52 side jobs for stay-at-home parents to try

Parents sitting at the kitchen table, laptops open, working while their kids sit with themImage: Parents sitting at the kitchen table, laptops open, working while their kids sit with them

In a Nutshell

If you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to boost your income, you may want to look at flexible job ideas that help you earn money. These 52 side jobs for stay-at-home parents are a good place to get started.
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If you’re a stay-at-home mom or parent taking care of your kids full-time, you may find yourself looking for ways to increase your family’s income. Taking on a side job can be a good way to open up your budget and may help pay for goals like your next family vacation.  

Consider these 52 ideas for side jobs for stay-at-home parents to find a potential fit for you and your family’s routine.


  1. Create a YouTube channel
  2. Become a freelance writer
  3. Sell arts or crafts online
  4. Manage social media
  5. Test products
  6. Provide interior design services
  7. Walk dogs
  8. Offer gardening or landscape services
  9. Become a virtual assistant
  10. Meal prep for others
  11. Complete bookkeeping
  12. Be a music teacher
  13. Get your real estate license
  14. Participate in research studies
  15. Start a photography business
  16. Build websites
  17. Rent out a room
  18. Proofread professionally
  19. Recycle for cash
  20. Try thrift flipping
  21. Plan events
  22. Teach fitness classes
  23. Get a housekeeping job
  24. Tailor clothes
  25. Teach a language
  26. Design graphics
  27. Be a delivery driver
  28. Translate for others

1. Create a YouTube channel

If you enjoy social media, starting a YouTube channel may be a fun way to try and earn some extra cash. You may focus your channel on parenthood or on any of your talents or interests.

Find a niche that fits your passions and start posting regular content. After meeting the eligibility criteria for YouTube’s Partner Program, you can start making money from YouTube through ads, memberships and more. You could also try contacting brands to see if they are interested in a paid sponsorship.

Expected pay:

  • About $18 per 1,000 ad views

How to get started:

  • Sign up for a YouTube account
  • Consider purchasing some basic video gear (microphone and lighting)
  • Film, edit and upload a video

2. Become a freelance writer

If you are a strong writer, you may enjoy earning extra money by offering freelance writing services. Third-party sites like Upwork and Fiverr can connect you to companies or individuals looking for writing services. You also can reach out directly to companies to produce content. You may be able to write blog posts, ghostwrite books or craft press releases, all from the comfort of your home.

Expected pay:

  • Varies (may charge hourly, by the word or a flat project fee)

How to get started:

  • Sign up for an account with a freelance broker or set up an update a LinkedIn account
  • Adjust your profile (list skills and services)
  • Reach out to potential clients
  • Select an invoicing system for record-keeping

3. Sell arts or crafts online

If you love to craft or create art, try turning your hobby into a side job. Whether you crochet, make jewelry, or do ceramics or woodwork, you can post your handmade creations for sale online with sites like Etsy. When selling online, taking quality photos of your crafts may help their uniqueness shine.

Expected pay:

  • Varies
  • If selling on Etsy, your profit equals the sale price minus a 6.5% transaction fee and a $0.20 listing fee. Factor in shipping as well.

How to get started:

  • Think about which of your craft items have the most marketable potential.
  • Post your crafts for sale on a marketplace platform like Etsy, eBay or Facebook.

4. Manage social media

Managing social media accounts for individuals or companies is a side job you can do from home. With social media management platforms,  you can schedule posts to go live on your own time. Expertise can help you earn more, so try upskilling your social media skills to add value to your services and earn more.

Expected pay:

  • Varies, based on experience

How to get started:

  • Look for part-time social media jobs through LinkedIn
  • Freelance your skills on third-party sites or contact potential clients directly

5. Test products

You may be able to make extra money trying out new soaps, snacks or gadgets — either directly with a brand or through a market research firm.

Some companies pay people to test their products. You can also sign up through a market research firm.

Expected pay:

  • Varies by company

How to get started:

  • Sign up or apply for a program
  • Test the products and fill out a questionnaire or survey

6. Provide interior design services

If you have a passion for interior home design, you may be able to turn it into a successful side business as a stay-at-home parent.

Start by highlighting your own home with a portfolio online or though social media. You can take on small jobs as you build up your work examples. You also may want to consider reaching out to a more experienced interior design firm to see if they could use help for a short-term project.

Expected pay:

  • Varies based on size of job and experience

How to get started:

  • Compile a design portfolio of work you’ve completed at your own home
  • Create a website or social media page to advertise your services and portfolio
  • Offer design advice on smaller jobs for friends or neighbors

7. Walk dogs

If you’re a dog lover and a fan of getting your steps in, dog walking may be a natural fit into your routine as a side job. Try apps that connect with owners who need walkers. This side job is great for flexibility because you can set your own schedule.

