20 quirkiest side hustles revealed

Fancy getting paid to write ‘break up’ text, stand in a queue for someone, or build a bug hotel?

Believe it or not, these are just a few of the UK’s quirkiest side hustles, revealed in a new survey of 1,400 adults.

Across the country, more and more people are getting creative with how they earn extra cash, especially as the cost of living keeps squeezing budgets.

Side hustles on the rise

According to the survey, 29% of people say their money-making ventures are ‘quirky’, and a 78% admit their side hustle is completely different from their main job.

And it’s the younger generations leading the way, Gen Z in particular. Over half (57%) of them said they’d consider turning their side hustle into full-time work. By comparison, just 14% of baby boomers said the same.

The research, commissioned by Tesco, shows how side hustles are no longer just for extra pocket money, they’re becoming a genuine route to new careers, freedom and creativity.

The top 20 quirkiest side hustles in the UK

Here’s the full list. How many would you try?

1. writing quiz questions
2. make art with AI
3. 'line sitting' (getting paid to queue for someone else)
4. designing novelty tea towels
5. crafting unusual pottery
6. flogging handmade confetti
7. providing 'breakup apology' writing services
8. composing custom jingles for small businesses
9. designing bespoke treasure hunts for birthdays or proposals
10. providing ‘name my baby’ services
11. hiring out garden gnomes for photo shoots
12. hiring out vintage board games
13. working as a professional mourner at funerals
14. flogging '80s cartoon figurines
15. hiring out sheds as tiny pop-up shops
16. crafting miniature food art for dollhouses
17. constructing bug hotels
18. providing silent disco dog walking
19. crafting custom scarecrows for allotments
20. running paranormal investigation tours

Got a side hustle? Don’t forget to check if you need to pay tax

If you’ve made more than £1,000 from your side hustle, you might need to register for self-assessment with HMRC.

Even if your side gig feels more like a fun hobby, it’s still worth checking, as the rules apply even if your extra income isn’t regular or full-time.

How do I check?

Use the checker tool on GOV.UK to find out if you might need to complete a tax return for the 2024-25 tax year.

If you’re new to self-assessment, you’ll have to register online to get your unique taxpayer reference (UTR).

More information for anyone with a side hustle can be found on GOV.UK.