Hey friend!
Last Tuesday, I found myself in a familiar situation. The baby was finally down for his nap, my daughter was at preschool, and I had exactly 47 minutes to myself. I could have collapsed on the couch (tempting!), but instead, I spent that time uploading new digital planners to my Etsy shop, which ended up earning me $87 that week.
That’s the beauty of low-investment side hustles – they fit into those small pockets of time we already have and don’t require a fortune to get started. I know how precious your time and budget are as a busy mom, which is why I’ve put together this guide to seven side hustles you can literally start this weekend during naptime with minimal upfront costs.
In this post, you’ll discover side hustle options that are perfect for busy moms, the exact steps to get started with each one, and realistic expectations for when you might see your first dollar. Because let’s be honest – we need options that work around sticky fingers, school pickup times, and those rare magical moments when the house is actually quiet!
Why Low-Investment Side Hustles Are Perfect for Moms
Before becoming a mom, I had no idea how fractured my time would become. Finding uninterrupted hours to work on anything feels like searching for a unicorn! That’s why naptime hustles – businesses you can start and maintain in small 30-90 minute chunks – are ideal for our season of life.
The best part? These options require minimal startup costs (most under $100), which means less financial risk while you’re figuring out what works for your family and schedule.
Here’s what makes these side hustles mom-friendly:
- Can be worked on in small time blocks (hello, naptime productivity!)
- Minimal financial investment to get started
- Flexible enough to scale up or down based on your family’s needs
- Skills you likely already have as a mom
- Opportunity to grow into a full-time income eventually
7 Side Hustles You Can Launch This Weekend
1. Virtual Assistant Services
Startup cost: $0-50 (basic website or profile setup)
One of my readers, Jessica, started her VA business during her son’s afternoon naps and now earns $1,200 monthly working just 10 hours a week. The beauty of VA work is that you can offer services based on skills you already have.
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (45-60 minutes): Make a list of the administrative, social media, or organizational skills you already have. Common VA services include email management, social media scheduling, customer service, data entry, or calendar management.
- Saturday evening task (30 minutes): Create a simple services list with 3-5 core offerings and set your hourly rate (start at $20-25/hour as a beginner).
- Sunday naptime task (60 minutes): Set up a free portfolio using Google Docs or Canva templates, or create a simple profile on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- First client strategy: Reach out to 3-5 small business owners in your network (think local boutiques, service providers, or online entrepreneurs) with a specific way you could help them. For example: “I noticed your Facebook page hasn’t been updated recently. I’d love to help you create and schedule content for the next two weeks for $X.”
Reality check: While you can set up your VA business this weekend, finding your first client typically takes 2-4 weeks of consistent outreach. Start with a goal of earning $100-200 your first month.
2. Printables Creation and Selling
Startup cost: $0-75 (Canva subscription if you upgrade to Pro)
This is how I started! Using free design tools, I created simple planners, checklists, and templates that other moms needed. Last year, my Etsy shop of printables generated over $12,000 in mostly passive income.
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (45 minutes): Brainstorm 5-10 printables you could create based on your own needs. Popular options include meal planners, budget trackers, cleaning schedules, kids’ chore charts, or holiday planners.
- Saturday evening task (60 minutes): Using Canva (free version works!), create your first simple printable. Focus on making it useful rather than perfectly designed.
- Sunday naptime task (45 minutes): Set up a free Etsy shop and create your first listing. Be sure to include keywords like “printable planner,” “digital download,” or “mom organization printable” in your title and description.
- First sale strategy: Share your new shop with friends and family on social media, offering a launch discount code for the first week.
Reality check: While setting up takes just a weekend, creating a catalog of printables that generates meaningful income usually takes 2-3 months of consistent work. Expect your first sales to come after you have 5-10 items listed, with initial earnings around $20-50/month.
3. Freelance Writing for Parenting Websites
Startup cost: $0-20 (for a writing sample site if needed)
Parenting websites and mom blogs are constantly looking for authentic content from real moms. If you enjoy writing and can share your experiences, this is a natural fit!
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (60 minutes): Identify 3-5 potential topics you could write about based on your parenting experience. Then research 5-10 websites that accept submissions from freelance writers (sites like Scary Mommy, Motherly, and regional parenting magazines are great starting points).
- Saturday evening task (45 minutes): Write a 300-500 word sample piece on one of your chosen topics. Focus on your authentic voice and personal experience.
- Sunday naptime task (30 minutes): Create a simple writer’s bio that emphasizes your perspective as a mom and any relevant experience. Then draft an email pitch template you can customize for each publication.
- First assignment strategy: Send personalized pitches to three publications with your specific article idea, a brief outline, and why their readers would connect with your perspective.
Reality check: Response times from publications vary widely, from a few days to several weeks. Aim to send at least 5-7 pitches before expecting your first assignment. Starting rates are typically $50-150 per article.
4. Social Media Management for Local Businesses
Startup cost: $0-50 (for scheduling tools if needed)
Many small local businesses know they need social media but don’t have the time or knowledge to maintain it. This opportunity is perfect for moms who already understand social platforms.
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (45 minutes): Identify 10 local businesses whose social media presence is weak or inconsistent (think boutiques, restaurants, service providers).
- Saturday evening task (60 minutes): Create a basic service package outlining what you’ll provide (example: 12 Instagram posts monthly, 3 posts weekly on Facebook, and engagement with followers for $250/month).
- Sunday naptime task (45 minutes): Develop a sample content calendar for one of these businesses, showing post ideas and basic strategy for one week.
