Summer just feels different, doesn’t it?
I mean, the days are longer, the weather’s better, and somehow life slows down just enough for you to actually think about doing something new.
With a little more free time and so many events happening everywhere, it’s the perfect season to start thinking about ways to make some extra cash without feeling like you’re stuck behind a desk.
Maybe you’ve been daydreaming about picking up a fun gig on the weekends or finding a simple online hustle you can do from anywhere, even by the poolside.
Either way, there are tons of summer side hustles that fit into the relaxed, adventure-filled vibe of the season.
In this post, you’ll discover a bunch of easy and profitable summer side hustles that suit your lifestyle.
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Outdoor & Event-Based Summer Side Hustles
Lawn Care and Gardening Services
If you’re not afraid to get your hands a little dirty, lawn care and gardening can be an awesome way to make extra cash during the summer.
Grass grows like crazy, flowers need tending, and not everyone has the time or patience to keep up with these demands.
That’s where you come in!
You don’t need a fancy setup to start, just a few basic tools and a good attitude.
This is one of those summer side hustles that can even turn into a steady gig if you enjoy it enough.
Pet Sitting
Summer is vacation season, and guess what that means?
Tons of pet owners need someone trustworthy to take care of their furry friends while they travel.
If you love animals, pet sitting and dog walking could easily become one of the most fun side hustles you’ll ever try in summer.
You get to hang out with cute dogs and cats, get some exercise, and earn money all at the same time.
It’s a pretty flexible gig too, as you can choose your schedule and decide how many pets you want to take on.
Some people even offer “drop-in” visits where you check on a pet once or twice a day, which is perfect if you’re balancing other summer activities. And trust me, once you build a little word-of-mouth, bookings can pile up fast!
Lifeguard or Pool Attendant
If you’re a strong swimmer and love hanging out by the water, becoming a lifeguard or pool attendant is a classic summer gig.
It’s not just for teenagers either, as there are lots of community pools, resorts, and private clubs that hire adults too.
Most places will require you to get certified in CPR and first aid, but the training usually pays for itself after just a few shifts.
As far as summer side hustles go, this one feels more like a lifestyle than a job. Just remember, while it looks chill from the outside, being a lifeguard is a serious responsibility, but if you’re up for it, it’s a rewarding way to spend the summer.
Tour Guide for Local Attractions
You don’t have to live in a major tourist hotspot to cash in on this one.
Every town and city has something cool to show off — parks, museums, historic districts, scenic spots, and visitors love getting the inside scoop from a real local.
If you enjoy storytelling and meeting new people, being a tour guide could be one of the most surprisingly fun summer side hustles out there.
You could lead walking tours, food tours, art tours, or even nature hikes, depending on what’s popular in your area.
Some people even create their DIY tours and promote them through social media. It’s a creative way to make money while showing off your hometown pride.
Event Staffing
Summer is packed with events like weddings, music festivals, food fairs, and outdoor markets. And all those events need people to help run things behind the scenes.
Event staffing can mean anything from setting up chairs to working a ticket booth to helping vendors sell their goods. It’s the kind of work where no two days look the same, which keeps things interesting.
Many companies hire extra hands just for the busy summer season, and the pay is usually pretty decent, especially if you land bigger events.
Outdoor Fitness Classes
If you’re passionate about fitness and love being outside, why not turn it into a little side hustle?
Hosting outdoor fitness classes is not only a fun way to stay active but also a great way to build a community.
You don’t even need a fancy gym or expensive equipment. You can begin with just a local park, some basic mats or resistance bands, and a group of people ready to move.
Summer is the perfect time to offer yoga sessions at sunrise, boot camps in the evenings, or weekend workout meetups.
You could charge a small fee per class or offer package deals. It’s a casual yet powerful way to grow a side income while doing something you love.
Photography for Outdoor Events
Summer is basically made for gorgeous photos. With things like golden hour lighting, blue skies, and vibrant events everywhere you look, you can make a lot this summer.
If you have a good eye for photography, even if you’re not a total pro, offering event photography could be a surprisingly lucrative hustle.
Weddings, family reunions, outdoor festivals, birthday parties — people love having these moments captured professionally, but don’t always want to pay high-end photographer rates.
That’s where you come in.
Start small by offering affordable packages for casual events, and build up your portfolio as you go. Word-of-mouth spreads fast, especially when people see great photos of their big days. This is one of those summer side hustles that lets you be creative, flexible, and make some solid money on the side.
