Being a single mom is one of the toughest jobs in the world. You are responsible for balancing childcare and taking care of the household chores, and on top of that, you also have to earn to be able to put food on the table. The pressure to be available for your kids while providing for them at the same time can be extremely overwhelming but here’s the good news. You can start some side hustles for single moms and earn some extra money on the side.
It does not matter if you have a few spare hours during nap time or in the evenings, the right side hustle can help you earn some money on the side and promise a brighter future.
In this article, I’ll talk about 19 actionable side hustles for single moms. All of these side hustles are designed and empowered with tools to earn extra income, build financial security, and give your kids the life they deserve. These are also perfect side hustles for stay-at-home moms.
Table of Contents
19 Side Hustles for Single Moms
I’ll divide the side hustles into three sections. The following side hustles are best for moms who are looking for something flexible that can be done from the comfort of their home. Here are some top freelance and online side hustles for single moms:
1. Freelance Writing
This is a great side hustle that allows you to use your creativity and communication skills to earn money online using your laptop. If you have a way with words, you can easily write blog posts, sales copies, product descriptions, or even technical documents.
Following are some platforms that you can join as a freelance writer and start earning as soon as you land an opportunity.
2. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)
You can become a virtual assistant and help your clients manage their tasks such as responding to emails, scheduling appointments, or handling social media. This is an ideal option if you have a little bit of organizational skills.
As a virtual assistant, you will be majorly required to write replies, manage social media, and do data entry work for your client.
There are various platforms that you can explore for jobs such as:
3. Online Tutoring
If you are great in a subject or have little teaching experience, you can start providing online tutoring services. This can be a great side hustle for single moms as they can work on their timing. You can teach anything. For example, you can teach academic subjects like Mathematics, Science, etc., or languages like English, French, etc.
There are various platforms that you can use to teach online such as follows:
4. Social Media Management
Digital marketing advertising is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030. This number is huge. This means that there is no way that businesses can survive a single day without having an online presence in today’s digital age.
You can become a social media manager and help businesses grow their online presence by managing their social media accounts. Your job will mostly consist of creating posts, engaging with followers, and analyzing the performance metrics.
You can look for work on the following platforms:
This is one of the best side hustles for single moms that can even replace your full-time job. I would highly recommend this side hustle as you can charge thousands of dollars to one client and with time as you continue to gain experience, you can easily expand your customer base and expand your income.
5. E-Commerce Store Owner
If you have some special talent and can do a little bit of crocheting or something similar like making handmade jewelry items or any other handmade crafts, then you start a small business online. You can even create some digital products like journals, and printables, and sell them in your store. You can launch your online store and sell products or even start dropshipping on the side.
There are various platforms that you can use such as:
These five side hustles as mentioned above can be easily done from the comfort of your home.
Now, the following are some service-based side hustles and these are great for moms who can spend a little time out of their home. The pay is great for these side hustles.
6. Childcare Services
If you want to take care of kids and get paid for it then offering babysitting or daycare services to other parents in your neighborhood can be a fantastic way to earn income. Many working parents just like you need someone who they can easily trust to look after their children during evenings, weekends, or after school.
You can spread the word through local community groups on Facebook or in schools. Some babysitting platforms like Sittercity can help you connect with families in need.
You can also offer drop-in daycare at your home. This is another convenient way and one of the best side hustles for single moms who want to spend quality time with their children.
7. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
Amongst all other service-based options, this one is one of the easiest side hustles for single moms who don’t want to leave their children for long. You’ll be required to walk dogs for elderly people or when families are away or take care of pets in your home or at the client’s home. This job requires flexible hours and can be done locally.
You can use the following platforms to find jobs:
This side hustle is rewarding financially and the number of pets is only going to increase with every passing year making it a perfect side hustle for mom.
8. House Cleaning Services
Every family in the United States is super busy and these busy professionals are willing to pay someone who can clean their home. If you find cleaning therapeutic and pay attention to the tiniest detail, this can be an excellent way to make some extra money. This hustle will pay you a good amount of money.
You can easily begin with friends and neighbors to build a portfolio of clients. You can also advertise in local Facebook groups or on platforms like Thumbtack and TaskRabbit.
