Starting a seasonal small business is a flexible way to earn extra money when you need it. You can run a business a few months of the year and take the rest of the year off to relax or pursue other career goals or opportunities, or you can combine several seasonal business opportunities to produce steady income throughout the year.

There are many different kinds of seasonal business opportunities, from small-scale agricultural enterprises to holiday businesses to seasonal service businesses.

Please note that this list of seasonal business ideas is organized on the assumption that you live in a four-season temperate climate in the Northern Hemisphere. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, some seasons will need to be reversed for this list to make sense. If you live in a tropical, subtropical, or Mediterranean climate, some of the seasonal business opportunities listed below will be possible for you and some will not.

Summer Business Ideas

Business Ideas for Farmers and Gardeners

Many small agricultural enterprises are seasonal in nature and offer a great opportunity to make extra money in summer and autumn even with fairly small amounts of land.

Summer is one of the most popular seasons for running a seasonal business because there are so many different types of opportunities. Gardens are in full bloom, children and teens are out of school, families are hitting the road for summer vacations, and almost everybody needs a cool and refreshing drink!

Here are some summer business opportunities:

• Boat rentals
• CSA farm
• Fishing guide
• Firecracker stand
• Fresh cut flowers
• Growing sweet corn
• Growing watermelon
• House painting
• House sitting
• Lemonade stand
• Mowing lawns
• Nanny/au pair service
• Pet sitting
• Picnic baskets
• Pool cleaning
• Produce stand
• Smoothie stand
• Snorkeling lessons
• Sports equipment rentals
• Summer camp
• Surfing lessons
• Swimming lessons
• Trail rides
• Tour guide
• Yard sale organizer

Autumn Business Ideas

Many people don't think of fall as a great season for seasonal businesses, but there are actually many different types of business opportunities at this time of year.

Here is a sampling:

• Back to school shopping service
• Cleaning chimneys
• Cleaning gutters and downspouts
• Garden cleanup
• Gleaning
• Growing pumpkins
• Haunted house
• Hunting guide
• Installing storm windows
• Making apple cider
• Moving service for university students
• Raising heirloom turkeys
• Raking leaves
• Specialty butcher
• Thanksgiving dinner delivery
• Tutor
• Weatherstripping homes

Winter Business Ideas

Winter is another season with a great variety of opportunities for creative entrepreneurs.

• Christmas cookie delivery
• Christmas tree farm
• Christmas wreaths and greens
• Eggnog
• Gift baskets
• Gift wrapping
• Hand-knit Christmas stockings
• Holiday decorating service
• Holiday shopper
• Mulled cider
• Party planner
• Personal trainer
• Skate rentals
• Ski lessons
• Ski rentals
• Sleigh rides
• Snowshoe rentals
• Snow shoveling or plowing
• Yule logs

Spring Business Ideas

Like autumn, spring is often overlooked as a good time of year for seasonal businesses, but that means all the more success for entrepreneurs who do set up shop with a springtime business!

Here are some seasonal business ideas for spring:

• Easter lambs
• Forcing bulbs
• May Day baskets
• Personalized Mother's Day cards or gifts
• Specialty egg decorating
• Spring cleaning service
• Starting seeds
• Window washing

More Small Business Ideas

• The Ultimate List of Small Business Ideas
  Whether you've always dreamed of starting a business of your own, or you've become frustrated after a long and unsuccessful job hunt and decided to go independent, deciding what kind of small business to start...

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2011 kerryg

Comments

Angel Ward from Galveston, TX on November 10, 2012:

must say...these are great ideas, makes me feel like I have no excuse, even with the economy to be more creative in my work! Love it!

Dmitriy on October 17, 2011:

Hi!Great ideas!)

I want to ask everyone who reads this advice

I want to start their own business and I have lots of ideas, but since I'm working, I can not do it and do not know the amount of investment as a calculated risk, as soon as I gained some amount immediately dismissed from work and start a business, encourage any ideas will be successful -

1 - sell snowboards (used);

2 - make ?ases of leather for ipad and mobile phones;

3 - make peanut butter;

4 - for the sale and manufacture of chemical de icers;

5 - Production of greeting cards;

6 - make toys for children of a tree (for development)

For any help and suggestions pls mail me - da_technic@mail.ru.

Best regards, Dmitriy.

Steve from Sheffield on September 28, 2011:

There are great ideas in this hub! All the small business need fresh and new ideas to improve. Thanks kerryg

Sarah Kolb-Williams from Twin Cities on September 16, 2011:

Many people are looking for that one dream job that will make them rich and secure -- but as you demonstrate here, there are jobs for every season and every niche out there if you know where to look! Great resource, thanks!

HealthyHanna from Utah on January 19, 2011:

In today's economy, we all need new ideas. These are great for 'thinking outside the box'.

Donna Oliver from Midwest, U.S.A. on January 19, 2011:

Great list! This could keep a family busy all year. Well done, voted up!

chspublish from Ireland on January 19, 2011:

A comprehensive list here. Well done and thanks.

joinphp from Tunisia on January 17, 2011:

awesome ideas. I really appreciated summer ideas.

Great done, that will help young people and students.

Thanks to share.

Hello, hello, from London, UK on January 17, 2011:

Wonderful ideas and very basic, helpful oppoertunities.

Pandoras Box from A Seemingly Chaotic World on January 17, 2011:

Great list! You've got lots of good ideas here.

Cassie Ann on January 17, 2011:

You've listed many wonderful ideas, especially for teens and college-aged people who want to earn a few extra bucks. Who knows? It could grow into much more. All some people need is an idea they can fly with.

Great info. Thanks.