5 Best Investment Accounts For Kids of 2024 (2024)

Do you want to teach your kids how to invest but you’re not quite sure how to get started? Whether you have very young children or you’re starting to fill out college applications, we’ve assembled some great resources to help you and your kids learn about investing together.

Guide To Investment Accounts For Kids

• Best Investment Account for Kids: 5 Options
• Other Ways to Invest for Kids
• How To Open an Investment Account for Minors
• Advantages of Investing for Kids
• What Else to Keep in Mind When Investing for Kids
• Planning for Your Child’s Future
• Investing For Kids FAQs

Best Investment Account for Kids: 5 Options

As a minor, your child has limited options when it comes to opening investment accounts (opening a savings account for kids is pretty simple). But as a parent, there are investment accounts you open on behalf of your child.

Investing for your child while they are still young can help build an education fund and show them the importance of compound interest, all while potentially reducing the need to take on college loans later on in life.

1. Custodial Roth IRA

If your child has earned income from a part-time job, they may qualify for a custodial Roth IRA. As a custodial account, the parent that opens the account manages the assets until the child reaches 18 (21 in some states).

Contributions to a Roth individual retirement account grow tax-free, and your child can even use the contributions—but not the earnings—for major expenses that pop up, like a car or down payment for a house, once the account has been funded for a minimum of five years.

Your child can withdraw money from the account, including earnings, for qualified education expenses without having to pay early withdrawal penalties.

2. 529 Education Savings Plans

If you are looking for a tool to invest for your child’s future college expenses, a 529 plan may be a good choice. There are no contribution limits (although you could run into the ceiling for the gift tax), and anyone is eligible to open and contribute to a 529.

There are two types of 529 plans: Prepaid tuition plans, where you buy college credits for the future at today’s prices, and education savings accounts, where you build a balance and invest your money in the market.

For the purposes of this guide, the latter might be your best bet. These kinds of investment accounts can be used to pay for qualified education expenses, and you can choose from a range of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Withdrawals are tax-free as long as they’re used for qualified education expenses. Depending on the state where you live, contributions may be tax deductible, or you may be eligible for a tax credit on your state income tax return.

3. Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

Similar to 529 plans, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts are investment accounts for your child’s education. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals are also tax-free when they’re used for qualifying education expenses, such as college tuition or books.

Unlike 529 plans, Coverdell accounts have strict contribution limits. The maximum you can contribute is $2,000 per year per beneficiary. Higher-income households—those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) between $95,000 and $110,000 per year, or $190,000 to $220,0000 if you are married and file a joint return—have a reduced contribution limit. Those with incomes over those thresholds are ineligible for a Coverdell.

4. UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts

The Uniform Gift to Minors Act and Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA) accounts are types of custodial trust accounts. A parent or relative can open an account on behalf of a child, and they act as the account custodian until the child comes of age. Depending on your state, the age the child takes over the account ranges from 18 to 25.

The custodian can make contributions and invest that money into stocks, bonds or mutual funds to grow the account balance. Other family members can also make contributions to the account.

According to Courtney Hale, a financial analyst and founder of Super Money Kids, UGMA/UTMA accounts have some benefits over a 529 plan.

Withdrawals from the account can be used to pay for a child’s education or anything else that benefits them. Once the child reaches the age of majority in their state, the account is under their control to use as they wish. The child can use the money to pay for college, purchase a car or to put toward a down payment on a home.

5. Brokerage Account

Some brokers have accounts specifically designed for teens. According to Wendy Baum, a financial professional with Equitable Advisors, these can be excellent options for children.

Unlike other options that require a parent or relative to act as the custodian, these accounts give ownership to the child. However, parents or relatives should always monitor a child’s account activity.

For example, Fidelity launched its Youth Account in 2021. The account is available to teens between the ages of 13 and 17, and teens can invest in most U.S. stocks, ETFs and Fidelity mutual funds. It also offers fractional shares, allowing teens with limited funds to invest right away.

These accounts don’t offer the tax advantages of the other account options listed above, but they do give kids a sense of ownership and control—and the chance for parents and children to learn about investing together.

Other Ways to Invest for Kids

If you’re not interested in opening new investment accounts for your kids, consider these two options.

Contribute to a Brokerage Account

If you’d like to have more control over your child’s investments, another option is to open a brokerage account in your own name—or use your existing brokerage account.

Work out an investment budget with your child to decide how much to save every month, and pick which investments to make together. Brokerage accounts don’t have the tax advantages of retirement or education savings accounts, but they do offer a lot more flexibility when it comes to picking investments and withdrawing funds.

Just keep in mind that selling any of the investments you make at a profit will incur capital gains taxes. Since the account is in your name, you’re likely to be paying a higher tax rate.

Open Your Own Roth IRA

Consider opening a Roth IRA in your own name. After five years of adding money, you can tap into the contributions without worrying about penalties or taxes if expenses pop up, and you can take account distributions without penalty if you use the money for qualified education expenses.

The best Roth IRA accounts may give you as many investment options as some brokerage accounts. In addition, you can opt to open a Roth IRA at a robo-advisor and take advantage of automated investing. Many robos offer account dashboards that can provide an easy way to talk about how investment gains work with your kids.

How To Open an Investment Account for Minors

Review the list of accounts above in order to help you choose which investment account is best for your kids. Note that your decision depends on whether your kids have any taxable income.

If your kids have no taxable income. The Uniform Gift to Minors Act and Uniform Transfer to Minors Act allows parents to open custodial brokerage accounts for their kids. The account will be in your name, and your child will take ownership of the account when they turn 18 or 21, depending on your state’s laws.

If your kids have taxable income. If your children have earned income from a part-time job, you can help them open a custodial individual retirement account. As noted above, the Roth IRA is ideal for kids.

Advantages of Investing for Kids

Teach Your Kids Investment Basics

According to a recent Gallup poll, only 56% of Americans own stocks. Many people don’t invest because they find the stock market to be too confusing and don’t know how to get started.

Opening an investment account provides you with a great way to educate your child about how the stock market works and how investing can benefit them. This is a powerful way to provide your kids with the foundation they need to build long-term wealth.

Give Money Time to Grow

The earlier you start, the more your child will benefit from compound growth. Even small contributions can add up over time.

Consider the examples of compound growth below. If you opened an investment account when your child was just 1, here’s how much you’d have if you made monthly contributions to an investment account:

Reduce the Need for Student Loans

College is only getting more expensive. According to Vanguard, the price of a public in-state university may increase from $22,690 today to over $52,000 in 2039—the year a 1-year-old in 2022 will likely enroll for their first year of college.

Investing money now for your child’s future will help pay for their education, reducing the need for student loans later on and establishing a solid financial foundation.

What Else to Keep in Mind When Investing for Kids

While investing for kids can be a smart decision, there are some things to keep in mind before opening an account.

Planning for Your Child’s Future

Investing for kids is a great way to teach them the basics of investing, establish a solid nest egg and limit the need for education debt. However, make sure you carefully consider the different account options and their impact on your tax bill and your child’s future financial aid applications. But overall, starting early is an essential step in preparing your child for their future.

“Education is key,” says Baum. “Include your child in the investing strategy. Teach them about risk management. Showcase the benefit of compounding growth over time. Whether using a 529 to focus on education or a custodial account for different goals, engage your child.”

Investing For Kids FAQs