This Mo'ili'ili boy has other things on the brain, like doing dirty dishes, sorting laundry, putting away groceries and raking leaves — extra household chores that Troy sees as an opportunity to make some moolah.

"It's a good way to give an extra hand and get extra cash," he said.

Troy joins thousands of other 'tweens — kids ages 8 to 13 — who are too young to get real jobs during their school break, so they're finding creative ways to earn extra bucks. Their summertime jobs commonly include baby-sitting, mowing lawns and walking dogs.

And while each job has its financial and physical benefits, experts also point to an emotional reward.

Leonard Wong is paying son Troy for extra chores, and Troy will also do paid housework for his grandfather. With his own money, Troy recently treated himself to a PlayStation Portable. Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

It's also a way for children to learn how to budget their money, Bonilla said.

"I'm going to save (my money) and put it in my account," Troy said. "If I really want something, then I'll maybe take some out."

If Troy completes all his added chores, he'll get $5 a week, said his mother, Deb Wong, 52. Troy will also help clean his grandfather's house; jobs there include cleaning toilets, mopping floors and vacuuming for about four hours, and will likely put a cool $20 in Troy's pockets.

Last month, Troy used his own money — about $250 — to treat himself to a Sony PlayStation Portable and a few video games, his mom said.

Bling-bling incentives aside, summer jobs are also a great way to stay healthy, said Vijaya Reddy, a pediatrician at The Queen's Medical Center.

"Obesity is on the rise, and that's primarily related to inactivity and indulging when you have more free time," Reddy said. "... This is a tremendous outlet to get out and interact, put their mind and body to use in a positive way."

Kailey Kaneshiro, who will be in the eighth grade at Sacred Hearts Academy, served as a production assistant on an independent film last summer. She earned about $80 in five days, doing things like holding a boom mike and carrying equipment around the set.

Zachary Tagawa's money-making idea won't just help him keep active, it'll also help the environment.

The 8-year-old Kuli'ou'ou boy and his brother, Andrew, 6, will step up recycling efforts they started earlier this year, collecting marked bottles and cans to redeem for 5 cents each.

"This introduces them to helping out the community and they'll be rewarded for doing their part," said their mother, Cheryl Tagawa, 40.

The task includes removing caps from the bottles and rinsing out each container. So far they've earned $50, said Tagawa, a bank vice president.

Summer jobs for 'tweens, from washing cars to pulling weeds, are a great way to enhance social skills and boost self-esteem, said Mary Horn, a clinical psychologist based in Kane'ohe.

"It gives them a chance to be motivated to do something and feel a sense of accomplishment," Horn said.

More than anything else, it gives them something to do other than watching television or playing video games all day, all summer, Horn said.

"It's fun to work," said Kailey, the Sacred Hearts student. "You earn more money and become more responsible."