A child model is a child who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art, such as photography, painting and sculpture.

Artists have used children as models for countless works over the centuries. Child modeling has become a distinct activity because of the explosion of commercial media over the past several decades. The visible success of child models who became media celebrities has led numerous children (and their parents) to pursue modeling as a part-time career. In practice, most modeling jobs go to children who have already worked as models and have developed a working relationship with a modeling agency. For prospective models, the challenge is to land the first job. It is also possible to land jobs by contacting modeling agencies directly.The amount that a child can earn is based upon the type of work they are contracted to carry out.

Child modeling jobs are available for print work and commercials to promote products and services to children and their parents. Child models can even be hired for runway shows showcasing children's fashions - clothes, shoes, toys, and other products.  Children do not care about cost or practicality, therefore advertisements for products directed to entice children are the biggest part the retail-sales industry. Especially today, with hundreds of cable channels, children are seen in more advertising than at any time in the past.