Wealthy

How to Help Kids Start Their Own Investment Portfolio

October 22, 2025β€’5 min read

Imagine if your child could turn $100 into $1,000… or even $10,000 just by letting their money grow. That’s the power of investing early! The sooner kids learn how to build an investment portfolio, the more financial freedom they’ll have in the future.

βœ… Investing helps kids grow their money over time. πŸ“ˆ
βœ…
An investment portfolio builds financial security. πŸ’°
βœ…
Kids learn smart money habits for life. 🏦
βœ…
The earlier they start, the richer they’ll become. πŸš€

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to help your child start their own investment portfolio step by stepβ€”even if they’re complete beginners!

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Step 1: Explain What an Investment Portfolio Is

Before kids start investing, they need to understand what an investment portfolio is.

1. What is an Investment Portfolio?

An investment portfolio is a collection of different investments, like:

βœ… Stocks (Owning part of a company)
βœ… Bonds (Lending money to companies or the government)
βœ… Mutual Funds & ETFs (Groups of investments put together)
βœ… Real Estate (Owning property that increases in value)

πŸ“ Example:

  • If a child owns Disney, Apple, and McDonald's stock, they have a diverse portfolio.

  • If they own only one stock, their investment is more risky.

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "A portfolio is like a basket of different investments!"


2. Why Kids Need a Portfolio Instead of Just a Savings Account

Many kids learn to save money, but saving alone isn’t enoughβ€”money in a bank grows too slowly.

πŸ“ Example:

  • $1,000 in a savings account at 1% interest = $1,050 in 5 years.

  • $1,000 invested in stocks at 10% return = $1,610 in 5 years!

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "Investing helps your money grow much faster than saving!"


Step 2: Choose the Right Investments for Kids

1. Pick Stocks in Companies They Love

The best way to get kids excited about investing is to let them invest in their favorite brands!

βœ… Does your child love Disney? 🎬 β†’ Buy Disney stock (DIS)!
βœ… Do they wear Nike sneakers? πŸ‘Ÿ β†’ Buy Nike stock (NKE)!
βœ… Do they watch Netflix shows? πŸ“Ί β†’ Buy Netflix stock (NFLX)!

πŸ“ Example Activity:

  • Sit down with your child and list their favorite brands.

  • Look up their stock prices and track how they’ve grown over time.

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "If you love a company, you can own part of it!"


2. Balance Risk and Reward

A smart investment portfolio includes both safe and high-growth investments.

Investment TypeRisk LevelExampleSavings AccountπŸ”΅ LowPiggy bank moneyBonds🟑 MediumU.S. Treasury BondsBig Company Stocks🟒 MediumApple, McDonald'sGrowth StocksπŸ”΄ HighNew tech companies

πŸ“ Example Activity:

  • Help kids create a pie chart of their investment portfolioβ€”50% safe, 50% growth.

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "A good portfolio has both safe and risky investments!"


Step 3: Open a Kid-Friendly Investment Account

1. Set Up a Custodial Investment Account

Since kids can’t open investment accounts on their own, parents need to open a custodial account for them.

πŸ”Ή Best Brokers for Kids:

  • Fidelity Youth Account – No fees, easy to use.

  • Charles Schwab Custodial Account – Great for long-term investing.

  • Stockpile – Allows kids to buy fractional shares (small pieces of stocks).

πŸ“ Example Activity:

  • Let kids help set up their account and choose their first stock!

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "This is your investment accountβ€”your money grows here!"


2. Fund the Account and Buy the First Stock

Once the account is ready:

1️⃣ Deposit money (start with $50 or $100).
2️⃣ Search for the stock (ex: β€œAAPL” for Apple).
3️⃣ Select the number of shares (or buy a fractional share).
4️⃣ Click β€˜Buy’ and celebrate their first investment!

πŸ“ Example:

  • A $100 investment in Nike stock could grow into $500+ over time.

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "Investing is easy and exciting!"


Step 4: Track Their Investments and Watch Them Grow

Now that your child owns stocks, make it a learning experience!

βœ… Check the stock price weekly to see how it moves.
βœ… Read company news and discuss why stock prices change.
βœ… Reinvest dividends to buy more shares automatically.

πŸ“ Example Activity:

  • Create a stock market journal where kids write down their investment updates each month.

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "The longer you keep stocks, the more money they make!"


Step 5: Keep Investing and Growing Their Portfolio

1. Set a Goal for Their Investments

βœ… Save for college? Invest in safe, growing stocks.
βœ… Buy their first car? Invest in strong companies.
βœ… Become a millionaire? Keep investing every month!

πŸ“ Example:

  • If a child invests $50 per month from age 10 to 60, they could have over $1.2 million!

πŸ’‘ Lesson for Kids:

  • "Investing regularly builds wealth over time!"


Conclusion: Start Your Child’s Investment Portfolio Today!

By building an investment portfolio, kids will:
βœ… Understand how businesses grow and make money.
βœ… Develop smart financial habits early.
βœ… Build long-term wealth and financial security.
βœ… Experience the power of ownership and investing.

And the best part? You don’t have to figure it out alone!

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Dre Mudaris is a visionary educator, author, and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering individuals through financial literacy, business strategy, and personal development. With a passion for breaking down complex financial concepts into engaging and accessible content, Dre has authored multiple books and developed educational programs that inspire both children and adults to build generational wealth.

Dre Mudaris

Dre Mudaris is a visionary educator, author, and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering individuals through financial literacy, business strategy, and personal development. With a passion for breaking down complex financial concepts into engaging and accessible content, Dre has authored multiple books and developed educational programs that inspire both children and adults to build generational wealth.

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