How to Create a First Investment for a New Child

Starting your child on their first investment is one of the most practical financial lessons you can give them. Whether you are based in Nairobi, Mombasa, or anywhere else across the continent, KiddyCash makes it straightforward to set up a simple starter investment — even if you have never done this before.

This guide walks you through the process step by step.

What is a child investment in KiddyCash?

A child investment is a savings or investment pot linked to your child’s KiddyCash wallet. You control it as the parent, but your child can see it grow over time — teaching them how money can work on their behalf. Think of it like a junior unit trust or savings goal, but built directly into the app alongside their allowance and spending wallet.

If you are new to allowances and want to understand why they matter before setting up investments, this article on why allowances matter for modern families is a good place to start. You can also read more about how allowances work as a family financial tool to see the bigger picture.

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

  • Completed your KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. This is the identity check KiddyCash requires before any financial activity.
  • Added your child to your family account. If you have not done this yet, your child will not appear in the investment setup flow.
  • A funding source connected — for example, a linked M-Pesa number or a KES bank account.

Steps to create a first investment

  1. Open the KiddyCash app and make sure you are logged in as the parent or guardian managing your family.

  2. Navigate to the Create Investment page. You can go there directly at https://kiddy.cash/family/kiddy/account/investment/create, or tap Family in the bottom menu, select your family, then choose Investments and tap Create Investment.

  3. Select your child. A dropdown will show all children currently in your family account. Tap the child you want to set up the investment for. If their name does not appear, confirm they have been added and that their profile is active.

  4. Choose an investment type. For a first investment, select Starter Portfolio. This is the simplest option — a single low-risk fund designed for beginners. You can always add more complex options later once your child understands the basics.

  5. Set an initial amount. Enter the amount in KES you want to deposit to open the investment. There is a minimum opening amount shown on screen. Even a small amount — like KES 500 — is enough to get started.

  6. Choose a funding method. Select how you will fund the investment: M-Pesa, bank transfer, or from your KiddyCash wallet balance. Follow the prompts to complete the payment.

  7. Review and confirm. Check all the details — child’s name, investment type, amount, and funding source — then tap Confirm. You will receive a confirmation notification once the investment is created.

  8. Show your child the investment. Open their profile and tap Investments to view the new pot together. This is the teaching moment. For a full guide on reading the investment dashboard, see how to view a child investment.

What happens next?

Your child’s investment will now appear in their KiddyCash profile. You can top it up at any time, set recurring contributions from their allowance, or simply leave it to grow. For more advanced setup — including multiple investment pots or goal-based investing — see how to create a child investment for the full reference guide.