School is almost out here in Indiana and with the end of school comes more free time for teens. When my daughters were younger, I remember the mixed feelings about summer jobs.  They wanted money, but didn't want to miss out on fun times with friends.  Not all summer jobs are boring.  Check out these summer jobs teens love!

When it comes to summer jobs for teens, some creativity and out-of-the-box thinking can go a long way. This is especially true this year since the job market isn't what it once was. With a little extra brain power, you may be able to carve out an employment niche for yourself. Here are some ideas for creative summer jobs for teens.

Summer Jobs Teens Love

1. Deliveries

Do you have a bike? You may find summer work making deliveries for local businesses. As businesses seek to keep costs down, a teen on a bicycle is a more affordable option than a delivery company. It also helps businesses avoid sending one of their own employees out of the office to make deliveries.

2. Pet Sitting

During the summer, a lot of pet owners are looking for an affordable way to have their pets cared for while they're out of town. Boarding pets can be expensive, and some pet owners opt out of conventional vaccination schedules, making boarding impossible (boarding kennels generally require updated vaccinations). So you could potentially make money while helping other people save money – that's a win-win! The more experience and references you have, the better; if you have horse-keeping experience, for instance, that can help expand your employment opportunities.

3. Look No Further Than Yourself

If you can't work at a traditional company this summer, go into business for yourself instead. There are so many possibilities! Here are some thoughts for your own creative business this summer:

• Website designer
• Lawn and garden care
• Mother's helper (you babysit in the children's home with their mother or a parent present)
• Visiting shut-ins or those in nursing homes (family members would hire you to visit with their elderly relatives; no professional healthcare involved – just visiting and cheering them up)
• House cleaning
• Car washing
• Portrait drawing

If you have a skill, you can use it to make money. Are you artistic? Consider painting murals. Do you have computer skills? Many adults are willing to pay someone to have them help with computer tasks. If you can make money doing something you love, it won't feel like work!

4. Farming

Okay, you probably don't have a farm although if you do, this could be a real money maker for you!). If you can find a piece of land, you can grow your own produce and sell it at your local farmers' market. If you don't have the land at your own home, some people who do have farms are willing to rent you a piece of land or let you farm a piece for a fee. You can also get a job helping farmers with their farming. When I was in junior high, a lot of my friends detassled corn. (I don't even know exactly what that means, but I know they made good money doing it.)

Get creative! Think about what you're good at and see if you can get someone to pay you for doing it. Find a way to make your skills useful to others. If you can make money doing what you love, it won't feel so much like a job! 🙂