Jan 10 20 Side Hustles for Stay-at-Home Moms to Make Extra Cash

Starting a side hustle as a stay-at-home mom opens up exciting possibilities for your family's financial future. When you bring in extra income on your own schedule, you get the best of both worlds: the flexibility to prioritize your children and the opportunity to contribute to your household's financial goals.

Moreover, many moms discover that earning money independently brings a deep sense of personal satisfaction and reignites creative passions they'd set aside. So, here are 20 side hustles for stay-at-home moms to try!

How Can Stay-at-Home Moms Make Money?

Side hustles come in many forms, so there's likely something out there that fits your skills and schedule.

You might tap into your professional background with freelance work, or explore something entirely new like selling handmade items online. There are also some easy side hustles for stay-at-home moms that don't require any specific background, like dog walking.

According to research, 40% of Americans are turning to side hustles. The average side hustle brings in $891 per month, but Millennials earn more than other age groups, bringing in $1,129 per month on average.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Side Hustle as a Stay-at-Home Mom

Before starting to look for a way to make some extra money, take some time to self-reflect and discuss this decision with your partner.

Here are some important things to consider:

What specific goals would you like to achieve with the extra income?
How many hours can you realistically dedicate while maintaining your family responsibilities?
What existing skills could translate into earning opportunities?
Which business startup costs can your family budget handle?
What potential risks should you plan for?
How might your new side hustle affect your household dynamics?
What kind of emotional and practical support will you need from your partner?
Which tasks or responsibilities might need to be redistributed?

Have an open conversation with your spouse about these points. Share your motivations beyond the financial benefits - maybe that's rediscovering your creativity or setting an example of entrepreneurship for your children.

Side hustles can be a way to make good money, but they can also be a way to rediscover who you are outside of your stay-at-home parent role.

Learn how to talk to your spouse about money without fighting.

20 Best Side Hustles for Stay-at-Home Moms

1. Teach English Online

Best for: Early birds who love working with kids

Teaching English online connects you with students across the globe, but it's especially popular in Asian countries like China. Companies like VIPKid give you the curriculum and teaching platform, you just need to show up!

Most classes run 25-30 minutes, and you can teach multiple sessions back-to-back during early morning hours while your children sleep. Requirements typically include a bachelor's degree and teaching experience, but some platforms only need you to be a native English speaker and have a stable internet connection.

2. Become a Virtual Assistant

Best for: Organized multitaskers who love bringing order to chaos

Virtual assistants help business owners and entrepreneurs manage their day-to-day operations remotely. You'll typically work on things like email management, calendar scheduling, social media updates, basic bookkeeping, and any other tasks that your clients need support with.

If you don't know much about being a VA yet, you can start by offering a few core services based on your strengths and gradually expand your skill set. Many VAs work with multiple clients on a monthly retainer basis, so it's a great option if you like having a predictable income.

3. Try Freelance Writing

Best for: Creative communicators who can turn complex topics into engaging content

Freelance writing has lots of opportunities across industries and topics. You can write blog posts for small businesses, create product descriptions for e-commerce sites, craft content for email newsletters - there's a ton of demand (even with AI), and you can make some serious money!

Start by choosing a niche that matches your expertise or interests - parenting, technology, lifestyle, it can be virtually anything you're interested in or have a background in! Many writers begin on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr before building direct client relationships with online businesses in their niche.

4. Sell Handmade Items

Best for: Moms with a creative streak

If you like creating things, you can turn your hobby into income by selling handmade items online. Platforms like Etsy are a ready marketplace for everything from jewelry and home decor to children's clothes and custom gifts.

To make your shop stand out, focus on finding your unique niche. Maybe it's eco-friendly baby products or personalized family keepsakes. Start with a few signature items and gradually perfect your processes as you go!

5. Start a Meal Prep Service

Best for: Savvy planners who like spending time in the kitchen

Meal prep services help busy families eat well without the daily cooking hassle. You can offer weekly meal packages, specialized diet options, or even family-style freezer meals.

Many successful meal prep businesses begin with just a few local clients and grow through word-of-mouth referrals. A niche can help you stand out - think about focusing on specific dietary needs like gluten-free, vegan, or keto-friendly meals. This can be a very lucrative side hustle with the right strategy!

6. Dog Walking

Best for: Active moms who love animals (and want to get paid while exercising!)

Many pet owners need weekday walks while they're at work, so you can offer dog walking services while your kids are at school (or, if they're younger, you can bring them along!).

