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Date Published: July 9, 2025
As teens head into summer break, many are seeking ways to earn money, gain independence and gain real-world experience. For parents, this can be the perfect time to help kids explore good first jobs that are not only age-appropriate but also build responsibility, decision-making skills and confidence.
While retail and fast-food jobs tend to receive the spotlight, roles such as babysitting, lifeguarding and pet sitting are good summer jobs for teens — especially those seeking flexible hours, meaningful work and valuable life skills. Here’s what makes each of these good first jobs a strong choice for teens, along with tips for how to prepare for your first job as a teenager.
Babysitting is often a teen’s first step into the workforce — and with good reason. It’s flexible, pays well per hour and gives teens real responsibility. Babysitters learn to problem-solve, manage routines and communicate with both children and adults. It’s a perfect opportunity for teens who want to grow as leaders, strengthen their babysitting skills, and have fun working with kids.
Additionally, babysitting jobs are great summer jobs for high schoolers because they teach how to follow directions and take responsibility for the safety and well-being of others.
For babysitting training options, the American Red Cross offers Babysitting Basics (Online) and the recently updated Babysitter’s Training (In-Person) courses.
Babysitters must also respect household rules — like bedtimes, screen time limits and snack choices — along with engaging children through games, crafts and conversation. It’s a hands-on summer job for teens that requires focus, patience and the ability to adapt to each child’s needs and energy levels.
It also helps to have a basic understanding of child development — such as how to interact with a toddler versus a school-age child — as well as what to do if a child becomes sick or injured while in their care.
Babysitting summer jobs help teens practice professionalism early and learn to communicate clearly, listen actively and navigate interpersonal dynamics — foundational skills for interviews, customer service roles and leadership opportunities in the future.
Lifeguarding is a rewarding and high-impact summer job for 15-year-olds that teaches teens how to stay calm under pressure and respond effectively to emergencies. Working as a lifeguard helps teens learn to work with team, enforce safety rules and make real-time decisions. It's a physically active job that builds maturity and resilience.
Lifeguarding summer jobs teens requires more than strong swimming skills — it calls for maturity, focus and leadership. Teens must be comfortable communicating clearly and confidently in public, often directing peers and adults to follow safety rules. This good summer jobs for teens also requires situational awareness, the ability to perform rescues or administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when necessary and handle emergencies calmly and efficiently.
To become a lifeguard, teens must be at least 15 years old on or before the last day of class and pass course specific swimming prerequisites prior to the start of training.
Lifeguard classes cover rescue skills, CPR, first aid and other relevant topics.
Pet sitting is a great local summer job for animal-loving teens — typically less demanding than childcare, but it still builds time management and responsibility through daily pet care and routine tasks.
The Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid course helps teens prepare to care for cats and dogs confidently and safely.
Pet sitting also requires responsibility and attention to detail. Teens need to be punctual — mainly when pets rely on specific feeding or medication schedules — and comfortable sticking to routines. Understanding basic animal behavior, such as signs of anxiety or illness, can help prevent problems and keep pets calm while their owners are away.
Teens working as a pet sitter should also be prepared to handle issues — like a runaway dog or a pet that won’t eat — with patience and problem-solving skills.
Some pet owners may prefer sitters who have basic knowledge of pet first aid, especially if their pets are older or require special care.
According to the US Department of Labor, children under 14 may perform work like minor chores or casual babysitting. Job types and schedules may be restricted depending on local regulations. However, informal summer jobs teens like babysitting and pet sitting often fall outside these restrictions, making them good first jobs for younger teens.
When your teen starts looking for a summer job, online job boards and social media are great places to begin — but their experience can make all the difference. Help them review listings, complete applications, or create a basic resume highlighting certifications or skills. Even entry-level jobs like babysitting or pet sitting benefit from a short summary of relevant experience.
Also check in with their school counselor or local organizations. Some schools share job listings, and neighborhood bulletin boards or town Facebook groups often post pet sitting or childcare opportunities.
Don’t underestimate your network — ask friends, neighbors, or coworkers if they know anyone hiring.
Whether your teen wants to care for kids, keep swimmers safe, or look after pets, jobs like these offer flexible schedules, real responsibility, and a strong foundation for the future. Let this summer be the one where they grow confidence, earn a paycheck, and gain lasting life skills.
Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross. Our mission is to advance lifesaving education so you are better to prepared. Our robust training curriculum includes CPR and AED, First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Babysitting and Child Care, Lifeguarding, Water Safety and more.
