TL;DR — Quick Summary
- 1All 100 hustles can be done with kids at home
- 2Many work during naps, school hours, or after bedtime
- 3Starting a Shopify store offers the most scalability
- 4Freelance services like VA work earn $15 to $40/hour
- 5Digital products create passive income over time
Good news: You do not need childcare to earn money. These 100 side hustles are specifically chosen because they work around unpredictable schedules, can be done in short bursts, and do not require you to be available at specific times. Let us find your fit.
Good news: You do not need childcare to earn money. These 100 side hustles are specifically chosen because they work around unpredictable schedules, can be done in short bursts, and do not require you to be available at specific times. Let us find your fit.
Start Your Shopify Store Today
Join millions of entrepreneurs who have made over $1 trillion in sales on Shopify.
Naptime Friendly Hustles (1 to 15)
These hustles are perfect for those precious 1 to 2 hour windows when little ones are sleeping. They require minimal setup time and can be paused at any moment.
1. Start a Shopify Store
This is my top recommendation for SAHMs because it works entirely on your schedule. You can build your store during naps, respond to customers during screen time, and ship orders when your partner is home. Start with dropshipping so you never touch inventory. Successful store owners earn $500 to $10,000+ monthly.
2. Sell Etsy Printables
Create downloadable planners, wall art, invitations, or organizational templates once, then sell them forever. No shipping required. Work on designs during naps and let Etsy handle the rest. Top sellers report $1,000 to $10,000+ monthly.
3. Freelance Writing
Write blog posts or articles for businesses. You pick your deadlines and work when you can. Freelance writers earn $0.10 to $1 per word or $20 to $50+ per hour.
4. Proofreading
Review content for errors. No phone calls needed. Proofreaders earn $20 to $50 per hour and can work in short focused bursts.
5. Data Entry
Input data for businesses. Simple work that requires no calls. Data entry workers earn $15 to $25 per hour.
6. Transcription
Convert audio files to text. Work with headphones during quiet time. Transcriptionists earn $15 to $30+ per hour.
7. Affiliate Marketing Blog
Start a blog about topics you know. Recommend products and earn commissions. Posts you write today can earn money for years. Bloggers earn $0 to $5,000+ monthly.
8. Pinterest Management
Create pins and manage boards for businesses. Mostly async work. Pinterest managers charge $300 to $1,500+ monthly per client.
9. Instagram Content Creation
Create content for brands. Batch create during long naps or after bedtime. Content creators build packages based on deliverables.
10. Selling Digital Products
Create ebooks, templates, presets, or courses. Build once, sell forever with no ongoing time commitment after creation. Digital products offer 90%+ profit margins.
11. Bookkeeping
Manage financial records for clients. Most bookkeeping work is async and can be scheduled around your family. Bookkeepers earn $25 to $80 per hour.
12. Resume Writing
Create resumes for job seekers. Work on your schedule with email communication. Resume writers charge $100 to $500+ per resume.
13. Graphic Design
Create logos, social media graphics, and marketing materials. Graphic designers earn $13 to $39+ per hour.
14. Photo Editing
Edit photos for photographers or businesses. Quiet work perfect for nap time. Photo editors charge per photo or hourly.
15. Copywriting
Write sales copy and marketing materials. Async work with good pay. Copywriters are among the highest paid freelancers.
Pro Tip
Build Your Store During Naps
Shopify works on your schedule. No inventory, no calls, no set hours.
Ecommerce & Online Stores (16 to 30)
16. Dropshipping Store
Sell products without holding inventory. Suppliers ship directly to customers.
17. Print on Demand
Design custom products. Printful or Printify handles production and shipping.
18. Etsy Handmade Shop
Sell handmade jewelry, crafts, or home decor. Craft while kids play.
19. Vintage Reselling
Source and sell vintage items online. Shop with kids, list during naps.
20. Kids Clothing Resale
Buy and resell children's clothes on Poshmark or Mercari.
21. Amazon FBA
Send products to Amazon and they handle fulfillment. Sellers earn $300 to $2,000+ monthly.
22. Subscription Box
Curate monthly boxes in a niche you love. Recurring revenue model.
23. Candle Making Business
Create custom candles at home. Great craft to do around kids.
24. Soap Making
Handmade soaps sell well online and at local markets.
25. Jewelry Making
Design and sell handmade jewelry. High profit margins.
26. Custom Baby Products
Personalized baby items are always in demand.
27. Party Supplies Shop
Sell party decorations, banners, and printable invitations.
28. Home Decor Store
Curate or create home decor products to sell online.
29. Pet Products Shop
Sell pet accessories, treats, or custom items.
30. Thrift Flipping
Buy low at thrift stores, sell high online. Take kids on treasure hunts.
Freelance Services (31 to 50)
31. Virtual Assistant
Admin support for businesses. VAs earn $15 to $40 per hour.
32. Social Media Manager
Manage accounts and create content. $300 to $1,500+ per client monthly.
33. Email Marketing
Create email campaigns and automation sequences.
34. SEO Specialist
Optimize websites for search engines. $15 to $25+ per hour.
35. Web Design
Build websites for small businesses. $45+ per hour.
36. Video Editing
Edit videos for content creators. $20 to $120 per hour.
37. Podcast Editing
Edit audio and create show notes. $30 to $300+ per episode.
38. Course Creation Help
Help experts turn their knowledge into courses.