To get consistent jobs, offer one-time deep-cleaning services or recurring cleaning packages. You can also join Angi (formerly Angie’s List) for exposure to more clients.
You can easily expand your side hustle through referrals.
9. Personal Chef or Meal Prep Service
If you have good culinary skills, you can become a personal chef or offer meal prep services. I have been seeing tons of videos of people working as personal chefs. So it’s safe to say that this is becoming one of the best side hustles for single moms or those who want to work in their free time.
Many busy families, professionals, or individuals who have special dietary needs are willing to pay for fresh, home-cooked meals.
You can start offering your services by catering to your network or advertising through community events.
There are some platforms like Thumbtack or Cozymeal that you can use to find clients.
You can start by offering weekly meal prep services or providing on-demand catering for small gatherings. The best tip that I can give to stand out is to choose a specific niche market like vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb diets.
This side hustle is perfect for those who are looking to do something creative and fun while making good money on the side.
10. Event Planning or Party Setup
If you have little organizing skills and enjoy planning, you can start an event planning or party planning business.
You can easily start this side hustle by arranging small birthday parties or baby showers to build experience.
You can list your services on platforms like Thumbtack or Eventective. Then there is an option where you can network with local vendors to offer bundled services (e.g., decor and catering). You can also start promoting your work on social media with photos of your event setups. Pick up a niche and specialize in one particular type to start getting more clients.
Now some women have a creative side but are forced to do whatever work they can get. If you are also such a person then you can use your passion and turn it into profit.
Here are some creative side hustles for single moms that you can do in your free time:
11. Become a Photographer
If you love clicking moments, then photography can be a great side hustle for you. You can start by choosing a niche such as specializing in family portraits, or event photography. Then create a portfolio and regularly share your work on social media platforms to attract clients.
You can also sell stock photos online to generate passive income. To start your work, you can offer affordable family portrait sessions to friends and neighbors. This will help you in building your portfolio.
You can use Instagram to advertise your event photography services for birthdays, anniversaries, or small weddings.
There are various platforms where you can sell your stock photos such as follows:
Photography is one of the best side hustles for simple moms and is also a flexible and creative way to earn extra money while doing something that aligns with your interests.
12. Blogging
Blogging is one of the most popular side hustles for single moms or anyone who wants to work from the comfort of their home. This is because it lets you work at your own pace and offers a limitless earning potential. You can choose a niche that you like and start writing about it, such as parenting, budgeting, or self-care.
To make money through blogging, you can use Google AdSense to display ads on your blog. You can also partner with brands for sponsored posts. There is another way which is to join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates to earn commissions. Then you can even sell your digital products, such as eBooks or printables.
Any blog will require consistent work and a time of at least three to six months to grow for you to be able to make good money.
13. Sell Your Services as a Graphic Designer
If you love designing on your laptop or devices, then graphic design is a side hustle with high demand. In graphic designing, you can do lots of things like creating logos, social media graphics, or website layouts for businesses and individuals who need to constantly post on social media handles.
To start you can use platforms like Canva and Adobe Illustrator. Canva is for beginners whereas the latter is for professional-grade graphic designs.
Then there is this online space called 99designs which you can use to connect with clients for finding logo and branding projects.
You can use Dribbble to show your portfolio and get clients.
You can start your journey by offering services to local businesses or through freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, etc. to build your portfolio and grow your income with time.
Here are some of the best side hustles for 2025 that you can explore
14. Selling Handmade Products like Soaps, Oils etc.
Organic products are in demand and you can use this to create and sell handmade products and earn income. There are various items that you can make from the comfort of your home such as candles, soaps, lip balms, or art pieces.
You can sell on Etsy, ArtFire, and Facebook marketplaces or create your store using the following platforms:
This side hustle for single moms lets you work create a business and work from the comfort of your home while catering to your child’s needs at the same time.
15. Custom Baking or Cake Decorating
You can start baking and selling homemade stuff. If you enjoy baking, you can offer custom cakes or decorated treat boxes to customers. This can be a profitable side hustle. Many families and businesses often need custom cakes for birthdays, weddings, and special events such as baby showers.
You can make an Instagram page where you can upload reels of your baked items consistently to increase your reach or you can also start a YouTube channel where you share your cake-making videos, behind the scenes, etc.
