How to Make Money on Etsy as a Kid: A Step-by-Step Guide

Modak
July 14, 2025

Main takeaways

👉 Etsy is a great platform for kids to explore entrepreneurship by selling handmade or unique items in a real online marketplace.

🛍️ Running an Etsy shop teaches valuable life skills like pricing, customer service, time management, and marketing.

💡 With creativity and persistence, kids can turn their hobbies into a source of income while learning how business works.

If your child is interested in learning how to make money on Etsy, you're not alone! Etsy has become a go-to platform for kids, teens, and adults to sell handmade items, crafts, and artwork. But how do you make money on Etsy as a young entrepreneur? In this article, we’ll explain how your child can create an Etsy shop, start selling, and manage their earnings. Plus, we’ll introduce Modak1—an app that helps kids manage their Etsy earnings in a fun and educational way.

How to make money on Etsy: A simple guide

Etsy is a marketplace where you can sell handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. It's a platform that encourages creativity, and it's a great opportunity for kids to start learning about business and money management. But how exactly do you start making money on Etsy?

Etsy website

1. How do you make money on Etsy?

To start making money on Etsy, your child will need to follow a few simple steps. First, they will need to open a store and create an Etsy shop. The platform charges a small fee to list products, and Etsy takes a commission on each sale. While it’s not free to sell on Etsy, the potential to make money is high, especially if your child has unique or in-demand items to sell.

2. How to sell on Etsy

Selling on Etsy is a straightforward process, but it’s important to follow these steps to ensure success:

  1. Open a store: To start selling on Etsy, your child needs to create an account with a valid email address. Etsy will also ask for some basic details, including credit card information for payment processing. Make sure to pick a catchy shop name that reflects your child’s products!
  2. Create an Etsy shop: Once the account is set up, your child can start customizing their shop. Add a unique logo and banner, and write a shop description that clearly explains what they are selling. This helps buyers understand what to expect from the shop.
  3. List your products: After setting up the shop, it’s time to list products. Your child will need to take clear, high-quality pictures of their items and write detailed descriptions. This is key to attracting buyers. Each listing will cost $0.20, and Etsy takes a small commission once an item sells.
  4. Price your items and handle shipping: Pricing can be tricky. Be sure to factor in material costs, Etsy fees, and shipping. The price should cover all expenses while remaining competitive.
  5. Manage your shop: Managing an Etsy shop means responding to customer inquiries, fulfilling orders on time, and ensuring the shop remains in good standing. Your child will learn valuable skills like customer service, time management, and product quality control.

3. How much does it cost to sell on Etsy?

Selling on Etsy isn't expensive, but there are some fees involved:

  • Listing fee: Each item costs $0.20 to list.
  • Transaction fee: Etsy takes a 5% commission on each sale.
  • Payment processing fee: This varies depending on your location but usually includes a small fee for handling payments.

Although it does cost money to list and sell on Etsy, the potential for profit is high—especially if your child’s creations are unique and in demand. To learn more about Etsy’s fees and pricing, visit Etsy’s Pricing & Fees page.5

By clicking the link, you understand that you’re leaving Modak Makers and heading to an external site we don’t operate. We’re not responsible for its content or policies and don’t represent you or the site in any transactions. Please review their privacy and security terms.

Useful tools to handcraft gifts

Is Etsy safe for kids?

One of the most common questions parents have when considering Etsy for their kids is: Is Etsy okay for kids? The answer is yes, but with supervision. Etsy allows kids under 18 to sell items, but a parent or guardian must handle all the financial and legal responsibilities. Etsy’s terms of service require that a parent manage the account and process all payments.

Key things to know:

  • Parental supervision: Parents should help manage the shop and make sure it follows Etsy's rules. This includes handling payment transactions and ensuring that the shop is run responsibly.
  • Age restrictions: Minors are allowed to sell on Etsy with parental consent. However, there may be additional legal requirements based on where you live, so be sure to check Etsy’s policies.

Earn, spend and learn with Modak

💳 Modak provides teens with a Visa® debit card to help them learn financial responsibility.

🏅 Earn MBX points by completing fun activities, which can be converted into real money.

💸 Direct deposits & instant access: Teens receive direct deposits, giving them quick and easy access to their earnings.

Get early access to the new Modak!

Everything you need, fast, safe and simple.

Can kids really make money on Etsy?

Many parents wonder: Can you realistically make money on Etsy? The answer is yes, but success depends on several factors:

  1. Quality products: To succeed, your child will need to offer unique, high-quality items. Popular products on Etsy include handmade jewelry, artwork, accessories, and clothing.
  2. Marketing: Successful Etsy sellers regularly promote their products on social media, collaborate with influencers, and use SEO strategies to get their products in front of more buyers.
  3. Pricing and cost management: Pricing products too high or too low can affect sales. Help your child calculate costs and set prices that cover their expenses while remaining attractive to buyers.

While it might take some time to start seeing significant earnings, with persistence and creativity, it is possible to make money on Etsy.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about Etsy

Does Etsy allow NSFW products?

Etsy has a strict policy that prohibits the sale of explicit or NSFW (Not Safe for Work) products. This includes adult content, illegal items, and anything that violates Etsy’s guidelines. It’s important to ensure that the items being sold on the platform adhere to these rules.

What’s the most profitable item on Etsy?

The most profitable items on Etsy vary, but handmade jewelry, art prints, and vintage goods are some of the top sellers. Items that are unique or cater to a specific niche tend to do well. Help your child find a product they are passionate about and make sure it stands out from the competition.

Managing Etsy earnings with Modak

Mom and kid spending time together

Once your child starts earning from their Etsy shop, it’s important to have a system for managing their money. This is where Modak comes in. Modak is a great app for kids and teens to track and manage their earnings in a fun and educational way.

With Modak, your child can earn MBX points by completing various challenges in the app. For example, they can earn up to 70 MBX per week by walking 5,000 steps(2)(3) daily through the Walk to Earn feature. MBX points can be converted into real money and added to their Modak Visa® Debit Card1, where they can spend it or save it in the app.

Not only does Modak help your child manage their Etsy earnings, but it also provides a unique opportunity for them to learn about budgeting, saving, and money management through gamification. Your child will be motivated to reach their financial goals, all while earning rewards for their efforts.

Sign up now to start using Modak: unlock custom card designs, smart money tools, and fun features for your family — all with no monthly subscription4.

Get started on Etsy today!

If your child is interested in making money on Etsy, they can easily get started by opening a shop and listing their products. It’s a fantastic way to nurture their entrepreneurial spirit while teaching them important business skills.

And when it comes to managing their earnings, Modak Makers provides the perfect solution. With features like Walk to Earn, savings goals, and the ability to track their finances, Modak ensures that your child has the tools they need to become financially savvy while earning money on Etsy.

  1. Deposit account and the Modak Visa® debit card issued by Legend Bank, N.A., FDIC-Insured.  Funds deposited into a Deposit Account may be eligible for up to $250,000 of FDIC insurance. The FDIC’s deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured depository institution.
  2. 100 MBX = $1(as of June 2024). This is an approximation and not a guaranteed result. For more information on MBX, visit: Click here for more information on MBX
  3. Walking 5,000 steps a day gives users 10MBX (as of June 2024). This is subject to change at Modak’s discretion
  4. Fees for expedited or premium services may apply. Find out more in our Cardholder agreement.
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