You’re already doing the work of two people. The last thing you need is a side hustle that feels like a third job.

According to Statistica, 15.3 million U.S. children live with their moms in a single parent household in 2025. For the majority of those families, income comes from one person. A flexible side hustle can be the difference between just getting by and actually getting ahead.

In this guide, you’ll find 43 of the best side hustles for single moms. They’re organized by how much time they take, whether you can do them from home and how fast they pay. Start with what works for your life right now.

Not sure where to start? Check out our full guide to the best apps to make money first.

Quick Comparison: Best Side Hustles for Single Moms

Side Hustle	Time to First $$	From Home?	Effort Level	Best For
KashKick	1-3 days	✅ Yes	Low	Any spare moment
Paid surveys	1-3 days	✅ Yes	Low	TV/multitasking time
Cashback apps	Instant-7 days	✅ Yes	Very low	Existing shoppers
Freelance writing	1-2 weeks	✅ Yes	Medium	Writers
Virtual assistant	1-2 weeks	✅ Yes	Medium	Organized moms
Tutoring	1 week	✅ Yes (online)	Medium	Subject experts
DoorDash/Instacart	3-5 days	❌ No	Medium	Moms with a car
Selling secondhand	Same day	✅ Mostly	Low-Medium	Declutterers
Pet sitting	1 week	❌ Some	Low	Animal lovers
Etsy printables	2-4 weeks	✅ Yes	Medium (upfront)	Creative moms

43 Best Side Hustles for Single Moms

The best side hustles for single moms are flexible enough to fit around school pickups, sick days and unpredictable schedules. They don’t require expensive equipment, long commutes or a degree. And they pay out reliably so you don’t have to chase down earnings.

Phone and App-Based Side Hustles

These require nothing but your phone and a few spare minutes. They’re the fastest way to start earning and the best fit for moms with unpredictable schedules.

1. Earn Real Cash With KashKick

KashKick is the single best starting point for single moms who need flexibility above everything else. You can earn real cash by playing mobile games, taking surveys, trying new apps and claiming deals, all from your phone, on your own time.

What makes KashKick different from other rewards apps is transparency. Every offer shows exactly what you’ll earn and what you need to do before you start. No surprise disqualifications, no confusing points systems. You earn in dollars (where $1 Kash = $1 USD) and once you hit $10, you can cash out through PayPal, Venmo, grab a gift card or donate to charity.

Real moms have made it work. Stay-at-home mom Christina earned around $75 in fun money before a family Disney trip. Read more KashKick reviews from real members.

For single moms specifically, KashKick works because you can earn in 5-minute windows. School pickup line, bedtime after the kids are asleep, commercials: It all adds up.

Key features:

• Earn cash playing 100+ games, taking surveys, claiming deals and shopping online
• $10 cashout minimum with 1-3 business day processing
• 4.6 stars on the App Store, 4.4 stars on Google Play
• Refer a friend and earn 25% of their game and deal earnings—for life

Available on: iOS and Android

2. Take Paid Surveys During Downtime

Paid online surveys are one of the most underrated side hustles for single moms. This isn’t because they pay a lot individually, but because they require zero focus. You can answer questions while watching TV, waiting in line or sitting in a waiting room.

KashKick includes surveys inside its platform, so you can earn from games, deals and surveys all in one place. Look for platforms that show payout and a time estimate before you start so you can choose wisely.

Key features:

• Earn from a few cents to a few dollars per survey
• Complete surveys from anywhere, anytime
• Best when combined with other earning methods

3. Get Paid to Play Mobile Games

If you already unwind with a mobile game at the end of the day, you could be getting paid for it. KashKick partners with popular mobile games and pays you when you hit specific milestones—reach level 20, complete a certain challenge, build up to a target score.

You play through KashKick, earn kash for completing goals and cash out once you hit $10. Some game offers on KashKick pay more for hitting advanced levels.

