I still remember my paper round days dragging myself out of bed at 6am, stuffing newspapers into that ridiculous canvas bag, and cycling around the neighbourhood before school. It was character-building, sure, but let’s be honest it was also freezing cold and badly paid.
My own 14-year-old recently asked about getting a paper round, and I had to break the news that they’ve pretty much vanished. But here’s the thing the alternatives available now are actually way better than what we had back in the day.
What Happened to Paper Rounds?
It’s not rocket science. Most people get their news online now, local newsagents are closing left and right, and the few paper rounds that do exist often go to adults who desperately need the income. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly thrilled about sending my teenager out on a bike in the dark these days.
The world’s moved on, and honestly? Good riddance to those heavy newspaper bags.
What Can 14-Year-Olds Actually Do?
Before we dive in, let’s get the boring legal stuff out of the way. Kids can work part-time from 14 (some councils allow it from 13), but there are rules:
- 12 hours max per week during school term
- No work during school hours (obviously)
- No work before 7am or after 7pm
- 2 hours max on school days
- 5 hours max on Saturdays
- Sundays are generally off-limits
The good news? There are loads of options that actually fit around modern teenage life.
The Real Alternatives
Get Paid for Being Online
This one blew my mind. Today’s teens are already glued to their phones – why not make money from it? I know kids who’ve built proper followings on TikTok and Instagram, eventually earning through sponsorships and affiliate links. One neighbour’s daughter makes more from her fitness content than I made from my entire paper round career.
It takes time and creativity, but for the right kid, it beats trudging around in the rain.
Old-School Services with a Modern Twist
Remember how paper rounds were basically about reliable service? That hasn’t changed – just the delivery method. Local Facebook groups are full of people wanting:
- Dog walkers (£10-15 per walk around here)
- Garden help (weeding, lawn mowing)
- Car washing
- Shopping runs for elderly neighbours
- Putting flyers through letterboxes (basically a paper round without the 6am start)
The money’s better than paper rounds ever were, and you’re not tied to a daily schedule.
Actual Jobs That Want Teenagers
Loads of places actively hire 14-year-olds. McDonald’s practically has a recruitment pipeline from local schools. Same with:
- Supermarkets (trolley pushing, shelf stacking)
- Cinemas
- Coffee shops
- Sports centres
- Local leisure facilities
The pay’s minimum wage, but that’s still better than the pocket change we got for paper rounds. Plus, you get actual workplace experience.
The Internet Goldmine
This is where it gets interesting. Teenagers today can:
- Do virtual assistant work for small businesses
- Help with basic data entry
- Take online surveys (not exactly thrilling, but it pays)
- Tutor younger kids online
- Even do basic freelance writing or design work
My friend’s son makes £50 a week helping a local business manage their social media. Try earning that from a paper round.
Holiday Money
Christmas and summer holidays are money-making opportunities we never had:
- Christmas market stalls need help
- Summer camps need assistants
- Retail goes mental for holiday staff
- Local events always need extra hands
But What About Getting Fit?
Look, I get it. Paper rounds meant automatic exercise cycling around, walking up garden paths, carrying heavy bags. Modern alternatives can be more sedentary.
But here’s what I tell parents: be smart about it. Pick active options when possible. Dog walking beats sitting at a computer. Working at a sports centre is better than purely online work. And for heaven’s sake, if they are doing screen-based work, make sure they’re still getting out and moving.
The beauty of modern teen jobs is the flexibility. Unlike paper rounds with their rigid daily schedule, kids can balance different types of work.
Getting Started (The Practical Bit)
Parents your to-do list:
- Check your local council’s rules (they vary)
- Help them put together a basic CV (school achievements, hobbies, that sort of thing)
- Practice some interview basics
- Make sure any work won’t mess with their studies
Teenagers listen up:
- Try StudentJob UK for local opportunities
- Ask family and friends if they know of anything
- Start small and build a reputation for being reliable
- Keep track of what you earn (tax stuff can get complicated)
- Don’t blow it all on rubbish – save some for something worthwhile
Why This Is Actually Better
I know we get nostalgic about the “good old days” of paper rounds. But honestly? Today’s options are miles better. They pay more, offer actual skills, and don’t involve getting up at stupid o’clock in freezing weather.
My teenager’s friend makes £200 a month from a combination of dog walking and helping elderly neighbours with shopping. That’s proper money, not the £15 a week I scraped together from my paper round.
More importantly, these jobs teach skills that matter in 2025. Customer service, digital literacy, time management, even basic entrepreneurship. Paper rounds taught you to be reliable and get up early – useful, but hardly cutting-edge career preparation.
The Bottom Line
Paper rounds are dead, and we should probably throw them a small funeral rather than mourn them. What’s replaced them is a world of opportunities that are better paid, more flexible, and actually prepare teenagers for the jobs that exist today.
The trick isn’t trying to recreate what we had it’s helping our kids make the most of what’s available now. And trust me, what’s available now is pretty brilliant.
Just don’t expect them to get up at 6am for it.