Travel & Vacation-Related Summer Side Hustles
Vacation Rental Management
With everyone traveling during the summer, vacation rentals are in huge demand.
If you live in a touristy area or even just near a popular city, you can make extra cash by helping manage short-term rental properties.
Think of it like being the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps everything running smoothly.
Common tasks might include cleaning between guests, welcoming visitors, handling bookings, or managing simple maintenance.
Some property owners will pay really well to have someone local handle it all, especially if they live far away. If you’re organized, friendly, and don’t mind occasional cleaning or quick errands, vacation rental management could turn into one of your best summer side hustles.
House Sitting and Pet Sitting for Travelers
When people pack their bags and jet off on summer vacations, they need someone they trust to watch over their homes and sometimes their pets too.
House sitting and pet sitting are super chill ways to earn extra cash during travel season.
You might be watering plants, keeping an eye on the property, feeding pets, or just making sure everything looks lived-in so it doesn’t attract unwanted attention.
It’s basically getting paid to stay somewhere comfy, sometimes even in really gorgeous homes.
This combo side hustle can be super flexible and often comes with sweet perks like stocked kitchens and cozy setups.
Freelance Travel Planning Services
Not everyone has the time or patience to plan the perfect getaway.
That’s where you step in.
Freelance travel planning is all about helping people create dream vacations without the stress.
You could offer services like finding flight deals, building custom itineraries, booking unique accommodations, or suggesting local experiences based on their interests.
If you love researching new places, piecing together fun trips, and sharing travel tips, this is one of the more creative summer side hustles to explore.
Travel is booming in the summer, and people are willing to pay for personalized help, especially if you make the process easy and fun for them!
Car Rental on Turo or Privately
Got an extra car sitting in your driveway?
Or maybe you don’t drive much in the summer?
Renting out your car on platforms like Turo or even doing it privately is a super easy way to make passive income during travel season.
Tourists and vacationers often prefer renting a car locally because it feels more personal and sometimes way cheaper than dealing with big rental companies.
All you need to do is keep your car clean, make sure it’s in good shape, and set your availability.
You can earn a pretty decent side income without a ton of work.
Summer Sales and Market Hustles
Sell Handmade Goods at Summer Markets
If you’re crafty or love making things, selling handmade goods at summer markets could be your time to shine.
Summer brings tons of outdoor events, craft fairs, pop-up markets, and festivals — all packed with people looking for something unique to buy.
You could sell anything from jewelry to homemade candles to art prints or even custom t-shirts.
The vibe at these markets is super fun and laid-back, which makes it feel less like work and more like spending a sunny day meeting cool people and showing off your creativity.
Additionally, selling in person gives you instant feedback and the chance to build real connections with customers.
If you’re searching for summer side hustles that let you turn a hobby into real money, setting up a booth at local markets is a no-brainer. Even better, you can scale it later if you want to turn it into a full-blown business.
READ ALSO: 35 Profitable and Trendy Digital Products to Sell This Year
Become a Seasonal Farmers Market Vendor
Farmers markets aren’t just for farmers, they’re full of people selling baked goods, handmade crafts, jams, flowers, and all kinds of small-batch products.
If you have something tasty, pretty, or handmade to share, you can grab a booth at your local farmers market and start making some extra cash.
Summer is the peak season for these markets, which makes it the perfect time to jump in.
You don’t have to grow acres of vegetables, as even small-batch sauces, homemade dog treats, or hand-picked flowers can do really well.
As far as summer side hustles go, becoming a farmers market vendor gives you tons of freedom to experiment with different products.
Online Summer Side Hustles
Freelance Writing or Blogging on Summer Topics
If you love writing, summer is a golden opportunity to dive into freelance writing or blogging.
Tons of websites and brands look for fresh, seasonal content like summer travel guides, BBQ recipes, pool party ideas, and more.
You could pitch articles to magazines, guest post on blogs, or even start your own blog if you want more freedom.
Writing about summer topics feels extra fun because there’s so much inspiration everywhere: vacations, beach days, outdoor adventures.
Plus, writing is one of those side hustles you can do completely on your own schedule, preferably while sipping an iced coffee in front of a fan.
READ ALSO: How to Make So Much Money as a Writer
Social Media Management for Summer Businesses
Summer businesses like event planners, vacation rentals, local festivals, and outdoor adventure companies need serious help with their social media presence.
