Are you looking for some crafts for teens to make and sell for profit?
We’ve got you covered.
We discuss the best easy and profitable ideas for your crafty teens to start a side hustle from.
The pros and cons of selling crafts
Before we share the best craft ideas with you, let’s look at the pros and cons of starting your own handmade craft business.
Pros:
- As a teen, you can focus on a hobby you enjoy while earning money at the same time.
- You can work from home, to fit around your studies and social life.
- Crafts are adaptable so you can easily change what you sell, or add new products at any time.
- Customers love homemade products, which means you can quickly build up a loyal customer base.
Cons
- It can be difficult to find a niche product that somebody else isn’t already selling. Do your research first to find out what crafts are being sold in your local area.
- Homemade products need to be high-quality in order to sell well.
- Crafting the same product can be repetitive. The most important thing about crafts for teens to make and sell is doing something that they enjoy. The extra money is a bonus.
- Some crafts may take a lot of time to make and fulfill orders.
10 crafts for teens to make and sell
Unleash your teen’s entrepreneurial spirit with these fun and simple ideas that will sell in no time.
1. Personalised stickers
People love to personalize their possessions, especially laptops and phones.
Experiment with different fonts and styles to make quirky labels to sell.
You can create your design by hand, or using computer software.
What you’ll need – printable vinyl sticker paper to print stickers onto.
2. Marble clay dishes
All jewelry lovers need somewhere to put their rings, and marble clay dishes are the perfect solution.
There are tons of step-by-step guides to help you create these crafts online.
Once you know how to do the basics, you can come up with your own designs and shapes to sell.
What you’ll need – oven bake clay, clay knife, oven-proof bowl or ramekin and gold liquid gilding.
3. Pom pom rugs
Pom pom rugs don’t require much skill or items to make it, but they look great.
Experiment with different colored yarns and patterns to make rugs that will appeal to different tastes and styles.
What you’ll need – yarn, rug pad, toilet paper tubes and scissors.
4. Suncatchers
Suncatchers are a great way for children and teens to get creative with light and color.
Suncatchers are also making a comeback, as more and more people are starting to hang them in front of windows to see what happens when the sun shines through.
What you’ll need – sticky-back plastic, tissue paper, fine-tip coloring pens and decorative accessories.
5. Paper flowers
We couldn’t talk about crafts for kids to make and sell without mentioning paper flowers.
These simple crafts are the perfect party or home decorative accessory that will brighten up any room.
What you’ll need – different types of patterned and textured paper, scissors, glue and decorative accessories.
6. Pallet plaques
Pallet plaques are a popular trend in home décor, which means you can put your crafting skills to the test by designing unique plaques for every room of the house.
Pallet plaques are also being used as signage for weddings and parties to add personality to an event.
What you’ll need – craft boards, wood glue, craft paint, screws, rope, staple gun and decorative items.
7. Jar candles
Candles are an easy and profitable craft for both children and teens to enjoy.
Jar candles make a great gift or a must have item around the home, which makes them an easy selling item.
Experiment with scents to make your homemade candles stand out from your competition.
What you’ll need – candle wax, wicks, essential oils or candle scents and jars.
8. Animal planters
Make some cute animal themed planters for people who want to bring nature indoors and fill them with house plants.
You can make your own planters out of a variety of materials such as plastic bottles and modeling clay.
What you’ll need – acrylic paint, plastic bottles or another material for the planters, PVA glue, scissors, glue gun, markers and other decorative accessories.
9. Cushion covers
Crafts for teens to make and sell doesn’t get easier than sewing cushion covers.
People like to update their home décor regularly, without spending lots of money.
Bright, patterned cushion covers are the perfect home accessory to sell.
Make a good selection of different styles to attract different audiences and make more money.
What you’ll need – cushion pads, iron, pins, scissors and fabric.
10. Bookends
Book lovers everywhere will love unusual bookends to complement their bookshelves and cases.
Even though bookends are designed to stop books from falling over, many people use them as decorative accessories around their homes.
To keep costs low, you could upcycle items you have at home such as toy figurines or trinkets.
What you’ll need – wooden blocks, items to stick on top, paint and other decorative accessories.
Where to sell your teen’s crafts
So now we’ve covered what to sell online as a teenager, let’s talk about where to sell your crafts.
Offline:
- Host a garage sale: invest in some simple advertising so people know where to find you, then set up a display for your crafts in your garage or on your driveway.
- Community events: having a stall to sell your crafts at a local event is a great way to showcase your products. Contact the organizer and ask how much they charge for a slot.
- Craft shows: these events are packed full of people who appreciate handmade items. Securing a spot is likely to cost more than a stall at a community event, but it may be worth the initial cost as how much you sell should be higher.
- Consignment shops: some local stores may sell your crafts on a sale or return basis. Get in charge with the owner and enquire about stocking your products.
Online:
- Social media: Instagram and Facebook marketplace are great platforms to help you reach new audiences.
- Etsy: is the most well-known online store to sell homemade goods on. Remember to take into account the fees associated with selling on this popular site.
- eBay: spend some time researching competitors on eBay before listing your crafts. Don’t forget the excellent photos to help your products stand out.
- Amazon handmade: if you want to reach a global audience, Amazon’s handmade categories are a good place to do it.
Sell your crafts successfully
Here are some top tips on how to be successful with selling your crafts:
- Focus on doing a few items well rather than trying to offer lots of products where you are unable to hone your skills.
- Price your items so that you make a profit, but are also affordable. Factor in your time, materials and packaging.
- Offer personalization to make your crafts more attractive, and charge more for the extra service.
- Communicate with your buyers regularly. Let them know when you’ve received their order and when the item is ready to be shipped or hand delivered.
- Take good quality photos of our items to attract more customers.
Get crafting and selling
Which crafts for teens to make and sell appeal to you, and your teens, the most? Choose your favorite, make it unique and get crafting and selling.Find out how to help your children learn important personal finance skills from a young age on our blog.
