Best Stock-ing Stuffers For Kids: Roblox, Disney And More Stocks For Jr. Investors

This holiday season, consider a gift that doesn’t require batteries or end up in a donation bin by next June. Gifting stock —ownership in a real business — is a “stock-ing stuffer” for kids and teens that can spark a lifelong interest in financial literacy and investing. 

• NFLX stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. 

The Vehicle: Custodial Brokerage Accounts

A custodial account (UTMA/UGMA) is the standard vehicle for purchasing shares on behalf of a minor. An adult (the custodian) manages the account, but the assets legally belong to the minor. 

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Once the child reaches adulthood (usually 18 or 21, depending on the state), control of the account — and all its growth — is turned over to them fully. 

It could be a gift that benefits the recipient for a lifetime.  

The Portfolio: Invest in Kids' Favorite Brands

The best way to engage a child is to buy companies they interact with daily. This makes the abstract concept of the stock market tangible.

• Roblox Corp. (NYSE:RBLX) and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX): If they spend their weekends gaming or streaming, owning these shares helps them understand that they are part of the business ecosystem.
• Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS): Disney could be the perfect “first stock” because its movies, characters and theme parks provide a clear connection for the child. 
• Nike, Inc. (NYSE:NKE): Next time they lace up their sneakers, remind them they own a piece of the brand that they love to wear. 
• McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD): A classic pick that bridges the gap between buying a Happy Meal and owning the restaurant. 

The Lessons: Dividends, Fractions and Patience

The gift is about more than money; it’s about learning the basics of market mechanics.

• Fractional Shares: One share of Netflix is nearly $100, but many brokerages allow purchases of “fractional shares” for as little as $5. Using fractional shares, a child can own a slice of almost any company and learn that regular investing, even in small amounts, adds up over time. 
• Dividends: Stocks like McDonald's pay dividends, a portion of profits paid out to shareholders. Showing a child that they earned a few cents just for holding the stock can be a powerful introduction to passive income and compounding. 
• Long-Term Investing: Selecting stocks with solid fundamentals and a belief in their long-term growth can teach a child that daily ups and downs fade away and long-term investing pays off over time. 

The stocks are the holiday present, but financial literacy is the legacy. Early exposure to investing builds a mindset of wealth that is worth far more than the initial cash gift.

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