Best for building credit
Step
- No monthly fees
- Helps teens build credit without interest charges
- Parental controls and management. Grows with your family
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The best debit cards for kids for 2022
Compare 6 kids debit cards that can teach your child healthy financial habits.
Best for allowance tracking
GoHenry
- Spending limits for specific stores
- Spend, save & invest in one app
- Up to 2% savings rewards
- Up to 1% cashback on debit card purchases
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on Gohenry's secure site
Best for teens
Copper
- No monthly fees
- Integrated savings for long-term goals
- Develops financial literacy with interactive quizzes
- Instantly transfer money to your teen's account
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on Copper's secure site
Compare debit cards for kids
Use the table below to compare accounts based on the features you're looking for.The 5 best debit cards for kids
We researched over 16 cards to bring you the top 5 best kids’ debit cards in 2022 to help you find a card that works for you and your kids.
Best for interactive financial learning
GoHenry
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
The GoHenry debit card is the best debit card for learning through games because it allows kids age 6 to 18 to play interactive Money Missions and win virtual badges. You can also customize the appearance of your card with different pictures, patterns and colors. You get to decide where your kid can use the card — online, in stores or at ATMs — and can view where and when they spend it in the mobile app. The GoHenry card offers a 30-day free trial and lets you set up recurring or one-time chores, each with its own dollar amount. You'll also never have to worry about overdraft fees because purchases that will exceed your child's balance will automatically be declined.
Pros
- Free trial. Give GoHenry a test spin with a 30-day free trial.
- Parental controls. Create savings goals for your kid to work toward and set weekly or one-off spending limits.
- Money Missions. The app includes interactive games your kid can complete to earn virtual badges.
Cons
- Monthly fee adds up. Unlike other prepaid cards that charge a flat monthly fee for the whole family, you'll pay $3.99 for each GoHenry card, which can add up if you have more than one kid.
- One funding option. As of right now, the only way to add funds to GoHenry is with a connected debit card. You can't deposit cash, e-deposit checks or do an ACH transfer.
- Limited loads per day. You can only add funds up to three times a day for a maximum of $500 a day across all subaccounts, which may require you to plan ahead if you have multiple cards to load.
| Maintenance Fees | $3.99 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 6 to 18 years old |
Best all-around kids account
Greenlight
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Greenlight is perhaps the most robust debit card for kids available today. It's controlled by an app that allows you to set up spending limits for specific stores, pay your child an allowance and reward them with bonus money for completing extra chores.
All three plan options come with tools for helping your child learn to save, spend, earn and give. But the two highest plans come with an investing platform that let's your child buy real stocks with your permission.
All three plan options come with tools for helping your child learn to save, spend, earn and give. But the two highest plans come with an investing platform that let's your child buy real stocks with your permission.
Pros
- Funds are split between two categories. Funds in the Spend Anywhere category can be used at any store your child wishes. The other category has parental control features that allow you to designate money for specific stores.
- Saving and investing tools. Set up a pseudo savings account that has parent-paid interest or let your child invest with real money in real time.
- Minimal fees. You wont pay any transaction, reload or withdrawal fees with Greenlight, although you may pay ATM operator fees. If you lose your card, Greenlight gives you your first replacement for free, and any after that is $3.50.
Cons
- Monthly fee. Although you'll pay at least $4.99 a month for Greenlight, this is a flat fee that includes cards for up to five kids.
- Limited direct deposit. If your teen is old enough to have a job, they can get direct deposit on their card. But they can't receive payments from Apple Cash, PayPal, Venmo or the US government.
| Maintenance Fees | $4.99 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 1 to 17 years old |
Best for teens
Copper
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
The Copper debit card for teens is linked to a full-fledged checking account. Copper is free to use and there are no ATM fees or overdraft charges. And although it doesn't have an integrated chores feature like many other debit cards for kids, parents can set up recurring transfers that instantly deposit cash into their kids' accounts. Plus, the mobile app includes interactive quizzes, articles and other resources to enrich your teen's financial literacy.
Pros
- No fees. There's no monthly or overdraft fee and no minimum balance requirement with Copper. Your kid can also use the Copper debit card at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs without paying a fee.
- Improves financial literacy. The Copper app features financial quizzes and other resources to help your teen be more mindful about their saving and spending habits. Kids can even earn extra cash for completing some of the quizzes.
- Integrated savings. Copper lets your kid create multiple buckets to save up for long-term goals. Your teen can also set up automatic deposits into their savings buckets and invite friends and family to contribute funds.
Cons
- Negligible interest. Saved money only earns 0.001% APY, which is virtually nothing.
