Maternity leave is one of the most precious, but financially stressful, times of your life. You’re adjusting to a new baby, running on little sleep, and suddenly watching your income shrink or disappear altogether.

Research has shown that nearly half of U.S. families rely on dual incomes today. This means that even a small income gap during leave can create real financial pressure.

The good news? There are flexible ways to make money on maternity leave that work around nap times, cluster feeding and unpredictable schedules. Whether you want to cover a few extra bills or just put some fun money back in your pocket, this guide has you covered.

From reward apps like KashKick that pay you to play games and take surveys, to freelance gigs you can do one-handed with a baby on your chest, here are 17 legitimate ways to make extra cash during maternity leave with no commute required.

Check out our full guide to the best apps to make money while you’re at it.

Ways to Make Money on Maternity Leave

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some new moms have 20 minutes a day; others have a little more. Below, you’ll find options for every schedule and skill level, starting with the easiest.

1. Earn Cash With KashKick

If you’ve got a free hand and a phone, KashKick is one of the easiest ways to make extra cash during maternity leave. You can earn real money (not points) by playing games, taking surveys, trying new apps and claiming deals. It’s completely free to join, and you can start earning immediately.

KashKick is built for people who want to earn without a huge time commitment. A quick survey during a feeding session. A game milestone reached during nap time. It adds up faster than you’d think.

Once you hit $10, you can cash out via PayPal or Venmo in just one to three business days. One KashKick member made over $500 in less than a year just by playing games and taking surveys—on his own schedule. Read these reviews to find out how other members have fared earning with KashKick.

Key features:

• Real cash payouts through PayPal or Venmo (gift cards and charity donations are also an option)
• Low $10 cashout minimum
• Fast payouts (1-3 business days)
• Games, surveys, deals and cashback—tons of variety
• Highly rated: 4.6 stars on the App Store, 4.4 stars on Google Play

Earning potential: Surveys can pay a few cents to a few dollars each. Games can pay significantly more when you hit milestones. Check out our guide on how much you can earn with KashKick to learn more.

👉 Sign up for KashKick for free and start earning today.

2. Take Paid Online Surveys

Beyond KashKick, there are plenty of other paid survey platforms worth exploring. Brands constantly need consumer feedback, and they’ll pay for it. Surveys are one of the most flexible ways to earn because you can stop and start anytime.

A few solid options include Branded Surveys, Survey Junkie and Google Opinion Rewards. Most pay between $0.50 and a few dollars per survey. They won’t make you rich, but they’re a perfect low-effort earner during late-night feeds.

3. Play Games for Real Money

If you’re already reaching for your phone during quiet moments, you might as well get paid for it. Platforms like KashKick partner with popular mobile games and reward you for reaching in-game milestones. No gambling and no entry fees, just play.

Games available through KashKick include everything from puzzle and match-3 games to city builders and card games. Check out the best app games that pay real cash to find one that sounds fun to you.

4. Sell Items You No Longer Need

Maternity leave is the perfect time to declutter. Baby gear, clothes, furniture, electronics: There’s a good chance you’re already thinking about what needs to go. Why not make some money while you’re at it?

Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark and eBay make it easy to list items from your phone. Take a few photos, write a short description, set a price and you’re done. Local sales are fastest since there’s no shipping involved.

5. Offer Freelance Writing or Editing

If you have a knack for writing, maternity leave can be a surprisingly productive time to pick up freelance work. Many content platforms and businesses are constantly looking for writers, and the work can be done entirely at your own pace.

Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork let you create a free profile and start bidding on projects. You set your own rates and choose which jobs to take.

6. Start a Simple Print-on-Demand Shop

Print-on-demand lets you sell custom products such as mugs, T-shirts, tote bags and baby onesies without ever managing inventory. You create the design; the platform handles printing, packing and shipping.

Printful and Redbubble are popular starting points. Connect your shop to Etsy, and you’ve got a storefront running while you sleep. Setup takes a few hours upfront, but once it’s live, it’s largely passive.

7. Become a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants (VAs) handle tasks like email management, scheduling, social media and data entry for busy business owners. It’s flexible, remote and in high demand.

You don’t need a specific degree. You can do this if you have strong organizational skills and a reliable internet connection. Check Upwork or dedicated VA communities on Facebook to find clients.