You can walk multiple dogs at once to maximize earnings or offer specialized services for senior or high-energy dogs. Try professional pet service apps or simply start with word-of-mouth referrals!

7. Pet Sitting

Best for: Animal lovers with flexible space

As a pet sitter, you can care for animals in your home while their owners are away. Some pet sitters do this at the owner's residence, but this will probably not work for you as a stay-at-home mom. You might have to charge lower rates to do pet sitting at your house, but it's still a good side hustle for stay-at-home moms

This service peaks during holidays and summer travel seasons, but you might also have regular clients who need weekly or monthly care. You'll need to create a safe, welcoming environment for the pets, but keep in mind that it can be difficult to handle more than a couple at the same time.

8. Offer Graphic Design Services

Best for: Visual creatives who want to start their own business

Graphic design services span from logo creation to social media graphics and marketing materials. It's a legitimate side hustle that can be very high-paid if you have the right in-demand skills.

Many successful designers find their niche in specific industries or types of design work, like wedding stationery or restaurant branding. You can work flexible hours - early in the morning or late at night if you need to - but you'll have important deadlines to stick to.

9. Virtual Event Planning

Best for: Detail-oriented organizers who like to throw a good party

Many businesses and social gatherings need a virtual event planner, so this side hustle can provide you with a steady income. You can then secretly save money to surprise your partner with a thoughtful gift or an experience!

You can coordinate everything from online conferences and workshops to virtual birthday parties and team-building events, but it's a good idea to find a specific niche to position yourself. You'll need strong technical knowledge of virtual platforms and creative problem-solving skills.

10. Start a YouTube Channel

Best for: Creative moms who can consistently create engaging video content

This side hustle won't make you money right away, but it has a long-term passive income potential through advertising, sponsorships, and product collaborations. Choose a specific niche where you have expertise or passion, such as parenting tips, cooking, DIY projects, or anything else that you like.

You can start with minimal equipment and improve your setup as your channel grows. You'll need some basic video editing skills, but the most important thing is to consistently create and publish video content. Commit to a certain goal - for example, once a month - and stick to it!

11. Become a Personal Trainer

Best for: Moms who are into fitness and like motivating others

You can offer personal training services both in-person and online, depending on what suits your schedule best. If your kids are at school and the gym is in the neighborhood, you can offer morning and early afternoon sessions. If that is not an option, you can do virtual coaching.

You'll typically need proper certification, and you can specialize in specific demographics like postnatal fitness or weight loss. You can also combine one-on-one sessions with small group training and create downloadable workout plans to sell online for passive income as you grow your personal brand.

12. Dig into Affiliate Marketing

Best for: Social media-savvy moms who genuinely enjoy reviewing and recommending products

Affiliate marketing is a way to earn commissions by promoting products you already use and love. You'll need to start a blog, social media platform, or email list where you share honest reviews and helpful recommendations.

The content you create should go beyond promotion - focus on building an authentic community and creating valuable content that connects to your followers on a human level. Many successful affiliate marketers concentrate on specific niches like baby gear, home organization, budget-friendly fashion, etc.

13. Become a Social Media Manager

Best for: Tech-savvy moms with social media skills

Social media management is one of the most popular side hustles for stay-at-home moms, and it can be perfect for you if you're a creative and strategic thinker. You'll create content calendars, design posts, engage with followers, and analyze performance metrics for your clients.

Your clients will likely be small businesses and entrepreneurs. Social media management can eventually turn into a full-time job, or you can keep it as a side hustle, working for as many clients as it works for your schedule on a retainer basis. This is one of the best legit side hustles for stay-at-home moms.

14. Data Entry

Best for: Detail-oriented moms who can work independently

Data entry gives you steady, predictable work that you can easily fit around family schedules. Tasks typically involve transferring information between systems, updating databases, or processing forms and documents. You'll need attention to detail and fast typing skills!

AI is overtaking some areas of this side hustle, but everything still needs a human touch. Learning about AI and knowing how to use it can give you a competitive edge!

15. Personal Shopping

Best for: Fashion and retail-savvy moms with an eye for style

As a personal shopper, you'll help busy clients save time. You might focus on wardrobe styling, gift purchasing, or even grocery and everyday essentials. Pick a niche you're interested in, and ask friends for referrals to get started. You can do this while your kids are at school, or bring them along to run errands!

