Smart Investing for children: Best Apps for UK & US Families (2025 Guide)

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Investing isn’t just for adults – children and teens can start learning smart money habits early. In fact, research shows that many kids form financial habits by age 7, making it crucial for parents to introduce budgeting, saving, and basic investing concepts early. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to teach kids to invest at different ages and highlight the best investing apps for kids in the UK and US. We’ll cover both fun educational tools and actual investment platforms (like custodial accounts and Junior ISAs) that allow kids to get real investing experience under supervision. Our focus is on highly-rated, trusted, and even award-winning services that are easy to use, safe, and educational for the whole family. Let’s dive in!

Why Teach Kids About Investing Early

Instilling financial literacy early gives children a headstart on a secure future. Teaching kids about investing helps them grasp important concepts like budgeting, risk versus reward, saving, and long-term planning. By learning how money grows, kids gain accountability for their financial decisions. They also benefit from the power of compounding – even small amounts invested when they’re young can grow significantly by adulthood.

Another practical reason to start early: today’s youth are exposed to financial ideas (and misinformation) on social media. One survey found 43% of children used social media to learn how to invest, and 25% showed interest in cryptocurrency – areas that can be risky without proper guidance. By teaching investing basics at home, parents can ensure kids develop healthy financial habits and skepticism toward “get-rich-quick” schemes. Early investment education also builds confidence; studies show only about 24% of young people feel confident managing money independently, so there’s plenty of room to improve through hands-on learning.

How to Teach Kids to Invest (Education vs. Real Accounts)

Start with education before real money. Young children first need to learn what money is and how saving works before handling investing. This can be done through games and apps that simulate finances. For example, apps like Toca Store turn playtime into a pretend shop game for preschoolers, and Counting Coins (free on iPad) teaches kids to recognize coins by value through simple games.

Award-winning apps like Savings Spree (winner of a Parents’ Choice Gold Award) use fun mini-games to show kids aged 7+ how everyday choices to save or spend can add up over time. In Savings Spree, kids earn imaginary money and see how saving small amounts can grow, even introducing the concept of investing for long-term goals. These educational tools impart foundational concepts in a child-friendly way before they ever invest real money.

As children grow, parents can gradually introduce real investing tools under supervision. In the US, this often means using a custodial account (opened by a parent for the child) where the child can help pick investments while the adult oversees. In the UK, parents can invest on a child’s behalf through a Junior ISA or trust until the child is old enough. We’ll discuss these in detail later. The key is to match the tool to the child’s maturity – e.g. a stock-picking app might be suitable for a motivated 12-year-old, whereas a broad index fund in a Junior ISA could be better for a newborn’s long-term savings.

Keep lessons practical and positive. For younger kids, make it tangible: use visual charts or even jars of coins to show growth. For older kids, consider matching their contributions or paying “interest” on money they save to demonstrate rewards. Encourage questions and let kids make (small) decisions. For instance, if a teenager is interested in a particular company, you might research it together and buy one share in their custodial account – turning it into a learning opportunity regardless of the stock’s short-term outcome.

Above all, emphasize that investing is about patience and long-term growth, not getting rich quick. This aligns with the Slow Money values of mindful, sustainable finance – focusing on steady wealth-building and responsible money management rather than speculation. Now, let’s break down the best tools and platforms by age group, from the littlest learners to independent teens.

Investing for Young Children (Under 10)

For kids under 10, the priority is building basic money sense in a fun, hands-on way. At this age, visual and interactive apps work best to teach concepts of saving, spending, and simple investing ideas without risking real money.

Money Games & Simulations:

Young children learn through play. Apps like Toca Store (for ages ~4–7) let kids play shopkeeper and customer, practicing pricing items and “paying” with coins. This develops number skills and an understanding that items cost money. Another great app is Money Maths – GBP, which helps slightly older kids practice counting British coins and making change with increasing difficulty levels. These games build a foundation in currency value and arithmetic.

By around age 7 or 8, kids can try Savings Spree – a highly-rated game that uses mini-games to show how choices (like saving money in a bank vs. spending on treats) affect your savings over time. It’s engaging and even introduces the idea that saved money can be invested to grow for future goals.

Allowances and Saving Habits:

Early elementary-age kids can grasp the idea of an allowance and saving up for goals. There are apps like RoosterMoney (by NatWest) which start as simple star charts for chores and evolve into a pocket money tracker. Parents can use RoosterMoney’s free app to log what their child earns in “Save” or “Spend” pots, helping the child visualize their savings.