Key features:

• No in-app purchases required to earn
• Every offer shows payout and timeline upfront
• 100+ game options across genres

4. Earn Cashback on Groceries and Everyday Shopping

You’re already spending money on groceries, kids’ clothes and household supplies. Cashback apps give you a percentage back—no extra effort required.

KashKick’s KashBack feature lets you earn kash back at popular retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, DoorDash and more. Rakuten is great for online shopping at hundreds of major stores. Ibotta is specifically strong for groceries and in-store purchases.

Key features:

• Earn on purchases you’re already making
• Stack with coupon codes for maximum savings
• KashBack by KashKick available for iOS users

5. Try New Apps and Products for One-Time Bonuses

Companies pay to get new users, and KashKick passes that money to you. Through the deals section, you can earn rewards for trying services like streaming platforms, budgeting apps, grocery delivery and more.

Past KashKick deals have included cash for signing up for credit tools, financial apps and subscription services. Each deal clearly shows what steps you need to complete. Some pay significantly more than surveys or games, making them worth checking regularly.

Learn more about why KashKick pays you to try new apps.

Key features:

• One-time payouts that can be higher than other earning methods
• Requirements are spelled out before you commit
• Deals rotate, so new options appear regularly

6. Build Passive Income Through the KashKick Referral Program

This one’s a true passive earner. Share your KashKick referral link: In mom Facebook groups, neighborhood chats, text threads and earn 25% of everything your referrals make from games and deals. There’s no cap and no expiration.

Key features:

• Earn 25% of referral earnings from games and deals, for life
• No limit on referrals
• Works in the background once links are shared

7. Earn Money Testing Websites and Apps

Companies pay real people to test their products before launch. Your job: Complete tasks on a website or app while recording your screen and narrating your thoughts. No technical skills required, just honest feedback.

UserTesting pays up to $10 per 20-minute test and up to $60 for live interviews. Tests aren’t always available, so this works best as a supplement to other earning strategies.

Key features:

• Fully remote with flexible hours
• No experience or technical knowledge required
• Higher-paying live interview tests available

8. Get Paid to Search the Web

Search engine evaluators review internet search results and rate how relevant and accurate they are. It’s a quietly popular remote gig that pays $12 to $20 per hour with no prior experience required.

Companies like Telus Digital hire for these roles regularly. Work is fully remote and schedule-flexible: You set your own hours within weekly minimums.

Key features:

• Fully remote and flexible hours
• No experience required
• Consistent demand from major tech companies

9. Participate in Market Research Studies

Beyond standard surveys, market research companies recruit participants for longer studies, product testing and focus groups. These pay more, typically $25 to $100 or more per session.

Check out User Interviews and Respondent for paid research studies. Sessions are often conducted via video call so you can participate from home.

Key features:

• Significantly higher pay than regular surveys
• Remote participation via video call
• Sessions typically take 30 to 60 minutes

Freelance and Remote Work Side Hustles

10. Start Freelance Writing From Home

If you’re a decent writer, freelance writing is one of the most accessible remote side hustles out there. Businesses, blogs, marketing agencies and publications constantly need content, and many don’t require a journalism degree if your writing is clear and engaging.

Start on Upwork or Fiverr by pitching in niches you know well such as parenting, personal finance, health or education. New writers can expect $25 to $75 per article; experienced writers command $200 or more.

Key features:

• Fully remote and flexible
• Rates scale quickly with experience
• Strong, consistent demand across industries

11. Offer Virtual Assistant Services

Virtual assistants help entrepreneurs and small business owners manage email, scheduling, social media, data entry and customer service on an entirely remote basis. If you’re organized and good at juggling tasks (which, as a single mom, you obviously are), this translates directly.

Find VA work on Upwork or by reaching out directly to small business owners in your network. Rates typically range from $15 to $40 per hour.

Key features:

• Skills you likely already have
• Fully remote and flexible
• Recurring clients mean predictable income

12. Tutor Students Online or In-Person

If you’re strong in a subject—math, reading, science, test prep, a second language—tutoring can be one of the highest-paying side hustles per hour. The national average for independent tutors is around $25 per hour; experienced tutors in high-demand subjects earn $50 to $80.