16. Take Online Surveys

Best for: Busy moms who can dedicate short bursts of focused attention throughout the day

If you're looking for a flexible, low-pressure way to make more money on the side, you can take paid online surveys. This won't bring you a full-time income, but it can generate steady pocket money when you need it.

Create an account on a legitimate survey site like Swagbucks, and click away! You can do this during naps or even while waiting in line when running errands.

17. Offer Photography Services

Best for: Creative moms who can capture authentic moments

If you're good with a camera, you can offer photography services in your local area. You can do all kinds of stuff from family portraits to shooting products for local businesses.

It helps to define your niche early on, but you can also try different types of shoots, such as newborn sessions or real estate listings, to see what you enjoy the most. You'll also need professional equipment, but you can pull a Jenna Kutcher and get an affordable one on eBay or Craigslist!

18. Online Tutoring

Best for: Moms who did well in school and can break down complex topics into simple lessons

If you're good at specific subjects, such as biology, history, or test preparation, you can become an online tutor. You'll need to create structured lesson plans that adapt to individual student needs and explain different topics in an engaging way.

Some moms find success with high-demand areas like SAT prep, but you can also focus on just helping students do their homework and improving their study skills.

19. Sell Baked Goods

Best for: Skilled bakers who can make yummy treats

If you're a good baker with an entrepreneur streak, you can create sought-after treats like custom birthday cakes, decorated cookies, artisanal bread, or themed cupcake boxes. This side hustle works especially well for moms since you can bake during nap times or after bedtime, and your family can taste-test new recipes.

Choose a few signature items - maybe allergy-friendly treats for school events, monthly cookie subscription boxes, or custom cakes. You can promote your new business through local mom groups and school networks. If there are any farmers' markets in your area, that can also be a good way to get new orders in!

20. Create Art

Best for: Artist moms ready to share their talent with the world

If you have an eye for art, there are a few different ways to turn it into a lucrative side hustle. You can sell original paintings, prints, digital illustrations, and commissioned pieces. Develop a distinctive style and identify your target market - there are all kinds of niches from abstract pieces to custom pet portraits.

In addition to creating the art, you'll also need to market your work and manage client relationships. Social media apps like Instagram and TikTok can be great for this, and many artists combine original piece sales with passive income through print-on-demand services and digital downloads.

FAQs

What’s a Good Side Hustle for a Stay-at-Home Mom?

There are lots of side hustles for stay-at-home moms to choose from, such as freelance writing or selling baked goods.

The best side hustle matches your available time, existing skills, and family situation. Virtual assistance and social media management offer flexible hours and remote work options. For moms who prefer structured schedules, teaching English online or tutoring can be great options. Creative hustles like selling handmade items or baked goods can work well for creative types.

How to Make Passive Income as a Mom?

You can generate passive income through digital products like printable planners, online courses, or educational materials. Affiliate marketing on a blog or social media platform can also create ongoing revenue. YouTube channel monetization also offer earning potential, but it takes time and consistency to get there.

How to Make a Side Hustle on Amazon?

There are a couple of revenue opportunities for moms on Amazon. You can sell products, self-publish books through Kindle Direct Publishing, and create merch, among other side hustle ideas.

How Can a Stay-at-Home Mom Make $2,000 a Month?

A stay-at-home mom can make $2,000 a month, and there are different ways to do that. To make $2,000 a month, you have to work for 20 hours every week at $25/hour. Many side hustles on this list have this earning potential, including freelance writing, becoming a virtual assistant, and social media management.

The great thing about having a side hustle is that you can set your own rates and hours. You can also charge $40/hour, which means you'll only need to work for about 12.5 hours every week to make $2,000 per month.

How to Make $1,000 a Month as a Stay-at-Home Mom?

A stay-at-home mom can make $1,000 a month through various side hustles on this list. To reach $1,000 a month, you need to work for 10 hours every week at $25/hour.

Side hustles like online tutoring, pet sitting, and graphic design services can easily command these rates. Since you control your rates and schedule, you could also charge $35/hour and work just 7 hours per week to reach your $1,000 monthly goal.

Become Financial Teammates with Your Partner

Starting a side hustle as a stay-at-home mom creates more than just extra income. It also builds a financial partnership with your spouse.

Many moms find that earning independent income sparks deeper conversations about family finances, encourages mutual support of each other's goals, and strengthens their marriage. But sometimes, it can also start uncomfortable conversations.

If you want to achieve financial clarity and peace in your marriage, book a free consultation with me, The Couples Financial Coach!