In this article
The best business ideas for kids include selling handmade crafts, dog walking, car washing, building websites with AI tools, reselling clothes on Vinted or Depop, and offering tutoring to younger children. Below, we've gathered 101 tried-and-tested ideas organised by age group, interest, and type – so you can find the perfect fit for your child.
Key Takeaways
- Kids as young as 6 can start a simple business with parental support
- 101 ideas across 10 categories – from crafts and pets to tech and eco-friendly ventures
- Business builds confidence, financial literacy, creativity, and resilience
- No licence needed for most informal activities in the UK
- Service-based ideas (dog walking, car washing) need zero startup cost
- The best idea is one your child is genuinely excited about
The truth is: business isn't just for adults. Children as young as 6 can start exploring small, age-appropriate ventures – whether that's selling crafts, walking dogs, or creating digital content. And the skills they build along the way – confidence, problem-solving, communication – are exactly the ones employers and universities will value most in the years ahead. Want to see who's done it already? Browse our list of real UK female founders, work out prices with the profit calculator, or read our pocket money guide by age.
Why business ideas for kids matter
Introducing kids to entrepreneurship does far more than give them a weekend project. Research from the World Economic Forum shows that by 2027, creativity, critical thinking, and resilience will be among the most in-demand workplace skills. Starting a small business – even a lemonade stand – helps children practise all of these:
And perhaps the biggest benefit of all? It's fun. Kids get to explore their passions, experiment with new ideas, and even make a little money along the way.
How much does it cost to start a kids' business?
One of the most common questions parents ask is how much money they'll need to invest. The good news: most kids' businesses cost less than £10 to start, and many cost nothing at all.
Dog walking, pet sitting, car washing, garden work, babysitting, tutoring, tech help, errand running
Service businesses need zero startup money – just time and effort.
Friendship bracelets, bookmarks, pet rock painting, seed bombs, lemonade stand, recycled crafts
Basic supplies from a pound shop or items you already have at home.
Bake sale ingredients, slime kits, soap or bath bomb supplies, tie-dye kits, stationery packs
Enough to buy materials in bulk and make a profit on your first batch.
Candle making supplies, jewellery materials, print-on-demand setup, T-shirt blanks
Higher-quality materials for products you can sell at a premium.
AI website building, digital art, blogging, YouTube, Canva design, digital planners
Most digital businesses only need a smartphone or computer you already own.
The most important thing is to start small and reinvest. Encourage your child to use their first profits to buy better materials or expand their business, rather than spending a lot upfront.
🌱 Easy Business Ideas (Ages 6–9)
These ideas are perfect for younger children who are just starting to explore what it means to sell something, serve a customer, or earn their own money. They're simple, low-cost, and designed to be done with adult support.
Smoothie, fruit cup, or hot chocolate stand
A classic first business. Set up at a local event, sports day, or in the garden on a sunny weekend. Teaches pricing, customer service, and basic money handling.
Handmade birthday & holiday cards
Kids design and sell personalised cards to family and neighbours. Great for practising creativity and understanding what customers want.
Friendship bracelets from beads or string
Low-cost and hugely popular at school fairs. Children learn about materials, pricing per item, and batch production.
Pet rock painting & selling
Collect rocks, paint fun characters, and sell them at car boot sales or to friends. Brilliant for imaginative kids who love art.
Bookmarks designed and sold to classmates
Laminated or hand-drawn bookmarks are easy to make in bulk and sell for 50p–£1 each. A great introduction to profit margins.
Recycled crafts – turn jars, cans & bottles into gifts
Wash out old containers, decorate them with paint or fabric, and sell as pen pots, plant holders, or gift containers.
Neighbourhood plant watering service
Offer to water plants and check on gardens while neighbours are at work or on holiday. Reliable and easy to manage.
Bake sale stalls (with adult help)
Bake cupcakes, cookies, or flapjacks and sell them at school fairs or community events. A brilliant introduction to costs, pricing, and customer feedback.
Dog treat baking
Use simple, pet-safe recipes to bake treats, bag them up, and sell to dog owners on your street.