Even though children this young won’t be investing in stocks yet, you can still relate it to investing by perhaps giving a small “interest” on their savings pot each week or month. This rewards the act of saving, analogous to earning a return on an investment.

Interactive Piggy Banks:

Many parents still use physical piggy banks or jars for young kids – which is great! Some modern piggy banks (and companion apps) even have digital tracking. For example, the app Gimi combines a chores manager with financial education lessons. Kids can see how their chore earnings go into savings and even watch simple animated videos on earning, saving, and spending.

At this stage, a parent’s involvement is critical: talk with your child about setting aside money for the future (college, a big purchase, etc.), even if it’s just in theory. The goal is to make saving and delayed gratification rewarding.

Storybooks & Videos:

Consider storybooks that teach money lessons or child-friendly videos (many banks and educational sites have free content). The Bank of England’s Money and Me program, for instance, offers free lessons introducing kids to money management at various ages. These can supplement what apps teach and reinforce the message that money can grow if handled wisely.

At this young age, any actual investing (real money in markets) will be done by parents on the child’s behalf. For example, a parent might open a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA (in the UK) or a 529 college savings plan (in the US) when a child is a baby – but the child likely won’t know about it until they’re older.

It’s still worth mentioning to your child that “we’re saving this money for you and investing it so it can help pay for your university or first car one day.” This plants the seed that investing is a normal part of planning for the future.

Best Tools for Tweens (Age 10–12)

Tweens are at a fantastic age to deepen financial knowledge – they can handle bigger concepts and even start investing small amounts with guidance. The key here is to maintain engagement (through apps and real-life money tasks) while introducing more real-world financial tools.

Graduating to Real Money Management:

Around 10–12, many kids start receiving a regular allowance or earning their own money from chores or small jobs. This is a prime time to use family banking apps that include investing components. One popular example is GoHenry (available in the UK and US). Geared for ages 6–18, GoHenry gives kids a prepaid Visa debit card with parental controls and a companion app.

Kids can track their balance, set savings goals, and complete fun financial lessons called “Money Missions” in-app to earn badges (covering topics like saving, investing, and more). Parents can automate allowance payments and assign chores in GoHenry, so tweens learn to earn their money. Additionally, GoHenry offers an optional Junior ISA for UK users, letting parents invest for their child’s future in one place alongside the spending account.

The app is award-winning for its innovative approach, making it a trusted tool for teaching financial responsibility to young learners.

Chore and Allowance Apps with Investing:

BusyKid (US only) allows parents to set tasks and reward kids with a weekly allowance. Children can choose to spend, save, donate, or invest fractions of real stocks with as little as $10—pending parental approval.

This creates an authentic investing experience wrapped in a safe, educational format.

First Investment Experiences:

Stockpile is a brokerage app featuring a “Kids Choose, Parents Approve” system that lets children add stocks to their wishlist, which must be approved by parents before purchase. The platform includes over 3,000 stocks and ETFs and an innovative stock gift card feature—making it motivational and safe.

Stockpile offers transparent pricing and has received accolades such as “best brokerage for kids and teens.”

Simulations and Stock Market Games:

Virtual practice platforms like HowTheMarketWorks.com and the UK’s Piggybank Fantasy Stock Exchange let families run simulated trading competitions. These tools teach diversification, volatility, and portfolio management without financial risk.

Family Discussions:

Encourage your tween to participate in family financial talks—review statements, celebrate milestones, and reinforce long-term investing values. By ages 10–12, a basic understanding of market ups and downs can be powerful learning ground for lifelong financial confidence.

Investing Platforms for Teenagers (13–18)

Custodial Accounts in the US (for Minors)

In the US, teens can't open brokerage accounts independently, but custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) allow minors to own assets under a guardian's management. Many apps like Greenlight, Stockpile, and Acorns Early operate under this system. For example, the Fidelity Youth Account lets teens trade with parental oversight, combines no fees with education tools, and reinforces real-world investing in a safe way.

Traditional custodial options (Schwab, Vanguard, etc.) are also viable for older, more serious youngsters.

Investing for Teens in the UK (Junior ISA & More)

UK teens invest via Junior ISAs (interest and gains are tax-free up to £9,000 annually). Teens can manage their accounts from age 16 and access funds at 18. A Junior SIPP offers long-term benefits but locks funds until retirement.

