30+ Side Hustles for Stay-At-Home Parents To Make Money (2026)

As the cost of living and child care expenses soar, many families seek side hustles for stay at home parents. For a lot of Americans, the cost of working outside the home (bills for day care or before and after school care, commuting, etc.), isn’t worth it. Compared to their earnings, several parents recognize they provide a greater value by staying home. 

Still, whether it’s to help out with bills, reduce debts, or build an emergency or vacation fund, many want flexible work options with earning potential.

Luckily, today’s work options give stay-at-home parents real income opportunities. In the US, one survey found side hustlers earn on average about $1,215 per month, with a median closer to $400.

Use skills from your previous jobs on a more flexible schedule, or try simpler ways to earn extra cash that fit around school pick-ups and nap times. Here are 32 side-hustle ideas to balance with parenting.

Ready to start your business or test a potential new career? Create your website today or learn more about Shopify’s tools for earning money online and in person.

Best side hustles for stay-at-home parents

Here’s a roundup of 32 flexible side hustles and the best work from home jobs for parents. 

Care and service-based side hustles

1. Child care
2. Pet sitting
3. Fitness coaching
4. Online tutoring
5. Photography
6. Homeschool pod coordinator

1. Child care

Child care can be an ideal side business for stay-at-home parents. You’ll care for other children while being there for your own, using your parenting experience to help other families.

Pros: 

• Your kids get built-in playdates and social interaction 
• You can work from home in a familiar environment
• You’ll use skills you already have as a parent

Cons: 

• Managing multiple children requires extra energy and attention
• Your home becomes a workplace
• Some states require licensing for informal home child care

Earning potential: Sittercity quotes the average hourly rate for sitters at $21.50, though rates vary by location and local market prices.

How to get started: Chat with other parents in your neighborhood and see if they need daytime child care. Draft a day care business plan to organize the types of services you’re willing to offer and your policies.

Expect some upfront costs for safety and compliance, like outlet covers, stair gates, and extra toys or books (around $50 to $200 to get started). A CPR/first-aid certification course usually costs around $60 to $120 (check your local YMCA or library), and if your state requires a home day care license, the application and inspection fees can range from $50 to $300 depending on where you live. You may also need to update immunizations and secure a background check.

2. Pet sitting

If you want to earn money caring for others without watching more children, consider dog walking or pet sitting. Pet care can be as flexible or as involved as you want. That could be short 20- to 30-minute walks during the day or multiday overnight stays, depending on what you offer and how many clients you accept.

Pros: 

• Work around your family’s schedule
• Spend time outdoors with your kids while walking dogs
• Choose which services to offer based on your preferences

Cons: 

• Some pets need special care or have dietary restrictions
• You may need to travel to clients’ homes
• High-energy pets require more attention and time

Earning potential: Pet sitters typically charge $25 for a 30-minute visit. Overnight pet sitting in your home can earn even more. Most boarding facilities add on charges for extra care, like dispensing medication.

How to get started: Create profiles on Rover, Care.com, or Wag, or advertise your services on Nextdoor.

3. Fitness coaching 

If you’re passionate about fitness, coaching could be your ideal side business.

Pros: 

• Set flexible hours for in-person or virtual training
• Stay active while earning money
• Build connections in your community

Cons: 

• May need to travel to gyms or training locations
• Child care costs could affect your earning potential
• Initial certification required

Earning potential: Fitness coaches earn between $40 and $100 per hour, with $60 as the national average. Your location and specialty will affect your rates.

How to get started: Get certified in your chosen fitness specialty, then contact local gyms about personal training opportunities.

4. Online tutoring 

Share your expertise—whether it’s speaking multiple languages, knitting, or writing résumés—by teaching others online with a tutoring business.

Pros: 

• Reach students worldwide from home
• Set your own schedule
• Choose subjects you’re passionate about

Cons: 

• Keeping students engaged virtually takes extra effort
• Competition from established tutoring platforms
• Finding consistent student bookings

Earning potential: Tutors typically earn $18 to $30 per hour through online tutoring platforms. Set your own rates when working independently.

How to get started: Connect with students live through networks like Wyzant and Preplay.

5. Photography 

Turn your eye for capturing family moments into a photography services business. Many parents who’ve mastered photographing their own kids find success in child, family, and lifestyle photography.

