Money is one of the most practical gifts you can give a child — but it does not have to be the most boring. With a little creativity, a financial gift can be just as exciting and memorable as any toy. Here are some fun ideas for money gifts for kids of all ages.
The Money Treasure Hunt
Hide coins or notes around the house or garden with a series of clues leading from one to the next. The final clue leads to the main gift — perhaps a savings account passbook, a premium bond certificate, or a personalised money box. The hunt makes the gift an event rather than a transaction, and children remember it long after the money is spent.
A Personalised Money Box or Savings Jar
A money box with the child's name on it — or a large glass jar they can watch fill up — makes saving visual and satisfying. Pair it with a savings goal card: a picture of what they are saving for, with a progress tracker. Every time they add money, they colour in another section. Simple, effective, and genuinely fun.
Premium Bonds in Their Name
Premium Bonds are a classic gift that never goes out of fashion. You can buy them in a child's name from £25, and they are backed by the government. Instead of interest, they are entered into a monthly prize draw for tax-free prizes. The excitement of checking whether they have won a prize each month keeps children engaged with their savings.
A Junior ISA Contribution with a Certificate
Contributing to a child's Junior ISA is one of the most financially meaningful gifts you can give — but it can feel abstract. Make it tangible by printing a personalised certificate: 'I have invested £X in your future.' Include a simple explanation of what a JISA is and what the money might be worth when they turn 18. Children who understand their JISA are more likely to value it.
A Money-Themed Experience
For older children, a visit to a bank to open their first account, or a session with a financial education app, can be a gift in itself. Some organisations offer financial literacy workshops for young people. Pairing a cash gift with an experience that teaches them how to use it is one of the most thoughtful things you can do.
The Matching Challenge
Tell the child you will match whatever they save over the next three months, up to a set amount. Give them a savings chart to track their progress. At the end of the period, add your contribution and celebrate together. This turns a passive gift into an active challenge — and teaches the value of effort and delayed gratification.
A Book About Money — Plus Cash
Pair a cash gift with an age-appropriate book about money. For younger children, picture books about saving and spending work well. For teenagers, a book on personal finance or investing can be genuinely life-changing. The book costs a few pounds; the knowledge it contains is priceless.
Whatever form your gift takes, the most important thing is the conversation that goes with it. Talking to children about money — what it is, how it works, and why saving matters — is the greatest financial gift of all.
The Tax Side of Gifting
If you are making regular or larger gifts to children, it is worth understanding the inheritance tax implications. Our guide to the tax implications of gifting money to children covers the annual exemption, the 7-year rule, Junior ISAs, and trusts — everything you need to gift tax-efficiently.