21 Best Summer Side Hustles to Make Extra Cash - Vital Dollar (2024)

Are you looking for ways to bring in some extra cash this summer? Whether you’re a college student needing to make money over break, or someone interested in supplementing their full-time income, plenty of excellent summer side hustles are available.

From flexible work arrangements that fit your schedule and lifestyle to side hustles that can earn you serious cash – we’ve compiled 21 of the best options to maximize your earning potential.

Best Summer Side Hustles

Summer is the perfect time to make a little extra money on the side. And with so many opportunities, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to earn some cash while still having plenty of free time or want to focus entirely on your hustle, an awesome side gig this summer can bring in the money you need. Check this list and find your favorite summer side hustles.

1. Sell Printables

Printables are digital products that can be downloaded and printed at home. (Despite the name “printables,” they can also be fillable PDFs that can be used digitally.) Products like planners, organizers, journals, and checklists are extremely popular, and possibilities exist in just about any niche you can think of.

While this is an excellent side hustle at any time of the year, summer is an ideal time to start. Seasonal products present great opportunities, and you can create:

• 4th of July printables
• Summer activity planners
• Vacation checklists and planners
• Kid’s chore checklists
• Road trip activities

Fall is just around the corner, so you can also focus on getting products ready to sell in the fall. Here are some examples of fall or autumn-themed printables that are in high demand:

• First day of school signs for photos
• School year calendars and planners
• Before/after school checklists
• Meet the teacher printables
• Lesson plans and other printables for teachers
• Classroom rules
• Halloween printables
• Thanksgiving printables

Creating printables is easier than you might think. You don’t have to be an excellent designer. And if you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can hire a designer on Fiverr to create them for you.

Etsy is the most popular marketplace for selling printables, and it’s an ideal place to start. But you can also create your own website to sell your products.

If you’re interested in this side hustle, I highly recommend the E-Printables course from Gold City Ventures. You’ll learn how to create quality printables and set up your Etsy shop for success.

2. Lawn Mowing and Landscaping

Of course, lawn care is probably one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of summer side hustles. Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and light landscaping can be great ways to make extra money this summer.

This is an easy side business to start. All you need is a mower and some basic tools. If you happen to have a riding mower, that’s great. But if not, you can focus on smaller yards that you can mow with a push mower.

If you like working outdoors and enjoy the summer weather, this could be an excellent way to get paid. Many people want or need help with mowing their lawns, so it’s usually not difficult to find your first few clients.

You can advertise your services by posting flyers in your neighborhood or on popular classifieds websites like Craigslist. Word of mouth is also great for spreading the word about your services.

3. Mulching and Weeding

Mulching and weeding are other excellent outdoor tasks to do in the summer. If you’re willing to work hard, this can be a great way to make some extra money.

Many homes use mulch, which usually needs to be done yearly. And since most homeowners don’t enjoy doing the work, you can find plenty of customers and get paid to do it. Aside from homeowners, you can also work for local businesses that need mulching help.

Weed removal is also in high demand during summer, so it’s a great way to earn extra cash. Removing weeds by hand is labor-intensive, but with some basic tools and the help of weed killers, it’s not that bad.

4. Gardening

If you have a green thumb, you might enjoy providing gardening services. Gardening can range from planting flower beds to maintaining vegetable gardens or fruit trees. In addition to providing services, you could also start your own garden and sell produce.

You can advertise your services locally by posting flyers in grocery stores, libraries, and other public places. You can also try offering your services through classified websites like Craigslist or let people know through word of mouth.

5. Pressure Washing

Pressure washing can be an excellent way to make money during summer. Pressure washers can be used to clean decks, driveways, sidewalks, patios, siding, and more.

You’ll need a pressure washer for this side hustle, but you should be able to find one that fits your budget. You can also buy a used pressure washer if a new model is too expensive.

This is a service that many homeowners need or want to be done regularly, so it’s usually not difficult to find customers for this type of work. And since many people don’t own a pressure washer, they tend to hire someone to do the work for them.