Toy swap shop – organise & manage swaps with friends
Set up a swap event where kids bring toys they've outgrown and trade with each other. Charge a small entry fee to run the event.
🐾 Pet & Animal Ideas
If your child loves animals, these ideas turn that passion into a real business. Most are suitable for ages 10+ with parental supervision, and many build repeat customers quickly.
Dog walking for neighbours
One of the most popular and reliable businesses for kids aged 10+. Charge £5–£10 per walk and build regular clients on your street.
Pet sitting during short trips
Offer to feed, water, and check on pets while neighbours are away for a day or weekend. Builds trust and responsibility.
Cat feeding service
Many cat owners need someone to pop in once or twice a day while they're away. Simple, reliable, and easy to fit around school.
Pet photography with a smartphone
Take fun photos of people's pets and offer printed or digital copies. Great practice for photography skills.
Custom pet collars or bandanas
Buy plain collars or fabric and customise them with names, patterns, or seasonal designs. Sell online or at local fairs.
Homemade pet treats
Bake simple, pet-safe treats using online recipes. Package them nicely and sell at local fairs or to dog-owning neighbours.
Small pet cleaning help (hamsters, rabbits)
Offer to clean out cages and hutches for busy families on your street. Charge £3–£5 per clean.
Pet birthday party organiser
Help plan small celebration events for pets with treats, toys, and decorations. A fun and creative service.
Pet bathing service (supervised)
Wash dogs in the garden during warm months. Provide shampoo, towels, and a good scrub for £5–£10 per dog.
Pet profile page on social media (with parental supervision)
Create a fun social media page for your own pet or offer to run one for others. Learn content creation and audience building.
🎨 Creative Ideas
For children who love drawing, making, and designing, these ideas channel creativity into something they can sell. Most work well at school fairs, local markets, or online with parental help.
Face painting at parties or fairs
Learn a few popular designs (butterflies, superheroes, animals) and offer face painting at birthday parties or school fairs. Charge £2–£5 per face.
Handmade jewellery – bracelets, earrings, rings
Buy beads and wire in bulk and create unique pieces to sell. Hugely popular at craft fairs and as gifts.
Customised T-shirts with fabric pens
Buy plain white T-shirts in bulk and personalise them with names, drawings, or slogans. Popular for birthday party activities too.
Art prints sold at school fairs or online (with parental supervision)
Create original artwork, scan or photograph it, and sell prints. Platforms like Etsy allow this with a parent's account.
Storybook writing & selling copies
Write and illustrate a short children's story, print copies at home, and sell to family and friends. A wonderful creative challenge.
Cartooning & comics for classmates
Create custom cartoon characters or comic strips for friends. Charge per character or per comic page.
Video tutorials for drawing or crafts (with parental supervision)
Record step-by-step tutorials teaching a creative skill. Post on YouTube with a parent managing the account.
Personalised stickers
Design custom stickers using free tools and print them at home or through a print service. Popular with younger children as gifts or collectables.
Photography prints – landscapes, pets, portraits
Use a smartphone to take great photos, print them, and sell framed or as cards.
Custom notebooks or journals
Decorate plain notebooks with illustrations, stickers, or hand-lettering and sell as gifts or school supplies.
Not sure which idea is right? Our AI Idea Machine helps your child discover business ideas based on what they love.
Try the Idea Machine💻 Tech, AI & Online Ideas (Ages 10–16)
Technology has made it easier than ever for young people to start digital businesses. In 2026, AI tools mean kids can build websites, create content, and design products without needing to learn complex coding. All online activities should involve parental supervision for under-14s.
Building websites or apps with AI tools (vibe coding)
In 2026, kids don't need to learn traditional coding. AI tools let you describe what you want and build it – from simple websites to mini apps. It's called 'vibe coding' and it's one of the most exciting new skills for young people.
Creating and selling digital products with AI
Use AI tools to create colouring pages, printable planners, e-books, or worksheets, then sell them on platforms like Etsy (with a parent's account). Low cost, high creativity.