Find clients through Tutor.com or by advertising in local school and parent groups. Online tutoring via video call is fully remote and flexible.

Key features:

• High hourly earning potential
• Flexible scheduling (evenings work well)
• Growing demand for academic support at all ages

13. Transcribe Audio and Video Files

Transcription involves converting audio or video into written text. No special skills needed: just accuracy, a good ear and a reliable internet connection. It’s a solid late-night or nap-time hustle.

Platforms like TranscribeMe hire remote transcriptionists and pay per audio minute. New transcribers typically earn $0.45 to $0.75 per audio minute; faster typists earn more.

Key features:

• Work entirely from home on your own schedule
• No experience required to start
• Flexible—work as much or as little as you want

14. Manage Social Media for Small Businesses

If you already spend time on Instagram or Facebook, you have a head start. Small businesses often need someone to create posts, respond to comments and maintain a consistent presence — and many are willing to pay $300 to $800 a month per platform for this.

Build a simple portfolio by managing social media for a local business or nonprofit at a discounted rate, then use that to land paying clients. Find opportunities through local networking.

Key features:

• Leverage skills you already use daily
• Recurring retainer income from ongoing clients
• Fully remote

15. Offer Bookkeeping for Small Businesses

If you’re comfortable with numbers and organized by nature, freelance bookkeeping pays well. Many small business owners struggle with their finances and happily outsource it to someone reliable.

A short online course can be all you need to get started. Freelance bookkeepers typically charge $25 to $75 per hour depending on experience and scope.

Key features:

• High hourly rates relative to time required
• Recurring clients mean predictable monthly income
• Fully remote

16. Become a Proofreader or Editor

Businesses, bloggers, authors and students all need a second set of eyes on their writing. If you have a strong grasp of grammar and attention to detail, proofreading and editing can be done entirely from home on your own schedule.

Find clients on Reedsy or other sites online. Rates typically range from $15 to $40 per hour depending on the type of work.

Key features:

• Fully remote and schedule-flexible
• No formal training required to start
• Strong demand from bloggers, businesses and students

17. Do Data Entry or Admin Work Online

Data entry is one of the most accessible remote side hustles because it requires no specialized skills—just accuracy and attention to detail. Companies hire data entry workers to input information, organize records and maintain databases.

Find legitimate opportunities on Upwork or Indeed. Be cautious of scams—legitimate data entry jobs don’t require an upfront fee.

Key features:

• No experience required
• Flexible hours
• Consistent demand, especially from small businesses

18. Create and Sell an Online Course

If you have expertise in any area—parenting, fitness, cooking, organization, a professional skill—you can package it into an online course and sell it repeatedly. Platforms like Teachable and Udemy handle the hosting and sales.

This takes real upfront effort, but once a course is live, it earns passively. A well-positioned course in a niche you know can generate hundreds of dollars a month with no additional work.

Key features:

• Highly passive once created
• Scales with no additional time investment
• Strong demand for “how-to” content in almost every niche

Home-Based and Local Side Hustles

These work around your home setup and neighborhood—and many can involve your kids.

19. Offer Babysitting or In-Home Daycare

If you already have young children at home, adding one or two more is a natural extension. Advertise through local parent Facebook groups or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor.

Rates typically range from $15 to $25 per hour for babysitting, with in-home daycare rates varying by state licensing requirements. Regular clients can mean reliable weekly income.

Key features:

• Leverage an existing home setup
• Flexible hours based on your availability
• High local demand, especially for trusted caregivers

20. Offer Cleaning Services

House cleaning is one of the most in-demand local services because supply is lower than you’d think. Most clients want a reliable, trustworthy cleaner they can keep long-term, making this a great fit for moms who build strong relationships.

Advertise through Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor. Rates typically start at $25 to $35 per hour, with regular clients becoming the backbone of predictable weekly income.