Pros: 

• Schedule shoots around family commitments
• Work from home or on location
• Build a creative portfolio

Cons: 

• Photo editing takes significant time
• Equipment costs can be high initially
• Managing client expectations and deadlines

Earning potential: Experienced photographers can earn $100 to $300 per hour, according to VSCO.

How to get started: Offer your services to families in your network then increase your portfolio and photography business through social media and word-of-mouth referrals.

6. Homeschool pod coordinator

A homeschool pod coordinator helps organize and manage small learning groups for children whose parents prefer homeschooling or hybrid education models. You might structure lesson plans, coordinate schedules, find or vet tutors, or even facilitate day-to-day activities, depending on what the parents need.

Pros:

• Growing demand as more families choose homeschooling or microschools
• You can tailor the curriculum and schedule to fit your household
• Builds a strong community and social network for your own children
  

Cons:

• Requires planning, organization, and communication with multiple families
• May need to track learning goals or state homeschooling requirements
• Can blur the line between your home life and your “school” space

Earning potential: Homeschool coordinators can earn anywhere between $33,000 and $328,000 a year, with an average of $74,672. 

How to get started: Talk with local homeschooling groups online or in your neighborhood to gauge interest, outline what services you’d offer, and recruit 2–6 families to form your first pod.

You might need educational supplies, curriculum materials, or insurance for hosting children, which can be between $100 and $300 to begin.

Creative and design side hustles

7. Freelance graphic design
8. Freelance video editing
9. Podcast editing services
10. Freelance web development
11. Printables or digital designs
12. Content creation
13. Voice-overs

7. Freelance graphic design 

Use your graphic design skills to create logos, social media graphics, and marketing materials for clients.

Pros: 

• Work remotely on your schedule
• Express creativity through work
• Choose projects that interest you

Cons: 

• Building a consistent client base takes time
• Managing multiple project deadlines
• Staying current with design trends

Earning potential: The national range for a freelance graphic designer averages $13 to $39 per hour.

How to get started: Create a portfolio of your work, including logos, social media graphics, and marketing materials. Then, connect with potential clients through freelance networks like Upwork or Dribbble.

8. Freelance video editing 

With 88% of businesses prioritizing video marketing but lacking time to produce content, freelancers with video editing skills are in high demand.

Pros: 

• Work remotely on flexible hours
• Choose from diverse projects, including YouTube videos, vlogs, social media ads, and TV commercials
• Set your own rates

Cons: 

• Balancing video editing with child care 
• Managing multiple project deadlines
• Keeping up with editing software updates

Earning potential: Rates vary by experience. Beginners can earn $20 to $50 per hour, on average, while intermediate editors charge $50 to $100. Experienced editors command $60 to $120 per hour.

How to get started: Share your portfolio with businesses, publishers, and editors who need help editing footage.

9. Podcast editing services

If you enjoy storytelling and have an ear for audio, podcast editing is a flexible side hustle you can do entirely from home. Instead of hosting your own podcast, you help other creators polish their episodes by trimming mistakes, cleaning up audio quality, adding intros/outros, and preparing files for upload.

Pros:

• Can be done during nap times or evenings
• Recurring work from the same clients once you build relationships
• No need to be on camera or record anything yourself
  

Cons:

• Learning audio software has a slight learning curve
• Tight turnaround times if clients publish weekly
• Requires attention to detail and focus in a quiet environment

Earning potential: Beginner editors can charge anywhere from $30 to $50 per audio hour, while more experienced editors offering mixing, sound design, or show notes can earn $100 to $300 or more per episode. A 30- to 60-minute episode generally takes one to three hours to edit, depending on the level of cleanup required and client expectations.

How to get started: Create a simple portfolio with one or two sample edits, then pitch small podcasters or business owners with existing shows on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook groups. You can also list editing services on Fiverr or Upwork.

Expect to pay around $0 to $150 upfront if you use free tools like Audacity or low-cost editing software like Reaper (around $60 for a discounted license).

10. Freelance web development 

Web development jobs are growing 7% faster than average, creating opportunities for parents with technical skills.

