Plan Ahead: Top Summer Side Hustles You Can Start Now

Allie Coutts
February 19, 2025
5 min read

The Best Summer Side Hustles to Boost Your Income

Even though summer feels a little far off, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how you can make the most of those long, sunny days ahead. Whether you’re looking to save up for a vacation, pay off some bills, or simply enjoy a bit of extra income, summer side hustles offer a fantastic opportunity to earn money while still having fun. The best part? Many of these hustles are flexible and can work with your schedule, so you can enjoy everything summer has to offer. In this post, we’ll walk you through some of the best summer side hustles to consider as you get ready for the season. Let’s dive in and start planning for a profitable, fun summer!

1. Freelance Graphic Design

With a decade of experience in graphic design and marketing, you already know how valuable design services are, especially in the summer months. Businesses ramp up their marketing efforts during this season, requiring fresh visual content for social media, websites, and advertisements. If you have strong skills in logo design, branding, or website graphics, freelance graphic design can be a profitable side hustle.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can set your own hours and work remotely. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are excellent places to find clients.

SEO Tip: Optimize your portfolio with keywords like “summer design services,” “freelance logo design,” and “custom website graphics” to attract summer clients looking to revamp their brands.

2. Social Media Management

As businesses push marketing strategies into full swing, they often need social media managers to keep their content on track. With more brands looking to stay connected with their customers in an engaging way, this side hustle is an in-demand opportunity.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can manage multiple accounts, set flexible work hours, and work with brands on their seasonal marketing strategies.

Pro Tip: To stand out, highlight your skills in managing summer campaigns on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Use SEO techniques like incorporating keywords such as “summer social media strategy” or “seasonal social media marketing.”

Research: According to a 2024 report by Social Media Examiner, over 73% of businesses plan to increase their social media marketing spend in 2024, making social media management a top side hustle opportunity.

3. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Summer travel often means pet owners are looking for reliable people to take care of their pets. If you love animals, pet sitting or dog walking is a simple yet rewarding side hustle. Platforms like Rover and Wag! help connect pet owners with trusted sitters and walkers.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can earn money by doing something enjoyable and flexible. Plus, it’s a great way to get outside and stay active during the summer months.

SEO Tip: To improve visibility, consider adding keywords such as “summer pet care services,” “dog walking side hustle,” or “reliable pet sitting services” to your profile or website.

4. Tutoring and Online Teaching

Summer tutoring services are in high demand as parents seek to help their children get ahead in school before the next year begins. Additionally, platforms like VIPKid allow you to teach English to students abroad. If you have a background in education or a particular skill, tutoring can be a rewarding summer side hustle.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can work from home, set your own hours, and focus on subjects in demand like math, science, or languages.

Pro Tip: Specialize in summer programs such as “summer SAT prep” or “math tutoring for high school students” to attract more clients.

Research: According to EducationData.org, the global tutoring market size is expected to reach over $183 billion by 2025, making this an incredibly viable side hustle with huge demand.

5. Event Planning and Coordination

Summer is full of events, from weddings and festivals to family reunions and corporate gatherings. If you have strong organizational skills, event planning can be an excellent summer side hustle. Event coordinators are in demand for everything from booking venues to coordinating catering and decorations.

Why it’s a great side hustle: The summer event season is in full swing, and if you enjoy planning, you can work with clients to make their special occasions memorable.

SEO Tip: Use keywords like “summer event planning services,” “wedding coordinator,” and “corporate event management” to capture seasonal traffic from clients looking to organize events.

Research: Eventbrite reports that summer is the peak season for events, with weddings, parties, and festivals generating significant revenue.

6. Airbnb Hosting

If you have extra space, renting out a room or property on Airbnb is a fantastic way to earn money over the summer. With more people traveling during the warmer months, there’s high demand for vacation rentals, especially if you’re located in a popular tourist destination.

Why it’s a great side hustle: Airbnb hosts can earn passive income by renting out rooms, guesthouses, or even entire homes.

Pro Tip: Optimize your listing by adding “summer vacation rentals” and “tourist accommodation” to your Airbnb profile to target seasonal travelers.

Research: According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, the demand for short-term vacation rentals increased by 25% during summer months, making it an ideal time for Airbnb hosts to earn significant income.

7. Rideshare or Delivery Driving

Rideshare driving with Uber or Lyft, or food delivery with apps like DoorDash or Postmates, is a flexible way to make extra money during the summer. These platforms provide drivers with the ability to choose when and where they work, making it a perfect fit for people with irregular schedules.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can work at your convenience, and summer generally means an uptick in ridesharing and food delivery requests.

SEO Tip: Target keywords such as “summer rideshare driving,” “food delivery side hustle,” and “flexible driving jobs” in your marketing to attract more drivers.

Research: According to Business Insider, the rideshare market is expected to continue growing with a significant increase in demand during the summer travel season.

8. Gardening and Landscaping Services

Summer is the prime time for maintaining gardens, lawns, and outdoor spaces. If you have a green thumb or enjoy working outdoors, offering gardening or landscaping services can be a great way to earn extra income.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can work in the morning or evening hours, and the demand for lawn care, garden maintenance, and outdoor design spikes in the warmer months.

Pro Tip: Include keywords like “summer lawn care services,” “landscaping for summer,” and “garden maintenance side hustle” on your website to attract local clients.

9. Photography

Summer is filled with events, vacations, and moments that people want to capture. If you have a passion for photography, consider offering your services for family portraits, weddings, or even selling stock photos online.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can set your rates and choose the types of shoots you want to do, whether it’s outdoor photography or event-based sessions.

SEO Tip: Use keywords like “summer family portraits,” “outdoor photography services,” and “wedding photography in summer” to make your services more discoverable.

10. Online Selling

Summer is also the perfect time to declutter and make some extra cash. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, vintage items, or unused goods, platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Poshmark allow you to sell from the comfort of your home.

Why it’s a great side hustle: You can sell things that you no longer use or create unique products to sell to a global audience.

Pro Tip: Target the summer market by selling seasonal items like clothing, accessories, or outdoor gear. Use keywords like “summer wardrobe essentials” or “handmade summer jewelry” to boost your sales.

Conclusion

This summer, there are numerous ways to earn extra money and even build a sustainable side hustle. Whether you want to work remotely, outdoors, or with people, there are countless opportunities that can fit your schedule and skillset. Choose a side hustle that matches your interests and goals, and start building your summer income today!

Written By

Allie Coutts

Content Specialist

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