30 Fun Hobbies that Make Money for Canadians

They say you should never make your hobby your job because the passion may fade when fun becomes work. But what about turning your hobby into a side hustle. Not your full-time gig, but a fun way to make a little money on the side. The beauty of side hustles is that you decide how you want to work and how hard. Hobbies that make money are a lot better than a second job that you despise.

To help inspire you, I’ve created the following list of 30 fun hobbies that make money. Every item on the list is a legit hobby, and the money you can make ranges from a little to a whole lot. Ready? Let’s get started!

Teaching Music

Playing music might not be the most profitable career choice, but it’s one of the world’s great hobbies. The good news is that if you’re proficient on just about any instrument, guitar, drums, piano, bass, etc., you can make good money teaching others how to play. You aren’t limited to in-person lessons; many music teachers have moved online and conduct classes over Zoom or Facetime. And you don’t have to be a virtuoso to teach music lessons. You only need to be a couple of steps ahead of your student.

Photography

Digital technology has made it possible for anyone with a passion for photography and an artistic eye to capture and edit high-quality photos. With a DSLR camera, a laptop, and lots of practice, you can turn your photography hobby into a way to make money. You can start with family portraits, and if you enjoy it, expand into wedding photography. Some photographers prefer to sell their photos online to stock photo websites like Shutterstock.

Drone Photography

I separated this from the last item on the list because drone flying is a hobby in and of itself. The fact that you can combine it with aerial photography makes it that much better. There are several ways you can make money with a drone. One of the most obvious is photography. More and more couples are hiring drone photographers to provide aerial footage of their weddings. Individuals and businesses hire drone operators to capture their properties from the air. You can even sell the videos you make for commercial use.

Baking

Is the kitchen your happy place? Baking is a wonderful pastime, not to mention a tasty one. Just about everyone loves to eat baked goods, but many don’t have the time or the know-how to do it themselves. If you love to bake and can increase your output, you can start selling your baked goods at local craft sales or farmers’ markets. It’s incredible how many people will spend money on homemade, freshly baked bread, buns, or cookies.

A tip is to start small – pick a couple of your best recipes, and go from there.

Creating Videos

Video has never been more popular than it is today. Consider the reach of websites like TikTok and YouTube and countless others. If you are skilled at creating or editing videos, you can make money by producing video content for individuals or businesses. If you have your own YouTube or TikTok channel, you can earn ad revenue that grows with the number of viewers on your channel.

Writing

We may be living in the age of video and YouTube, but the written word remains a powerful form of communication. The demand for excellent writing remains in the shift from physical books, newspapers, and magazines to online mediums. If you love to write, try freelance writing to make money. There is no shortage of ways to find clients.

Start by signing up on freelancing sites like Upwork and Fiverr, or peruse the many online job boards that are out there. Try to join some writers’ Facebook groups – there is no shortage of them around. One of the best places to learn about freelance writing is from other writers. If you feel like you don’t have the skill required to make money writing, the way to get better is to write every day, even if it’s only one paragraph.

Social Media

Considering how much time most people spend on social media, it can undoubtedly be considered a hobby. But did you know that you could make some extra money while you’re connecting with others online? If you can build a large audience on Instagram or TikTok, you may be able to attract brands who wish to sponsor you. Companies pay social media influencers to promote their products and services within their photo and video posts.

Woodworking

Carpentry is a serious trade that many people do as a career. But it can also be a hobby. If you have woodworking skills, there is no shortage of ways to make extra money. You can get paid to build fences or decks, or even furniture.

Flipping/Yard Sales

Flipping occurs when you purchase an item only to sell it for a profit. Some people flip large things, like houses, while others flip products they purchased new or used, below market value. There is an art to flipping, and it can be a fun pastime. Flippers use online marketplaces like eBay, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell items.