YouTube channel reviewing toys, books, or games (with parental supervision)
One of the most popular digital businesses for kids. Start with a smartphone, focus on a niche you love, and learn video editing along the way.
Starting a kid-friendly blog
Write about hobbies, reviews, or school life. Learn about content creation, audience building, and basic digital skills that are hugely valuable for the future.
Podcasting about school life or interests (with parental supervision)
Record conversations about topics you care about. Free to start with a smartphone and free hosting platforms.
Designing logos and graphics with Canva
Offer simple logo and social media graphic design to family, friends, or local small businesses using free tools like Canva.
Creating AI-generated art for print-on-demand
Use AI image tools to create original designs, then sell them on products like mugs, phone cases, and T-shirts through print-on-demand services like Redbubble.
Selling digital art and designs online
Create original digital illustrations or patterns and sell them as downloads. Great for kids who love drawing on tablets.
Social media content creation for local businesses (with parental supervision)
Help a local café, shop, or market stall with their social media posts. Take photos, write captions, and schedule content.
Online tutoring for younger kids
If you're strong in a subject, offer online tutoring to younger children via video call. Charge £5–£15 per hour depending on the subject.
📚 School-Friendly Ideas
These ideas work well within a school setting – at fairs, during lunch, or as after-school projects. Always check with your school before selling on the premises.
Stationery packs – pencils, erasers, stickers
Buy in bulk and create themed packs to sell to classmates. A great way to learn about wholesale buying and retail pricing.
Homework help club
Set up a study group where you help classmates with subjects you're good at. Charge a small fee or swap skills.
Snack packs sold at lunch (with permission)
Create healthy or themed snack packs and sell them during break time. Check school rules first.
Custom school supplies – decorated folders & cases
Personalise plain folders, pencil cases, or water bottles with names or designs. Popular at the start of each school year.
School magazine or newsletter
Create a mini magazine with articles, jokes, and puzzles. Sell copies or include small ads from parents' businesses.
Lost & found service
Offer to reunite lost items with their owners for a small fee. Teaches organisation and customer service.
Classroom decoration service
Offer to create displays, posters, or themed decorations for classrooms or school events.
Eco club products – reusable bags or straws
Make or source eco-friendly products and sell them to promote sustainability at school.
Peer tutoring younger years
Older students help younger ones with reading, maths, or homework. Builds leadership and communication skills.
School podcast or radio show (with teacher supervision)
Interview teachers, review books, or discuss school events. Great for building confidence and media skills.
🌍 Eco-Friendly Ideas
Sustainability matters to young people. These green business ideas combine environmental awareness with entrepreneurial skills – and they're popular with eco-conscious customers of all ages.
Recycling collection service for cans & bottles
Collect recyclable items from neighbours and take them to recycling points. Charge a small collection fee.
Composting service for neighbours
Offer to collect food scraps and manage a compost bin. Sell the finished compost to gardeners.
Upcycled clothing projects
Transform old clothes into something new – add patches, dye them, or redesign them. Sell at fairs or online.
Reusable shopping bags made & sold
Sew or decorate reusable bags from old fabric. Popular at farmers' markets and school fairs.
Eco soap making
Learn to make natural soap using simple ingredients. Package them as gifts or sell at local markets.
Plant growing kits for kids
Put together small kits with a pot, soil, and seeds. Add instructions and sell as gifts or at school fairs.
Seed bombs for gardens
Mix wildflower seeds with clay and compost to create seed bombs. Popular as gifts and for rewilding projects.
Tree planting fundraiser
Organise a sponsored tree planting event. Raise money for a cause while making a real environmental impact.
Eco-friendly party kits (reusable cups/plates)
Create party kits with reusable or compostable items as an alternative to single-use plastics.
Bike repair & cleaning service
Offer to clean and do basic repairs on bikes for neighbours. Charge £5–£10 per bike.
Got an idea? Help your child turn it into a plan with our free step-by-step Business Plan Builder.
