Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Looking to give your little one a financial head start? Investing in a child’s future is now easier, and wiser, than stuffing money in a piggy bank. Here are the top five UK accounts for investing in your child’s future, updated for June 2025.
Hargreaves Lansdown remains the favourite for parents thanks to zero platform fees and easy investment options, including UK and international shares or funds, making it ideal for either hands-on or passive investing.
Although fund charges and stamp duty still apply, it’s a solid foundation if you want to introduce your child to investing early.
Interactive Investor stands out with its flat-fee model, no matter how much you invest, and offers a wide menu of shares, funds, and ETFs.
It’s great for DIY parents who want flexibility, though the platform fee might feel pricey for smaller balances compared to free options elsewhere.
Looking for something more hands-off? Wealthify’s Junior ISA comes with ready-made portfolios across five risk levels (from cautious to adventurous), and competitive total fees of around 0.6–0.86%.
You’re paying for convenience and award-winning customer service, which makes this a winner for busy families.
Vanguard’s Junior Stocks & Shares ISA is a budget-savvy choice, especially for larger pots over £250k, since it locks in low fund-only fees and zero trading costs.
It’s simple, cost-effective, but if you’re planning to build the portfolio yourself rather than through Vanguard’s ETFs, you’ll need another platform for that access.
GoHenry isn’t just a pocket-money app, it also offers a Vanguard-powered Junior ISA, meaning you get real investing wrapped in a child-friendly debit card experience.
It’s a clever combo: teach savings basics through daily use while building a future-focused investment pot. Just remember account fees apply for the ISA portion, so check those before signing up.
Picking the right investing account for your child can feel a bit overwhelming, but it basically boils down to matching the account to your family’s needs and how involved you want to be.
First, check the fees. Some platforms charge flat fees, others take a percentage of your pot, and those costs can eat into returns over time.
Try to choose a platform that offers the lowest fees to maximize your returns.
Next, consider the investment choices available. Do you want the freedom to pick individual stocks, or would you rather go with ready-made funds or portfolios?
Also, think about the minimum investment requirements. Some accounts let you start with just a pound, while others need bigger upfront deposits.
Another key factor is flexibility. Can you add money easily? Can your child take control when they grow up?
And don’t forget the user experience, especially if you want your kids to learn and engage with their investments early on, a platform that’s easy to navigate is a huge plus.
Finally, look at the tax benefits and whether the account is a Junior ISA or a Child Trust Fund, since this affects how and when your child can access the money.
Balancing these factors will help you pick an account that not only grows your child’s money but also fits smoothly into your family’s financial goals and lifestyle.
So, you want to start investing for your little one’s future? Smart move. Whether it’s for university fees, a first car, or even a wedding fund, getting a head start can make a huge difference.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a financial expert to do this!
The magic of investing is all about time. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow, thanks to that lovely thing called compounding.
Don’t stress if you can only chip in a little each month; regular small amounts add up over years.
This isn’t a quick-flip game. Think of your child’s investment as a marathon, not a sprint. Markets will go up and down, but if you stay patient and stick to the plan, you’re giving their money the best shot at growing big.
Since you’ve got years ahead, you can afford to be a bit adventurous with what you invest in.
Stocks and shares usually offer better growth than cash over the long haul, but they can be bumpy. That’s why many parents pick funds or ETFs that spread the risk across lots of companies.
See: The best large cap ETFs to buy in 2025
One of the best parts? Getting your kids involved as they grow up. Show them what investing means, why it’s important, and let them watch their money grow. It’s a brilliant way to help them build good money habits early on.
For long-term investors aiming to grow wealth for their children, a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA is the smart move.
Want to roll up your sleeves and build a custom portfolio? Start with Hargreaves Lansdown or Interactive Investor.
Prefer something a bit more hands-off? Wealthify or GoHenry give you simplicity with solid performance.
I recommend taking some time to thoroughly research each option before signing up. Choose a platform that is easy to use but offers the tools that you need for long-term growth.
As with any type of investing, you capital is at risk. To learn more about investing, do sign up to our fortnightly MoneyMagpie Investing Newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice.
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