39. Funnel Building
Create sales funnels for businesses. Specialized skill with high pay.
40. Community Management
Manage Facebook groups or online communities.
41. Customer Service Rep
Remote customer support via email or chat. $18 to $22 per hour.
42. Tech Support
Help clients with technical issues remotely.
43. Translation Services
Translate documents if you speak multiple languages.
44. Grant Writing
Write funding proposals for nonprofits. $20 to $250 per hour.
45. Research Services
Conduct research for businesses or academics.
46. Presentation Design
Create professional PowerPoints and pitch decks.
47. Spreadsheet Expert
Build complex spreadsheets and databases for businesses.
48. Project Management
Coordinate projects for clients remotely.
49. Podcast Launch Support
Help new podcasters get their shows off the ground.
50. Online Business Management
High level support for online entrepreneurs. $50+ per hour.
Creative Side Hustles (51 to 65)
51. Photography (Weekend Sessions)
Offer mini sessions when your partner can watch kids. $100 to $300+ per session.
52. Stock Photography
Sell photos on stock sites. Passive income from images you have already taken.
53. Illustration
Create custom illustrations for clients.
54. Digital Art Sales
Sell digital downloads of your artwork.
55. Pattern Design
Create patterns for fabric, wallpaper, or digital products.
56. Lettering Artist
Create custom lettering for logos and products.
57. Knitting and Crochet
Sell handmade items or patterns. Great to do while watching kids.
58. Sewing and Alterations
Offer sewing services from home.
59. Embroidery
Custom embroidery for clothing and gifts.
60. Painting Commissions
Create custom paintings for clients.
61. Craft Kits
Create and sell DIY craft kits for others.
62. Furniture Refinishing
Flip furniture in your garage. Work during naps or school.
63. Sign Making
Create custom signs for homes and events.
64. Cake Decorating
Make custom cakes for special occasions.
65. Cookie Decorating
Decorated cookies for parties and events.
Pro Tip
Teaching & Coaching (66 to 75)
66. Online Course Creation
Build courses on your expertise. Create once, sell forever.
67. Tutoring (During School Hours)
Tutor students while your kids are in school. $18 to $60 per hour.
68. Music Lessons
Teach music during scheduled times.
69. Language Tutoring
Teach languages online. $15 to $50+ per hour.
70. Mommy and Me Classes
Teach classes you can bring your own kids to.
71. Parenting Coaching
Help other parents with strategies you have learned.
72. Sleep Consulting
Help parents with baby sleep training. $200 to $500+ per client.
73. Breastfeeding Support
Become a lactation consultant or peer counselor.
74. Virtual Fitness Classes
Teach workout classes online.
75. Yoga for Kids Classes
Teach yoga to children. Your kids can participate.
Home Based Services (76 to 85)
76. Babysitting Swap
Exchange childcare with other moms while running your business.
77. Home Daycare
Provide licensed childcare while earning. $25,000 to $60,000 annually.
78. Pet Sitting
Watch pets in your home. Kids love having animals around.
79. Dog Walking
Walk dogs with your kids in a stroller. $15 to $30 per walk.
80. Baking Business
Bake from home and sell locally or online.
81. Meal Prep Services
Prep meals for busy families. $10 to $15+ per meal.
82. Homemade Baby Food
Make and sell organic baby food locally.
83. Personal Organizing
Help others declutter. Work during school hours. $50 to $100+ per hour.
84. Errand Running
Run errands for busy people while doing your own.
85. Laundry Service
Wash, fold, and deliver laundry for busy families.
Passive Income Ideas (86 to 100)
86. YouTube Channel
Create videos when you can. Monetize through ads over time.
87. Podcast
Record episodes during naps. Monetize through sponsorships.
88. Niche Blog
Build a blog that earns through ads and affiliates.
89. Amazon Kindle Publishing
Write and publish ebooks on Amazon.
90. Low Content Books
Create journals, planners, and coloring books for Amazon.
91. Sell Stock Video
Upload video clips to stock sites.
92. License Your Music
Create and license music or sound effects.
93. App Monetization
Create simple apps that earn through ads.
94. Rental Income
Rent out a room, parking spot, or storage space.
95. Dividend Investing
Invest money you earn into dividend stocks for passive income.
96. Create Templates
Design Canva or Notion templates to sell.
97. Sell Lightroom Presets
Create photo editing presets for photographers.
98. Email List Monetization
Build an email list and monetize through affiliates and products.
99. Create Membership Site
Build a community that pays monthly for access.
100. Franchise Ownership
Invest in a franchise that others manage day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What side hustles can I do with a toddler at home?
How many hours per week do I need for a side hustle?
Can I really make money without leaving my kids?
What is the best side hustle for a SAHM with no experience?
You Have Got This
Being a stay at home mom is already a full time job. Adding a side hustle on top seems impossible some days. But the truth is, many SAHMs are doing it successfully by choosing hustles that fit their life, not the other way around.
Start small. Pick one thing that excites you. Work on it during naps and after bedtime. You do not need 40 hours a week to build something meaningful.
Start Your Shopify Store Today
Join millions of entrepreneurs who have made over $1 trillion in sales on Shopify.
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Arielle Phoenix
Mommy Money Founder
Homeschool mother, web asset builder and AI SEO specialist. Arielle knows a thing or two about being a mommy and making money while doing it! From side hustles, to main hustles to full time wfh employment—Arielle has tackled it all.