In the United States, most 12-year-olds cannot hold ordinary, formal jobs. Federal child labor law generally sets 14 as the minimum age for most nonagricultural employment. However, limited exceptions may allow a 12-year-old to earn money through casual babysitting, certain farm work, acting, newspaper delivery, or work for a parent in a family business. State rules can be stricter, so families should check local requirements before accepting paid work.
Federal Rules for Jobs at Age 12
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, establishes minimum-age rules for many jobs. In general, a child must be at least 14 to work in nonagricultural occupations covered by the law. Even after turning 14, young workers face limits on work hours, permitted tasks, and equipment.
That means a 12-year-old generally cannot be hired for a typical part-time job at a grocery store, restaurant, retail shop, office, or recreation center. An employer cannot avoid federal child labor requirements simply by calling the position a “family job,” paying cash, or describing the child as an independent contractor. The details of the work and the applicable laws matter.
Federal law does recognize specific exceptions. Some are narrow, and state law may restrict them further. A job that is legal under federal rules is not automatically legal in every state or locality.
Jobs a 12-Year-Old May Be Able to Do
Casual Babysitting
Occasional babysitting is generally treated differently from employment in a regular business. A 12-year-old may be able to babysit for neighbors or family friends on an informal, limited basis, depending on state and local rules. This is not the same as working as a regular employee at a child-care center, which is subject to additional employment and licensing requirements.
Families should consider whether the child is ready to supervise younger children, understands emergency procedures, and can contact a responsible adult. A babysitting course, such as one offered by the American Red Cross, can help build basic skills, but it does not change minimum-age laws.
Yard Work and Household Tasks
Neighbors may pay a 12-year-old for occasional, simple tasks such as watering plants, raking leaves, pulling weeds, or shoveling light snow. These informal arrangements may fall outside ordinary employment rules, but the legal treatment depends on how the work is organized and on state law.
Safety is essential. A 12-year-old should not operate power mowers, chainsaws, snowblowers, or other dangerous equipment. Federal child labor rules restrict minors from hazardous occupations, and state laws may set additional limits. Adults should also provide suitable supervision and protective gear for any task involving tools, weather exposure, or heavy lifting.
Pet Care
Walking a calm dog, feeding a pet, cleaning a litter box, or caring for animals while a neighbor is away can be a practical way to earn money. These occasional services are different from working as an employee at a kennel, veterinary clinic, pet store, or commercial animal facility, where minimum-age and workplace rules may apply.
Parents should make sure the child can safely handle the animal, follow written instructions, and reach an adult if something goes wrong. A child should not be expected to manage an unfamiliar, aggressive, or physically strong animal alone.
Newspaper Delivery
Federal law has a specific exception allowing children younger than 14 to deliver newspapers to consumers. The exception is limited to newspaper delivery; it does not create a general right to work as a courier or delivery driver. Local rules, route conditions, and the delivery company’s policies may affect whether a 12-year-old can take part.
Delivery must be planned around safety, including traffic, weather, visibility, and adult supervision. A child cannot legally drive a car for a delivery job at age 12, and bicycle use must comply with local safety laws.
Acting and Performing
Children may work as actors or performers under an exception to federal minimum-age rules. However, entertainment work is often regulated by state law, including rules on permits, work hours, schooling, supervision, and the handling of a child’s earnings. California and New York, for example, have detailed rules for minors working in entertainment.
A production’s employer or responsible adult should confirm the applicable rules before a child begins rehearsals or paid work. The exception does not mean that every role, production schedule, or working condition is permitted.
Work for a Parent’s Business
A child may be able to work for a parent in a business owned solely by that parent, subject to important limits. Federal law does not allow a child under 16 to work in manufacturing or mining for a parent’s business, and children cannot perform jobs deemed hazardous under federal rules. Additional restrictions can apply depending on the business structure and the child’s duties.
For example, helping with a simple, safe task in a parent-owned shop may be treated differently from using machinery, preparing food around dangerous equipment, or doing construction work. Parents should verify the legal status of the business, the exact duties, and any state requirements rather than assuming that family ownership removes all restrictions.
Some Agricultural Work
Agricultural work has different federal rules from most other jobs. Under certain conditions, children younger than 14 may perform nonhazardous farm work outside school hours. The rules can depend on parental consent, whether the farm is owned or operated by a parent, and whether the farm is covered by the relevant federal requirements.
