20 Creative DIY Crafts for Teens to Make Money

on Mar 26, 2019, Updated Oct 21, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links: full affiliate disclosure.

Simple, easy DIY crafts for teens to make and even make money! These crafts will give you inspiration for your next Etsy store!

Everyone loves some extra cash to spend on whatever we find necessary or impulsive. I certainly would have loved some extra money when I was a teenager.

There were quite a few things (actually a lot of things) that I would have liked to get but didn’t. Having extra cash in your wallet gives you a certain level of freedom.

If you’re very enterprising, you might be on your way to owning your own car or having big bucks in your personal savings account. How about that?

One of the best ways to earn extra as a teenager is to involve yourself in creative crafts. So, here are 20 creative DIY crafts to do for some extra cash as a teenager.

1. Knitted Simple Wears

Source: designsponge.com

Not many people knit these days so it is definitely something to do. Cardigans, beanies, purses socks, and gloves are only a few of the functional clothing that you can knit.

Apart from the functionality of knitwear, they are stylish and comfy for people wearing them and for you. It is a way to make extra without much upfront cost.

All you need is a ball of yarn, a need, and a clear idea of what to knit. Here is a good deal if you happen not to have any yarns at home.

2. Make DIY Greeting Cards

Source: holidappy.com

Someone somewhere is always in the need of a greeting card for a friend or family’s birthday, prom, graduation, or any celebration.

If you have learned to write calligraphy and design or draw well. Then, you can make some of these greeting cards yourself.

All you need is the paper cards, markers, and a few other materials like glitter, ribbons that you need to spice the cards up. Make a few greeting cards and envelope designs, share them on Instagram, Facebook, and show your friends what you can do.

3. DIY Custom Mugs

Source: womentriangle.com

This is also quite an easy craft to make. All you have to do is get a few plain mugs, stencil out what you would like to print on the mugs, and transfer the design to the mug with a wax pencil.

Most of the time, you’re going to use markers though! Get good quality markers here and check this tutorial on how to design the mugs exactly.

You can give people the option to choose their texts, designs, or quotes!

4. Jewelry and Accessories

Source: aliexpress.com

You can work on several materials to make jewelry which you can sell. From leather to glass beads, wooden beads to cowries, threads, and wires.

You can make bracelets, earrings, neck-pieces and much more. Just use your imagination!

Here’s a jewelry kit you’ll find useful!

5. DIY Makeup Products

Source: onegreenplanet.org

Every girl needs beauty products but sometimes it’s expensive to get these in stores. An easy way to make money is to produce easy to make natural products.

Check for natural recipes you can get around you and get to work. Make activated charcoal, cocoa powder, coconut oil, homemade foundation, and so on.

And you can sell these!

6. Make DIY Soaps

Source: diyprojectsforteens.com

Whether liquid soap for kitchen cleaning or fragranced soaps for baths, you can decide on which one you want to make. Choose both if you want.

You can make these soaps, package them well, and sell them. Here is a full tutorial on how to make soap.

You’ll need:

7. Make Brooch Magnets and Pins

Source: josephinepenelope.wordpress.com

You can also get brooches (vintage or otherwise) and attach magnets to them. These are easy to use and will be popular amongst everyone.

8. Printed Pillowcases and Bed Sheets

Source: 3blackcatscafe.com

Get pillowcases and bedsheets and do some tie and die on them. Dry them, and they are ready for sale.

You can also make different sorts of prints on them, from texts to floral and vintage prints. These items are super popular so there is a constant need for them.

9. Painted Wood Décor With Text

Source: allybethdesignco.com

You can get a plank or nail a couple of slim plants together. Paint them in nice bright colors and write catchy quotes on them.

You can use stencils to make the texts or if you have a good hand for drawing, get some paint and write away on the planks. This makes for nice home decoration.

10. Make Stationery Containers

Source: gingersnapcrafts.com

You can use several materials such as faux leather or plastic to make containers for pencils, pens, and rulers. Everyone who writes needs these to keep all their stationeries in one place.

Plus, it is a simple way for you to earn some extra.

11. Make Fashionable Tote Bags

Source: nymag.com

For a couple of years now, totes have been the fad! And they are not hard to make.

With basic sewing skills, you can make totes and drawstrings. Add prints to them and they are ready for rollout and sales.

12. Scented Candles in Mason jars

Source: etsy.com

Scented candles can be made at home with the cheap materials you can get at a convenience store. All these candles serve for decorative and fragrance purposes.

It’s no wonder you see these candles being used at home all the time. You can make these candles right inside mason jars.

Here are more mason jar ideas you’re going to love and can totally sell. And if you don’t have any mason jars at home, you can buy them here.

13. DIY Key Chains

Source: diynetwork.com

You can also make key chains from materials you find around or better still, materials you can recycle. Everyone needs a key chain.

While they might not consciously look for one, people rarely say no to a new attractive keychain.

14. Framed Drawings or Photographs

Source: Posterjack.com

Love taking photos? Love drawing?

Why not frame your piece of art and try to sell it. Get a vintage frame or keep it simple with plain white frames.

Nevertheless, you can use your creative juices to make something truly special. At the end of the day, art is really what gains value with experience and time.

15. Gift Baskets

Source: prudentpennypincher.com

While it might not look very easy to make. The gift basket can be totally made at home.

A gift basket can be great for any person of any age. Decorate it a little bit and you can increase the price.

That’s really how you make the money. You can always include DIY soaps and other DIY crafts others will definitely appreciate.

Here are some of the DIY Easter basket ideas for your loved ones too! If you need a willow basket, to begin with, check these out here.

16. DIY Phone Pouches

Source: youtube.com

A phone pouch protects phones from scratches. A fashionable one adds style to the carrier.

Make phone pouches and sell them. These are fairly simple to make, if you love sewing, they’re great.

17. Make Headbands

Source: marymarthamama.com

You can make adorable headbands from fabrics. These are simple and lovely.

Colorful fabrics are really the key here! So, play with different colors, different materials, and see what works best.

18. DIY Paper Cups

Source: handmadecharlotte.com

You can make DIY paper cups for parties, drinking games, and so on. All you need is the paper materials, cutting scissors and other accessories you need for design.