With the school summer break looming, many parents are desperate for ideas to keep their children entertained without breaking the bank.
So why not encourage them to use their talents so they can make some money on their own?
Many mothers and fathers cut their pocket money during the pandemic. But some kids have used lockdown to start profitable businesses. Here, AMELIA MURRAY talks to the kid preneurs who cash in …
Animation adds up for Ryan at 13
Ryan Mottershead, 13, was given £ 200 to create an animation for fashion brand Tokiyano’s website that featured a rocket launch and aliens and it lasted nine hours
Ryan Mottershead, 13, turned an animation hobby into a money maker. He regularly posts his projects on Instagram to attract potential clients.
In May, he was awarded £ 200 to create an animation for fashion brand Tokiyano’s website that featured a rocket launch and aliens.
He has designed logos for the AceTute tutoring company, The International Spider-Man merchandise website, and Theseus Aspire educational counseling service.
And he has secured two sponsorship deals with software companies that offer him free products, discounts and commission for animation.
Fans of the teen’s work can pay £ 6 a month to view his projects through his Patreon account.
Ryan, from Irvine, North Ayrshire, who loves Star Wars and Marvel, says, “I really hope the business grows so I can do this full-time when I grow up.”
Dad Jon, 48, adds: “We don’t want him to be stressed too much, and he enjoys doing the projects he accepts anyway. He’s really good at what he does. ‘
Hattie, 14, had a grand design around £ 250. close
Solid Profit: Hattie Edkins made £ 350 selling painted stones on the Etsy online marketplace
Hattie Edkins, 14, borrowed £ 100 from her parents last September to start a business selling painted stones on the Etsy online marketplace.
In a matter of months she had not only repaid it, but made a profit of £ 250.
Hattie was inspired after finding lots of pebbles on her family’s farm where she lives near Halifax, West Yorkshire.
She thought people might want to buy them if she decorated them with pictures of animals, fruits, and vegetables around the yard.
Her mother, Gemma, 45, a business coach, suggested that she learn how to run a business on her own.
She showed her how to register her company as a limited company with Companies House. Since Hattie is under 18, Gemma is a director.
Hattie has sold more than 50 painted stones. The prices are between 4.95 and 11.95 euros plus 3 euros shipping costs. She juggles the business with school, acting classes and feeding the animals.
She says, “I enjoy every part of the business for a variety of reasons – even keeping records because I like to be organized.
“The money I make will hopefully go into driving lessons.”
Car wash king Fraser, 9, cleans at £ 240
Asked: Nine year old Fraser Robertson made £ 240 cleaning cars and even has his own website for bookings
For his first car wash job last summer, nine-year-old Fraser Robertson pocketed two bags of Percy Pigs candy.
But when a neighbor saw what a good job he had done, he offered Fraser £ 20 to clean his car as well. The news soon spread and Fraser grossed £ 240 on the lockdown. The cleaning of each car takes about half an hour and includes a power wash, sponge cleaning, polish and an indoor vacuum cleaner.
And even though he’s only nine, he knows his own opinion. When a customer brought two cars to the Robertsons house in West Yorkshire and asked if Fraser would do both for £ 30, he says, “I told him there are two cars for £ 40 and one car for £ 20!”
He has set up a website where customers can book.
Dad Adrian, 44, takes care of the money he earns and uses the gohenry pocket money app to transfer cash to Fraser’s prepaid card account.
Adrian says, “Fraser is quite entrepreneurial and now looks around the house for things to sell online. He wants a new £ 700 Samsung phone that he’ll have to save for.
Louise Hill, co-founder of Gohenry, says: “Children made the most of the lockdown to earn extra pocket money.”
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