Children mature rapidly, and before you know it, they'll be exploring life independently. Finding the right job for an 11-year-old can be challenging, especially when you want to ensure it's safe, age-appropriate, and enjoyable. If you're a parent or guardian aiming to help your child learn responsibility and earn some money, you're in the right place!

In this guide, we'll explore various job options for 11-year-olds, which will help them understand the concepts of work and earning money, all while being suitable for their preteen stage. Here, you will find jobs that pay, are suitable for kids and are ideal for summer. 

Also, we’ll dive into how kids can earn money using the Modak Makers app and how they can use their Visa® debit card¹, designed for kids and teens, to receive payments for jobs or allowances without any monthly subscription fees⁴. 

Why Should 11-Year-Olds Start Working?

Many 11-year-olds are enthusiastic about earning their own money and experiencing some independence. At this stage, they start viewing themselves as closer to teenagers than young children, often exhibiting more maturity and the ability to handle more complex emotions. 

Having a job can impart valuable life skills like responsibility, time management, and money management. It also provides an opportunity for them to understand the value of hard work and foster a sense of independence, setting the stage for the challenges of adolescence and beyond.

Safe and Age-Appropriate Jobs for 11-Year-Olds

Although it is practically impossible to find a job listing seeking 11-year-olds, there are many job ideas they can pursue. These include both traditional jobs and more creative, new-generation opportunities, which we will explore in this section.

Traditional Jobs for Kids

1. Babysitter Assistant

Babysitting is a classic job for kids and teenagers. At 11, children can start by babysitting younger siblings or close family friends under supervision. An excellent way to learn responsibility, earn money, and spend time with your close family while helping your parents.

Tips for Babysitter Assistant:

• Teach your kid about babysitting or let them take a course about it. Many community centers offer courses that teach basic childcare skills.
• Let your kid begin by babysitting for short periods and gradually increase the time as confidence grows.
• Always have a parent or trusted adult nearby for emergencies.

2. Pet Sitter and Dog Walking

If your child loves animals, pet sitting or dog walking can be an enjoyable job. They can help neighbors or friends take care of their pets when they're away, feeding them, walking dogs, and providing companionship.

Tips for Pet Sitting and Dog Walking:

• Help the create a schedule. Ensure your child knows when they need to walk and feed the pets.
• Make sure to meet the pets beforehand. Familiarize your child with the animals to ensure they are comfortable.
• Teach your kid about basic pet care: feeding, grooming, and handling pets.

3. Leaf Raking

In many places, there’s a time of year when leaves fall from the trees and cover the lawns. If these leaves aren’t cleaned up, they can damage the grass. Your 11-year-old can help out by raking leaves for busy neighbors. It’s a great way for them to make some extra money and keep the neighborhood looking nice.

Tips for leaf raking:

• Provide proper equipment. Ensure your child has a lightweight rake suitable for their size and sturdy gloves to protect their hands from blisters and dirt.
• Teach safety first. Show them how to rake safely, avoiding any sharp or dangerous objects hidden under the leaves. Make sure they know to be cautious around streets and driveways.
• Make it fun. Turn the task into a fun activity by playing some music or making it a game to see who can make the biggest leaf pile.

4. Car Washing

Washing cars for neighbors can be a good way to earn extra cash, especially during the summer. Kids can offer a car washing service in their neighborhood, ensuring they use safe cleaning products and techniques.

Tips for Car Washing:

• Make sure your kid gets all the necessary supplies. Like sponges, soap, and towels.
• Be mindful of traffic and use a safe space for washing cars.
• Teach your child to pay attention to details to satisfy customers.

Creative Jobs for 11-Year-Olds That Pay

1. Lemonade Stands

Setting up a lemonade stand is a fun and entrepreneurial way for kids to make money. A seasonal job teaches them about basic business principles, customer service, and handling money.

Tips for Running a Lemonade Stand:

• Location: Choose a high-traffic area like a neighborhood corner or a park.
• Pricing: Set a reasonable price for the lemonade.
• Hygiene: Ensure everything is clean and sanitary to attract customers.

