Top 22 Business Ideas for 10-Year Olds [Updated for 2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Are you feeling inspired to start your own business? You're not alone! Many 10-year-olds are looking for ways to become their own boss and start their own business.

There are a lot of great business ideas out there, and we've gathered some of the best ones for you. So read on and see if any of these ideas catch your eye!

1. Start a balloon decor business ($20K/month)

Balloon decorations involve the creation of balloon-based arrangements and thematic shapes, covering backgrounds, ceilings, walls, columns, centerpieces, and entrances within the event and party venues. Balloon décor is popular in corporate events, entertainment and social events, children's parties, and weddings.

Balloon décor is a low overhead business and can be a profitable entrepreneurship opportunity. You do not need a storefront as you can work from home with a few pieces of equipment. You need proper planning skills to start and operate a successful balloon décor business. You should plan and analyze every step and challenge before starting the business.

How much you can make: $20,000/month

2. Start a candle business ($210K/month)

The candle industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

Candle making was one of the first industries to be industrialized, and now up to 90% of all candles are made by machinery. Yet most of us still make our own candles from home, creating a demand for handcrafted, high-quality candles from candle manufacturers even in today's automated world.

A candle business is a worthwhile idea for an entrepreneur who wants to make some extra money in their free time from the comfort of their own home. There are many opportunities for this type of business if you consider it seriously.

How much you can make: $500 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

3. Start a candy making business

You will need a few essential ingredients and equipment to start a candy-making business. These include sugar, corn syrup, food coloring, flavoring extracts, and tools like a candy thermometer and a silicone candy mold. You will also need a kitchen or workspace to prepare and store candy.

To operate your candy-making business, you must develop various tasty candy recipes. The candy may require trial and error, as well as research on popular flavors and techniques. Once you have a solid selection of recipes, you can start taking orders from customers and creating candy to their specifications.

To market your candy-making business, you can set up an online store or sell your products at local markets and events. You can also consider partnering with local companies, such as coffee shops or gift stores, to sell your candy on their premises.

Starting a candy-making business requires creativity, dedication, and attention to detail. With suitable recipes and marketing strategies, you can turn your love of candy into a successful and sweet business!

How much you can make: $3,000/month

How long does it take to build: 450 days (?)

4. Start a gift wrapping service

Gift wrappers use wrapping papers and other supplies to box up and decorate presents on behalf of their customers. Starting a gift-wrapping business does not involve considerable capital and is easy to manage. You can market your business online for free and request current customers to give recommendations.

5. Start a Greeting Cards Business ($50K/month)

People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events.

If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.

When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan.

Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards.

For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

6. Start a jewelry making business ($363K/month)

The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.

The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.

If you know how to make jewelry, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

7. Start a landscaping business

A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.

For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.

Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.

How much you can make: $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

8. Start a children's party planning business ($2K/month)

A children’s party planning business is a business that specializes in organizing and planning children’s parties and events. This can include birthday parties, school events, and sports team celebrations. The business may offer additional services such as decorations, entertainment, and catering.

To run a successful children’s party planning business, it is essential to have strong organizational and communication skills. You will need to be able to work with clients to understand their needs and preferences and then coordinate all the details to make the event a success. It is also essential to understand what children enjoy and what activities and themes will be most appealing to them.

In marketing, it is important to have a strong online presence, including a website and social media profiles. This will allow you to showcase your past events and reach a wider audience. Networking with other businesses in the industry, such as entertainment companies and catering services, can also help to expand your reach and bring in new clients.

One key tip for running a successful children’s party planning business is always prepare for the unexpected. This can include anything from weather-related issues to last-minute changes from clients. Having backup plans in place can help to ensure that you can handle any unexpected challenges that may arise.

Overall, a children’s party planning business is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs passionate about planning events and making children happy. You can build a successful business in this exciting industry with strong organizational and communication skills, a willingness to adapt to unexpected challenges, and a strong online presence.

How much you can make: $2,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

9. Start a socks business ($302K/month)

Socks are a low-cost, high-profit business. One of the more affordable businesses you can start.

The market itself has a size of 47 billion USD in 2020 with an annual growth rate of 6%..

If you want to be successful in this industry, it is important that your socks are comfy to wear and stylish to look at. People would want to wear socks that will make them look great without sacrificing comfort.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

10. Start a soft toys business

How much you can make: $14,000/month

11. Start an used books selling business

How much you can make: $1,200 — $8,999/month

12. Start a dog walking business ($54K/month)

Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.

As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.

To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.

With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $54,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

13. Become a lemonade seller

Demand for lemonade has increased as consumers’ knowledge of its health and nutritional benefits have grown. According to research, the lemonade market is growing at a CAGR of 5.7% and will surpass $2.651 million in the next few years.