They’re often too busy running their businesses to keep up with posting, commenting, and promoting themselves online.
That’s where you come in.
If you’re good with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or even Pinterest, you can offer to create content, schedule posts, and engage with their audience.
Social media management is super flexible and lets you be creative while working from literally anywhere..
Online Tutoring For Kids Doing Summer School
Not all kids get the summer completely off. Many do summer school or need extra tutoring to stay sharp for the next grade.
That’s where online tutoring comes in.
You don’t need to be a certified teacher either, although it can help. Many parents are just looking for someone who’s patient and good at explaining things clearly.
You could tutor in subjects like reading, math, science, or even fun stuff like beginner art or creative writing.
Virtual Assistant Work
If you’re super organized and love helping people behind the scenes, virtual assistant (VA) work might be your dream summer gig.
Lots of entrepreneurs, bloggers, and small business owners get slammed during summer, and they need someone to help with email management, calendar scheduling, customer support, and other admin tasks.
The best part about this side hustle is that you can work from anywhere, and a lot of VA gigs are super flexible.
Create and Sell Summer-Themed Digital Products
If you’re creative, designing and selling digital products could be a super fun way to make money from home this summer.
Things like printable summer planners, vacation packing lists, beach party invitations, camping checklists, or even digital art are easily inspired by the season.
You can sell them on Etsy, Shopify, or your own website.
Since digital products are downloadable, you only have to create them once, and they can keep selling all summer long and beyond.
READ ALSO: 35 Profitable and Trendy Digital Products to Sell This Year
Create a Summer eBook
If you love writing, designing, or even just sharing your favorite ideas, creating a summer-themed eBook can be an amazing way to make passive income.
You could write about anything, like travel guides for the best beach towns, easy summer recipes, outdoor party planning tips, or even summer fitness challenges.
Once you create and upload your eBook on Amazon, Etsy, or your own website, it can keep selling all season long without you having to constantly work on it.
When it comes to summer side hustles, an eBook is one of the smartest because it lets you earn while you’re out enjoying the sun yourself.
Launch a Summer-Themed YouTube Channel
Summer is such a fun season to capture on video, and guess what?
So many people hop on YouTube to search for summer ideas like travel tips, pool party inspiration, easy outdoor recipes, summer fashion, and more.
If you’re comfortable talking on camera or even just filming fun montages, you can start a summer-themed YouTube channel and begin building a real income stream.
You don’t have to be super fancy or have fancy gadgets. A good smartphone and some bright natural light are enough to start. Among the many summer side hustles, YouTube has the potential to grow into something bigger over time.
Sell Summer Stock Photos and Videos
Got a good eye for photography?
Your summer snapshots could actually make you money.
Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and even Canva are always looking for fresh seasonal content, especially beach scenes, sunny landscapes, festivals, food, and travel-related shots.
You can also film short video clips like ocean waves, people playing at the park, or food sizzling on a grill and upload them to stock video platforms..
Creative & DIY Summer Side Hustles
Custom T-Shirt Printing for Summer Events
Summer is packed with events like family reunions, charity runs, concerts, festivals and you know what almost all of them need?
Custom t-shirts.
If you’re even a little bit artsy, custom t-shirt printing could be a really fun and profitable way to make money this summer.
You can create designs for local sports teams, festivals, or even personal events like bachelorette parties and birthdays.
Plus, you don’t have to do everything manually; you can use print-on-demand services to make the whole process easier.
Design and Sell Summer-Themed Merch
If you’ve got an eye for design and love summer vibes, why not create and sell summer-themed merch?
Items like tote bags with fun beach quotes, colorful water bottles, cute sun hats, or even stickers with tropical designs can all make you cash.
You can sell your creations on Etsy, Redbubble, or even set up a simple online store.
The beauty of this idea is that people are always looking for cute and useful stuff for their vacations, road trips, and beach days.
Face Painting and Balloon Art for Festivals
If you love working with kids or just enjoy being around happy, playful energy, face painting and balloon art could be your perfect summer gig.
Festivals, fairs, farmers markets, and birthday parties are in full swing during the summer, and they almost always need someone to entertain the little ones.
Conclusion
Summer really is the perfect time to try something new, and side hustles are such a fun way to make the most of it.
Even if you start small, like taking on a weekend gig or selling a few handmade items, those little steps can lead to big earnings and open up even more opportunities down the road.
Which summer side hustle will you try first?
