Last updated: September 18, 2023
Want to know the best things to sell at school to make some extra money? Looking to build your own small business within your school grounds? Then why don’t you try selling some of the items listed below.
You can buy or make many of these things for a reasonable price and make good profits from them by selling them at a higher price.
This, along with the fact that it can be a fun pastime in school, is what makes starting your own small business in school premises one of the best ways to earn some extra cash for students.
1. Candy
Candy is, as I’m sure you know, a very popular treat amongst many, which is why it is such a good idea to sell at school. Its popularity would put it in high demand, and you could therefore make some good money out of selling it.
Plus, there is an upside as if you don’t sell it, you get to eat it yourself!
2. Chocolate Bars
Who doesn’t love a good chocolate bar? They are tasty, with a rich flavor to satisfy your snack cravings.
This is what makes them one of the most popular things to snack on globally, which is why there are one of the most profitable things for you to sell at school in order to make some easy money.
3. Cup Noodles
A great idea for those lucky enough to have a kettle or microwave at their school is to sell Cup Noodles or Pot Noodles.
These tasty snacks are easily prepared with some hot water, a great way for a young person in school to get some quick cash.
4. Potato Chips
Keeping with the theme of food items, arguably the world’s most beloved snack (potato chips) is a great thing for students to sell (and profit from) at school!
Generally coming in small bags, potato chips are just one of those small things worth waiting for, and your classmates will surely agree with that, making them one of the most popular items to earn some money from at school.
5. Soda
When eating tasty snacks, students will need a nice way to wash it down. This is what makes selling soda at school nearly the best option out of all things you could sell.
Overall, this is a great business idea for a little entrepreneur looking to earn some money in school.
6. Energy Drinks
Along with sodas, energy drinks provide refreshment along with the benefit of helping you get through the rest of the school day.
This could make them a popular choice of busy and tired high school students and college students, and can therefore be one of the most profitable things to sell at school.
7. Netflix Accounts
If you choose to sell Netflix accounts in school, you may be shocked by how much you could earn. Not only is it an easy way to earn money in school, but you will also receive more than one payment as you rent it out instead of selling it upfront.
While the good things about renting out Netflix accounts definitely outweigh the bad, it is important to remember the price for you to purchase a Netflix account before you decide whether you would like to sell or rent them out.
8. Phone Charging
A great way to earn money at school is to bring in a large power bank with slots for multiple mobile phones and charge people if they wish to charge their phone there.
Perhaps you could demand a certain amount per half hour using the powerbank.
Then, not only will you make money, but they can get back to sneakily playing video games in their boring classes, let’s just hope that they don’t get caught, as that wouldn’t be good.
9. School supplies and stationery
All throughout the school year students lose school equipment and important pieces of stationery.
If you start your own mini school business of selling school supplies, not only would you make money, but you would also be the first step in keeping the pencil case of a fellow student full of all the essentials for the upcoming school year.
10. Old tests
A more mischievous way for older students, in particular, to make money is by selling their old tests and assessments to young students.
While you make money, your customers will be cruising through their tests without fail, just keep this one quiet, your teachers wouldn’t be happy if they found out!
11. Old study notes
A little less naughty way for you to help students with tests while making money is to sell your old study notes for tests.
Whether it is sticky notes or flashcards, selling your old study notes can be a brilliant way students to make money in their school.
12. Waffles
Have you ever had a delicious, tasty waffle in the morning? Drizzled with mouth-watering syrup and sprinkled with sugar and some juicy berries, made in the waffle maker merely minutes before, not piping hot, but still warm. If you have, you must’ve loved it, I mean, what’s not to like?
That is exactly why it would be so popular amongst your peers in school, and you could charge them extra for toppings (syrup, for example).
Just use your waffle maker to make a dozen or so before school, and then get to school and wait for the money to flow in.
13. Homemade cupcakes
If you are a talented baker capable of making wonderful treats then you should try selling them at your school. It’s such a good way to make money in school, because who wouldn’t want to buy a cupcake?
Make sure you have a range of flavors, as not everybody will like chocolate cupcakes! So put those baking skills to good use!
14. Notebooks
Many students need to take notes in class, but without a good notebook to do so in, then they may be looking for somewhere to get one, fast.
If they desperately need it for their next class, they may overpay for a notebook. This is what makes selling notebooks in school one of the easy things you can do to make money.
15. Artwork
Are you an aspiring artist looking to earn some quick cash? Then school time is the best time to do so. Students may want art to decorate their lockers, or to take home and hang up on their wall.
