The $2,300-a-Week Side Hustle: Teaching Crafts at Schools Made Simple.
Posted on Jan 09, 2025Imagine turning your passion for crafting and working with kids into a $2,300-a-week business—while the school takes care of marketing, registrations, and finding students for you.
Sounds too good to be true? It’s not.
"Schools aren’t going away. Kids aren’t going away. The audience is already there, and the school takes care of it for you— it’s a no-brainer."
This insight from Cara Summerfield, owner of the Crafty Bird Club, captures the essence of why teaching crafts in schools is a brilliant opportunity.
Cara’s story highlights how a passion for crafting, coupled with the built-in audience schools provide, can lead to a fulfilling and profitable side hustle—or even a full-time business.
Let’s dive into the key takeaways from her experience and how you can apply them to launch your own school-based craft program.
1. Schools Provide the Perfect Setup
One of the greatest advantages of teaching crafts at schools is that the audience is already there, and schools make the logistics easier for you.
- Built-In Audience: Schools give you access to kids who are eager to participate in after-school programs.
- Marketing Support: Cara’s school district advertises her classes to parents through emails, district websites, and other communications. This saves her from spending time and money on marketing.
- Streamlined Payments: The schools also manage registrations and payments, leaving her free to focus on what she loves—teaching and creating.
“I don’t have to go out and find my own kids. The school district has them, and they even handle the advertising and registration for me.”
2. Flexible and Profitable Class Structure
Cara’s after-school classes are structured to maximize both student engagement and profitability.
- Class Duration: Each class lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes—long enough to let elementary-aged kids create something meaningful but short enough to hold their attention.
- 6-Week Blocks: Classes are organized in six-week sessions, with a single class held once a week.
- Earning Potential: With 6-8 classes per week and 15 kids per class, Cara earns up to $2,300 weekly, charging around $25 per class.
“Six to eight classes per week at $25—that’s a good side hustle. That’s about $2,300 per week.”
3. Why Schools Taking a Percentage Is Worth It
Some schools take a percentage of the earnings, but for Cara, this is more than worth it.
- The school’s share covers the cost of marketing, registrations, and software for managing payments.
- Cara no longer has to spend time or money on these logistics, which frees her up to focus on teaching and growing her business.
“That 30% is paying for the person handling registrations, marketing, and the software. It’s completely worth it.”
4. Creating an Impact Beyond the Classroom
Teaching crafts in schools is about more than making money—it’s about giving kids a creative outlet and fostering a sense of community.
- Building Creativity: Cara sees firsthand how crafting keeps kids’ imaginations alive, especially at an age when they may otherwise lose their sense of creative freedom.
- Parent and Child Connections: Parents often marvel at their kids’ creations and the stories behind them, creating memorable moments for families.
- Positive Environments: Crafting provides a happy, neutral space for kids and parents to connect in today’s often chaotic world.
“The parents pick them up, and the kids are so proud of their creations. It’s a happy, neutral space in a chaotic world.”
5. You Don’t Need Experience—Just Passion
Cara didn’t start as a professional artist or an experienced elementary teacher. She calls herself a crafter, not an artist, and emphasizes that passion and a willingness to learn are all you need.
- Learn as You Go: Cara’s success came from jumping in, asking questions, and making adjustments as she went along.
- Adaptability Is Key: Whether it’s figuring out class sizes, testing new schedules, or refining her approach, she’s learned to pivot and grow through experience.
“I didn’t have any experience. You don’t need experience; you just need passion. The experience will come.”
6. Practical Tips for Getting Started
Cara’s advice for anyone thinking about teaching crafts in schools:
- Communicate Clearly: Build strong relationships with school administrators to align your vision and goals.
- Start Small: Focus on getting one school or a few classes running smoothly before expanding.
- Invest in Insurance: Many schools require liability insurance, which is an affordable way to protect your business.
- Build a Community: Collect parent emails from your classes and send occasional updates, free crafting ideas, or activity sheets to stay top of mind and encourage repeat enrollment.
“You just have to jump in and try it. You can’t sit there and go ‘what if.’ The only way to learn is by doing.”
The Bottom Line
Teaching crafts at schools is a no-brainer.
Schools provide a built-in audience, take care of marketing and logistics, and give you a platform to turn your passion into a thriving business.
Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time career, this opportunity is yours to seize.
As Cara says,
“Anyone can be successful doing this because art is one of the most important things in this world—and we need a lot more of it.”
Are you ready to inspire kids and grow your own creative business, teaching crafting at schools?