Pros: 

• Work remotely with flexible hours
• Stay current with industry trends
• Choose projects that match your expertise and interests

Cons: 

• Meeting tight deadlines
• Managing client expectations
• Balancing complex projects with family time

Earning potential: Web developers earn an average of $45.85 an hour or $95,380 a year.

How to get started: Get started with web development by applying to freelance opportunities on sites like LinkedIn or Indeed.

11. Printables or digital designs 

If you’ve got artistic talent or are developing your design skills, creating and selling digital designs or printables can be a profitable side business.

Pros: 

• Create flexible, scalable income selling digital products
• No inventory or shipping costs
• Work on your own schedule

Cons: 

• Competitive market
• Takes time to build visibility
• Requires consistent new designs

Earning potential: Your income will vary based on your competition and pricing strategy. Some people have earned lotsdoing this, like this person who made $93,000 selling printables on Etsy and this person who made $241,000 selling a $3 PNG. In some cases, once digital products are set up, it’s possible to make money in your sleep, with passive income.

How to get started: Create original art and then decide where you’d like to sell it. A great option is to start your own Shopify store.

12. Content creation

For creative and driven stay-at-home parents, content creation offers exciting opportunities to build a content creator business around your interests and expertise.

Pros: 

• Work on your own schedule
• Build multiple income streams like sponsored posts, brand partnerships, affiliate links, or even your own online store
• Express creativity daily

Cons: 

• Income can be unpredictable
• High competition
• Takes time to build an audience

Earning potential: Influencers creating content for businesses like blog posts, social media posts, or videos earn $30 to $300 per hour depending on expertise.

How to get started: Choose a niche, decide on a platform (like TikTok or Instagram), and start creating. If you’re going the corporate route, a detailed portfolio is essential.

13. Voice-overs 

With a quiet space and proper equipment, you can build a voice-over business from home. You’ll find opportunities to narrate commercials, audiobooks, video games, and educational content.

Pros: 

• Work from any quiet space
• Choose diverse projects
• Set flexible hours

Cons: 

• Competitive industry
• Requires quality equipment
• Need a consistently quiet environment

Earning potential: Rates range from $35 to $850 per hour, depending on the type of work, according to Career Sidekick. 

How to get started: Create a demo reel, set up a home studio, and join voice-over websites to connect with clients.

Writing and content side hustles

14. Freelance writing
15. Grant writing
16. Freelance proofreading and editing
17. Podcasting
18. Social media management
19. Facebook group management

14. Freelance writing 

Put your copywriting skills to work creating content for magazines, blogs, websites, and other publications. Whether you excel at long-form articles or snappy copy, there’s demand for skilled writers.

Pros: 

• Set your own schedule 
• Work independently—writing is a great side hustle for introverts
• Choose your writing projects

Cons: 

• Meeting strict deadlines
• Managing multiple projects on top of parenting responsibilities
• Income can vary monthly

Earning potential: Your copywriting earnings will depend on your experience, industry focus, and the types of content you create. Indeed reports the average hourly rate for freelance writers in the US is $22.69 an hour, with a high of $51.71. 

How to get started: Create a portfolio of writing samples, then connect with potential clients through networks like LinkedIn, Superpath, Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.

15. Grant writing

Organizations like non-profits, education institutions, and small businesses often need help applying for grants. This is a specialist writing opportunity, which can command higher rates than general freelance writing. 

Pros:

• There’s high demand because many organizations don’t have the internal capacity for fundraising/grant applications
• You can work remotely and flexibility
• Once you develop experience, you can move into larger budgets, more complex grants, or ongoing retainer work

Cons:

• You’ll need to understand how funders work, budgets, outcomes, deadlines, and compliance
• Work volume isn’t always predictable
• Competition is stiff for “easy” grants

Earning potential: Hourly rates for grant writers range from around $20 to $35 per hour for beginners to $100 to $250 or more per hour for specialists working on federal or highly competitive grants. Smaller grants (like a five- to eight-page application) might take 20 to 40 hours of work, while larger or government/federal grants can take 60 hours or more.

How to get started: Choose a niche you’re familiar with, build a simple portfolio, and set up a freelance profile on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. You can also network in local community groups to find work closer to home. 

16. Freelance proofreading and editing 

If you have a sharp eye for detail and strong language skills, proofreading and editing can be an ideal side business.