Expected pay:

  • About $15 to $20 per hour

How to get started:

  • Create an account on an app or site
  • Set your schedule availability and rate
  • Start accepting requests

8. Offer gardening or landscape services

If you’re a gardener, you can try making some extra money by helping others with their yards and gardens. This side job can allow you to spend your free time outside, enjoy the fresh air and use your green thumb.

Expected pay:

  • Varies (hourly or by project)

How to get started:

  • Create a portfolio of your work and areas of expertise
  • Post your services in a local Facebook group or home services site

9. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants perform administrative work, including basic email marketing or setting appointments. This job can allow you to work remotely from any location to assist businesses or individuals. To start, it’s valuable to have some transferable office and organizational skills.

Expected pay:

  • About $20 per hour

How to get started:

  • Understand standard office skills
  • Working knowledge of technology
  • Good communication skills

10. Meal prep for others

Cooking at home is often more affordable than eating out. If you’re an expert meal prepper, consider doing it to help others and earn some extra money on the side.

Get paid to prepare nutritious meals for people who don’t have the time or the energy to do so. You can do all your prepping and cooking at home and drop off meals to your customers weekly or monthly.

Start by selling your go-to recipes and build a loyal customer base.

Expected pay:

  • About $20 to $100 for a custom meal plan (not including the price of food)

How to get started:

  • Test and perfect a menu of healthy and delicious meal options
  • Offer your service to people you know locally

11. Complete bookkeeping

If you have past experience in finance, you may be able to use it to make some additional income. Bookkeeping may be a good side job to explore since thanks to digital software, you can send invoices, balance accounts, track payroll and process payments from most places.

Expected pay:

  • About $20 per hour

How to get started:

  • Have a reliable laptop and internet connection
  • Research and reach out to potential clients

12. Be a music teacher

Share the gift of music by teaching others. If you have mastery in piano, guitar, voice or any other instruments, you can offer to teach students at different levels to sing or play an instrument.

Expected pay:

  • About $25 to $30 per hour

How to get started:

  • Put together some lesson plans for different levels
  • Promote your lessons online through social media, a freelance site or through word-of-mouth

13. Get your real estate license

Becoming a real estate agent is another side job option for stay-at-home parents. You can have flexibility in your schedule and set your own hours. Spend time studying for your state’s real estate exam and passing it to get your license to get started.

Expected pay:

  • Typically 2.5% to 3% commission per sale

How to get started:

  • Complete pre-licensing coursework
  • Pass real estate exam and obtain a license
  • Join a brokerage

14. Participate in research studies

Participating in research studies might be a flexible way to earn money in your spare time. If you have a local research university near you, you can try signing up to be a participant and earn money while contributing to academic research. Even if you don’t live near a research university, you can still get paid for helping with research. Some organizations compensate for participating in online focus groups or filling out questionnaires online.

Expected pay:

  • Varies by study

How to get started:

  • Sign up with a university or organization online
  • Participate in studies at your convenience

15. Start a photography business

Photography is another flexible side job option to consider. Offer to take portraits for families, weddings, engagements, new babies, graduations and other special occasions. Take pictures of your family and friends and build a portfolio to showcase your work to potential clients. Don’t forget to promote your work on social media and add skills to your resume to entice new clients.

Expected pay:

  • About $20 per hour

How to get started:

  • Invest in high-quality camera equipment
  • Create a portfolio and share on social media or create a website

16. Build websites

If you have experience in web development and design, freelance your services to people or businesses that need a website. This job can have lots of flexibility since most or all of it can be completed from home.

Expected pay:

  • Varies by project

How to get started:

  • Build your own website to share your services
  • Reach out to potential clients

17. Rent out a room

Exercise your hospitality skills and profit off extra space in your home by renting it out. Depending on your needs, you can rent out your space for long-term stays or as a vacation rental with a quicker turnaround. Popular sites like Airbnb and Vrbo allow you to list a room or an entire home to rent out to travelers.

Expected pay:

  • Airbnb hosts made an average of $924 per month in 2021, according to lending marketplace Earnest

How to get started:

  • Create an account on an online vacation rental marketplace
  • Prep your rental space for guests
  • Set up your rental listing (including good photos) and start booking guests

18. Proofread professionally

Make use of your impeccable grammar skills by freelancing as a proofreader or copy editor. Read through articles, books or manuscripts and get paid to catch errors, make corrections and suggestions.

Expected pay:

  • About $20 to $30 per hour

How to get started:

  • Brush up on grammar rules and copy editing style guidelines
  • Make a listing on a freelancing site

19. Recycle for cash

If your family goes through many plastic bottles or aluminum cans, it may be worth turning in your recyclables for cash. Recyclables come in all shapes and sizes. In addition to empty bottles and cans, you can also save your used electronics to trade in for money.