Depending on the job, you can get very wet and dirty, but the income potential is excellent.

6. Driveway Sealing

If you’re looking for a gig that pays well, driveway sealing is a great job. It’s not the most glamorous job, but it can be very lucrative, and it’s easier than you think.

To seal driveways, you’ll need some basic tools. The process isn’t difficult, and you can learn how to do it by watching some YouTube videos. Ideally, you’ll get some experience on your own driveway before working for customers. Or maybe you have a friend with some experience who would like to partner with you.

Most homeowners assume this is a job they cannot do on their own, so they’re eager to hire someone to do the work. And since driveways usually need to be sealed every few years, there are plenty of potential customers.

Typically, the best way to find customers is to go door to door. You can either speak to homeowners or leave flyers with your details and contact info. You’ll want to schedule jobs in the same neighborhood, if possible, so you can complete more jobs in a day. You may want to offer neighborhood discounts to land as many customers as possible within a short distance.

7. Lifeguard

This is a great summer job if you have a valid lifeguard certification. Lifeguards are typically in high demand during the summer months, so finding work won’t be difficult.

Lifeguarding pays well and provides flexible hours. You can usually find positions at public pools or water parks. Some beach towns may even need lifeguards for their beaches.

This work requires specialized training, so if you don’t have the necessary qualifications, this isn’t the right side hustle for you. But if you do, it’s an excellent way to make money while having fun in the sun.

8. Swimming Instructor

If you’re a good swimmer and have the necessary qualifications, you could work as a swimming instructor for extra income. Many parents are eager to enroll their children in swimming classes during the summer.

You may need specialized training and certification to become a qualified swimming instructor. You’ll also need access to a pool to conduct your lessons safely.

Jobs are often available at public pools and local YMCAs or YWCAs. Of course, you could also find clients on your own.

This side hustle requires patience and empathy because teaching someone how to swim doesn’t happen overnight. But if you enjoy working with people and have experience teaching, this could be the perfect job for you during the hot summer months.

9. Pool Cleaning

This is another summer side hustle that requires specialized training, but it can be well worth the effort. Pool cleaning involves maintaining pools and spas for customers.

You’ll need the necessary tools and knowledge to perform the job safely and effectively, but it’s not hard to learn.

Pool cleaning tends to be in high demand during the summer months. Homeowners may need someone to maintain their pool while they’re away on vacation. Or maybe they want someone to handle it for them on a regular basis.

10. Camp Staff

If you’re looking for a summer job and enjoy working with kids, consider working at a camp. Most summer camps need counselors or nurses to provide care and supervision.

This is the perfect gig if you enjoy working with children or have experience in health care. You’ll spend your days outdoors and make extra cash while helping others learn and grow.

To become a camp counselor or nurse, you may need special qualifications or certifications depending on where you work. But most camps offer training courses so you can meet the requirements before taking up the position.

11. Rent Out Your Home

Will you be traveling over the summer? If so, have you considered renting out your home while you’re gone? You might be able to make a considerable amount with a short-term rental.

If you live in an area that attracts a lot of summer visitors and tourists, this could be a great option. And if you’re not planning to be away for the summer, you might be able to stay with friends or family for a few weeks to rent out your place.

12. Car Detailing

Car detailing is a great way to make money during the summer. You could do the work at your house, or go to the customers’ homes and do it there. Of course, you can generally charge more if you travel to the customer rather than having them come to you.

You can usually find customers by posting flyers around your neighborhood or advertising online. It’s also worth contacting local car dealerships and garages, which may be able to refer you to potential clients or arrange a partnership.

This side hustle requires no special qualifications, just the willingness to work hard and an eye for detail. Plus, it allows you to work outside in the fresh air.

13. RV and Camper Rentals

Do you own an RV or a camper? If so, are there weeks in the summer when you don’t use it? You can make extra money by renting it out to others. In fact, this is one of the best ways to make money in the summer.

