What did Albert Einstein say?
Creativity is intelligence having fun, so encourage your kids when they mess around with crafts, books, and paints – it just might grow into a successful business.
But remember that entrepreneurship is not a linear journey, and your kids need to understand that.
There are ups and downs, so even as they make money and develop their skills, it’s important for budding creatives to have fun.
Support your kids and teach them the value of consistency as they get started with these creative business ideas.
Sell Arts and Crafts
Aelita Andre of Australia started to paint professionally at nine months old and Arushi Bhatnagar had her first solo exhibition in India when she was just 11 months old.
Not all kids start this young, but it is possible.
Aelita went on to sell three of her paintings for $27,000 at age 4.
You should nurture the artistic bone in your kids from a young age, and it doesn’t just have to be acrylic on canvas.
Artists and crafters come in all shapes and forms. Perhaps your child has an interest in making clay mugs and dishes, or they would rather make friendship bracelets and jewelry.
The list of what young creatives can make and sell is endless:
- Printed and tie-dye t-shirts
- Holiday ornaments
- Unique keychains
- Homemade birthday and thank you cards
- Birthday party decorations
- Crafted bird feeders
You will need to invest in canvas, paintbrushes, clay, and whatever material your child will need to get their business started.
But how do you sell what your creative genius spent so much time creating?
Selling your Child’s Art and Crafts
There are two ways to do this: locally and online.
A local sale can start in your front yard and end up at the school talent show, craft fair, or local gift store.
For online sales, you will need to set up your child’s account and monitor it on their behalf.
The best place to sell arts and crafts is on Etsy and Artpal, but you can also find clientele on eBay, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace.
It might be hard to get a consistent income from this business at first, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Encourage your child to keep growing their skill even when the customers aren’t lined up at the front door.
Here is a tip that can set your child’s merchandise apart from all the other artists in the market: sell for a cause.
Add more value to your child’s work by asking customers to sponsor paintings and craft items for local children’s shelters and hospitals.
The most important thing is not to let the business side of things cloud your child’s love for art and crafts.
Raise a Child Entertainer
Some kids just know how to carry an audience. They make funny expressions, or they are brutally honest to the point of being funny.
There is money in the entertainment business, whether they want to be an actor, a dancer, or a DJ.
Being an entertainer needs originality and charisma.
Can your child come up with a TikTok dance with the potential to go viral? Set up an account for them and watch them blossom.
Can they mix music, host, and entertain people at a party? Buy them some speakers and a microphone and let them have fun at local birthday parties and school events.
Do they have an interest in acting?
Some skills might need more time to develop, but book them for auditions and see how they do.
Child voice artists are also in high demand. Your child can voice animated characters or advertise kids’ products like toys or fruit juice.
Being a child entertainer, however, can be hard particularly when the kid is in the public spotlight. Remember to find a healthy balance between your child’s business and their personal/ school life.
Explore the World of Design
Web design, graphic design, interior, and fashion design – there is space for your budding creative to express themselves.
For the Fashion Designer
Isabella Rose Taylor began her fashion design business at the young age of 12. She was the youngest designer to sell her clothing in Nordstrom stores.
And she is not the only successful kid in the fashion design space.
Kheris Rogers, at 11 years old, was the youngest designer to show her collection in the New York Fashion Week.
Remember that fashion design is a wide field, so give your child a chance to explore different passions.
Perhaps your child can design adorable pet costumes and accessories. There is plenty of demand for knitted scarfs and hats, and if it interests them, they could make DIY videos and teach others how to give new life to old clothes.
The Web Designer
Web design is about problem-solving.
Kids can begin coding from as young as 5 years old, and with the right training, they can hone their skills and eventually learn how to build websites or design video games.
If your child has an interest in Photoshop, introduce them to UX (user experience) design where they can delve deeper into their interests.
The Graphic Designer
You can teach your child to bring their creative vision to life using typography, color, shapes, and effects.
Illustration and graphic design could lead them into a rewarding career that involves using visuals to communicate ideas.
Graphic designers create advertisement banners, social media graphics, magazines, package designs, album covers, and so much more.
Writers, Poets, and Authors
Does your child scribble furiously on any surface they can find?
Raising a writer means letting them be free to read the books they want, for inspiration, and creating opportunities for them to write.
Buy them unique notebooks, indulge them and stir up their imagination, and encourage them to the ends of the earth.
When they are ready, you can submit their stories to literary competitions and publish their books online.
Turning your Child’s Creativity into a Business
Once you establish that your child has a certain creative passion, encourage them to pursue it and challenge themselves to get better.
You may have to handle the business side of things for a while, so make a business plan and be prepared to be involved all through your kid’s journey.
When the going gets tough, remind your budding creative to rest and take time away from the business.
And always encourage them to have fun.