Key features:

• High local demand
• Flexible scheduling
• Strong word-of-mouth growth potential

21. Cook or Bake for Neighbors and Local Businesses

If people consistently tell you your food is amazing, there’s a business in it. Many single moms start with selling baked goods, meal prep services or catering for small events through local word-of-mouth and social media.

Check your state’s cottage food laws before starting—most states allow home-based food businesses with some basic requirements. This side hustle grows almost entirely through referrals.

Key features:

• Low startup costs if you already have kitchen equipment
• Grows quickly through word-of-mouth
• Flexible—you set your own menu and schedule

22. Pet Sit or Dog Walk Through Rover

Love animals? Pet sitting and dog walking are feel-good side hustles that often turn into regular, predictable income. Many clients book weekly recurring walks or boarding during travel.

Sign up on Rover, set your own rates and choose which jobs you accept. You keep 80% of each booking (Rover takes 20%). For moms with kids who love dogs, this can be a fun family activity too.

Key features:

• Set your own rates and availability
• Rover handles booking and payments

23. Offer Lawn Care, Yard Work or Seasonal Services

Seasonal services such as lawn mowing, leaf raking, snow shoveling, garden planting are always in demand and can be started with minimal equipment. Advertise through Nextdoor, neighborhood Facebook groups or door-to-door flyers.

This is a particularly good fit for moms with older kids who can help, turning a local service hustle into a small family business.

Key features:

• Low startup costs (especially if you have basic tools)
• Recurring clients once you build trust
• Can involve older kids as helpers

24. Rent Out a Room on Airbnb

If you have a spare room (or you’re comfortable staying with family during busy travel periods), hosting on Airbnb can generate significant monthly income. Average host earnings vary by location, but many earn several hundred dollars per month from a single room.

Airbnb handles payments and provides host protections. You set your own availability, rules and pricing.

Key features:

• Significant passive income from existing space
• Airbnb handles bookings and payments

25. Rent Out Storage Space Through Neighbor

Have a garage, basement or extra room you don’t fully use? Neighbor lets you rent your storage space to people in your area who need it—think college students, small business owners or people between moves.

Setup takes minutes and the income is almost entirely passive once a renter is locked in.

Key features:

• Truly passive once set up
• No ongoing time commitment
• Average hosts earn $150 to $300 a month depending on space and location

26. Rent Out Your Car Through Turo

If your car sits idle for long stretches, especially during work hours or co-parenting weekends—you can rent it out through Turo. Hosts typically earn $500 to $700 per month per vehicle, according to Turo’s own data.

Turo provides insurance coverage while your car is rented. You set your availability, pricing and pickup preferences.

Key features:

• Passive income from an existing asset
• Turo provides liability coverage during rentals

27. Do Task Work Through TaskRabbit

If you’re handy or just reliable and organized, TaskRabbit connects you with people who need help with furniture assembly, mounting TVs, cleaning, moving, yard work and more. You set your own rates, work area and schedule, and keep 100% of earnings plus tips.

Key features:

• Keep 100% of earnings and tips
• Wide variety of available task types

28. Offer Alterations or Sewing Services

If you can sew, there’s a steady local demand for hemming pants, taking in or letting out clothing and fixing zippers. Advertise through neighborhood groups and local Facebook pages.

This works particularly well as a home-based service with flexible hours. Rates typically range from $10 to $30 per item depending on complexity.

Key features:

• Low overhead (if you already have a machine)
• Flexible hours

Selling and Reselling Side Hustles

Selling and reselling can be a great way to make some extra cash and streamline your home into the bargain.

29. Sell Items You No Longer Need

Start with your own home. Clothes your kids have outgrown, toys they no longer play with, kitchen gadgets collecting dust—all of this has resale value. Facebook Marketplace is ideal for local, fee-free sales. Poshmark works well for clothing and accessories.

Kids’ gear tends to sell especially fast. One mom’s “too small” pile is another family’s treasure.