Build a Business Plan👕 Product-Based Ideas
If your child likes making things, these product ideas can be sold at fairs, to friends and family, or online with parental help. Many need only basic supplies to get started.
Slime making
Still hugely popular with younger children. Make different varieties (glitter, fluffy, scented) and sell in small pots.
Soap or bath bombs
Learn to make bath products using moulds and fragrances. Package as gifts and sell at fairs or to family.
Candle making
Pour candles in jars or moulds with different scents. A higher-value product that's great for gifts and markets.
Personalised tote bags
Decorate plain canvas bags with fabric pens, stamps, or iron-on transfers. Popular as gifts and everyday bags.
Keychains & magnets
Create custom keychains or fridge magnets from clay, resin, or beads. Low-cost to make and easy to sell.
Tie-dye clothing
Transform plain T-shirts, socks, or tote bags with tie-dye kits. Bright, fun, and always popular.
Seasonal decorations (Halloween, Christmas)
Make themed decorations – wreaths, ornaments, or bunting – and sell them in the lead-up to each holiday.
Print-on-demand products
Design artwork and upload it to platforms like Redbubble or Spring, which print and ship products for you. No stock needed – just creativity.
Board game creation
Design and build your own board game. Test it with friends, refine it, and sell copies. Teaches design thinking and iteration.
DIY kits for other kids
Package up craft supplies with instructions so other children can make something at home. Popular as birthday gifts.
🤝 Service-Based Ideas
Service businesses are the easiest to start because they need no upfront investment – just your time, energy, and a willingness to help. These are perfect for kids who want to earn money quickly.
Babysitting (older teens, 14+ only)
One of the most popular teen jobs in the UK. Build trust with family friends first, then expand to neighbours. Charge £5–£10 per hour.
House cleaning help
Offer to help with hoovering, dusting, or tidying for busy neighbours. Charge by the hour or per task.
Car washing
A classic weekend business. Charge £5–£10 per car and offer to come to the customer's driveway.
Garden work – raking leaves, mowing lawns, weeding
Seasonal and always in demand. Offer regular garden maintenance for neighbours, especially older residents.
Leaf clearing and driveway sweeping
Particularly popular in autumn and winter. Offer to clear paths, driveways, and gutters of leaves and debris.
Holiday decorating service
Help neighbours put up and take down Christmas lights, Halloween decorations, or party setups.
Garage and cupboard organising
Help people declutter and organise storage spaces. Charge by the hour or per project.
Tech help for older neighbours
Help with setting up phones, tablets, or smart TVs. Many older people will happily pay for patient, friendly tech support.
Grocery carrying service
Offer to carry heavy shopping from the car or deliver groceries from a local shop. Great for older or less mobile neighbours.
Errand running for busy families
Offer to post letters, return library books, or pick up small items from local shops. Charge a small fee per errand.
🎉 Seasonal Ideas
Seasonal businesses are brilliant for kids because they have built-in demand and a natural deadline. These ideas work around holidays and events throughout the year.
Valentine's Day cards & gifts
Design and sell handmade Valentine's cards, sweet bags, or small gifts in the week before the 14th February.
Easter egg decorating service
Paint or decorate eggs for families who want something special for Easter. Offer kits or finished products.
Mother's Day flowers or gifts
Create small bouquets, handmade cards, or gift baskets to sell before Mother's Day.
Father's Day cards & gifts
Design personalised cards or small gifts like bookmarks, keychains, or baked treats.
Summer smoothie or ice lolly stand
Sell cold drinks or homemade ice lollies at local parks, sports days, or from the front garden on hot days.
Halloween costume design
Create or customise costumes using second-hand clothes and craft supplies. Offer a fitting and alteration service.
Pumpkin carving service
Carve pumpkins for neighbours who don't have the time or tools. Charge £3–£5 per pumpkin.
Bonfire Night treat stall
Sell toffee apples, hot chocolate, or popcorn at a local bonfire or fireworks event.
Christmas gift wrapping service
Offer to wrap presents for busy parents in the lead-up to Christmas. Charge per gift and offer premium paper options.