Pros: 

• Flexible working hours
• Work from anywhere
• Choose your projects

Cons: 

• Managing tight deadlines
• Coordinating with writers and content managers
• Balancing multiple clients

Earning potential: Income varies widely based on your experience, skill set, and clients. Check resources like the Content Marketing Salary report from Superpath to benchmark your rates against industry standards.

How to get started: Build your client base through freelance platforms like Upwork or join editing communities like Editage for networking opportunities.

17. Podcasting

Give yourself a creative outlet and connect with others by starting a podcast. You can record episodes on your schedule while sharing your expertise or discussing topics you love.

Pros: 

• Record on your own schedule
• Discuss topics you’re passionate about
• Start with minimal equipment

Cons: 

• Competitive market
• Takes time to build an audience
• Regular content creation required

Earning potential: You can earn through sponsorships, ads, or listener support platforms like Patreon, once you build an audience, but income varies widely. The average salary for a podcaster in the US is $38 an hour, or $79,498 a year. 

How to get started: Identify a theme, decide on a format, get recording equipment, and record your first episode.

18. Social media management 

Turn your social media expertise into a business by helping small businesses grow their online presence. If you’ve built a following on TikTok, you can leverage that experience to make money from your hobbies.

Pros: 

• Work remotely with flexible hours
• Use your digital marketing skills
• Choose your clients and projects

Cons: 

• Requires consistent online presence
• Long hours monitoring feeds
• Fast-paced environment

Earning potential: Beginning social media managers earn $25 to $35 per hour, according to SocialPilot. Rates vary based on experience and whether you charge hourly or per project. 

How to get started: Build a strong online presence, create a portfolio showcasing your skills, and find opportunities through Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn.

19. Facebook group management

You can offer community-management services to business owners, influencers, or brands that run Facebook groups and want help moderating, growing, and engaging their audience.

Daily tasks might include approving new members, welcoming newcomers, posting prompts to encourage engagement, replying to comments, removing spam/trolls, checking analytics, and coordinating with the client on themes or campaigns. This can take around one to three hours per day during weekdays, with maybe a longer check-in once per week for planning.

Pros:

• Flexible schedule—you can check in during morning naps or evening downtime
• Builds transferable skills (moderation, content planning, analytics) that may lead to more digital marketing services
• Low barrier to entry—if you’re already familiar with Facebook you start quickly
  

Cons:

• You’ll need regular daily check-in: monitoring posts/comments, handling spam, etc.
• The group becomes “on work” even from home
• Some clients expect quick responses or 24/7 availability

Earning potential: Freelance community-managers for Facebook groups often charge around $25 per hour at the entry level, with more skilled managers moving into $30 to $40 per hour, and full monthly retainer type roles hitting $2,000 or more a month for high-engagement or membership-based groups. 

How to get started: Reach out to local business owners, coaches, or influencers and ask if they need help managing their groups. 

Virtual business side hustles

20. SEO specialist services
21. Virtual bookkeeping
22. Virtual assistant
23. Online customer service
24. Data entry
25. Consulting

20. SEO specialist services

Offering search engine optimization (SEO) services is a good option if you have an interest in digital marketing, particularly because more and more businesses need to be visible online. Your role involves helping clients improve their website’s rankings, driving organic traffic, and converting visitors into customers. 

Pros:

• High demand because many small businesses and professionals need help with SEO but don’t have the in-house expertise
• Many tasks can be done from home on your schedule
• Easy to scale your services or offer higher-value retainers
  

Cons:

• You’ll need to understand technical SEO, analytics, keyword strategy, and content optimization
• SEO is a long-term investment and clients may expect unrealistic quick wins
• There may be bursts of work when audits or strategy launches are needed, followed by quieter phases

Earning potential: Entry-level freelance listings on platforms like Upwork show rates from $15 to $35 per hour, though these tend to be for simpler tasks. 

How to get started: Choose a niche you’re comfortable with and build a small portfolio. You can then set up a service offering and start pitching your services to local businesses, on social media, or on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. 

21. Virtual bookkeeping 

Put your financial management skills to the test by helping businesses track their finances. Managing your family’s budget gives you valuable experiences in tracking expenses and managing cash flow—skills that could lend themselves to a bookkeeping side hustle.