8. Teach or Tutor Online

If you have expertise in a subject such as math, a foreign language, music or test prep, you can get paid for your skills. Online tutoring is a flexible way to earn during maternity leave. Sessions can be scheduled around your baby’s nap schedule.

Platforms like Wyzant and Tutor.com connect tutors with students. You can also advertise locally through Nextdoor or Facebook groups.

9. Sell Handmade Items on Etsy

If you’re crafty, Etsy is a natural fit. You can sell physical handmade items, digital downloads, printables, planners or party templates—anything you can create from home.

Digital products are especially popular during maternity leave because once you create and upload them, they sell without any additional effort from you. Think: budget spreadsheets, meal planners, baby milestone cards.

10. Do Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing means promoting a product or service and earning a commission when someone clicks your link and makes a purchase. If you have a blog, social media following or email list—even a small one—this can be a solid passive income stream.

Many brands have free affiliate programs and Amazon Associates is a great place to start.

11. Rent Out Your Car or Parking Space

If your car is sitting in the driveway during maternity leave, put it to work. Turo lets you rent your car to vetted drivers when you’re not using it. It’s like Airbnb for vehicles.

If you live in a busy area, you can also rent out your parking space through SpotHero or Neighbor. Zero effort once you’re listed.

12. Transcribe Audio Files

Transcription involves listening to audio files and typing out what’s said. It’s simple, flexible and can be done in short bursts—perfect for maternity leave.

Rev and TranscribeMe are popular platforms for beginners. No specialized skills are required beyond typing speed and attention to detail.

13. Sell Breast Milk

If you’re breastfeeding and producing more milk than your baby needs, you may be able to sell or donate your excess. Only the Breast is the largest marketplace for buying and selling breast milk.

This won’t be right for everyone, and it’s important to research health and legal guidelines in your area first. However, for moms with an oversupply: it can be a meaningful source of extra income.

14. Test Websites and Apps

Companies will pay you to test their websites and apps and share your feedback. You don’t need technical skills—just a willingness to narrate your experience as you click around.

UserTesting is the most well-known platform. Tests typically take 10 to 20 minutes and pay around $10 per test.

15. Flip Items for Profit

Retail arbitrage means buying discounted items at thrift stores, garage sales or clearance racks and reselling them at a higher price on platforms like eBay or Amazon.

It requires a bit more legwork than some options on this list, but the margins can be impressive. Many moms find this enjoyable because it doubles as a reason to get out of the house.

16. Earn Cashback on Things You’re Already Buying

You’re probably buying more than usual right now and making regular purchases of diapers, wipes, baby gear, household supplies. Cashback apps make sure some of that money comes back to you.

Rakuten gives you a percentage back when you shop through their app or browser extension at thousands of retailers. KashKick also offers kashback through its Shopping tab, which is another easy way to stack rewards.

17. Create and Sell Digital Downloads

Digital products are one of the most passive income streams available. Create something once such as a printable, a template, a guide, a worksheet and you can sell it indefinitely on Etsy or Gumroad.

Popular digital products include baby shower games, pregnancy journals, postpartum planners and budget trackers. They’re especially appealing because there’s no inventory to manage and no shipping to handle.

Tips for Making Money on Maternity Leave

Making money with a newborn is all about working smarter, not harder. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your efforts:

• Start with apps first. Low-effort reward apps like KashKick are the best starting point because they require zero setup and zero experience. You can earn during a feeding session or while waiting for the baby to fall asleep.
• Work in short windows. Newborns sleep an average of 12 to 18 hours a day, and even 10-minute stretches add up. Here are some specific ways to make money during naptime.
• Pick one or two options. It’s tempting to try everything at once, but that leads to burnout. Choose one app-based option and one skill-based option to start.
• Focus on passive income when possible. Digital downloads, cashback apps and affiliate links can earn you money while you sleep.

Choose the Best Ways to Make Money During Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is already a lot. The last thing you need is a complicated, high-pressure side hustle.

If you’re looking for the easiest place to start, sign up for KashKick. It’s free, flexible and genuinely fun—and you can earn real cash without leaving your couch. Play a game during nap time. Take a two-minute survey during a feeding. It all adds up.

For those ready to put in a little more time, freelance writing, virtual assisting or selling digital products can bring in meaningful income around your schedule.

Whatever you choose, remember: Every dollar you earn during maternity leave is a win. You’re doing something incredible already—giving your free time a small raise is just the cherry on top.