Kids / 2 February, 2026 / My Baba

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Investing In Your Child’s Future

If you’ve ever stepped on a piece of Lego in a cluttered playroom, you know kids today have a lot of toys.

Yet how many of those do they truly cherish or even use? Studies show children often lose interest in a new toy within just 36 days, and on average, have four toys they’ve never played with at all. That’s a mountain of plastic and plushies that, while fun for a moment, don’t contribute to a child’s future. Beyond the clutter, think of the cost: billions are spent each year on gifts that are quickly forgotten, essentially a massive pool of money delivering zero long-term value. Meanwhile, the things that do have lasting value (such as education, first cars, or housing deposits) can feel out of reach, and many parents worry about how to fund them when the time comes.

We might diligently put a bit in a savings account when we can, but let’s be honest, not everyone finds it easy. Many parents simply don’t have enough income to save for their kids’ future after covering day-to-day expenses. And even among those who do save, many stick to cash because investing feels intimidating or is seen as only for the ultra-wealthy. The result? The money set aside might not grow as much as it could, and our good intentions may not keep pace with the rising costs our children will face as young adults.

A Village of Investors: Meaningful Gifting from Friends and Family

There’s a lovely African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.” In modern parenting, we certainly still rely on our “village”, and in many cases, there are grandparents, uncles, aunties, godparents, and friends to shower our kids with love (and gifts!). What if we could redirect some of that generosity toward something more meaningful and lasting for our children? Instead of yet another plastic dinosaur or princess costume, imagine grandma and grandpa contributing £50 toward your child’s investment fund for their birthday, along with a heartfelt message.

This doesn’t mean no one should ever give toys or fun presents – of course they will, and that’s part of childhood! But many relatives actually welcome the idea of gifting something that isn’t just “more stuff.” Often, they just don’t know how, or it feels impersonal to hand over cash. That’s where a little planning and the right tools can make a huge difference. By inviting family and friends to contribute to your child’s investment account, you’re allowing them to give a gift that grows with the child. Over the years, those birthday and holiday contributions from the whole family can turn into a sizable nest egg!

Picture this scenario: Desiree’s First Portfolio

When baby Desiree is born, her parents open an investment plan for her. On her first birthday, instead of 20 new toys, they gently suggest to their family, “Desiree already has plenty of toys, but you can gift to her First Portfolio if you’d like to help secure her future.” Desiree’s grandparents chip in £100 with a note, “Happy 1st Birthday, Desiree! This is for your future adventures. Love, Nana & Grandad.” Her godmother contributes £30, with a message that this will help Desiree one day follow her dreams.

These messages appear in Desiree’s investment account timeline, so that as she grows up, she can read them and know who helped her along the way. By the time Desiree is 10, her family contributions (plus a bit from Mum and Dad) have been growing for a decade. Not only is she building a tidy fund, but she also has a digital scrapbook of loving notes attached to each investment gift. It’s personal and emotional, and it lasts far longer than a forgotten birthday toy. This kind of group effort turns the abstract idea of saving into a family project, and every contributor feels proud to see the impact of their contributions over time.

First Portfolio: Investing Made Easy for Busy Parents

All of this sounds great in theory, but you might be thinking: “Alright, but how do I actually do this? I barely have time to sort out my own finances, let alone set up investments and coordinate aunties and uncles to contribute!” This is exactly the problem First Portfolio set out to solve. First Portfolio is a new, parent-friendly investment platform designed to take the friction out of investing for your children.

A simple mobile app

It’s a simple mobile app that lets you open a dedicated investment account (a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA) for your child in minutes, with no confusing jargon. The idea is to make the whole experience as easy and intuitive as online banking or ordering groceries – no financial degree required. As the creators put it, they’ve “removed the friction that has held back investment gifting, making it easy, intuitive, and accessible for all users”.

It’s ideal for birthdays, Christmas, new baby gifts, religious celebrations, graduations, or any moment where you want to give something more lasting than another toy.

You can even gift a First Portfolio subscription to a parent or guardian, helping them get started if they haven’t had the time or confidence to set something up themselves.

A Gift That Grows with Them

Our children won’t remember every toy they received, but they will feel the impact of financial foundations laid early on.

Investment gifting isn’t about taking the fun out of childhood or banning toys; it’s about adding another layer of love and support underneath all the balloons and wrapping paper.

This year, when you’re choosing a gift for the children in your life, or you’ve been asked what your children would like, consider something that won’t be outgrown in six months.

Consider a gift that grows alongside them – one that quietly says, “I believe in your future”.

Download the First Portfolio iOS App or Android App today!

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