So, if your art is not only good, but eye-catching and you have creative ideas then you should try selling your artwork in school.
16. Toys
For students who are still in elementary school, toys are a great thing to sell. So many younger students would love to buy the most popular toys from you to use at recess and home.
You can buy small, cheap things like Hot Wheels which you could sell to your peers for a little more than you paid. Now that’s a business idea if I’ve ever heard one.
17. Homemade Cookies
Similar to homemade cupcakes, homemade cookies are a great thing for you to sell at school.
Everybody loves the oozing chocolatey center of a fresh chocolate chip cookie, along with the crisp outside and gooey center, making them a very ppular thing for students to sell at school. Just make sure you have a good recipe!
18. Homemade Jewelry
Many girls at your school will likely wear necklaces and bracelets to school. If you know stuff about jewelry and are decent at making nice designs with beads, you could try selling homemade jewelry at school.
It could be one of the most popular things to sell at school if you are skilled enough at making it.
19. Video Games
If you have completed an old video game and are looking to dispose of it, don’t just give it away, make some money out of it! It won’t take much time, just clean off the discs and box and sell them to your peers.
Make sure you charge more for more popular games, or games which costed you more to purchase.
20. Fidget Toys
School can be stressful and boring, and sometimes students may need a way to calm down or just have some fun. This can be through fidget toys.
These small toys can be very popular among students so if you sell stress balls, pop-its and other kinds of fidget toys you could earn yourself some good cash from a school side hustle.
21. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is popular among teens and children, especially whilst in school. This is what makes school a great place for you to sell chewing gum.
Just please, for your own sake, request they dispose of it properly later, and don’t stick it under the desks. Disgusting!
22. Stickers for devices
Amongst students, stickers for devices (laptop stickers, iPad stickers and iPhone stickers, for example) are a popular item.
Whether it is stickers of characters, a popular rock bank or stickers of an animal, selling stickers at your school is a fast, reliable way for you to make some money, and to keep your friends’ devices stylish.
23. Phone Cases
In the modern age, it’s hard to find a student age 10 or above without a phone. They are everywhere, along with the phone cases.
Most students with phones often like to change phone cases to keep up with recent trends and make sure their phone looks just as cool as their peers. This is what makes selling phone cases at school so great.
Their popularity among students looking to add a fresh spin to their phone is unmatched, which would almost undoubtably make them a bestseller at your school.
However, make sure you have both Android and iPhone cases, as not everybody has the same make of phone. Also try to have many different types of phones, as not everybody will have an iPhone 14 pro.
24. Homework
School children have to attend many hours (6-8, usually) in their school daily. It’s hard to focus in that time and many of them will need a break when they finally arrive back home.
Yet, homework stops this. It adds to the many grueling hours spent in school with even more hours having to complete even more work at home.
Many students, due to this, will be looking for a way for them to get out of doing their homework. You could use this as an opportunity to make some money.
Start a business where you complete homework for your classmates for around 5 dollars, then you make some money and they get to rest. Just make sure members of staff never find out!
25. Become a Personal Bodyguard
For those who go to the gym and are strong and capable of defending yourself, then offer your services to your peers. Sometimes, unfortunately, students may get bullied in school.
You can help stop this while making a quick buck out of it by being a bodyguard for the victims of bullying for a price. Just make sure you’re always ready to protect your peers!
These are some of the most unique things to sell at school, no matter which type of school you attend. They don’t take up much space, making them easy to store and transport to school.
You may also like:
Here are some frequently asked questions about this topic:
Some great craft ideas for things you could make and sell at school include DIY bath bombs, handmade soaps and candy bouquets. These could be very popular among students if made right, but require skill in DIY.
A thirteen year old could try selling on books, clothes and toys. They would be able to do this at school; however it is also important to consider selling at car boots as they can be profitable. A great way to do it at home without much effort is by selling it online through websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Vinted.
A list of items you could sell on market day at school include: friendship bracelets, decorated plant pots and customised magnets. However, if many at your school have dogs you could try to make some homemade dog treats as they would likely be very popular among your classmates who have a dog.
Some of the things you could sell fast and easy, whether online or in person, include sneakers (good for nice sneakers which no longer fit), jewelry (you could make it yourself if looking to save money) along with holiday decor items. Holiday items, along with jewelry, could be homemade or shop bought, depending on budget and time.
Leave a Reply