Your kids will need to take care of themselves before you know it. If they move out before they find any personal independence, it can be quite difficult for them to learn to be independent. If you can teach your kids to make some money while they're young, it will seem quite natural for them when they're older.
Kids can make extra money in a variety of ways, and most of those ways will fall into two main categories. They can either work for someone else or they can learn how to be in business for themselves. Usually kids that learn how to start little businesses end up with a lot more professional confidence when they're older.
If your child wants to work for himself, you can use this concept to help them understand running their own business. A lemonade stand is an age-old self-starter business for a child. If you feel your neighborhood is safe enough, allow your child to set up shop right in the front yard. You can teach them about loans by financing their business in the beginning, buying the lemonade and sugar. They will learn valuable lessons about lending and borrowing money.
A great method that many kids use to make good money is by baking goods that can be sold to the neighborhood. Neighbors will often buy goods from kids that they wouldn't buy from the store. Bread, cookies, and brownies are all great options.
Many children aren't ready to handle being in business for themselves until after they have worked for someone else. Companies will hire kids and teens to do a lot of different things including sealing envelopes and washing cars. People will also often hire kids to walk their dogs and to do yard work.
Finally, cleaning for other people is always a possibility. Kids are very good at getting on their hands and knees to clean tubs or floors and they usually don't have a sore back the next day like many of us adults do. Kids can be very industrious, so why not help them learn young how to put their energy and ideas to work.