Apps like Beanstalk and Moneybox bring ease-of-use to the JISA space, while robo-advisors like Wealthify offer ethical and guided investing solutions.

Simulation tools and demo accounts allow teens to explore investing safely until their options expand after 18.

Conclusion: Raising Financially Savvy Kids for Life

From simple games and piggy banks to custodial accounts and Junior ISAs, teaching kids about investing is a lifelong pathway. These tools help children—and eventually teens—build habits of saving, reflection, and long-term planning that align with the Slow Money values of mindful investing and patience. Your guidance today gives them the knowledge and confidence to build wealth steadily, ethically, and sustainably—one small step at a time.

One day, they won’t just inherit money — they’ll inherit wisdom you helped cultivate.

Fees and Features

Fees and features are correct to the best of our knowledge as of August 2025. Always check directly with the platform before opening an account.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. While we aim to keep the information accurate and up to date as of August 2025, product details (such as fees, features, or availability) may change.

© 2025 The Slow Money Movement™ – Created by Mel G Prosper. All rights reserved.

Top US Investment Platforms for Kids

Platform (US)	Ages	Features	Cost
Greenlight	6–18	All-in-one debit card & app, saving goals, stock/ETF investing with parental approval, real-time alerts, educational resources.	$4.99/mo (Core plan)
Stockpile	Any (with parent)	Custodial brokerage with 3,000+ stocks & ETFs, no account fees. "Parents Approve" feature. Kids choose, parents approve.	$4.95/mo (Family plan for 5 kids)
Acorns Early	0–18 (UGMA)	Automated investing via custodial account. Focused on diversified portfolios, recurring contributions from $5. Family can gift to account.	$5/mo (Acorns Family plan)
Fidelity Youth	13–17	Teen-owned brokerage, debit card, no account or trading fees. Includes curriculum, investing tools, and educational content.	Free (no account fees)
BusyKid	5–16	Allowance & chore app with prepaid Visa. Kids earn and invest (min $10) with parental approval. Donations & spending tracking.	$3.99/mo (Family plan)
EarlyBird	0–18 (UGMA)	Crowdfunded investing via custodial account. Friends & family contribute. Custom portfolios from conservative to growth-focused ETFs.	$2.95/mo ($200 managed free, then $1/mo + gifting fees)
Stash (Stash+ plan)	Any (kids under custodian)	Investment app for parents to open custodial accounts. Offers fractional shares, automated investing, educational tools.	$9/mo (Stash+ includes custodial)

Top UK Investment Platforms for Kids

Platform (UK)	Ages	Features	Cost
GoHenry (UK & US)	6–18	Prepaid debit card & app. Parental controls. In-app financial lessons. UK kids can invest via Junior ISA with share options.	£3.99–£5.99/month (plan tiers)
NatWest Rooster Money	3–17	Allowance/savings tracker. Optional prepaid card. No investment, but great for budgeting, goal setting, early saving habits.	Free tracker app; Card option ~£1.99/mo
Beanstalk	0–18	Junior ISA & Stocks & Shares JISA. 0.5% annual fee. Parents & relatives contribute easily. Cashback features. Easy-to-use app.	0.5% yearly fee (on assets)
Moneybox	Parent-managed (child’s account)	Junior ISA platform with budgeting tools, savings goals. App includes roundup features. Auto-save & goal tracking options.	No monthly fee; 0.45% platform + fund fees
HyperJar (Kids)	6–17	Budgeting app with prepaid Mastercard. Parents and kids create “jars” for goals. Great for delayed gratification & money skills.	Free monthly; £4.99 one-time card fee

Fees and features are correct to the best of our knowledge as of August 2025. Always check directly with the platform before opening an account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kids really invest without adult help?

In most cases, kids can’t open investment accounts independently—platforms like U.S. custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) or UK Junior ISAs allow adults to manage accounts for children until they reach the legal age.

Are all recommended tools available in the UK and US?

No—some apps like Greenlight or BusyKid are U.S.-only; others like Beanstalk and Moneybox serve UK users. However, there’s a strong mix of trusted, region-specific options in both countries.

Will my child lose money investing?

Investing always carries risk—including the potential for losses. That’s why early platforms and simulations are about learning value over time rather than making a profit. We emphasize responsible, long-term growth aligned with the Slow Money ethos.

How do these apps teach financial literacy?

Most include features like parental controls, chore-based allowance, visual tracking, gamified lessons, and spending analysis—blending education with real-world experience.