- First client strategy: Visit or call 3 businesses with your specific observations about their current social media and how you could improve it. Offer a discounted first month to demonstrate your value.
Reality check: Local businesses often make decisions slowly. Plan for a 3-4 week sales cycle before signing your first client. Start with a goal of one client at $200-300/month.
5. Online Tutoring or Teaching
Startup cost: $0-25 (for basic teaching materials)
If you have expertise in any subject – from elementary math to foreign languages to craft skills – there’s an opportunity to teach it online.
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (30 minutes): List your educational background, work experience, and hobby expertise to identify potential teaching subjects. Research platforms like VIPKid, Outschool, Preply, or Wyzant that match your skills.
- Saturday evening task (45 minutes): Outline a sample 30-minute lesson in your chosen subject. For creative skills, take photos of projects you’ve completed.
- Sunday naptime task (60 minutes): Set up a profile on your chosen platform, or create a simple flyer for local tutoring services. Record a brief introduction video if the platform requires it.
- First student strategy: Offer an introductory rate or free 20-minute session to get your first reviews and testimonials.
Reality check: Application approval on teaching platforms can take 1-2 weeks. Local tutoring students might sign up more quickly. Starting rates range from $15-40 per hour depending on your subject and experience.
6. Handmade Product Sales on Small Scale
Startup cost: $50-100 (for initial supplies)
While crafting businesses can become supply-heavy, you can start small with just a few products that have good profit margins.
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (45 minutes): Identify 2-3 handmade items you can create efficiently with minimal supplies. Good options include: custom digital portraits, personalized jewelry, bath products, or seasonal decor items.
- Saturday evening task (60 minutes): Calculate your costs and set prices that provide at least a 3x markup. Create 2-3 sample products and photograph them (even with your phone).
- Sunday naptime task (45 minutes): Set up an Instagram shop page or simple Etsy listing for your items. Write compelling descriptions focusing on the benefits and unique aspects of your products.
- First sale strategy: Create an Instagram post featuring your products and ask friends to share it. Consider offering a friends & family discount for the first week.
Reality check: Handmade product businesses take time to build momentum. The key is starting with items that don’t require massive inventory and can be made as orders come in. Expect 3-5 sales in your first month if actively promoting.
7. Online Reselling
Startup cost: $50-100 (for initial inventory)
This is perfect if you love finding deals! You can start by selling items from your own home, then reinvest profits into more inventory.
How to start this weekend:
- Saturday naptime task (45 minutes): Gather 10-15 items from your home that you no longer need but are in good condition. Research similar items on eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace to determine pricing.
- Saturday evening task (60 minutes): Photograph your items (clean backgrounds, good lighting) and create listings on your platform of choice. Include detailed descriptions and measurements.
- Sunday naptime task (30 minutes): Package your items so they’re ready to ship when sold. Research local thrift shops, garage sales, or clearance sections where you could find more inventory.
- First sale strategy: Price your initial items competitively to generate quick sales and positive reviews. Respond promptly to buyer questions.
Reality check: Your first sales might only generate $50-100 in profit, but this is truly a business you can scale at your own pace. Successful resellers often start with personal items, then reinvest 50% of profits into new inventory.
Finding Time: The Mom’s Guide to Weekend Hustle Launch
I know what you’re thinking: “These sound great, Ashley, but when exactly am I supposed to find time for this?”
Here’s my realistic weekend launch schedule that has worked for me and hundreds of mom readers:
Friday evening: After kids’ bedtime, spend 30 minutes researching your chosen hustle and gathering necessary materials.
Saturday morning: Use an early 30-minute window (maybe with cartoon time help) to organize your thoughts and plan the day’s tasks.
Saturday naptime: This is your power hour! Use this 1-2 hour window for your biggest task.
Saturday evening: After bedtime, spend 45-60 minutes on follow-up tasks.
Sunday morning: Use breakfast time to jot down ideas that came overnight.
Sunday naptime: Another power work session for 1-2 hours.
Sunday evening: Finalize your launch with 30 minutes of setup and planning for weekday maintenance.
Total weekend time investment: 4-6 hours spread across small windows.
Reality Check: What to Expect in the First 30 Days
I’m all about honest expectations. Here’s what the first month typically looks like for each of these side hustles:
- Week 1: Setup complete, initial outreach done, no income yet
- Week 2: Follow-up outreach, possible interest but likely no sales
- Week 3: First client/sale for most hustles (though timing varies widely)
- Week 4: Building on initial momentum, potentially $50-200 in revenue
The most important thing is consistency in the small pockets of time you have. Even 15-30 minutes daily will move your side hustle forward more effectively than waiting for that mythical “free day” to work on your business.
Your Next Steps: This Weekend’s Naptime Hustle Plan
Ready to turn naptime into income time? Here’s your action plan:
- Choose one hustle from the list that aligns with your skills and interests. Trying to launch multiple simultaneously leads to overwhelm and abandoned projects.
- Commit to using this weekend’s naptime and evening hours to follow the specific launch steps outlined above.
- Set a realistic 30-day goal (hint: it should be process-based, not income-based – like “contact 20 potential clients” rather than “make $500”).
I’d love to hear which side hustle you’re planning to start! Drop a comment below and let me know which one resonated with you most and what your first step will be.
Remember, the perfect time to start never arrives – especially for busy moms. Instead of waiting for the perfect conditions, start with the small pockets of time you already have. Your naptime hustle today could be your full-time income a year from now!