Being a parent to a toddler is one of the busiest, most demanding phases of life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn some extra money while staying home.
Side hustles are a great way to supplement your family income without sacrificing valuable time with your little one. In fact, with the right strategy, you can build a flexible side hustle around your child’s schedule, turning nap time into productive work time!
Here’s a list of actionable, attainable side hustle ideas for parents with toddlers that can help you move the needle financially.
Criteria for a Great Side Hustle for parents
When you’re a busy parent, not all side hustles are created equal. Here are the key factors to look for:
- You need something that can be done around your toddler’s unpredictable schedule.
- You’re not looking to spend a ton of money to get started.
- It should have room to grow with you, as your toddler becomes more independent.
Let’s dive into some specific side hustle ideas that fit the bill:
1. Freelance Writing or Virtual Assistance
Do you have a knack for writing or organizing? Freelance writing and virtual assistant gigs can be a great fit for parents. As a freelance writer, you can take on small projects like blog posts, product descriptions, or even social media captions for businesses. The beauty is, these tasks can often be done in short bursts – perfect for squeezing in between naps or during bedtime.
Similarly, virtual assistants help small businesses manage tasks like email management, social media, or scheduling appointments. You can start with platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find clients. The flexibility is incredible.
- Key takeaway: These roles require minimal startup costs and offer lots of flexibility.
- Pro Tip: Specialize in a niche (like working for mom bloggers or small business owners) to stand out in the crowded freelance space.
2. Selling Printables on Etsy
Parents love activities that engage their kids, and selling printables on Etsy can be a fantastic side hustle. These could be educational worksheets, toddler activity guides, planners, or coloring pages. You design them once, and then they can be downloaded repeatedly – meaning passive income!
You don’t need to be a graphic designer to start either. Tools like Canva make it simple to create printables with no prior design experience. All you need is some creativity and an eye for what parents or teachers might be searching for.
- Key takeaway: Minimal startup costs, and it can scale into a full-time passive income source.
- Pro Tip: Start with a niche, like toddler activity sheets, then expand into other areas as you grow.
- I’ve put together a comprehensive list of over 100 ideas of printables you can create and sell.
3. Childcare or Babysitting for Other Parents
If you’re already at home with your toddler, why not help other parents by offering in-home childcare?
Babysitting for friends or neighbors allows you to earn some extra cash while keeping your child entertained with new playmates. Plus, it’s an opportunity to socialize your toddler.
This option is particularly great for parents with a larger home or yard where kids can play safely. You could start small, maybe just watching one other child, and scale up based on demand.
- Key takeaway: You’re already watching a toddler, so why not turn that into a paid gig?
- Pro Tip: Set clear boundaries on hours and playtimes to avoid burnout.
4. Reselling on Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace
Selling gently used clothing, toys, or household items is an easy way to declutter and make money.
Platforms like Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or even eBay make it easy to sell online. If you enjoy thrifting or have a good eye for fashion, this can also turn into a more lucrative side hustle by sourcing items specifically for resale.
It’s a flexible hustle – you can take photos, post listings, and manage your shop during nap times or after your toddler goes to bed. Plus, it’s an easy business to scale by increasing your stock of items as you grow more confident.
- Key takeaway: No upfront costs if you start by selling things you already have.
- Pro Tip: Children’s clothing and toys are often in high demand and can sell quickly.
5. Blogging About Parenting or Toddler Life
Starting a parenting blog can be a fun, creative outlet and a lucrative side hustle with some time and effort.
Write about your daily life, share tips on parenting, or even review toddler products you use. You can also create toddler activities or messy play recipes, and offer printables to go along with these posts. As your blog grows, you can monetize it through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.
A blog also opens up opportunities to connect with other moms and create a community around your content. It’s a slower route to income but can be incredibly rewarding in the long run.
- Key takeaway: Long-term passive income potential with lots of room for growth.
- Pro Tip: Focus on solving problems for other parents – like sleep training or meal planning – and use SEO to rank well on search engines.
6. Creating a YouTube Channel
If you’re not camera-shy, starting a YouTube channel focused on parenting, toddler life, or family vlogs could be a great fit. You can share your daily routines, product reviews, or parenting tips. It’s also a fantastic way to involve your toddler if they enjoy being on camera.
With YouTube’s monetization through ads and sponsorships, you can generate revenue while building an audience. Plus, video content is in huge demand right now!
- Key takeaway: Great for parents who enjoy sharing their daily lives and can film around their toddler’s schedule.
- Pro Tip: Consistency is key – try uploading once a week, even if it’s just short videos.
7. Virtual Tutoring or Teaching English Online
If you have a teaching background or a strong grasp of subjects like math or science, virtual tutoring can be a great side hustle.
Companies like VIPKid or Cambly allow you to teach English online to children from other countries. The best part? The hours are often early mornings or late evenings, which can work well with your toddler’s schedule.
Virtual tutoring is also rewarding – you get to help kids learn while making money from home.
- Key takeaway: Flexible hours and consistent work, especially if you enjoy teaching.
- Pro Tip: Start by tutoring a subject you’re passionate about to make it more enjoyable.
Bonus Tips: Managing Time and Toddlers
- Work in short bursts: Utilize nap times, early mornings, or late evenings to tackle tasks.
- Involve your toddler: If possible, bring your little one into activities – especially for things like YouTube or product creation.
- Set realistic goals: It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so break things down into small, manageable steps.
Side hustles are an amazing way for parents with toddlers to earn extra income without missing out on precious family time.
Whether you’re freelancing, blogging, or reselling online, there’s a side hustle out there that fits your lifestyle and financial goals.
What are you waiting for? Start small, be consistent, and watch your side hustle grow into something much bigger! Share your own favorite side hustle ideas or success stories in our Facebook group here.
