A child can put money in a Roth IRA only if they earned it by working. Answer a few questions and get job ideas that fit, with fair pay ranges and the records to keep. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Ideas for your 10-year-old
19 ideas, best matches first
Top matchAges 8+
Yard care at home
Rake, weed, edge and bag yard waste at your own home.
$10–15 an hour
Counts with careJob at home
How to set it upWrite the task and rate in the family job agreement, and log each job and payment the same day.
Sample work log lineSat Oct 3 · Raked and bagged front yard · 2 hrs × $12 = $24
Records to keep
The signed family job agreement: each task and its fair rate
A dated work log line for every job
Each payment written in the log with the date and amount (cash is fine)
Check IRS Publication 926 for whether a W-2 is needed
Top matchAges 10+
Shoveling your driveway
Clear your own driveway and walks after storms.
$15–30 a storm
Counts with careJob at home
How to set it upWrite the task and rate in the family job agreement, and log each job and payment the same day.
Sample work log lineTue Jan 12 · Shoveled driveway and front walk · 1 storm = $20
Records to keep
The signed family job agreement: each task and its fair rate
A dated work log line for every job
Each payment written in the log with the date and amount (cash is fine)
Check IRS Publication 926 for whether a W-2 is needed
Top matchAges 9+
Washing and detailing the family car
Wash, vacuum and wipe down the inside, like a detailing shop would.
$15–25 a car
Counts with careJob at home
How to set it upWrite the task and rate in the family job agreement, and log each job and payment the same day.
Sample work log lineSat Apr 18 · Washed and vacuumed the minivan · 1 car = $20
Records to keep
The signed family job agreement: each task and its fair rate
A dated work log line for every job
Each payment written in the log with the date and amount (cash is fine)
Check IRS Publication 926 for whether a W-2 is needed
Ages 10+
Garage or storage clean-out
Sort, haul, donate and label a garage, attic or storage room.
$10–15 an hour
Counts with careJob at home
How to set it upWrite the task and rate in the family job agreement, and log each job and payment the same day.
Sample work log lineSat Mar 14 · Sorted garage shelves, 3 donation boxes · 3 hrs × $12 = $36
Records to keep
The signed family job agreement: each task and its fair rate
A dated work log line for every job
Each payment written in the log with the date and amount (cash is fine)
Check IRS Publication 926 for whether a W-2 is needed
Ages 10+
Scanning and filing household papers
Scan receipts, manuals and records, name the files and sort them into folders.
$10–14 an hour
Counts with careJob at home
How to set it upWrite the task and rate in the family job agreement, and log each job and payment the same day.
Sample work log lineWed Aug 5 · Scanned and filed 2024 receipts · 2 hrs × $11 = $22
Records to keep
The signed family job agreement: each task and its fair rate
A dated work log line for every job
Each payment written in the log with the date and amount (cash is fine)
Check IRS Publication 926 for whether a W-2 is needed
Ages 8+
Pet sitting and dog walking
Feed, walk and play with neighbors’ pets, especially while they travel.
$10–20 a visit
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerStart with the neighbor whose dog your kid already knows. Offer one free trial walk.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 8+
House and plant checks
Water plants, bring in mail and packages while a neighbor is away.
$8–15 a visit
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerAsk neighbors a few weeks before summer and holiday travel, when they’re making plans.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 7+
Helper for grandparents
Yard work, errands, tech setup or clearing out a closet for grandparents or older relatives.
$8–15 an hour
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
It has to be real work at a fair rate. Money given as a gift doesn’t count.
How to get the first customerAgree on a list of paid jobs and a rate up front, like a summer yard-work deal. Log it like any other job.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 9+
Parent’s helper
Play with younger kids while their parent works from home.
$8–12 an hour
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerAsk parents of toddlers you know, especially ones who work from home.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 8+
Yard help
Rake leaves, pull weeds, sweep patios and bag yard waste.
$10–15 an hour
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerKnock on doors in early spring and fall, when yards need the most help.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 10+
Snow shoveling
Clear driveways and walks after storms. Great seasonal money.
$15–40 a driveway
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerLine up three driveways before the first storm so they’re not scrambling.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 8+
Trash can service
Roll neighbors’ bins to the curb and back each week.
$5–10 a week per house
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerOffer it to older neighbors and anyone who travels for work.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 9+
Car washing
Wash and vacuum cars in the driveway.
$10–20 a car
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerPick a Saturday, set a price and have a parent post it in a neighborhood group.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 10+
Running a yard sale for someone
Price, set up and staff a yard sale for a neighbor or relative, for a flat fee or a cut of sales.
$30–60 a sale
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerOffer it to anyone moving or downsizing, especially in spring.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 10+
Digitizing family photos
Scan old prints and slides, name the files and sort them into folders.
$10–15 an hour
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerStart with a box of grandparents’ photos, then offer the same to their friends.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 10+
Garage and closet organizing
Sort, label and tidy for neighbors who want help decluttering.
$10–15 an hour
Counts as earned incomeSelf-employed
How to get the first customerBefore-and-after photos of their own room make a great pitch.
Records to keep
A log of each job: date, task, hours, amount, who paid
Proof of payment (check photo, Venmo or Zelle screenshot)
If yearly profit reaches $400, the child may need to file a tax return
Ages 6+
Make and sell crafts
Bracelets, art prints, cards or ornaments sold at fairs, school events or a parent-run online shop.
Profit varies
Counts as earned incomeSelling things
How to get the first customerBring a tray to a school fair or craft market. A parent can list items online.
Records to keep
A log of sales and what supplies cost
Only the profit counts as earned income
Check local permit rules if selling food
Ages 6+
Baked goods or lemonade stand
Sell treats at a stand, a block party or to neighbors on order.
Profit varies
Counts as earned incomeSelling things
Many towns have permit rules for selling food; check yours.
How to get the first customerSet up during a yard sale or block party, when people are already outside.
Records to keep
A log of sales and what supplies cost
Only the profit counts as earned income
Check local permit rules if selling food
Ages 8+
Garden produce and seedlings
Grow herbs, veggies or seedlings and sell them to neighbors.
Profit varies
Counts as earned incomeSelling things
How to get the first customerStart seedlings in March and sell them just before planting season.
Records to keep
A log of sales and what supplies cost
Only the profit counts as earned income
Check local permit rules if selling food
For education only, not tax, legal, or investment advice. Pay ranges are rough and vary by area. Rules shown are as of 2026; the IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500 or the child’s earned income, whichever is less. Check your state’s child labor rules. For tax questions, each guide links the IRS, including its free Interactive Tax Assistant and VITA help.
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