If you are interested in starting a lemonade business, consider putting up a stand at a busy location.

A lemonade stand is a low-barrier-to-entry business you can start in a day and generate good profits. You can make lemonade from home and sell it to customers at a drive-through stand.

14. Start a voice over service ($60K/month)

Voiceover artist is an auditory performer who uses their voice in scripted presentations. The role of a voiceover artist is only to be heard but not to be seen.

Working as a voiceover artist is an opportunity to choose the projects you enjoy engaging in. The role of a voiceover artist is also fun and can help you meet new people.

To become a voiceover artist, start practicing aloud reading so you familiarize yourself with your sound. Then, create your recording studio where you can practice your voiceover skills. It would help if you had a quality microphone, professional recording software, a computer, and soundproofing materials.

How much you can make: $400 — $60,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

15. Start a t-shirts business ($26K/month)

Starting a t-shirt business is simple and anyone can do it. It's also a great way to make money on the side or even start out as a full-time business.

If you are someone who enjoys creating beautiful designs and has a sense of humor, then starting a t-shirt business might be the perfect venture for you. It's also a great way to make extra money on the side while working on a hobby.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $83,300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 42 days (?)

16. Start a book cover and case business

Statistics show that the US book publishing industry generates approximately $26 billion in annual revenue. No matter how informative the content, it takes having a high-quality book cover to draw the reader's attention.

Therefore, starting a book cover engraving business could be an attractive strategy for drawing customers to your business.

17. Start an artworks business

How much you can make: $3,055 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

18. Become a basket weaver

The basket weaver business idea is about creating beautiful, handmade baskets using materials such as wicker, straw, or natural fibers.

To start this business, you will need basic basket weaving skills and access to the materials you will use to create your baskets.

You may also need a workspace, such as a small studio or workshop, to create and store your baskets.

To operate your basket-weaving business, you must market and sell your baskets to customers. You can market and sell through various channels, such as online marketplaces, craft fairs, or your website. You may also consider partnering with local retailers or gift shops to sell your baskets.

In terms of pricing, you will need to consider the cost of materials and the time and effort you put into each basket. It is essential to set fair prices that reflect the value of your baskets while also allowing you to make a profit.

The basket weaver business idea is a great way to turn your passion for crafting into a successful business. With the basic skills, materials, and marketing, you can create and sell beautiful baskets to customers worldwide.

More business ideas

  • 19. Start a corn roasting business
  • 20. Start a cookie gift business

21. Start a juice production business

Natural juice enhances energy levels, keeps the body hydrated, and improves metabolism. As more people become health-conscious, the demand for fresh juice has increased over the past years.

Therefore, starting a fresh juice bar can be a profitable business venture.

To start the juice business, you can source fruits from a farmer's market near you or grow fruits on your backyard farm. Alternatively, you can become a fresh juice distributor or enter a franchise agreement with an existing fresh juice company.

22. Start a worm farming business

Rearing worms has become a lucrative business venture. Worms do not need sophisticated feed, as you can sustain them with just rotten organic waste, which includes fruits and vegetables.

Therefore, if you are looking for a profitable business that you can start from home, consider worm farming.

Making worm farming profitable requires following all the basic requirements, such as providing secure shelter and appropriate feed to the worms.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 10-year-old have their own business?

Yes, a 10-year-old can have their own business. However, the process can be a bit complicated, as most business requirements include conditions, terms, and even permission from the legal guardian (for minors).

Now, while such things can get complicated, there are ways for a 10-year-old to earn money from different things. As long as the business isn’t something like a large-scale, you likely wouldn’t have to go through some tedious process.

Is it possible to make money as a 10-year-old?

Yes, making money as a 10-year-old is possible. There are many ways to earn and make money, and most of these ways only require doing and finishing simple tasks that even a 10-year-old can do.

One thing to note is that making money as a 10-year-old is good, but it doesn’t mean you’ll spend most of your time with it and discard essential duties like studies. As always, a 10-year-old should prioritize studying, and making money should only be a side hustle or a hobby.

What businesses can you start as a 10-year-old teenager?

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of business ideas that even a 10-year-old can start. But, of course, these businesses can be as easy as doing simple tasks or selling simple products or services.

Also, it would be best to start a small-scale business, especially if you’re only 10 years old. While it’s possible to do something large-scale, it takes a lot of time and responsibilities.

Further, a large-scale business isn’t ideal for a 10-year-old since the entire thing can take up lots of time, affecting important stuff like school and study time.

Conclusion

I hope this list of ideas for 10-year-olds has helped you at least a little to get an idea of how you can make money at this age.

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.