The best debit cards for kids for 2022

The 8 best debit cards for kids

We researched over 16 cards to bring you the top 8 best kids debit cards in 2022 to help you find a card that works for you and your kids.

Best all-around kids account

Greenlight

Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Greenlight's secure site

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.

• Pros and cons

  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.

• More details

  Annual or monthly fee	$4.99 per month
  ATM withdrawal	$0
  Card replacement fee	$3.50
  Age requirements	Any age
  Card type	Debit
  Card network	Mastercard
  Special offer	For each successful referral you or your kid make, you’ll earn a cash bonus and so will your referral.

Maintenance Fees	$4.99 monthly
Card purchase fee	$0
Age requirements	Any age

Go to site on Greenlight's secure site

Best for learning through games

GoHenry

Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Gohenry's secure site

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 and cons

  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.

• More details

  Annual or monthly fee	$3.99 per month
  ATM withdrawal	$1.50
  Card replacement fee	$4.99
  Age requirements	6 to 18 years old
  Card type	Debit
  Card network	Mastercard
  Special offer	Access all of GoHenry’s features without paying the monthly fee the first month

Maintenance Fees	$3.99 monthly
Card purchase fee	$0
Age requirements	6 to 18 years old

Go to site on Gohenry's secure site

Best for financial literacy for no fee

Chase First Banking℠

Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Chase's secure site

Chase First Banking stands out as it’s one of the only checking accounts for kids that comes with chores and allowance features and allows kids as young as 6 to get the account. Most checking accounts require kids to be at least 13 to 17 years old. Plus, because this account is powered by Greenlight, you’ll get some of the basic features from Greenlight but with no monthly fee requirement. But parents will need to be Chase customers to open this kids’ account. If you don’t currently bank with Chase, you can open an account like Chase Total Checking to get started.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No monthly fee. Unlike many other kid-centric bank accounts, there's no monthly fee for Chase First Banking℠.
  • Built-in chores and allowances. When you open a Chase First Banking℠ account, you can use Chase's mobile app to assign tasks to your child or automate their allowance.
  • Parents are in control. You can restrict your kid's spending, limit their ATM access and get spending alerts. Plus, your child can send you real-time requests for cash that you can instantly transfer to their account for free.

  Cons

  • Must be an existing Chase customer. You can't open a Chase First Banking℠ account unless you already bank with Chase.
  • No support for multiple parents. You can only link one parent's account unless you share your login credentials with your partner.
  • Missing features. This account doesn't support digital wallets, direct deposits, bank-to-bank transfers or mobile check deposits.

• More details

  APY	N/A
  Fee	$0 per month
  ATM transaction fee	$0
  Foreign transaction fee	3%

APY	N/A
Fee	$0 per month
Age requirements	6 to 17 years old

Go to site on Chase's secure site

Best for teens

Copper

Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Copper's secure site

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 and cons

  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.

• More details

  Annual or monthly fee	$0 per month
  ATM withdrawal	$0
  Card replacement fee	$0
  Age requirements	13+
  Card type	Debit
  Card network	Mastercard

Maintenance Fees	$0 monthly
Card purchase fee	$0
Age requirements	13+

Go to site on Copper's secure site

Best for families with multiple kids

BusyKid

Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on BusyKid's secure site

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 and cons

  Pros

  • Competitively priced. Although there are several free debit cards for kids, BusyKid's monthly cost of $3.99 is still a good deal considering all of its features.
  • 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.

• More details

  Annual or monthly fee	$3.99 per month
  Card replacement fee	$5
  Age requirements	5 to 16 years old
  Card type	Debit
  Card network	Visa

Card purchase fee	$0
Age requirements	5 to 16 years old

Go to site on BusyKid's secure site

Best for savings round-ups

Current teen banking

Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Current's secure site

The Teen Debit Card from Current gives you the power to track your teen's chores, automate their allowance and monitor their transactions all from the palm of your hand. The parental controls let you set spending limits, deactivate the card and block ATMs withdrawals or purchases from specific retailers. Plus, the chores feature can teach your kid to negotiate by letting them propose a different amount of compensation for certain chores. And this card includes an automatic round-up setting that can help your teen reach their savings goals even faster.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Savings round-ups. Purchases can be rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the difference will be deposited into the savings goal of your choice.
  • Parental controls. Adults on the account can set spending limits, block ATM access, disable the card and select which stores their kid can shop at.
  • Separate funding sources. Divorced parents or parents who like to keep their finances separate can link individual funding sources to this account.

  Cons

  • Annual fee. This account requires a $36 annual fee, which is $3 broken down into 12 months. This is pretty average, but you'll find cheaper options out there as well.
  • Overseas fees. If your kid uses this card outside of the US, they'll pay a 3% transaction fee and a $3 ATM fee on top of what the ATM owner charges.

• More details

  APY	N/A
  Fee	$36 per year
  ATM transaction fee	$0
  Foreign transaction fee	3%
  Overdraft fee	$0
  Paper statement fee	$2

APY	N/A
Fee	$36 per year
Age requirements	Any age

Go to site on Current's secure site

Best for no monthly fee

Jassby

Finder rating 4.2 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Jassby's secure site

The Jassby virtual debit card stands out for its no monthly fee and intuitive money-management app. It's also a great option for kids who don't need a physical debit card. There used to be a monthly fee and free six-month trial, but these were done away with after Jassby became a free virtual debit card. Your kid also gets access to the Jassby Mall, which is an in-app marketplace that includes more than 20,000 products from retailers including Apple, Starbucks and Nintendo.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No monthly fee. Unlike other kids debit cards, you don't have to worry paying a fee every month.
  • Parental features. The adult on the account can award one-time bonuses, freeze their kid's debit card and set spending limits in the mobile app.
  • Jassby Mall. The app has a built-in Jassby Mall where your kid can buy products from popular retailers like Starbucks, Apple and Nintendo.

  Cons

  • No physical card. Jassby is a virtual debit card only, which could be a disadvantage if your kid shops at a place that doesn't support mobile wallet and contactless payments.

• More details

  APY	N/A
  Fee	$0 per month

APY	N/A
Fee	$0 per month
Age requirements	Any age

Go to site on Jassby's secure site

Best for traveling abroad

FamZoo

Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on FamZoo's secure site

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 and cons

  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.

• More details

  Annual or monthly fee	$5.99 per month
  Additional Card Fee	$2
  ATM withdrawal	$0
  Card replacement fee	$0
  Age requirements	Any age
  Card type	Debit
  Card network	Mastercard
  Special offer	Try FamZoo for one month free

Maintenance Fees	$5.99 monthly
Card purchase fee	$2
Age requirements	Any age

Go to site on FamZoo's secure site

Are there any free debit cards for kids?

Yes, Jassby, Mazoola and Chase First Banking are three debit cards for kids that don’t require a monthly fee.

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:

The 13 debit cards for kids

Here’s a quick overview of the top debit cards available for kids:

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?

• When should I give my child a debit card?

  This is completely up to you and your individual experience. You might consider giving your child a debit card when:

  • They start going out for social activities without you present.
  • When they start high school, or if they take public transportation to get to school
  • They start wanting or needing to buy things when you’re not with them.

• Can I reverse a transaction?

  Fraudulent transactions, including those where a thief stole and used the card or where the seller didn’t deliver what they promised, can often be reversed by contacting the bank or card company.

• What if my child makes a transaction I'm not happy with?

  You can’t request that your bank reverse a transaction unless you can prove the transaction was fraudulent. But, you can keep an eye on your child’s spending via the mobile banking app. And many cards can be frozen from the app so that your child can’t continue to spend if you aren’t happy with their purchases.