You can sell your baked goods on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Another way is to partner with local event planners in your area or caterers to get regular orders.
Custom baking is a great way to use your culinary skills and turn them into a creative business that works around your busy life.
Now that we have discussed online, creative, and service-based side hustles, some women are looking to start something that requires minimal effort in the start and continues to make passive income over time.
Following are some ideas that require some initial time and effort but can make consistent money over time, providing a reliable way to boost your earnings.
16. Print-on-Demand Business
Print-on-demand businesses are an extremely popular side hustle. It lets you create custom designs and sell them on products like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or phone cases. This side hustle is perfect for creative moms who don’t have a huge investment and want to earn without having to manage inventory.
You can start by creating your designs using tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator. You can then upload your designs on places like Printify, Redbubble, Teespring, or Zazzle.
Then using social media handles, you can promote your products through social media platforms or create an online store.
Once your designs are uploaded and you start making some sales, you will earn a commission. This makes it one of the best side hustles for moms who are looking to make passive income.
17. Affiliate Marketing
You can start affiliate marketing. Here you can start promoting products or services through your blog, social media, or YouTube channel and earning a commission on sales that will be made through your unique affiliate link. Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money online.
Here are some affiliate programs that you can start:
- ShareASale (has a large variety of brands)
- CJ Affiliate (platform with global companies)
- ClickBank (focuses on digital products like eBooks and courses)
18. Create and Sell Online Courses
If you are an expert in some areas such as parenting, budgeting, crafting, and copywriting, you can create online courses and sell them online. This is one of the best passive side hustles for single moms.
You will need to spend some time planning the content of your course and creating engaging video lessons.
Then use platforms like Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare, or Kajabi to host and sell your courses.
You can use social media platforms, email newsletters, or start a blog to promote your courses.
Once your course is live, it will continue to make money repeatedly with little ongoing effort. You just need to ensure that you are promoting your content regularly.
19. Real Estate Investing (Micro-Scale)
Real estate investing might sound too complex especially if you do not know about finance, but there are some small micro-investing options like REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) or you can start by co-investing in rental properties.
You can use the following platforms to get started:
You just need to do a thorough research about these platforms before starting. Real estate is a great option if you aim to earn long-term returns. People around the globe can build generational wealth by investing in real estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a single mom make extra money?
Single moms can make extra money by doing side hustles like freelance writing, virtual assistance, or selling handmade products online. These options will allow you to have a work-life balance while generating additional revenue.
What is a good business for a single mom to start?
Some good business ideas for single moms include home-based ventures like blogging, online tutoring, or running a print-on-demand store. These businesses require a minimum cost to start and are great as you can easily manage them while taking care of your kid.
What is the best job for a single mum?
The best jobs for single moms are those that have flexible hours, such as virtual assistants, social media managers, or online tutors. This enables them to manage work alongside childcare.
What are some side hustles for single parents?
There are various side hustles for single parents that they can do like freelancing, pet sitting, graphic designing, and affiliate marketing. These side hustles have a flexible schedule and can provide you with additional income making them the best side hustles for single moms.
How much time does a side hustle typically require?
Some side hustles, like affiliate marketing or selling stock photos, can be managed in a few hours a week, while others, like event planning, can require more time and effort to start.
Can I start any of the mentioned side hustles for single moms without prior experience?
Absolutely! There are various side hustles, such as becoming a virtual assistant or starting a print-on-demand business that require minimal experience and can be learned through free online resources or training programs.
How soon can I start earning from a side hustle?
The earnings will depend on the type of side hustle you choose and your efforts. Freelancing gigs or other services can make income quickly making them the perfect side hustles for single moms looking to make money instantly, while blogging or other passive income ideas may take a few months to show results but the earning potential is much higher.
Conclusion
These 19 side hustles that I have talked about in this article are a mix of versatility, flexibility, and potential to suit different kinds of lifestyles. It does not matter if you are looking to work from home or thinking about building a passive income stream, there is something for you in these side hustles.
Being a single mom or a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job and the pressure of financial stability on top of that can make you feel overwhelmed. Just sit down and think about something that you will love to do in your free time, you will definitely be able to find something.
There are tons of other side hustles for single moms that I have not been able to cover here. If you want some more ideas, just leave a comment below and I’ll share those gigs with you right away.