Expected pay:

  • Varies based on where you live and the material

How to get started:

  • Gather your recyclables
  • Locate a recycling facility or company that buys recyclables

20. Try thrift flipping

Thrift flipping is when you purchase something, typically from a thrift store, and sell it for more than you paid initially. It usually involves improving the item, like repainting old furniture or repurposing a dress into a skirt. But these improvements can also include simply cleaning the item up and styling it in a desirable way. Try selling your thrift flips on a consignment or marketplace app.

Expected pay:

  • Varies by item

How to get started:

  • Make an account on a peer-to-peer social selling app
  • Visit thrift stores to purchase potential flips
  • Gather materials, set up your own closet or boutique and list your flips

21. Plan events

If you enjoy planning celebrations like birthday parties and holiday soirees, you can transfer those skills into helping others plan events. Think about if there’s a niche you prefer and how often you’d like to plan parties. Offering a menu of common options can make things easier on you as well.

Expected pay:

  • Varies by event

How to get started:

  • Plan an event for friends or family to build your portfolio
  • Ask friends and family for referrals
  • Advertise services online through social media

22. Teach fitness classes

Fitness-minded parents may enjoy helping others develop their bodies and minds by becoming certified fitness instructors. Whether you’re leading a yoga class or high-intensity conditioning course, this side job can offer plenty of flexibility.

Expected pay:

  • About $22 average median

How to get started:

  • Pick your favorite fitness area to teach
  • Complete a registered teacher training course
  • Reach out to local gyms that may need instructors

23. Get a housekeeping job

Offer cleaning and housekeeping services to others to make some extra cash. You decide how many customers you take on and can make your own schedule. While this side job may not require a lot of experience, it does involve some elbow grease.

Expected pay:

  • Varies based on square footage of home or size of job

How to get started:

  • Gather reliable cleaning supplies
  • Promote your services online or by word-of-mouth

24. Tailor clothes

If you’re skilled with a needle and thread, try using those skills by working as a tailor or sewer. This may include hemming pants, taking in shirts, mending ripped clothes and altering dresses. You could try a part-time job through a clothing store or just freelance from home.

Expected pay:

  • About $18 per hour

How to get started:

  • Hone your sewing skills
  • Advertise online and get customers to review your services

25. Teach a language

If you know multiple languages, you may enjoy earning money by teaching others a new language. Explore teaching English as a second language (ESL) or offer lessons in other languages.

Expected pay:

  • About $25 to $30 per hour

How to get started:

  • List your lessons on a tutoring site
  • Apply to work part-time with a school or program

26. Design graphics

Freelancing your graphic design skills may be another way to make extra money. Work on designing creative graphics for websites, prints or products. You can also try selling your designs online or through local businesses.

Expected pay:

  • About $31 per hour

How to get started:

  • Polish your skills on an editing site like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop
  • List your services on a freelance site

27. Be a delivery driver

Driving for delivery services is another side job option. It’s a flexible, so whether you’re delivering groceries or takeout food, you can get paid to help others with errands.

Expected pay:

  • Varies by company

How to get started:

  • Sign up to drive for a delivery service
  • Start accepting orders

28. Translate for others

If you speak another language, try translating as a side job. You can post your services for sale on third-party websites. Jobs may be online — like translating a blog article — or in person — like translating at a corporate conference. You also may be able to find local organizations in need of translators.

Expected pay:

  • About $20 to $30 per hour

How to get started:

  • Freelance your translation skills online
  • Offer your skills to local organizations in need of translators

More side job ideas for stay-at-home parents

Check out these additional ideas to add to your income below.

  • Decorate homes for the holidays
  • Sell flower arrangements
  • Transcribe videos or audio
  • Tutor children or adults
  • Be a videographer
  • Offer babysitting
  • Organize professionally
  • Be a personal trainer
  • Do makeup for events
  • Sell baked goods
  • Make custom soaps
  • Become a podcaster
  • Cut and style hair
  • Sell other people’s clothes on online marketplaces
  • Stage homes for sale
  • Do voice-over work
  • Drive for a ride-share service
  • Perform music at local venues
  • Paint home or pet portraits  
  • Work as a massage therapist
  • Freelance with an errand service  
  • Wash or detail cars
  • Data entry
  • Start a blog

What’s next: Save up for professional courses or certifications

While some side jobs for stay-at-home parents may not require additional experience, others might. If you want to save up for a coding class, tuition for cosmetology school, a yoga instructor program or something else, it’s wise to establish a dedicated savings account.

Credit Karma Money™ Save account offers a high-yield savings account with a rate that’s above the national average.

You also may find that you can upskill your experience with free online courses or resources.