Where can I find jobs for kids 10 and 11 who want to earn their own money? -

I am a single parent of three, PT work and FT college so I cannot always afford to provide allowances. My kids want to earn money but they are so young and there are no available jobs for them. I checked into paper routes in our area. many are taken. I hate for them to beg people in our neighborhood for jobs to earn money, but what can they do since they are so young?________One of the main issues to consider is your kids safety. Be very careful about what you allow them to do as far as approaching strangers to either sell products or provide services. With that warning, there are things that the kids can do and a number of really good library books that can help you guys come up with some realistic businesses. For one thing, make sure to do things the right way (legal) and by doing so, you ll get some sweet tax credits in addition to your school deductions and earned income credits. You don t have to have a million dollar company to get home business credits but the IRS does require a few things like INTENT to show profit which means you don t even have to make a profit for 2 years I think it is. You can write off space in your home, utilities, internet, computer depreciation, etc. My first word of advice... get to the library for books like quot;Fast Cash for Kidsquot; by Bonnie amp; Noel Drew. Teens and pre-teens across America have made businesses and I think you already know about some of the home businesses that got so big they had to move out of the house... Coca Cola, Dell Computers, Microsoft, Ebay, Lillian Vernon, Trump Corporation... all were home businesses at one time. The type of business really needs to be the brainstorm of the kids. What do they enjoy? They can sell video games or books or almost any kind of products that they can sell online or through direct mail. They can host puppet shows and story hours (too young to babysit) for extra $3-5 per kid per hour. They can get a recycling business going and asking neighbors, classmates, etc. to participate. They can clean attics, garages, and basements (again remember my security warning) and either donate the good stuff or sell it (with your help) on Ebay. It s Spring and they can think about planting flowers, mulching, pulling weeds, etc (too young for lawn mowing) and selling lawn ornaments. What about clipping coupons to help busy families save money (including your own)? What about a business making and selling crafts ... ie Garden flags, jewelry, candles, etc??? Find a need and fill it. What about getting a food license to bake muffins or cookies or other simple treats that can be sold at local office buildings over the summer??? In addition to the library another great resource is Junior Achievements:________Lela, you need to provide them with a small amount of money each week, so that they will have money in their pockets. Their job, right now, is to do well in school so that they can make good money when they start working for real after graduation. They have food, a home, clothes and a family. Those are the important things, and good for you for providing for them. You did not say how old they are, but they, perhaps, can do chores for some neighbors during the summer, helping with grass cutting, raking, etc. Maybe you can get them to plant a garden at home to raise vegetables for sale? Seeds don t cost much. In fact, if you have a green pepper, the seeds in it can be planted and turned into more green peppers. Same with zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, etc. Just an idea. Keep up the good work. Regards, Dan________there may not be a lot of choices legally because of their ages. Maybe if they start their own business and post signs around the neighborhood of different things that they have the ability and desire to do babysitting, mowing lawns, walking dogs, bathing dogs, gardening, the family of an elderly neighbor may be willing to pay for someone to spend time and look in on their loved one maybe with some assistance they could run a yard sale________not much. most large-medium companies won t hire them. try local groucers ,drug stores, ice cream shops...stuff like that could work.