2. Household Chores

Parents can encourage their children to take on additional household chores in exchange for an allowance. With Modak Makers' chore management feature, parents can easily assign custom chores like cleaning, doing the dishes, laundry, or organizing. Assign monetary rewards for completing them and track completion directly in the app. This not only teaches kids responsibility but also helps them earn and manage their own money effectively. 

Parents can create custom chores and assign monetary rewards for completing them. This feature not only helps children learn the value of work and responsibility but also makes it easier for parents to manage household tasks.

Tips for Household Chores:

• Create a chore chart: List out all the chores and assign them to different days using the Modak app.
• Set expectations: Explain what a completed chore should look like.
• Consistency: Ensure chores are done regularly to develop a routine and check their progress over the day.

3. YouTuber

For 11-year-olds, becoming a YouTuber can be an exciting and creative way to earn money and gain some independence. This activity allows kids to express themselves, learn new technological skills, and practice video editing, which can be useful in the future. 

It's a perfect fit for creative children who dream of acting or enjoy being in front of the camera. By creating content, they can develop a sense of responsibility and build confidence as they share their interests and talents with a wider audience.

Tips for Becoming a Youtuber:

• Encourage creativity! Support their creative ideas and encourage them to explore different types of content. Whether it’s tutorials, vlogs, or reviews, let them experiment to find their niche.
• Involve them in planning. Let your child be involved in planning the content, setting goals, and even creating a schedule. This teaches them organization and time management skills.
• Teach online etiquette. Educate your child about online behavior, including how to handle comments, interact with viewers, and the importance of respecting others online.

4. Recycling

Collecting and recycling cans, bottles, or other materials can be an eco-friendly way for kids to make money. They can gather recyclables from neighbors and family members and take them to a recycling center.

Tips for Recycling:

• Sort properly: Teach your child how to sort recyclables correctly.
• Safety: Ensure they handle materials safely and wear gloves if needed.
• Regular trips: Schedule regular visits to the recycling center to keep the collection manageable.

Summer Jobs for 11-Year-Olds

1. Camp Counselor in Training

Becoming a Camp Counselor in Training (CIT) can be an exciting and educational summer activity for 11-year-olds. Many summer camps offer CIT programs specifically designed for younger teens and pre-teens. Although they may not get paid initially, this opportunity allows them to gain valuable experience and earn money in future summers as they transition into full counselor roles.

CIT programs provide a structured environment where young participants learn leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and other essential life skills. They get to work alongside experienced counselors, assisting with camp activities, supervising younger campers, and ensuring everyone has a fun and safe camp experience.

This role can be particularly beneficial for children who enjoy outdoor activities, working with kids, and being part of a community.

Tips for CIT Programs:

• Research camps. Look for camps that offer well-structured CIT programs. Check the camp's reputation, read reviews, and consider the types of activities they provide
• Understand commitment. Ensure your child understands the level of commitment required. Being a CIT involves dedication, responsibility, and often a full-day schedule.
• Pack smart. Help your child pack appropriately for camp, including necessary clothing, gear, and personal items. Ensure they have everything needed to stay comfortable and prepared.

2. Gardening Assistance

Summer is the perfect time for kids to offer gardening assistance in their community. This activity not only helps them earn some money but also provides an educational experience where they can learn about plants, the environment, and the importance of caring for nature.

By helping with planting, weeding, and watering gardens, kids can develop a sense of responsibility and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing their hard work result in beautiful, thriving plants.

Tips for Gardening Assistance:

• Teach basic gardening skills and plant care such as planting seeds, weeding, watering, and understanding the needs of different plants.
• Provide appropriate tools. Ensure your child has the right tools for the job. Smaller, lightweight tools designed for children can make gardening easier and safer for them.
• Celebrate Successes. Acknowledge their efforts and celebrate their successes. Positive reinforcement will keep them motivated and proud of their work.

3. Farmers Market Helper

Local farmers markets often need extra hands to help set up, sell products, and assist customers. Kids can gain valuable customer service experience and earn money by helping vendors.