Sports Referee

If you love playing a particular sport, you may enjoy the officiating side of it as well. While some referee on a volunteer basis, there’s often an opportunity to make some decent money. Unfortunately, reffing sports like soccer or hockey can be a thankless business these days, especially in kids sports, where just a few bad parents can make life hard on the officials. If you have the patience to deal with the parents, it’s a great way to turn a hobby into a money-making opportunity.

Video Games

I have to admit; it’s hard to wrap my brain around how people make thousands of dollars for playing video games. That’s an income stream I never imagined would exist a few years ago. You can earn money by starting a YouTube channel and uploading your gameplay videos. The more viewers you can attract, the more money there is to be made. You can also live stream yourself playing games or join competitive gaming leagues, where there’s money to be made. However before you can do any of this, you need to build your gaming skills, aka practice.

Driving

Driving enthusiasts rarely tire from being behind the wheel. While some drives are more exciting than others – no one likes being stuck in rush hour traffic – driving offers a sense of freedom that you don’t get with other pastimes. If you enjoy meeting new people and don’t mind spending hours in your car, you can make money while you drive by signing up with a ride-sharing app like Uber. Another option is to use your car to deliver food or groceries. The best part about these car-based side hustles is the flexibility. You get to choose when and how much you want to work.

Auto Mechanic

You don’t have to be a licensed mechanic to make money working on cars. If you have the right tools and a space to work, you can make extra money by fixing vehicles for friends and family and others in your neighbourhood. Routine repairs such as oil changes, brakes, mufflers, etc., are costly. Your friends will save money by coming to you, and you can turn a hobby into a small business.

Music DJ

Imagine getting paid to party. That’s kind of what it’s like to be a music DJ. The party doesn’t happen without you. If you love mixing music and have the necessary equipment, you should have no trouble finding venues to play. The money can be good, and you can make sure that the music is great.

Blogging

I have to include blogging on this list because, well, I am a blogger. I’ve been running MapleMoney for over ten years now, and it has become a profitable business. But it’s also a wonderful writing hobby. Blogging is ideal for anyone who is passionate about a subject and loves to write. And it’s something you can make money doing. There are bloggers out there today who make millions from their blogs. That said, it takes a long time to get paid blogging, and not everyone is successful in that regard. That’s why it’s essential to do it as a hobby first. If money is your only objective, your blog won’t last.

Building Websites

Not everyone who builds a website wants to become a blogger. You can create websites that make money in many different ways. If you want to sell products, you could open an online store, also known as eCommerce. Building a portfolio website to showcase your work is a great way to find new clients if you’re a photographer. The same goes for just about any type of service. Other options include online job boards, podcast websites, and online forum websites.

Makeup Artist

If you have a passion for doing makeup, nails, or lash extensions, consider turning it into a side hustle. People pay well for these services, and the accreditation process isn’t usually too involved. There are different courses you can take that will get you up and running in no time. If you have a spare room in your home, you could convert it into a studio area and have clients come to you. Search for clients by advertising on social media sites, like Facebook and Instagram.

Shopping

Did you know? Some people will pay others to do their shopping for them. They either don’t have the time, the interest, or both, to do it themselves. If you’re looking for hobbies that make money, consider becoming a personal shopper. Start by letting people in your network know about your services. They may have a friend or family member who could benefit from having a personal shopper.

You can also advertise in your local Facebook Marketplace or by starting an Instagram account. Clients who hire personal shoppers tend to be well-heeled, so find out where they hang out online, and you’ll eventually make some connections.

Crafts (Etsy)

If your hobby is arts and crafts, you can make money by selling your creations on Etsy, one of the top websites for selling homemade goods. Millions of people browse Etsy for the kinds of products they can’t find at Target or Walmart, giving Etsy sellers a massive audience to market their products.

Health and Fitness

There is a myriad of ways to turn your fitness hobby into money. If you’re interested in getting the proper certification, you could become a personal trainer and source clients from your local gym. Tech-savvy fitness buffs with an audience on social media can make money by selling courses and other fitness-related products.