Pros: 

• Work remotely from home
• Set flexible hours
• Use existing financial skills

Cons: 

• Handle sensitive data
• Stay current with tax laws
• High attention to detail required

Earning potential: Experienced bookkeepers can earn $60 to $80 per hour. 

How to get started: Choose a bookkeeping platform like FreshBooks or QuickBooks, create a professional website, and start marketing your bookkeeping business.

22. Virtual assistant 

Your skills in multitasking, time management, and organization make you ideal for helping busy professionals manage their work. Virtual assistants handle schedules, meetings, emails, and other tasks remotely.

Pros: 

• Work from home
• Set your own hours
• Use organizational skills

Cons: 

• Workload can be unpredictable
• Tasks may be repetitive
• Needing to find reliable clients

Earning potential: Virtual assistants earn around $19.19 per hour on average.

How to get started: Connect with potential clients through freelance networks like Upwork or Fiverr.

23. Online customer service 

Help businesses support their customers through chat, email, or phone. Many companies need customer service representatives during all hours of the day.

Pros: 

• Work while kids are at school or asleep
• Use communication and problem-solving skills
• Choose flexible hours

Cons: 

• Can be emotionally demanding
• Requires patience
• May need specific hours

Earning potential: Customer support reps on average earn $19.64 per hour. 

How to get started: Learn popular customer service tools like Gorgias, Intercom, and Zendesk. Take customer service courses through Shopify Academy or Coursera, then apply for online customer service positions.

24. Data entry 

Put your attention to detail to work entering information from documents, updating records, or transcribing audio files. Data entry jobs can fit well around your family schedule and don’t require extensive technical skills.

Pros: 

• Start with basic technical skills
• Work flexible hours
• Easy to learn

Cons: 

• Work can be repetitive
• Lower pay than other options
• Competition for jobs

Earning potential: Data entry specialists earn an average of $24.41 per hour.

How to get started: Develop your typing skills, build a portfolio, and search for opportunities on LinkedIn, Fiverr, Indeed, and with companies like Rev.com.

25. Consulting 

Use your professional experience to help businesses enhance performance, solve problems, and achieve their goals. Consulting lets you use your expertise without committing to full-time work.

Pros: 

• Leverage your industry experience
• High hourly rates
• Choose your clients

Cons: 

• Can have demanding deadlines
• Income may be irregular
• Building client base takes time

Earning potential: Entry level consultants earn an average of $30 per hour in the US. 

How to get started: Create a strong LinkedIn profile showcasing your expertise. Reach out to prior work connections and ask if they need support, or apply directly to part time jobs online.

Digital products and marketing side hustles

26. Online courses
27. Dropshipping
28. Affiliate marketing
29. Retail arbitrage

26. Online courses 

Share your experience by creating and selling online courses. If you’re a stay at home parent who’s knowledgeable in a particular niche, online courses can generate ongoing income once you’ve done the initial work.

Pros: 

• Create passive income
• Reach a global audience
• Work at your own pace

Cons: 

• Significant upfront time investment
• Competitive market
• Platform fees may apply 

Earning potential: Income varies widely based on your topic, audience size, and marketing strategy. On average, course creators in the US earn $39.66 per hour or $82,499 per year. 

How to get started: Create video lectures and course materials on platforms like Udemy and Teachable.

27. Dropshipping 

Start an online dropshipping business to earn passive income without managing inventory by having suppliers ship products directly to your customers.

Pros: 

• Minimal overhead costs
• No inventory management
• Unlimited opportunity for growth

Cons: 

• Competitive market
• Initial time investment needed
• Managing supplier relationships

Earning potential: Is dropshipping worth it? The industry is expected to be worth more than $500 billion by 2026. Your earnings will depend on your products, pricing, and marketing strategy.

How to get started: Research profitable niches like dropshipping CBD products, jewelry, or one of 100 other dropshipping ideas.

28. Affiliate marketing 

Affiliate marketing lets you earn commission by driving traffic or sales to other companies’ products through your social media presence, blog, or website.

Pros: 

• Create content about topics you enjoy
• Work from anywhere
• Choose products you believe in

Cons: 

• Requires strong marketing skills
• Time-intensive content creation
• Income can be unpredictable

Earning potential: New affiliate marketers can earn up to $1,000 per month, with potential to grow.