Key features:

• Zero startup cost
• Immediate cash potential

30. Sell Printables on Etsy

Design a planner, checklist, budget tracker, party invitation or educational worksheet. List it on Etsy, and it sells indefinitely without any additional effort from you. For single moms with a creative streak, this is one of the most genuinely passive side hustles available.

Popular categories include mom planners, kids’ activities, budget templates and holiday party supplies. Canva makes designing accessible even without a graphic design background.

Key features:

• Highly passive once products are created and listed
• No inventory or shipping required

31. Start a Print-on-Demand Business

Print-on-demand platforms like Printful let you sell custom products—T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, phone cases—without holding any inventory. You design, list and market; they print and ship.

Moms with a feel for trending niches (funny mom quotes, local sports teams, school spirit) often do well. Integrate with Etsy or Shopify for maximum reach.

Key features:

• No inventory, no upfront costs, no shipping
• Passive income once products are designed and listed

32. Sell Your Photography

Modern iPhones and Androids shoot professional-quality photos. If your camera roll is full of beautiful landscapes, food, people or everyday moments, consider uploading to stock photo sites like Shutterstock.

Each download earns you a royalty. It’s not fast money, but a growing portfolio creates genuinely passive income over time.

Key features:

• No expensive equipment required
• Passive once photos are uploaded

33. Sell Handmade Items on Etsy or at Local Markets

If you make candles, jewelry, art, home decor or any handmade product, Etsy and local markets give you a direct path to customers. Etsy is a global audience; local markets are great for building community relationships and getting immediate feedback.

Many successful Etsy sellers started selling at farmers markets and craft fairs before scaling online.

Key features:

• Creative and personally fulfilling
• Local markets provide immediate feedback and cash

34. Sell Plasma or Participate in Paid Studies

Plasma donation centers like BioLife Plasma typically pay $50 to $100 or more per visit for new donors, with lower rates for subsequent donations. Most sessions take one to two hours.

Separately, local universities and research institutions often recruit participants for paid studies. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for options in your area.

Key features:

• Reliable, scheduled income
• New donor bonuses can be significant

Gig Economy Side Hustles

These can require leaving the house but offer some of the most flexible earning opportunities available.

35. Teach English Online

Teaching English as a second language online is a flexible, high-demand side hustle that can be done entirely from home. Most platforms require a bachelor’s degree but not a teaching certification.

VIPKid and Cambly both hire English speakers to teach international students via video call. Pay typically ranges from $15 to $22 per hour.

Key features:

• Flexible hours (many sessions are early morning due to time zone differences)
• No teaching degree required on most platforms
• Consistent demand

36. Deliver Food or Groceries

Delivery gigs are popular for good reason: You set your own hours completely, there are no bosses, and you can start earning within days of signing up. DoorDash and Instacart are the most widely available options.

Evening and weekend hours typically offer surge pricing, which can significantly boost your per-hour rate. Some moms do delivery runs after bedtime, once kids are settled for the night.

Key features:

• Start earning within days of approval
• 100% of tips are yours to keep

37. Drive for Uber or Lyft

Rideshare driving with Uber or Lyft offers the same flexibility as delivery work with potentially higher per-ride earnings in busy markets. Both platforms offer instant or same-week pay options.

Many single moms drive during school hours, on co-parenting evenings or during high-demand events in their city.

Key features:

• Flexible hours—work whenever you want
• Instant or next-day pay options available
• Earnings scale with local demand and peak times

38. Shop and Deliver for Shipt

Shipt is a same-day delivery service (owned by Target) that pays shoppers to pick and deliver grocery orders. Pay is per order plus tips, and you set your own availability.

This is a particularly good fit for moms who already grocery shop and want to earn while they do it.

Key features:

• Flexible scheduling
• Target-owned platform with strong demand

Longer-Term Income Builders

These take more upfront effort but have serious earning potential over time.