New Year's party planner for kids
Organise a kid-friendly New Year's Eve party with games, food, and decorations. Charge per ticket.
Loved these ideas? Unlock all 4 age-track courses, every tool and every download for £29 lifetime - one-off, no subscription.
Get £29 lifetime access🌟 Modern & Unique Ideas for Teens
These ideas reflect what teens are actually doing in 2026. From AI-powered side hustles to sustainable fashion, these are the businesses that feel relevant, exciting, and genuinely achievable for older teens (14–16).
Reselling clothes online (Vinted, Depop)
Buy pre-loved clothes from charity shops or car boot sales, photograph them well, and resell on Vinted or Depop for a profit. A hugely popular teen side hustle in the UK.
Thrift flipping – upcycling charity shop finds
Buy old furniture, clothing, or accessories cheaply, restore or customise them, and sell for a profit. Teaches an eye for value and creative skills.
Building AI-powered tools or websites
Use no-code and AI tools to build simple websites, calculators, or tools for local businesses or school projects. A genuinely valuable future skill.
Print-on-demand shop (Redbubble, Spring)
Design artwork and upload it to print-on-demand platforms that handle printing and shipping. No stock needed – just your designs and creativity.
Selling on Etsy with a parent's account
Create handmade or digital products and sell them on Etsy. Great for creative teens who want to reach a wider audience.
Social media management for local businesses (with parental supervision)
Help a local café, salon, or shop with their social media. Create posts, take photos, and manage their accounts for a monthly fee.
Reselling collectibles – trading cards, vintage toys, books
Buy underpriced collectibles from car boot sales and sell them for more online. Teaches research, pricing, and negotiation.
Fitness classes for kids (dance, football drills)
If you're sporty, offer beginner classes for younger children at a local park or community hall. Charge £3–£5 per session.
CV and personal statement help for teenagers
Help peers with their CVs, personal statements, or job applications. Especially valuable around GCSE and A-level time.
Digital planner or template design
Create digital planners, budget trackers, or study templates and sell them as downloads. Low effort once designed, and scalable.
Mini subscription boxes (monthly snacks, crafts, or stationery)
Curate themed boxes and offer monthly subscriptions to friends or family. Teaches supply chain thinking and customer retention.
📚 Turn an idea into reality
Picking an idea is the easy part - knowing what to do next is where most children stop. Our two books take them from "I've got an idea" to actually starting, step by step, at the right level for their age.
Maya's Big Business Adventure
An inspiring storybook for girls aged 6-9 - buy one, give one
£9.9942 pages
See the book
Dream it. Be it. Biz-it!
Entrepreneurship Workbook for Girls (Ages 10-14)
£12.9967 pages
See the bookBoth are posted from the UK. See both books and delivery details.
How parents & teachers can support young entrepreneurs
The most important thing you can do is let your child lead. Your role is to guide, encourage, and provide a safety net – not to take over. Here's how:
Encourage exploration: Let kids test ideas without pressure. The first idea doesn't have to be the winning one.
Provide resources: A notebook, craft supplies, or a simple website can go a long way. You don't need to spend a lot.
Teach money basics: Help them track expenses and profits. Even a simple spreadsheet or notebook works.
Celebrate effort, not just results: Confidence grows with encouragement. Praise the process, not just the profit.
Connect it to learning: Use projects to practise maths, writing, and creativity in real-world ways.
"Children who start businesses aren't just learning to make money – they're learning to think critically, communicate clearly, and bounce back from failure. Those are life skills."
– World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report
Ready to help them get started? Try our free business tools, step-by-step guides, and structured courses designed for young entrepreneurs aged 6–16. Want them inspired first? Introduce them to 250+ British female entrepreneurs who started with an idea just like theirs.
🎁
Want all 101 ideas in one place?
Get our free printable guide - personalised to your child's age group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good business ideas for kids aged 6–9?