- Cash deposit fee. Copper doesn't charge any fees when your kid deposits cash at participating retailers, but some businesses may charge a fee of up to $4.95.
| Maintenance Fees | $0 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 13+ |
Best for families with multiple kids
BusyKid
Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★
The BusyKid Visa Prepaid Spend Debit card is best for customer service because it offers faster response times after it upgraded its customer service platform in 2020 and we've never had an issue getting a hold of a customer representative. Busykid also stands out because it lets kids buy real stocks with as little as $10 and you'll only spend $3.99/month to use it. Although Greenlight also offers investing, you'll need to upgrade to its $7.98/month plan to use it. Like many other kids' debit cards, Busykid also offers chore assignments and automated allowance payments. But you can't limit spending at specific retailers, which other kids' cards like Greenlight allow.
Pros
- Competitive pricing. While free debit cards for kids do exist, BusyKids monthly cost of $3.99 is still competitive given all of the features it offers.
- Money management options. Your kids have the option to save their money with parent-paid interest, donate it to any of the nearly 50 charities available, use the app to buy stocks or use their BusyKid spend card to make purchases.
- Parental permissions. Your child has the freedom to move money between the spend, save and share sections in their BusyKid account themselves. But they'll need your permission to move money to their Spend card.
Cons
- Limited parental controls. Unlike the competition, you have no control over how your child spends their money once it hits their BusyKid Spend card, which means it's ideal for parents who have already established trust with their kid.
- Unavoidable ATM fee. Your kid will pay a $1.50 fee whenever they use an ATM, plus whatever the owner of the ATM charges.
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | 5+ |
Best for traveling abroad
FamZoo
Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★
The FamZoo prepaid card and mobile app allows you to pay allowance on a regular basis or when they complete certain chores or activities.As a parent, you can track where your child is spending their money. You can also set an interest rate to encourage them to save — but you'll pay the interest. If too much is coming out of your account, you can set a cap on how much interest you're willing to pay your child. FamZoo also lets you set up mock stocks so that your kid can practice investing. But like with savings, you're the one who pays anything they earn.
Pros
- Real-time requests. Your kids can request extra funds in real-time, which is helpful if they're out with friends and need extra cash on the spot.
- Focus on saving, spending and giving. Your child's account is split into three subaccounts for saving, spending and giving to encourage them to develop good money management habits.
- No foreign transaction fees. FamZoo Kids traveling abroad won't pay any foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- Monthly fee. Famzoo costs $5.99 a month - and there's no way to waive it. But your first 30 days are free, so you can try before you buy.
- Fee for 5+ cards. If you need more than four FamZoo cards, you'll pay a $2 shipping fee for each one over this limit.
- Limited cash deposits. The only way to add cash to your Famzoo card is at a GreenDot or Mastercard rePower location - both of which cost money.
| Maintenance Fees | $5.99 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $2 |
| Age requirements | Any age |
Are there any free debit cards for kids?
Yes, Revolut <18, Till Financial and Chase First Banking are three debit cards for kids that don’t require a monthly fee. Mazoola is free for the first 12 months and then charges a monthly fee of $4.95 for a family account.
Chase First Banking is a good option for those who like Greenlight but want a free alternative. The account is powered by Greenlight, so it has all the same features. But it’s only available to parents with existing Chase accounts.How to choose the best debit card for my kid
Compare the following features when shopping around for a debit card for your child:
- Check the fees. The costs can vary between cards and banks. Most prepaid cards will have either a monthly or yearly fee.
- Spending limits. Look for cards that let you cap daily spending and set limits for ATM withdrawals or at specific stores.
- Shopping online. Consider whether being able to buy online is a benefit or a downside, and opt for a kids’ debit card that can restrict or block online spending if needed.
Common features of a kids’ debit card
There are six common features to consider when looking for a debit card for your kid:
- Chores and allowances. Many debit cards for kids offer a way to track and pay your kids for chores that they complete. You also have the option to pay allowances.
- Like a regular debit card. Your kid can use their prepaid debit card to make purchases online and in person, generally anywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted.
- Spending controls. Many children’s debit cards come with spending control limits that parents can set within their mobile banking app to restrict how much their child can spend.
- Card lock. Parents can also lock the debit card online or via an app.
- Choose how your child can spend. Parents can choose if the card can be used at ATMs, online or for in-store purchases.
- Spending tracking tools. Many mobile banking apps offer spending tracking tools and features to help your child learn how to manage their money.
How do debit cards for kids work?
Most debit cards for kids are prepaid cards. You can load money onto them from an app using your checking account. Then, your kid can use them to shop online and in-store just as they would a normal debit card. The major difference is that your kid typically can’t overdraft with a prepaid debit card as they could a regular debit card.
A lot of these cards come with extra features, like the ability to see how your child spends their money or pay them for doing chores.
At what age can my child get a debit card?
Prepaid cards are available for kids as young as five. But debit cards linked to traditional checking accounts usually require your child to be at least 13.
You can help your child transition to a prepaid debit card for teens once they turn 13, or you can help them open a checking account for teens if they’ve outgrown the prepaid card.
Are debit cards for kids safe?
Yes, debit cards for kids are generally safe because of two main features. First, they’re FDIC-insured so you’re guaranteed to get your money back if the bank fails. Secondly, most debit cards for kids are COPPA-compliant, meaning they never sell or collect your child’s personal information, including their name, address, Social Security numbers, and even their geolocation and images.