39. Start a Blog or Newsletter

Building an audience around something you care about such as single mom life, budgeting, parenting, cooking or wellness can generate income through ads, sponsorships and affiliate links. It takes six to 12 months to build meaningful traffic, but established bloggers in niche topics earn thousands per month.

Substack offers a fast way to start a paid newsletter with minimal technical setup.

Key features:

• Multiple income streams once established (ads, affiliates, sponsorships)
• Builds community while generating income

40. Become a Content Creator on Social Media

Many single moms have built meaningful income sharing their real lives on TikTok and Instagram. You don’t need expensive equipment or a professional setup—authentic content consistently outperforms polished production.

Income comes from brand sponsorships, platform creator funds and affiliate links. Building an audience takes time, but the earning potential grows with your following.

Key features:

• Free to start on any platform
• Authentic content outperforms polished production

41. Launch an Affiliate Marketing Business

Affiliate marketing means promoting products or services and earning a commission when someone buys through your link. Share links via social media, a blog or a YouTube channel. You can earn from things you already use and recommend—kids’ products, budgeting tools, apps like KashKick.

Many affiliate programs are free to join. Amazon Associates is a good starting point given how many people shop on Amazon.

Key features:

• Free to start on most platforms
• Scales passively as your audience grows

42. Offer Photography Services

With an iPhone and good natural light, you can offer legitimate photography services: family portraits, event photography, real estate photos, even wedding social coverage. Advertise locally through parent groups and neighborhood apps.

Rates for portrait sessions typically start at $100 to $200 and scale significantly with experience and reputation.

Key features:

• Flexible and largely seasonal
• Rates scale significantly with experience

43. Become a Notary or Loan Signing Agent

Becoming a notary is inexpensive (typically $50 to $150 for training and commission fees), and loan signing agents—who witness and notarize mortgage documents—earn $75 to $200 per signing. Appointments can be scheduled around your kids’ schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Loan Signing System is a popular training resource. Find signings through platforms like Snapdocs.

Key features:

• Low startup cost relative to earning potential
• Flexible scheduling, including evenings
• Strong demand driven by real estate activity

How to Choose the Right Side Hustle as a Single Mom

With 43 options, it’s worth being strategic. Here’s how to narrow it down:

• Match the hustle to your available time. If your windows are 10 to 20 minutes at a time, start with KashKick, surveys or cashback apps. If you have childcare a few days a week, freelancing or delivery work may be viable.
• Think about cash flow needs. If you need money this week, delivery gigs and selling secondhand items are your fastest path. If you can invest a few weeks into setup, freelance or app-based income offers better long-term payoff.
• Don’t try to do everything at once. Pick two or three complementary options such as one low-effort daily earner and one skill-based option you can grow. Trying to juggle six side hustles leads to burnout.
• Use the quick-win to fund the long-term. Start with KashKick or surveys while you build toward a freelance skill or Etsy shop. The fast cash helps with bills now; the longer-term hustle builds real financial security.

How to Avoid Side Hustle Scams Targeting Single Moms

Single moms are frequently targeted by work-from-home scams. Keep these red flags in mind:

• Upfront fees. Legitimate side hustles don’t require you to pay to get started. If a platform asks for money before you can earn, it’s almost certainly a scam.
• Unrealistic income promises. “Earn $1,000 a day from your phone with no experience” isn’t real. Legitimate platforms are transparent about realistic earning ranges.
• Vague or missing payment details. Before signing up for any platform, you should be able to find exactly how much you need to earn to cash out, how payments are processed and how long it takes.

The Best Starting Point for Single Moms Today

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. Pick something from this list that fits your life right now—not the life you’ll have once the kids are older or once your schedule clears up.

If you want the fastest, lowest-barrier starting point: KashKick. Sign up for free in two minutes, earn during any spare moment and cash out once you hit $10. It won’t replace your income, but it can give you breathing room while you build toward something bigger.

That’s what financial empowerment looks like for most single moms: small, consistent moves that add up over time. Give your free time the raise it deserves.

👉 Sign up for KashKick for free and start earning today from your first free moment.