Should You Start a Savings Account for Your Child?

When it comes to teaching children money management basicsmoney management basics, there’s an abundance of useful tools available, from books to personal finance apps to family games. But beyond these supplemental resources, there’s an even simpler way to kickstart their financial education: a savings account.

There is no minimum age requirement for opening a children’s savings account (you can even start one for a new baby in the family) and managing a savings account for children allows them real-time knowledge and application of personal finance. Even small sums can yield big benefits! Here are just a few reasons you should consider starting one today if you haven’t already.

Benefits of a Children’s Savings Account

Encourages a Savings Mindset

Is there something your child has been coveting for a while—a new Lego set, video game or the latest and greatest in kid tech? It can be difficult for kids to resist the urge to spend newly earned allowance, especially younger children who are learning concepts around patience. With a savings account, they can learn that patience literally pays off.

Whether they complete chores for allowance at home or are old enough to have a part-time job after school, depositing their money into a savings account allows them to see that that even small sums like $5 or $10 each week can add up quickly.

Provides Financial Education

People often lament that money skills are not taught in schools. Establishing a savings account for your child can fill that knowledge gap.

Managing a savings account is a practical, hands-on approach to financial education. Children learn how to make deposits and withdrawals, how to track their account balance and read statements, and learn how compound interest works. These are foundational life skills that will serve them well as they grow up and begin to tackle their own finances.

Builds Confidence

For both children (and the adults in their life), confidence is often tied to knowledge and a sense of your ability to achieve goals. This applies to money management: when children have their own savings account, they can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they watch their money grow.

They can see the progress they are making toward their personal milestones and feel confident in their ability to impact financial outcomes. This can foster greater self-esteem and an increased sense of autonomy when it comes to making decisions.

Prepares them for the Future

Opening a savings account for your child is an excellent opportunity to have a candid conversation about their financial goals for the future, especially as they gain more independence. Do they want to save money for a fun trip in the future? Do they want to invest in their own education or start putting away money for a vehicle purchase?

While specific money goals may be different across families or generations, simply having a goal and being intentional towards achieving it is important—and there are truly no drawbacks to saving early.

Tips for Opening a Children’s Savings Account

• Bring your own identifying information to your financial institution such as a passport or driver’s license.
• Have basic information ready including yours and your child’s birthday and social security number.
• Be ready to make a minimum deposit of necessary (in some cases, a small amount ranging from $25 to $100). You can inquire whether this will be required in advance.
• When possible, select a savings account that doesn’t require monthly maintenance fees that can diminish the amounts you and your child invest.
• Choose an account that provides user-friendly online features (like mobile deposits, ability to transfer between linked accounts, etc.) that you and your child can use together.
• Consider a high yield interest savings account. Many credit unions offer an above-average interest savings rate that will allow your child’s money to grow faster over time.

Start with a Discussion

Regular conversations about money, budgeting, and the importance of saving can help children develop a strong understanding of financial concepts from an early age.

Not sure how to bring up the topic? Look for books or other materials to share with kids, many which were specifically created to teach children about the value of money and the importance of saving. These books often use relatable characters and engaging storylines to convey essential financial concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.

Parents and other caregivers can look for natural opportunities to weave in the topic in everyday conversations. For instance, saving money can be like practicing for a game. It requires discipline and patience. Practicing a skill is essential for achieving long-term goals and success in various aspects of life.

Money can be part of discussions about being independent. From those in their early “tweens” to teenagers, building a savings account can give kids a sense of financial independence and confidence. They become less reliant on others for their financial needs and feel empowered to make their own financial decisions.

Get Connected

Feeling like you could use some additional guidance when it comes to children and financial best practices? Check out GreenPath’s Mentoring Your Kids for Financial SuccessMentoring Your Kids for Financial Success webinar—a discussion panel of parents, kids, and educators that covers money, mentorship, and setting your children up for a financially healthy future.