Ideas for a kid's business?

[Roadking]

Well, eldest just put in his worm order for his start-up, raising worms for bait. Built the bins, and practiced with our local (garden) worms. Did well with them. Has 2 places letting him set up shop, since their supplier changed profession.

Now, youngest (8.5) wants to start some sort of business. I am really scratching my head on what he could do. He had some ideas, but they were unrealistic or destined to end in disappointment, considering this economy and the fact that we are a small town, and a pass thru for weekenders on the way to the lake.
Too young to mow grass, winter coming, school is a priority.

Any ideas out there for a small time, part time business/income maker?

Thanks in advance.

Matt

[farmerDale]

Too late for this year, but your description of a pass through for weekenders has me thinking pumpkins, or other produce. If he/you could set up on the roadside when the main traffic hits, I would imagine folks would stop. Maybe????

[d'vash]

Raking leaves, is an option. Not only will be making a small stripend from raking, but he could also use the collected leaves for compost [for the worms]. The eldest and youngest would therefore be in a business partnership.

[nduetime]

pet sitting, dog walking, picking up dog doo in yards (that is something I know lots of folks would pay for!) Equipment = plastic bags and a pooper scooper, easier enough to haul on a bike with a basket.

[Cindy in NY]

Can he do anything crafty? There will be a lot of craft fairs coming up for Christmas, maybe even something at his school.

[Dixie Bee Acres]

I agree with the produce stand. My kids will be doing that next summer; tomatoes, peppers, beans, sweet corn, pumpkins, etc.

[Roadking]

Considered farm stand since we do a pretty substantial garden and he has his own raised bed (they both do), but the traffic on the road and no shoulder make it a bit dangerous.

Hadn't thought of the leaves and weeding...he does that here, that could work.

Crafty...somewhat, however, his artistic abilities aren't even close to his smarts. i.e. can't usually figure out what his intention was when he makes something. He wanted to make walking sticks since he earned his whittling chit, but the local woodworker already has that covered, and has not sold one this year.

Animal care; his big brother was attacked by a dog. They love cats and other critters, but do not like being around dogs. Also, around here, most folks don't sub that out...let alone pet sitting. Appreciate the idea.

Thanks all, I am grateful for you ideas and this site.
Other issue is scouting. Always doing fund raisers, might be dipping into the well to often if we target the locals.

Matt

[beaglebiz]

I know locally there is a house where they sell small zinnia bouquets in a red solo cup for $3. Small piles of firewood for $5, pumpkins, cornstalks, vegetables, nightcrawlers, blueberries and apples are all sold nearby. I live very near (1/2 mile) a beautiful state park and we do get lots of weekenders and campers driving by.
I know of a house in a different area where they put out 5 - 7 fresh baked loaves of bread in the morning, and are sold out soon after. She gets $5 per loaf.

[FarmboyBill]

BHelp his brother expand HIS worm business. THEN next spring his brother can help him raise a garden.. IF you had enough chickens they could sell eggs. I would think both setting up together selling worms and veggies would work. Selling eggs couldn't hurt.

[Maura]

Is there a summer farm market in town or nearby? He could plant something in the garden that he could sell for three or four weeks at a farmer's market. A vegetable that comes in early that he could sell. Or, someone suggested pumpkins, a vegetable that he could sell in late August, early September. Sunflowers, for instance. You would have to go with him, but it would only be for a few days out of the year.

[BlueRose]

You said there is no place for people to pull over on the side of the road. Do you have room to make a small pull off? There is one close to here just across Ark line. They do quite the business with the vegs, and fruit in the fall they also sell canned goods and crafts.

[Travis in Louisiana]

I have been thinking about this, since I read this post. I tried to picture my 8 year old grandkids and myself at 8 years old (I'm 53 now), so here is a list of some of my idea so far.

Get vines in woods and make wreaths
Cut wood and make LOG DEER. My bosses son did this one Christmas for money.
Candles, learn to make them
Wood baskets, thin cut wood, soaked in water, weaved together.
Take old bicycles and rebuild and paint
Bake cakes or cookies. Everyone loves to eat, but selling laws may need permits
Take barbed wire and make Cowboy Christmas Trees
Take Bamboo and make flutes

Most of these items or seasonal, but variations could be made. Also, most of these require selling or putting in a store. I am still thinking!