Federal agricultural child labor rules also restrict hazardous farm work for workers under 16, with a limited exception for certain tasks performed on a farm owned or operated by a parent. Farm work can involve machinery, animals, chemicals, heat, and other serious hazards, so families should not treat the exception as permission for a child to do any farm task.
Because agricultural employment rules are complex and state laws vary, a farm operator should consult the U.S. Department of Labor or the state labor agency before hiring a 12-year-old. School attendance requirements still apply.
Jobs a 12-Year-Old Generally Cannot Have
Unless a specific legal exception applies, a 12-year-old generally cannot be hired as a regular employee for common nonfarm jobs. Examples include:
- Cashier or stock clerk at a store
- Restaurant server, cook, or dishwasher
- Movie theater employee or amusement-park worker
- Office assistant or receptionist
- Camp counselor employed by an organization
- Regular child-care-center employee
- Delivery driver or app-based courier
These examples are general, not a complete list. A role’s label does not determine whether it is lawful. The employer, duties, work setting, and state rules all matter.
Work Hours and School Attendance
Federal rules limiting hours for 14- and 15-year-old employees do not create a general work-hour allowance for 12-year-olds. Instead, a 12-year-old’s work must fit within a recognized exception and comply with any conditions attached to it. State law may impose limits on hours, time of day, school attendance, permits, or supervision even where federal law permits an activity.
Compulsory education laws continue to apply. Work cannot interfere with required school attendance, and state rules may also cover homeschooling or school breaks. Parents should check the rules in their state before arranging a recurring schedule.
State Laws Can Be More Restrictive
The FLSA is a federal baseline, not the only source of rules. States may set a higher minimum age, narrow an exception, require a work permit, regulate babysitting or farm work, or impose additional safety and hour restrictions. When federal and state standards differ, the more protective rule generally governs.
Requirements can also vary by city or county. A local ordinance, school policy, or program-specific rule may affect a child’s ability to participate. For that reason, families should verify the rules where the work will actually take place—not rely only on a general online list of jobs for 12-year-olds.
How to Check Whether a Job Is Legal
- Identify the exact duties. Write down what the child will do, where the work will happen, and whether the arrangement is occasional or regular.
- Determine whether it is employment. Informal neighborhood help may be treated differently from work for a business, but the label “side job” does not decide the issue.
- Check federal rules. Review the U.S. Department of Labor’s child labor guidance and the applicable exception.
- Check state requirements. Contact the state department of labor or review its official child labor resources for age limits, permits, hours, and task restrictions.
- Assess safety and supervision. Do not assign hazardous equipment, dangerous animals, heavy loads, or tasks beyond the child’s ability.
If an employer is unsure whether a proposed job is legal, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division can provide information. Its official guidance is available at dol.gov/agencies/whd/child-labor. Families can also contact their state labor agency for local requirements.
Ways to Earn Money Without a Formal Job
When a regular job is not legally available, a 12-year-old may be able to earn money through age-appropriate, occasional services, subject to local rules and parental oversight. Examples include helping relatives with household tasks, selling crafts with an adult’s involvement, or doing simple yard work for a neighbor.
These activities still require sensible boundaries. A parent should clarify the task, payment, schedule, and safety expectations. Online selling and social media-based work can involve privacy, platform age limits, taxes, and consumer-protection issues, so an adult should manage accounts and transactions.
Quick Reference: Common Work Options
| Activity | General federal position | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Casual babysitting | May be allowed as an occasional service | State rules and child-care licensing requirements may apply |
| Pet care or simple yard work | May be possible as informal, occasional work | Avoid hazardous tools, unsafe animals, and regular business employment |
| Newspaper delivery | Specific federal exception | Only newspaper delivery; check local rules and safety conditions |
| Acting or performing | Specific federal exception | State permits, hours, education, and earnings rules may apply |
| Parent’s business | May be allowed in limited circumstances | Manufacturing, mining, and hazardous work are restricted |
| Farm work | Limited exceptions may apply | Rules depend on consent, farm ownership, hazards, and state law |
The practical answer is that a 12-year-old usually cannot take a standard employee job, but a few narrow exceptions and informal, safe services may be available. Before any paid work begins, the family should confirm the child’s duties against federal and state rules and make sure the arrangement protects the child’s safety and education.