RV and camper rentals are popular in the summer months. People who don’t own one or don’t use theirs may be looking to rent. You can make excellent money, and best of all, it’s mostly passive income. You’ll need to clean the RV or camper between rentals, but that’s most of your work.

RVshare is a peer-to-peer platform for renting out RVs and campers. You can set your own rates and decide when to rent it, so it’s a great way to make extra money on the side.

14. Rent Out Your Truck

If you have a pickup truck or cargo van, you can make extra money by renting it out. Many people need trucks for moving furniture, appliances, and other large items. It’s one of the best ways to make money with a truck.

Fetch makes it easy to earn passive income with a truck or van rental. According to Fetch, you can make up to $1,800 per month by listing your truck on their platform. Fetch will market your rental to people in your local area, and they handle all of the payments.

Although you can rent your truck throughout the year, summer is an especially busy time for this great side hustle. Many people move in the summer, and others tackle outdoor projects that require a truck rental for transporting something.

15. Furniture Flipping

Flipping furniture involves finding cheap or free furniture, fixing it up, and selling it for a profit. To successfully flip furniture, scour yard sales and flea markets. Solid wood furniture is ideal because it can have excellent value when improved.

Give the item a makeover with paint, new hardware, and other simple tweaks. Then list it for sale on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Furniture flipping is both fun and profitable. It’s a great summer side hustle because of all the yard sales and garage sales.

16. Tour Guide

Are you knowledgeable about your city or area? If so, why not put that knowledge to work as a tour guide? Tourists are always looking for new and exciting experiences.

You could get a job as a tour guide for a company in the industry or offer private tours and run your own small business.

Summer is the perfect time for sightseeing, especially in popular tourist destinations. Becoming a tour guide is an enjoyable way to make extra money during summer, especially if you like meeting new people.

17. House Sitting

Many people are willing to pay someone to stay at their home while they’re away on vacation or business trips. And with more people going on vacation during the summer months, it’s an ideal summer side hustle.

You can find house sitting jobs by searching online, or you could post your services on social media and market by word-of-mouth.

Your responsibilities at the house are usually minimal, so you may be able to house sit while working another part-time or full-time job.

18. Work at a Theme Park or Amusem*nt Park

Summer is a busy time of year for theme parks and amusem*nt parks. There are usually plenty of seasonal jobs available at these parks.

You could work as a ride operator, ticket seller, security guard, or in food service. If you don’t mind dealing with crowds and hot weather, a seasonal job at a theme park or amusem*nt park can be a great way to make extra money during summer.

19. Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

Pet owners often need someone to look after their pets while they’re away on vacation. If you love animals and don’t mind caring for them, consider becoming a dog walker or pet sitter.

You can find jobs through pet-sitting websites and apps like Rover. You can also use social media, classified ads, or hand out flyers.

This is a side gig you could continue throughout the rest of the year if you want to.

20. Mover

The summer months are the most popular time for moving. And that means high demand for movers.

You can find jobs with moving companies or join with a few friends and start your own business. Moving is physically demanding work, so you must be in good shape to do this job.

The peak season for movers typically starts in May and lasts until August. So if you want to earn extra money during the summer, working as a mover could be a great option.

21. Take Surveys

Here’s a side hustle you can do any time of the year. Sites like Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, and Rakuten Insight allow anyone to earn money in their spare time by completing short surveys.

While it’s not the most lucrative side hustle, it’s extremely flexible, and anyone can do it. You can even take surveys while sitting by the pool or killing time at your kid’s soccer practice.

You can earn a few hundred dollars of extra cash and gift cards monthly using a few survey sites or apps. (It’s best to use a few sites/apps because the opportunities for each site or app may be limited.)

Final Thoughts on the Best Side Hustles for Summer

There are plenty of ways to make money this summer. Whether you’re looking for a full-time job or a part-time gig, there’s something out there for everyone.

If you’re interested in any of the summer side hustles mentioned above, take some time to research and learn more about them. You never know what opportunities may come your way this summer!