsy Shop

Have you considered kickstarting your e-commerce career? Then consider using Etsy. It’s an incredible online marketplace where individuals predominantly sell their homemade goods.

But here’s the exciting part: you can also explore the Vintage Goods and Craft Supplies categories to resell products.

So, whether you’re a skilled vintage thrifter or have a knack for crochet (or something entirely different), Etsy provides the perfect platform to showcase and sell your creations. Get ready to dive into the world of e-commerce with Etsy by your side!

28. Create and Sell Art

Are you very artistic and creative? Your talent can become your golden ticket to making more money. Whether you’re into drawing, painting, graphic design, or any other art form, your skills can bring serious cash.

Thanks to the wonders of social media and the internet, you can now sell your artwork online while simultaneously building a loyal fanbase. It’s a win-win situation!

But wait, there’s more! Online marketplaces like Etsy eagerly await your masterpieces. You can also transform your designs into tangible products like t-shirts, mugs, and beyond through print-on-demand sites.

So, if you’re ready to turn your passion into profit, seize this opportunity to showcase and sell your art to the world.

29. Gather Golf Balls

Love golf or live near a local course? Here’s a clever money-making idea. Collect golf balls and sell them for a profit!

Once you’ve gathered a decent collection, shop outside the course. Alternatively, ask your parents to assist you in selling them online through platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It’s a simple and effective way to earn some extra cash!

30. Print on Demand

Are you looking for a cool way to earn money online as a teen? Enter print-on-demand! Simply design graphics for items like tees, mugs, canvases, stickers, and handbags. When your design sells, you receive a commission.

The print-on-demand platform handles printing and shipping, so you have no shipping hassles or customer service headaches. You can check out Redbubble and Teespring.

These platforms can help you make sales naturally, but having a social media presence (like TikTok) for promotion is a major bonus. Get creative and start earning today!

31. Become a Transcriber

Transcription is the art of converting audio into text. Whether podcasts, interviews, or videos, transcribers play a vital role in making spoken content accessible through written form.

Finding transcription gigs for teens isn’t easy, but there’s one exception: Scribie. You’ll need a PayPal account (or someone’s help) to receive payments if you’re underage, but once you sort that out, you’re good to go.

As a Scribie transcriber, you’ll earn money by transcribing short audio clips, usually lasting 3-4 minutes. The pay ranges from $5 to $25 per audio hour. Remember, transcribing a single audio hour can take over 4 hours, so the pay may not seem like much.

32. Wash Cars

Who actually enjoys washing their car? Not many. That’s why people are more than willing to pay for the convenience of someone else doing it for them. And guess what? You can tap into this market and start washing cars.

Start by contacting your parents and family friends for some initial customers. Use those earnings to upgrade your equipment. Once you’re feeling confident, hit up your neighbours and offer your top-notch services. From there, the sky’s the limit.

This business has incredible long-term potential, and the possibilities are endless!

33. Collect Bottles and Cans

A heap of empty cans and bottles usually lies around at the end of every family picnic and gathering.

When I was a kid, I seized this opportunity. I’d grab a big trash bag and collect everyone’s discarded cans and bottles. Then, with a little help from my mom, we’d head to the bottle depot and cash in on my haul.

Each can was worth at least $0.05, which might not sound like much, but trust me, it added up. I’d walk out of the depot like a boss with an extra $10-$20 in my pocket.

If you’re keen to try this yourself, you can wait for family gatherings as I did or go on a neighbourly quest and ask if they have any extra bottles and cans up for grabs. Happy collecting!

34. Enter Skill-based competitions

If you’ve got excellent skills in something and there are competitions or tournaments for it, you’ve got a shot at making some serious cash! All you have to do is outperform the competition and prove you’re the best.

I’ve witnessed cash prize tournaments for activities like skateboarding, scootering, biking, video gaming, music playing, card games, and more. Some competitions, like online gaming tournaments, can be done right from the comfort of your own home.

Remember that this isn’t a steady income stream, but it’s a lightning-fast way to make substantial money if you excel at what you do. So, showcase your talents and seize those lucrative opportunities!

35. Run Errands

Unlock the money-making potential of your driver’s license! Earn a solid income by running errands for your neighbours. Simply connect with people in your neighbourhood who require assistance with tasks like grocery shopping or picking up dry cleaning. It’s a straightforward and lucrative way to put your wheels to work!

36. Wash Windows

Looking for a profitable summer gig as a teen? Window cleaning is a fantastic option if you spot businesses with grimy windows. All you need to begin with are window cleaning products and microfiber cloths.

Team up with a couple of money-hungry friends, hit the streets, and scout for homes and businesses needing a window cleaning service. When you spot a potential customer, confidently step inside and offer a speedy clean.

Remember, if one business turns you down, don’t sweat it! Brush it off and move on to the next opportunity. Consider it a valuable exercise in honing your sales skills. Get out there and let those sparkling windows earn you some serious cash!

37. Stream on Twitch.tv

Twitch.tv is the ultimate hub for live-streaming gaming and other activities. You can earn money as a streamer through ads, subscribers, donations, and more.

Believe it or not, some popular streamers rake in thousands (or millions) of dollars each month. Take Ninja, for instance, a top Twitch streamer who earns millions annually from the platform.

While building a dedicated audience on Twitch may take time, the potential rewards are immense. After all, who wouldn’t love getting paid to play games all day? Stick with it, enjoy the journey, and the payoff could be mind-blowing.

38. Do People’s Homework

Do you have some serious homework skills? Well, why not turn them into a moneymaking opportunity? If you’re already acing your assignments, consider offering your services to those who’d rather skip the work (for a fee, of course).

Just remember to keep it on the low. Alternatively, if you prefer a more ethical route, you can become a tutor and help others excel in their studies. The choice is yours!

39. Save Your Lunch Money

Want a sneaky way to make some extra cash? Here’s a cheeky tip: if your parents give you money for lunch at school, skip the meal and pocket the money instead.

But don’t worry about going hungry! You can always ask your friends to share their food, so you’ll still have something to munch on. It’s a simple trick to save some money without sacrificing your appetite.

40. Find Acting Gigs

If you’re a teenager with a knack for acting or simply looking to earn extra cash, exploring paid gigs as a background character or extra could be a smart move.

It’s a foot in the door of the challenging acting industry and can serve as a valuable stepping stone toward more lucrative opportunities in the future.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Final Thoughts on How to Make Money as a 15-Year-Old

I hope this guide has sparked your entrepreneurial spirit and inspired you to explore the endless possibilities of making money as a 15-year-old. Remember, age is just a number when it comes to unleashing your financial potential!

Now that you’re armed with various creative ideas, it’s time to implement them. Choose the path that resonates with you. The key is to take that first step and embrace the exciting world of teenage entrepreneurship.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out there and turn your ambitions into reality! Start hustling, get creative, and make your mark on the financial landscape. Don’t let your age limit your potential for success.