Parents want to give their children a good start in life. One way to do that is by saving a little now for their future. 

A few pounds here and there can go a long way. Small amounts soon turn into something useful – maybe for a school trip, university fund, or even their first home. 

Saving also enables children to understand that steady, consistent effort pays off. When they start saving early on, they’re more likely to develop responsible habits around money that stay with them for life. 

Looking to help your child start saving? Here are a few simple ways to get going.  

What saving can teach your child 

Children pick up on how we treat money – our habits or words shape how they’ll think about saving. 

How you handle money or talk about saving shapes how they’ll see it later. 

However, less than half of children in the UK learn about money at home or school (MaPS). Many, unfortunately, grow up without understanding money or how to manage it day to day. 

Starting early and teaching children about savings habits allows them to see that it’s about making thoughtful choices. 

Even a small amount each week or month builds confidence for you and your child. Money feels manageable when it’s built on steady habits, rather than big gestures.    

Why small amounts matter   

You don’t need large sums to start saving. What matters is making it part of what you already do. 

Putting a few pounds aside each week builds up faster than you might expect. Before interest, £1 a week becomes more than £50 a year – enough for new school shoes, a day out, a new toy or something else that feels special. 

Saving this way keeps things realistic. The main goal is to keep the habit going, rather than how much you put in. It shows your child how small efforts can grow into something meaningful over time. 

How to make saving part of everyday life  

Saving shouldn’t need to feel like a chore or something else to plan and spend hours working out. 

Try setting aside a time to talk about money with your child – maybe when pocket money comes in or if you’re planning something together. Let them see how you make choices about what to spend and what to keep, so they can see that money isn’t something to be worried about. 

Talking about saving builds understanding that, over time, turns into confidence. Your child starts to see that saving is about patience, not pressure to achieve a goal all at once. 

It’s a good moment to share progress together. Watching savings grow, however slowly, can be something you’re both proud of. 

Helping you feel in control, too  

Putting something aside for the future can bring peace of mind. According to recent research, just one in seven adults said they had nothing in savings – and two-thirds said they’d struggle to cover a month’s living costs if their main income stopped (Mental Health and Money Advice). 

Putting money aside can help things feel steadier when life gets unpredictable. It gives you breathing space to make decisions calmly. 

It also shows your child that saving can be part of everyday life. When they see you putting something away, alongside paying for shopping or bills, they learn that money isn’t only for spending.  

Building confidence for the future 

When you save, either for yourself or your child, you’re helping in quiet but important ways. 

By watching you build a savings habit, they learn that regular, consistent efforts build over time – even small amounts saved grow into something that can be appreciated later in life. 

It also teaches children about the impact that patience has. Saving can include bigger deposits, but the regular decisions are what really help to set habits. Our child sees the care that goes into setting something aside and why this matters. 

When saving becomes part of family life, it starts to feel natural for everyone. Teaching your child about money builds confidence – something they’ll remember and take with them for life. 

Start building their future today 

Saving is a habit that quietly grows over time. It gives your child something to aim for and gives you peace of mind knowing you’ve started early. 

We aim to make saving simple for all our members. You choose how and when to add to your account, and every pound saved helps to strengthen the community around you.  

If you’d like to find out more or start saving for your child, our friendly team can guide you through it. 

Start today and see how you can build a savings habit for your child. 

Get in touch.