[Roadking]

Appreciate all the ideas...lots of good ones. Unfortunately, drainage ditch (PENNDOT easement) can't be modified. Baked goods would be a detriment to our/his Scouts. Aluminum cans as well.
Log deer have potential...wood lathe sits pretty idle...the metal lathe gets the workout.
No farm market within 30 minutes...lot of private farm stands 'tho.
Bikes are at a premium...guy that collected them to rebuild and give away has very little coming in...all going to scrapping...sigh.
Food, even though we're a small town, regs make it ridiculous...he helps make an excellent jerky and fruit leather.
Cowboy Christmas tree? Unfamiliar, but curious...any info?
He is a worker, always jumps when asked if he wants to help, just most the things that need doing are beyond his age. He'd gladly mow if we let him.

Thanks all...will keep looking here for more ideas.

Matt

[Travis in Louisiana]

Here is an example: Just Google "Barbed Wire Christmas Tree" in images or search.

[Roadking]

That is neat, Thanks for the idea and the direction.

Matt

[Zimobog]

How 'bout a trap line? A cool hobby that might also lead to money. There are still "country buyers" out there buying up coons, coyotes, possum, mink, etc. Country buyers post their stops in Trapper and Predator Caller mag and often buy them "in the round" aka not skinned. Getting to be known for trapping in farm country is a nice money maker not just because of the chance to sell pelts but cause farms have possums. skunk, and fox getting chickens. Squirrels and coons in attics. Coyotes after calves and lambs. Weasels after the rabbits. A kid who got good at tracking, enjoyed being in the woods, and didn't mind door-knocking could pocket "nuisance animal removal" money in a town like that.

Beavers, otter, and muskrat all affect a fishing resorts future also and could be good income.

Just an idea!

[theemon]

I would say, small plants, ie flowers or veggies, and for your older son, if u live near a creek get that boy a fishing license and have him catch minnows for his bait stand....

[joebill]

If you trust him to cast metal, he can buy up used wheel weights from tire shops for around $20 per 5 gal bucket and cast them into
1. ingots to sell to reloaders for at least $1 per pound

2.sinkers for his brother's worm customers. Molds are available and pretty cheap.

This is an outdoor occupation and needs safety gear to be worn at all times, including glasses. Water and hot metal do NOT mix, anywhere, any time. He might be a tad young for it ( I was accident prone at that age) but if he's steadier than I was, it can make him some good bucks.

If you need to see pics of the required gear, post and I will take some and post them....Joe

[CountryWannabe]

4 or 6 packs of heirloom vegetable starts are relatively cheap and easy to sell at farmer's market for a decent price. Those that don't sell in the first couple of weeks, he can pot up further, up the price and sell potted individual starts. Then leftovers go into his garden with a few into larger containers and he sells the veggies. I did this a few years and it made me quite a few $$$. Veggies or fruits that are not run-of-the-mill sell for a premium. One of my best sellers was a small baseball sized melon that was just perfect for two with a few strawberries. I cut a few, cleaned out the seeds and put the strawberries in the cavity, wrapped with cling-wrap - dessert for one with an immediate mark-up. I am told that cut flowers are one of the highest grossing products at farmers markets, particularly if priced per stem or in small bunches - makes it easy for customers to splurge a little or a lot as takes their fancy.

He can make soap with adult supervision. It is an art that has a learning curve but can be lucrative.

Getting day-old pullet chicks and raising them to point of lay takes time but is an opportunity to make $$. Or (depending on his personality and your State's laws) raising batches of meat chickens and selling them processed. Or just sell eggs. Or all three.

Mary

[Doug Hodges]

I used to sell Grit door to door in North Central Arkansas when I was 9 or so. I would get my order and head out on my bike. The houses were mostly at least a 1/2 mile apart so I had a lot of riding to sell 25 papers.