But you don’t have to work that hard to make a few extra bucks. Fitness tracking apps like Sweatcoin pay you to stay in shape, rewarding you with points that you can convert into merchandise or PayPal cash. If you’re looking for that little bit of added motivation to work out, Sweatcoin might do the trick.

Cycling

If cycling is your hobby, you can make money by delivering food through Doordash, an app-based food ordering, and delivery platform. Or, if you live downtown in a busy city, consider becoming a bicycle courier. It’s a demanding job, but if you’re young and in shape, it’s a great way to turn your hobby into a money-making opportunity.

Caring for Animals

You can turn your love for animals into a lucrative side hustle by walking dogs in your community or pet sitting for families who are out of town. I’ve even heard of farm sitting, where people leave their horses and chickens with someone they trust. Websites like Rover connect pet owners with animal lovers looking for a way to make extra money.

Lawncare

This is one of the oldest ways to make extra money. If you enjoy spending the summer outside in your yard, mowing the lawn, or pulling weeds, you may love helping people in your community with their yard work. You can use your equipment (mower, weed trimmer), or you may be able to use your client’s equipment. Advertise your services in your community Facebook group, and check with friends and neighbours. Trust me; people will pay good money not to have to maintain their lawn.

Gardening

Healthy eating is more popular than ever. That’s why people are willing to pay extra money for organic, locally grown produce. If you love to garden and have space in your yard, consider growing enough fruits and vegetables to sell at your local farmers’ market. You could also set up a display alongside a busy road, where people can stop to buy your fresh berries or corn on the cob.

Sewing

Sewing is one of those hobbies that not many people do anymore. It may be a symptom of our disposable society that we tend to throw out old clothes rather than repair them. That makes sewing a great money-making hobby. If you can do even minor alterations, like hemming a skirt or a pair of pants, you’ll have a lineup of customers for your services.

Investing

Investing can be a fun hobby, but ask any investor, and they’re in it for the money. And you can make a lot of money in the stock market. The best part is that you can invest on your own from the comfort of your living room. All you need is an online brokerage account. Transfer in some funds, and start investing. Keep in mind, there are risks involved with investing, so make sure you do the proper research and maintain a long-term mindset.

Languages

Do you love studying foreign languages? Are you fluent in more than one language? If so, you can turn your hobby into a money-making opportunity by teaching others to speak a different language. With websites like VIP Kid, you can become an online tutor, and teach English to kids from different parts of the world. Or, you can offer your own private lessons in person or online.

Online Surveys

Ok, calling this a hobby is a bit of a stretch, but for a lot of people, completing surveys is a fun way to pass the time. One of the easiest ways to share your opinion via surveys is by signing up on paid survey websites. They are almost always free to join, and you get paid to give your opinion. Keep in mind, however, you’ll never get rich taking surveys.

At most, you’ll earn a few bucks a month, money that can be used to cover the cost of your streaming services, like Netflix and Spotify, or to buy the occasional Starbucks latte. Here’s a tip: to increase your income, join multiple survey sites. This way, you’ll receive more surveys and more opportunities to earn. Swagbucks and Survey Junkie are two of the top sites and a great place to start.

Making T-Shirts

T-Shirts never go out of style, and people are always looking for new designs. With the right equipment, you can print your own t-shirts, or you can make money by selling them locally or online.

Home Repair

Are you the resident handyman or woman in your home? If you know carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc., you can turn your hobby into a serious side hustle. The more skilled you are, the more money you can charge. Home renovations are time-consuming and many people don’t have the skill required to get the job done. They would much prefer to hire someone else to do the work. That person could be you.

Final Thoughts on Fun Hobbies that Make Money

There you have it – 30 money-making hobbies that you can have fun doing at the same time. If you’re having trouble choosing a hobby side hustle, make a list of things you love to do, things you’re really good at, and hobbies with earning potential. The sweet spot is when you find a side hustle that combines all three elements. Also, don’t be afraid to start small. Build a system that works for the first $100, and scale it from there.