Great business ideas for young children aged 6–9 include smoothie or hot chocolate stands, handmade birthday cards, friendship bracelets, pet rock painting, bookmarks, recycled crafts, plant watering services, bake sale stalls, dog treat baking, and toy swap shops. These are simple, creative, and teach basic entrepreneurial skills in a fun way.
What skills do children learn from running a business?
Children learn confidence (seeing ideas become real), financial literacy (budgeting and saving), creativity and problem-solving, communication and teamwork, resilience (learning from setbacks), and future-ready skills like critical thinking. By 2027, skills like creativity and problem-solving will be among the most in-demand in the workplace, giving children who start early a huge head start.
What age can a child start a business in the UK?
There is no minimum age to start a business in the UK. Children of any age can sell products or offer services informally – for example, at car boot sales, school fairs, or to neighbours. However, a child must be at least 16 to become a sole trader or company director. Before that age, a parent or guardian would need to manage any formal business registration. Many children aged 6–16 run successful informal ventures with parental supervision.
How much money can a kid make from a small business?
Earnings vary depending on the business type, time invested, and local demand. Many kids earn between £5 and £50 per week from simple ventures like dog walking, selling crafts, or car washing. More established teen businesses – such as social media management, tutoring, or reselling on platforms like Vinted and Depop – can earn £50 to £200+ per month. The focus should be on learning skills rather than profit, but earning their own money is a powerful motivator.
Do children need a licence to sell things in the UK?
For most small, informal activities like selling crafts at a school fair or offering services to neighbours, no licence is needed. However, if selling food, you should follow basic food hygiene guidelines. If selling regularly at markets, the market organiser may require a trading licence. Selling online through platforms like Etsy or Depop is generally fine for teens with parental oversight. Always check local council rules for street trading or regular stall setups.
What are the best online businesses for 12 year olds?
The best online business ideas for 12 year olds include starting a YouTube channel (reviewing toys, books, or games), selling digital art or designs, creating content on social media, starting a kid-friendly blog, offering video editing for family and friends, designing logos using free tools like Canva, and reselling pre-loved items on Vinted. These all require minimal startup costs and can be done safely with parental guidance.
How do I help my child start a business?
Start by asking your child what they enjoy and what problems they could solve. Help them brainstorm ideas, then pick one to try as a small experiment – a weekend project, not a lifetime commitment. Support them with basic supplies, help them set a fair price, and let them handle as much as possible themselves. Celebrate effort over results. Use free tools like business plan builders and idea generators designed for young people to make it structured and fun.
What are the easiest businesses for kids to start with no money?
The easiest zero-cost businesses for kids include dog walking, pet sitting, car washing (using household supplies), garden tidying, tech help for older neighbours, babysitting (for older teens), homework tutoring, organising garages or cupboards, and offering a grocery carrying service. Service-based businesses are ideal because they require no upfront investment – just time, energy, and a willingness to help.
Free for parents
101 age-matched business ideas
Get the printable guide plus one practical confidence-building activity each week.
I am a...
Keep exploring
Related posts
Things to Do in October Half Term UK - Plus 5 Businesses Kids Can Run
Five half-term businesses kids can actually run - bake sale, pumpkin stall, car wash, hot chocolate stand, bedroom clear-out - plus a five-day plan that fills the week without you booking anything.
27 Summer Holiday Business Ideas for Kids (UK, 2026)
The UK's most practical summer holiday business ideas for kids and teens aged 6-18 - what's legal, what actually sells in July and August, and how to launch this weekend with £0 or £5.
The Best Entrepreneurship Books for Kids and Teens (2026 Guide)
Looking for the best business books for kids or teens? This curated guide covers entrepreneurship books for ages 6–18 - from storybooks and workbooks to practical guides that teach real-world skills.
Easter Business Ideas and Activities for Kids: Age-by-Age Guide
Fun Easter business ideas and entrepreneurial activities for children and teens aged 6–18. From egg decorating stalls to seasonal social media campaigns – broken down by age group.
Ready to turn ideas into action?
Our guided courses take you from idea to business plan - step by step with badges, certificates and real-world missions. Module 1 is free to start.