The Kids Have Jobs update is a pretty nice addition to 99 Nights in the Forest because the four kids aren’t just characters you rescue anymore. You can actually befriend them, level them up, and have them help around your camp.
The basic idea is simple: find each kid’s lost trinkets, give them back, feed the kid every night, and they’ll gradually unlock useful jobs. The tricky part is knowing what each kid actually does and how to find their trinkets, so let’s go through the whole system.
99 Nights in the Forest Kids Have Jobs Update Guide – How to Befriend & Level Up All Kids
The update expands the job system that was originally introduced with the Dino Kid.
Now, all four kids can have their own jobs, which means you can eventually befriend all of them and have them contribute different resources to your camp.
The four kids are:
- Dino Kid
- Kraken Kid
- Squid Kid
- Koala Kid
Each one specializes in a different type of resource.
Before you can really benefit from their jobs, though, you’ll need to befriend them.
How to Befriend the Kids
The first thing you’ll want to do is find the trinkets belonging to the kids.
These trinkets are scattered around the map, and each kid has their own type. The color helps you identify which kid the trinket belongs to.
For example, the red trinkets belong to Dino Kid, while the blue ones belong to Squid Kid.
Once you have a map, things become much easier.
The trinkets you need will be circled on your map, so you don’t have to randomly wander around the entire forest hoping to stumble across one.
Follow the circles, pick up the appropriate trinket, and then bring it back to the corresponding kid.
Give the Trinkets Back to the Kids
Once you’ve found one of the lost trinkets, take it back to the kid it belongs to.
You’ll be able to give it to them, which helps increase their level.
You can also ask the kid for another clue, which helps you locate additional trinkets.
So the progression is basically:
Get a map → Find the circled trinket → Pick it up → Return it to the kid → Give it to them → Get another clue → Repeat
You’ll want to keep doing this because leveling up the kids is what unlocks their different jobs.
Don’t Forget to Feed the Kids
There’s one important thing you shouldn’t overlook after befriending a kid.
You need to feed them each night.
After you successfully befriend one, you’ll get the option to look after them. Confirm it, and from that point onward, make sure they’re being fed.
It’s easy to focus on collecting trinkets and completely forget about this part, but keeping the kids fed is part of maintaining the relationship.
Dino Kid Job – Chops Wood
Dino Kid is basically your little lumberjack.
Once you’ve leveled Dino Kid up enough, he will start chopping wood and bringing it back for you.
The wood can be delivered to useful locations around your camp, including:
- His tent
- Campfire
- Scrapper
This is especially helpful because wood is one of those resources you constantly need during a long run.
Instead of personally spending as much time chopping trees, Dino Kid can handle some of that work while you’re busy doing something else.
Kraken Kid Job – Catches Fish
Next up is Kraken Kid, who handles fishing.
Kraken Kid will catch fish and deliver them to her tent.
This gives you another passive source of food without having to constantly stop what you’re doing and go fishing yourself.
If you’re trying to keep your camp supplied during longer runs, having a kid working on food resources can definitely make things more convenient.
Squid Kid Job – Cooks Food
Squid Kid has probably one of the most useful jobs for players who are constantly dealing with food.
Squid Kid will cook food and leave it at his tent.
If the Crockpot is empty, he’ll also place the cooked food there.
That second part is particularly useful because it means you can potentially have him keep the Crockpot supplied while you’re out exploring.
So rather than returning to camp and finding an empty cooking station every time, Squid Kid can help keep things moving.
Koala Kid Job – Collects Scrap
Finally, we have Koala Kid, who focuses on scrap.
Koala Kid will scavenge for scrap and deliver what he finds either directly to his tent or to the Scrapper.
This can save you quite a bit of time if you’re constantly looking for scrap to keep your crafting and camp progression going.
It’s another example of the update making your camp feel more self-sufficient as you progress.
How to Level Up the Kids
Leveling the kids is mainly about continuing to find their lost trinkets.
Whenever you locate another trinket belonging to a particular kid, bring it back to them.
As you continue doing this, you’ll be able to level up the kid and unlock new tasks.
So don’t just stop after finding the first trinket.
If you want the kids to become more useful, keep looking for their remaining items and returning them.
What Each Kid Does
If you just want the quick version, here’s the whole system:
| Kid | Job | What They Provide |
|---|---|---|
| Dino Kid | Chops wood | Wood |
| Kraken Kid | Catches fish | Fish |
| Squid Kid | Cooks food | Cooked food |
| Koala Kid | Scavenges | Scrap |
The really nice thing is that these jobs cover several resources you’ll constantly need during a 99 Nights run.
Best Way to Use the Kids
I’d recommend working on multiple kids instead of putting all your effort into just one.
Once you have access to maps and can see where the trinkets are located, you can plan your trips around collecting several of them instead of making completely random journeys through the forest.
And whenever you return to camp, make sure you:
- Give the recovered trinkets to the correct kids.
- Feed the kids every night.
- Ask for another clue when available.
- Continue leveling them to unlock additional tasks.
- Take advantage of whatever resource each kid produces.
That way, you’re progressing the kids while also improving your camp economy.