Side Quest HQ field guide

25 Business Ideas Teens Can Start for Under $100

Choose a simple offer, test it with people you know, and use parent-approved guardrails. The $5K goal is a challenge, not a guaranteed income result.

  1. 01

    Neighborhood dog walking

    Startup: $0–$25

    Walk a dog on a set route, refresh water, and send a quick update after each visit.

    Who might hire them
    Busy neighbors, families with new puppies, and people working long shifts.
    Simple first step
    Ask three families you already know if a short weekly walk would help.
    Safety note
    A parent should approve routes, dogs, schedules, and every client relationship.
  2. 02

    Pet-sitting drop-ins

    Startup: $0–$20

    Feed pets, refresh water, play with them, and follow a simple care checklist while owners travel.

    Who might hire them
    Families taking weekend trips or vacations.
    Simple first step
    Create a one-page pet-care checklist and offer a trial visit for a familiar family.
    Safety note
    Use parent-approved homes, never handle unknown animals alone, and keep emergency contacts handy.
  3. 03

    Yard cleanup

    Startup: $10–$45

    Rake leaves, pull weeds, sweep patios, gather branches, and bag light yard waste.

    Who might hire them
    Neighbors who need seasonal help or a tidy yard before guests arrive.
    Simple first step
    Choose one simple task and make a before-and-after checklist.
    Safety note
    A parent should approve equipment; skip ladders, power tools, and unsafe weather.
  4. 04

    Car interior refresh

    Startup: $20–$65

    Vacuum mats, wipe approved surfaces, clean windows, and organize loose items with the owner’s permission.

    Who might hire them
    Busy parents, commuters, and families preparing for a trip.
    Simple first step
    Practice on a family car and take clear before-and-after photos.
    Safety note
    Work in a visible driveway with adult-approved products; never drive a client’s car.
  5. 05

    Trash-bin cleaning

    Startup: $20–$70

    Rinse and deodorize outdoor bins using a brush, hose, and customer-approved cleaner.

    Who might hire them
    Households that want cleaner bins after pickup day.
    Simple first step
    Test your process on your household bins and time the work.
    Safety note
    Wear gloves and eye protection; a parent should approve chemicals and water access.
  6. 06

    Babysitting helper

    Startup: $0–$20

    Play games, read, prepare simple snacks, and help keep younger kids engaged while a parent is nearby.

    Who might hire them
    Friends, relatives, and neighbors who need an extra pair of hands.
    Simple first step
    Offer a two-hour mother’s-helper session to a trusted family.
    Safety note
    Use parent-approved families and settings; teens should not take on responsibilities beyond their training.
  7. 07

    Mother’s helper

    Startup: $0–$15

    Entertain children, fold simple laundry, reset play areas, or prep activity supplies while a parent is home.

    Who might hire them
    Parents working from home or caring for multiple children.
    Simple first step
    List three age-appropriate tasks you can reliably do.
    Safety note
    The hiring parent stays present; clarify boundaries and emergency information first.
  8. 08

    Basic mending and alterations

    Startup: $15–$60

    Sew buttons, hem simple items, repair small tears, or organize a clothing repair pile.

    Who might hire them
    Families with uniforms, school clothes, or minor repairs waiting to be done.
    Simple first step
    Complete three practice repairs on your own clothes and photograph the results.
    Safety note
    Use needles and irons only with household guidance; avoid formalwear or expensive items until skilled.
  9. 09

    Closet reset

    Startup: $0–$30

    Sort clothing by category, make donation piles, fold items, and create a simple keep/store plan.

    Who might hire them
    Busy families, students, and adults preparing for a move or new season.
    Simple first step
    Organize one family closet and write down the steps you followed.
    Safety note
    Only work in client-approved areas and protect privacy around personal items.
  10. 10

    Garage organization helper

    Startup: $10–$40

    Group supplies, label bins, sweep floors, and make donation or recycling piles with the owner.

    Who might hire them
    Families who want to find gear, tools, or seasonal items more easily.
    Simple first step
    Offer a two-hour reset focused on one wall or zone.
    Safety note
    An adult should handle heavy lifting, chemicals, tools, and anything sharp or hazardous.
  11. 11

    Pressure-washing assistant

    Startup: $0–$25

    Help an adult set up, move furniture, rinse surfaces, and manage before-and-after photos for approved jobs.

    Who might hire them
    Homeowners getting patios, driveways, or outdoor furniture ready.
    Simple first step
    Work alongside a trained adult on one family project first.
    Safety note
    A responsible adult must operate equipment and supervise water, electrical, and surface risks.
  12. 12

    Window cleaning

    Startup: $15–$45

    Clean reachable exterior or interior windows, screens, and glass doors with simple supplies.

    Who might hire them
    Neighbors wanting brighter windows before events or seasonal changes.
    Simple first step
    Create a price for a small set of ground-level windows.
    Safety note
    Ground-level only unless a parent approves otherwise; never use ladders alone.
  13. 13

    Plant watering and garden checks

    Startup: $0–$20

    Water indoor plants, check garden beds, bring in mail, and send visit updates while clients travel.