Tips for Farmers Market Helper:

• Approach vendors: Help your child ask vendors if they need assistance.
• Customer service: Teach them how to interact with customers politely.
• Flexibility: Be prepared for varying tasks and schedules.

4. Sports Assistant

If your child is involved in sports, they can take on the role of a sports assistant, helping coaches with younger kids' teams. This role involves assisting with practice drills, organizing equipment, and providing support during games.

Being a sports assistant is a fantastic way for your child to develop leadership skills, stay active, and give back to their community while gaining valuable experience in teamwork and mentoring.

Tips for Sports Assistant:

• Encourage enthusiasm. Motivate your child to approach the role with a positive and supportive attitude. Their enthusiasm will not only make the experience more enjoyable but also inspire the younger kids they are helping.
• Help your child develop basic coaching and mentoring skills. This can include learning how to demonstrate drills, give constructive feedback, and encourage teamwork among the younger players.
• Time management. Ensure they can balance this job with their own activities.

How to Make $100 as a Kid

Making $100 can seem like a big goal, but it's achievable with some dedication and planning. Here are some ideas on how kids can reach this milestone:

1. Set up a weekly chore plan: By completing additional chores around the house, kids can steadily earn money. For example, earning $10 per week through extra chores can add up to $100 in 10 weeks.
2. Learn budgeting and saving. Teaching kids the basics of budgeting and saving can help them reach their financial goals more efficiently. Encourage them to save a portion of their earnings and plan how to use their money wisely.
3. Help your parents or close family by taking care of your younger cousins or siblings. Assisting with siblings or young children for close family or your parents can quickly add up to $100. It's a job that teaches responsibility and patience while spending time with your family, and it can be a reliable source of income for kids.
4. By walking! Using the Modak app, kids can earn MBX points, which can be converted to dollars, by completing daily walking challenges. By walking 5,000 steps a day, they can earn up to 70 MBX points per week³. This adds up to $36.4 a year, just by walking and building this healthy habit.

What Can an 11-Year-Old Do to Make Money?

There are plenty of ways for 11-year-olds to make money, whether through traditional jobs or creative ones. Here are the highlights 🤩:

• Babysitter assistant
• Pet sitter and dog walking
• Lawn mowing and yard work
• Lemonade stands
• Car washing
• Household chores
• YouTuber
• Recycling
• Gardening assistance
• Farmers market helper
• Sports assistant

Each of these jobs provides an opportunity for kids to learn new skills, gain experience, and earn money.

How can Modak help?  

While traditional jobs can help kids earn money, modern technology also offers valuable opportunities. At Modak, our app teaches kids essential money management skills and rewards them for completing everyday activities, making learning about finances engaging and fun.

A Modern Solution for Money Management

Modak helps teens handle their money wisely by offering a Visa®  Debit Card¹ with no monthly subscription fees⁴ and 24/7 customer support. The app is designed to be safe and easy for kids to use, with parental oversight. Parents can set up chores, create savings goals, and monitor transactions, while kids learn valuable money management skills.

Earn MBX Points with Modak

With the Modak app, kids can earn MBX points by completing challenges, including financial challenges and our "Walk to Earn" feature. By reaching walking goals, children can earn up to 70 MBX⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ per week.

These points can be converted to dollars and added directly to their Modak Visa® debit card¹, giving them real money to spend. This means they can earn up to $36.4 in a year just by walking and completing our daily and weekly challenges!³

Get Started with Modak Today

If you're looking for a fun and educational way for your child to earn and manage money, the Modak app is a great option. Get started with Modak Makers today and help your child take control of their financial future!

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1. Modak is a financial technology company and not a FDIC-insured bank. Checking account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Lewis & Clark Bank, Member FDIC. Funds deposited into checking account may be eligible for up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance. The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
2. 100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. Click here for more information on MBX
3. Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of June 2024). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
4. Fees for expedited or premium services may apply. Find out more in our Cardholder agreement.