• Kids at Workgrandfather and grandson mowing grass image by Piter Pkruger from Fotolia.com
  
  Do your kids want to earn some extra money for a new video game? To go to the movies with their friends? Attend summer camp? Maybe you just want your children to take some responsibility and learn what it means to be responsible for a job, and in turn get paid for it. Whatever the motivation, there are plenty of easy jobs that kids can do -- and get paid!
  
  

Yardwork

• Get those kids outside! Too often children are sitting in front of the TV and not getting outside to get some exercise and run off some of that energy. What better motivator than a bit of money? Keep in mind that they are children, so choose only those jobs that they can do safely. Ideas might include mowing the yard, picking up branches, raking leaves, cleaning the pool, shoveling snow, and cleaning up after the pets.
  
  

Housework

• Indoor Choresboy painting image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
  
  While this would put the kids indoors for their chores, what better way to get them up and doing something on a rainy day? Some indoor tasks that maybe you (or your neighbors) would like some help with might include vacuuming, cleaning carpets, organizing/alphabetizing bookshelves and other shelves, polishing silverware, doing the dishes, washing the windows, painting a room, and dusting the house.
  
  

Day-to-Day Tasks

• Walking the Dogtwo girls image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
  
  Aside from outdoor- or indoor-specific chores, kids can help out with other daily tasks. As fast-paced as our lives tend to be, sometimes it's nice to have someone help with certain tasks that just have to be done. Some ideas might be walking the dogs, bathing pets, babysitting younger children, helping with dinner, or buying and delivering groceries.
  
  

Independent Kids

• Kids Selling Lemonadehomemade lemonade image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com
  
  Some kids want more independence in their money-making endeavors. While we know that they will still need help and support, there are certain ideas that they can use to employ themselves. Consider encouraging them to set up a lemonade stand or bake and sell cookies, brownies, and cakes. Kids might also enjoy a paper route or running a garage sale.