    Who might hire them
    Neighbors away for weekends, vacations, or work travel.
    Simple first step
    Make a plant-care log with dates, photos, and watering notes.
    Safety note
    Use parent-approved homes and avoid entering alone if that is not appropriate for your family.
  14. 14

    Vacation home check-ins

    Startup: $0–$15

    Do a simple walk-through, check lights and doors, bring in packages, and report anything unusual.

    Who might hire them
    Trusted neighbors away for a few days.
    Simple first step
    Offer a checklist-based visit to one family your parents know well.
    Safety note
    Parents should coordinate access, schedules, and what to do in an emergency.
  15. 15

    Social media support for local businesses

    Startup: $0–$30

    Turn a business owner’s notes or photos into a small batch of posts and a basic content calendar.

    Who might hire them
    Local shops, coaches, service providers, and community groups.
    Simple first step
    Create three sample posts for a business you know, without publishing them.
    Safety note
    A parent should review client expectations; the owner keeps account control and approves every post.
  16. 16

    Event photography helper

    Startup: $0–$75

    Capture candid photos, detail shots, and simple portraits, then organize files for a family or local event.

    Who might hire them
    Families, school teams, community groups, and small events.
    Simple first step
    Build a ten-photo sample gallery at a family gathering with permission.
    Safety note
    Use parent-approved events and get consent before photographing or sharing images of people.
  17. 17

    Short-form video editing

    Startup: $0–$25

    Trim clips, add captions, organize footage, and create simple vertical videos from client-supplied content.

    Who might hire them
    Local businesses, coaches, creators, and school organizations.
    Simple first step
    Edit two practice clips into a 20-second sample reel.
    Safety note
    Use client-approved media and keep files private; a parent can review any paid agreement.
  18. 18

    Tutoring and study help

    Startup: $0–$20

    Help younger students practice a subject, prepare flashcards, organize homework, or build a study routine.

    Who might hire them
    Families with younger students needing consistent support.
    Simple first step
    Choose one subject you can explain clearly and create a 30-minute session outline.
    Safety note
    Meet in parent-approved public or supervised spaces; never present yourself as a licensed teacher.
  19. 19

    Tech help for seniors

    Startup: $0–$15

    Teach phone basics, organize photos, set up video calls, or explain how to use common apps.

    Who might hire them
    Older adults who want patient, one-on-one help.
    Simple first step
    Write a simple lesson plan for one task, such as sending photos.
    Safety note
    Clients keep control of passwords, payments, and accounts; a parent should approve every visit.
  20. 20

    Holiday decorating helper

    Startup: $0–$30

    Set out decorations, organize bins, hang approved lights at ground level, and pack items away neatly.

    Who might hire them
    Families who want help before or after holidays.
    Simple first step
    Offer a two-hour decorating or takedown session to a trusted neighbor.
    Safety note
    Avoid roofs, ladders, and electrical work; adults handle anything high or heavy.
  21. 21

    Gift wrapping service

    Startup: $15–$55

    Wrap gifts, make tags, bundle items, and prepare a neat pickup package during busy seasons.

    Who might hire them
    Busy parents, teachers, and local shoppers.
    Simple first step
    Make five sample wrapping styles and set a per-gift or bundle price.
    Safety note
    Keep client gifts and addresses private; use a parent-approved pickup plan.
  22. 22

    Party setup and cleanup

    Startup: $0–$25

    Set tables, arrange decorations, organize games, restock supplies, and help reset the space afterward.

    Who might hire them
    Families hosting birthdays, showers, team parties, or neighborhood events.
    Simple first step
    Create a two-hour helper checklist with setup and cleanup tasks.
    Safety note
    Work with an adult host and avoid alcohol service, heavy lifting, or late-night shifts.
  23. 23

    Youth sports practice assistant

    Startup: $0–$25

    Help a coach or parent run drills, set out equipment, track simple stats, or encourage younger players.

    Who might hire them
    Youth coaches, camps, and families with younger athletes.
    Simple first step
    Offer to assist a familiar coach at one supervised practice.
    Safety note
    Stay under adult direction and work within your actual skills and any league rules.
  24. 24

    Custom snack or craft orders

    Startup: $20–$85

    Make approved gift tags, bracelets, stickers, or packaged treats for preordered events and small gifts.

    Who might hire them
    Friends, families, school groups, and local event hosts.
    Simple first step
    Choose one item, calculate materials, and make a small sample batch before taking orders.
    Safety note
    Parents should check local food, school, and marketplace rules before accepting orders.
  25. 25

    Neighborhood recycling helper

    Startup: $0–$20

    Sort approved recyclables, break down boxes, and bring bins to the curb or back after collection.

    Who might hire them
    Busy households, older neighbors, and families traveling on collection day.
    Simple first step
    Offer a weekly reminder-and-bin service to one nearby household.
    Safety note
    Use gloves and avoid sharp, dirty, or hazardous materials; parents should approve the route.

What comes next

An idea is the starting line.

When your teen is ready for a structured 12-week path, the $5K Teen Business Challenge helps them choose an idea, make an offer, find potential customers, deliver work, and track what they learn.

See the next step