How to get started: Join affiliate programs like the Shopify Affiliate Program or Amazon Associates and start creating content to promote products you love.

29. Retail arbitrage

Retail arbitrage is when you buy products at a discount (from clearance aisles, outlet stores, local retailers, or even Facebook Marketplace) and then resell them online for a profit. It’s a low-barrier entry into ecommerce, because there’s no need to develop a product, order in bulk, or manage manufacturing. 

Pros:

• Low startup cost (you can start with $20 to $75 picking up discounted items)
• Shop when it fits your schedule and sell online from home
• No design, product development, or marketing needed

Cons:

• Income depends on finding good deals and some weeks can be “dry”
• Requires storage space for inventory (even if small)
• Some platforms (like Amazon FBA) have selling fees that eat into profit if you price too low

Earning potential: According to JungleScout, 62% of retail arbitrage sellers make less than $5,000 a month. Many part-time sellers treat it as a “nap-time” or “evening” hustle, batching sourcing trips into weekends and shipping during weekday downtime.

How to get started: Hit local clearance aisles (Target, Walmart, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, etc.), scan items using the Amazon Seller App, and list anything with steady demand and a good margin. Once you get a feel for what sells, you can branch into Amazon FBA for faster shipping or stick with eBay or Facebook Marketplace for more control.

Research and testing side hustles

30. Test scoring and evaluation
31. Mock juror
32. Market research participation

30. Test scoring and evaluation 

Educational testing companies pay contractors to score student essays, exams, English-language proficiency tests, or placement submissions. Most of these roles are seasonal, but they can be a great flexible income stream for stay-at-home parents with a background in education or evaluation.

Pros:

• Remote, computer-based work
• Flexible weekly schedules during scoring windows
• No need to market yourself or find clients
  

Cons:

• Work is seasonal and not guaranteed every month
• Some companies require a bachelor’s degree or teaching background
• High volume scoring can be repetitive

Earning potential: Test scorers in the US earn an average yearly salary of $34,404.

How to get started: Apply with testing providers like Pearson, ETS, Measurement Inc, or Cambium Assessment and complete their scorer qualification tests. 

31. Mock juror

Mock jurors are paid to review case evidence, testimony, or legal arguments and provide feedback that attorneys use to prepare for real trials. It’s a relatively unknown but growing research niche in the legal world. Time commitment varies, but you can make money in one hour a week, which adds up over time.

Pros:

• Fully remote as many panels are online
• No legal knowledge required
• Interesting if you enjoy real-world storytelling and seeing “inside” the legal process
  

Cons:

• Work is sporadic and unpredictable
• Higher-paying cases may require longer time commitments
• Confidentiality agreements are common

Earning potential: Pay varies depending on the platform you use. eJury pays $5 to $10 per case, while Online Verdict pays $200 to $700 per case depending on the time commitment. 

How to get started: Sign up with platforms like eJury, OnlineVerdict, or JuryTest and complete a demographic profile to be matched with new cases as they’re available.

32. Market research participation

Market research companies pay everyday consumers to share feedback on products, advertising, or customer experiences through surveys or live focus groups. This is one of the easiest side hustles to start because you can apply in minutes and only accept studies that fit your schedule.

Pros:

• Zero experience required
• Lots of micro-earning opportunities available
• Can be done from your phone or laptop
  

Cons:

• Income varies heavily by study type
• High-paying focus groups are more selective
• Some screening surveys won’t qualify you

Earning potential: Depends on what kind of surveys and research you get involved in. Most pay between $10 and $50 for participation. 

How to get started: Create a profile on one or two platforms (Respondent, User Interviews, Prolific), fill out demographics honestly, and apply to studies that fit your lifestyle. Parents are often specifically wanted for household-product and lifestyle research.

Get started right away with Shopify 

Ready to turn your skills into a business? Shopify gives you everything you need to launch quickly and professionally, even if you’re working during nap times or after bedtime.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re offering pet care, graphic design, tutoring, photography, or digital products—Shopify helps you package your skills like a real business from day one.

Your next steps can be as simple as:

1. Choose the side hustle you want to start.
2. Set up a simple Shopify site to showcase your service.
3. Share it with your network or first potential clients.
   

Don’t let your great idea sit on the shelf. Start exploring how Shopify can help you build a sustainable business that works around your family life.