Is my child ready for a debit card for kids?
Your child may be ready for a kids debit card if they often ask to borrow cash or have started earning money on their own — whether through an allowance or a paid job. A debit card like Greenlight can help them master the art of spending, saving and investing wisely.
If your child isn’t ready to handle real money just yet, consider a simulated bank account like Bankaroo or RoosterMoney. These apps use virtual money to help young children learn how to spend and save until they’re ready to upgrade to a real debit card for kids.
How can I get a kids debit card?
You can open most debit cards for kids online. But keep in mind that if you decide to open a kids checking account as opposed to a prepaid card, you’ll need to open it as a joint account between a minor and an adult.
What are the pros and cons of a debit card for kids?
Before you get a debit card for your kid, consider these features and drawbacks:
Pros
- Control. Keep track of your child’s spending online and cap the daily limit as you see fit.
- Security. You can monitor your child’s spending in the mobile banking app to see where they’re going.
- Safety. Because you can quickly and easily lock the debit card if it’s misplaced, debit cards are often safer than carrying cash.
- Good practice. Using a debit card will teach your child how money works digitally.
Cons
- Not a checking account. The majority of debit cards for kids are prepaid cards, and not actual checking accounts.
- Not good for large purchases. Accounts for children generally have much lower debit card spending limits than adult accounts.
- Other fees. They may rack up fees for using out-of-network ATMs or overdrawing their account.
- No interest. These types of accounts usually don’t pay interest.
- Age limits. Each card or bank can set its own age limit.
The 13 debit cards for kids
Here’s a quick overview of the top debit cards available for kids:
| Card name | Features |
|---|---|
| GoHenry | A customizable card with chore and allowance tracking plus financial literacy games. But be prepared to pay $3.99 a month for each child — unlike other platforms that charge a flat fee for the entire family. |
| Cashola | Offers educational quizzes and savings tools designed for Black and Latinx children. But you’ll pay $1 per transaction, which adds up quickly. |
| Copper | A full-fledged checking account tied to a Mastercard debit card and a mobile app that includes interactive quizzes to increase your kid’s financial literacy. The account also includes savings tools, but funds earn virtually no interest. |
| Chase First Banking | It’s technically a kids checking account, but it’s powered by Greenlight and has all the same features. It’s free for parents with an active Chase Checking account. |
| FamZoo | The app divides your kid’s money into virtual piggy banks for spending, saving and giving. But there’s an unavoidable $5.99 monthly fee. |
| Greenlight | The most robust debit card for kids, offering savings and investing tools, plus store-level spending controls. Costs $4.99 to $9.98 a month depending on your plan but includes debit cards for up to five children. |
| Kachinga | A prepaid Mastercard for teens tied to a chore app that includes features to boost your kid’s financial literacy. Parents can also activate automatic transfers and get real-time notifications about their teen’s purchases. |
| Mazoola | A virtual debit card for kids that’s free for the first 12 months and $4.95 per month after that. It offers basic chore and allowance tracking, spending controls and savings tools. But it’s not available on Android yet. |
| Purewrist | A wearable payment bracelet that comes with a one-time prepaid card or a reloadable option. It costs $25 to activate, but your kid can customize their bracelet color. |
| Revolut | A free prepaid card with parent-paid bonuses, spending analyzers and task tracking. But adults must have a personal Revolut account to get started. |
| RoosterMoney | A free allowance app that teaches kids how to earn, spend and save. The debit card option is currently only available in the UK, but the company is looking to expand it to the US soon. |
| Jassby | A virtual debit card for kids that includes budgeting tools and parental controls plus a rewards program for a cost of $3.95 per month. Jassby’s cost has gone back and forth from $2.99 per month, avoidable if you made one purchase in the month, to charging nothing at all. However, Jassby is now charging a similar fee to other kids’ debit cards on the market. |
| BusyKid | Kids can donate money to charity, invest in stocks or spend with their prepaid debit card. There’s a monthly fee of $3.99, and there’s no charge for up to four additional cards. |
Debit card for kids alternatives
If you’re not set on a prepaid card for your child, here are some other options to consider, depending on their age:
- Kids savings account. Help your child get a jump start on their future with a kids savings account. Most offer competitive APYs and low fees and minimum deposits. They’re a great option for any age.
- Kids checking account. Some kids checking accounts such as Chase First Checking have no monthly fees, free ATM access and chore and allowance tracking.
- Credit cards. You could add your child to your credit card as an authorized user. This could help them build their credit and learn financial responsibility, but beware of the risks that come.
Bottom line
A prepaid debit card for kids can help your child learn how to manage money responsibly — and let you track their spending so you can see if they’re meeting that goal. But while some prepaid cards let kids save money on them, they’re not a replacement for a savings account. Compare savings accounts for kids and prepaid debit cards to create a banking solution that’s right for your family.
Frequently asked questions?
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