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For allowance tracking
GoHenry
Best for teens
Copper
Best all-around kids account
Greenlight
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This article was reviewed by Marguerita Cheng, a member of the Finder Editorial Review Board and award-winning advocate for ethical financial planning for over 20 years.
The best debit card for kids aims to teach your child how to manage their money. When searching for a card, you have two options: a prepaid debit card or a debit card attached to a checking account. Child-friendly prepaid cards typically charge a monthly fee for access to fun chores and allowance features, often with a lower age requirement. Cards that come with a kids checking account typically don’t charge a fee, though they’re often for kids ages 13 or older — and “education” tools are minimal.
We researched over 35 cards to bring you the best debit cards for your child based on specific factors.
GoHenry
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
| Maintenance Fees | No Fee |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 6 to 18 years old |
Greenlight
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
Plus, it's the only prepaid debit card for kids that earns a 1% or 2% savings boost per year on balances below $5,000, depending on your plan.
| Maintenance Fees | $4.99 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 1 to 17 years old |
Mazoola
Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
| Fee | $0 per month |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | Any age |
Copper
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
| Maintenance Fees | No Fee |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 13+ |
Step
Finder rating 4.5 / 5 ★★★★★
| APY | N/A |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 per month |
| Age requirements | Any age |
Jassby
Finder rating 4.2 / 5 ★★★★★
| Fee | $3.95 per month |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | Any age |
BusyKid
Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | 5+ |
FamZoo
Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★
| Maintenance Fees | $5.99 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $2 |
| Age requirements | Any age |
Chase First Banking℠
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
| APY | N/A |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 per month |
| Age requirements | 6 to 17 years old |
Current teen banking
Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★
| Fee | $0 per month |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | Any age |
Capital One Money
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
| APY | 0.10% |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 per month |
| Age requirements | 8 to 17 years old |
Goalsetter Cashola
Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★
| Maintenance Fees | No Fee |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 13+ |
Navy Federal Visa Buxx
Finder rating 3.6 / 5 ★★★★★
| Maintenance Fees | No Fee |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 13+ |
Purewrist
| Maintenance Fees | $4.95 monthly |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | Any age |
Bluebird
| Maintenance Fees | No Fee |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | Any age |
Jelli
Finder rating 3.8 / 5 ★★★★★
| APY | N/A |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 per month |
| Age requirements | Any age |
Alliant Credit Union Free Teen Checking
Finder rating 4.1 / 5 ★★★★★
| APY | 0.25% |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Age requirements | 13 to 17 years old |
Till Financial
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
| Fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | 8 to 18 years old |
Fidelity® Youth Account
| Maintenance Fees | No Fee |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Age requirements | 13 to 17 years old |
Methodology: How we chose the best debit cards for kids
We researched and compared over 35 debit cards for kids and narrowed our list down to those that have nationwide availability, simple fee structures, unique financial literacy features and parental controls that allow you to set boundaries. We looked at both kids’ checking accounts and prepaid debit cards as they’re both options parents consider when opening a bank account for their child. But we rated these products using a slightly different criteria as they’re different types of products.
What’s changed in 2022?
We added Jelli as the best account for budgeting, Purewrist as the best account for contactless payments, Bluebird as the best account for early access to direct deposits and Fidelity® Youth Account as the best account for teen investing.
We also updated the best categories for GoHenry, Chase First Banking and FamZoo to reflect the best benefits for these brands. We added new features that FamZoo offers to help kids learn to pay bills and borrow money via mock loans.
Although you might find these popular cards for kids on other sites, they didn’t make the cut on our list because they don’t offer comprehensive features or unique educational tools for kids.
Designed for teens ages 13 to 17, this account earns 0.1% APY and has no monthly fees. Plus it includes up to $12 in out-of-network ATM fee rebates each month.
Why we didn’t choose it: Although Axos Bank First Checking is a great option for kids, it falls a bit short when compared to Alliant Credit Union’s Teen Checking account, which is one of our best picks. Neither of these accounts requires a monthly fee, but Alliant offers an interest rate of 0.25% APY compared to 0.1% APY with Axos. And while Axos provides up to $12 in ATM fee reimbursements each month, Alliant’s Teen Checking account includes up to $20 in monthly fee refunds. However, Axos Bank grants you free access to 91,000 ATMs, while Alliant’s network includes 80,000 machines.
A prepaid card with parent-paid bonuses, spending analyzers and task tracking. But adults must have a personal Revolut account to get started.
Why we didn’t choose it: Revolut
A prepaid Mastercard 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.
Why we didn’t choose it: Kachinga is a very basic prepaid card for kids. Like most cards, it offers spend, give and donate options and a way for parents to set up chores and allowances. But you’ll pay $36 a year or more depending on how many kids you have. For the lack of features, the cost is not worth it when compared to other cards, which gives you more for your money. For instance, BusyKid offers more options like investing for a year depending on the amount of kids.
An 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 to the US.
Why we didn’t choose it: While it’s a popular debit card in the UK, it’s only available as an app in the US. You have the option of a free plan or a paid plan at $2.99 a month or $18.99 a year, but neither option comes with a debit card for US families. If you’re after a free app that teaches kids how to manage their money without using a card or actual cash, this is a good option especially since Busykid’s free option was recently discontinued.
Why we didn’t choose it: While there’s no monthly fee to use the card, it didn’t make our best list due to its its return policy, lack of savings categories and user limitations. Wingocard has a return policy that disallows you from transferring money out of the account once you fund it. And unlike other debit cards for kids that have different categories to spend, save and give, this one only has a category for spending. And lastly, only iOS users can use this card as it’s not yet available on Android.
You can use this card to help you budget or set allowances for your kids, but it’s currently not available.
Why we didn’t choose it: While you might see Akimbo mentioned on other review websites, we contacted Akimbo’s customer service department and were explicitly told that “Akimbo cards are not open to the public.” Current cardholders can still use the account, but the company is no longer issuing cards to new customers.
This simple debit card has a pesky monthly fee, but it comes with an optional high-yield savings account that earns a whopping 6.0% APY.
Why we didn’t choose it: Although you may see this card listed in other roundups of debit cards for kids, we didn’t choose it because the only way to avoid the $5 monthly service charge is for your kid to receive at least $800 in direct deposits each month. The card also lacks other features such as chores and allowance tracking.
The Family Money app gives you up to five prepaid debit cards and like most cards for kids comes with savings goals, chores and allowance capabilities. But it costs $5.99 per month after your 30-day free trial.
Why we didn’t choose it: Our biggest concern about the Family Money card is how long it takes to transfer money from your bank account to your parent account. While transfers can be instant with other debit cards for kids, an ACH transfer with Family Money could take three to five business days. So if you initiate it over the weekend, you might end up waiting a full week before the money hits your account, significantly delaying your child’s allowance and chore payments. Also, this app only allows one parent can be on the account at a time.
Most kids’ debit cards come with mobile apps that let you track your kid’s spending, but other offerings vary substantially. To help you find the best account for your family, here are some considerations to keep in mind when comparing debit cards for kids and teens.
Debit cards for kids commonly offer some or all of the below features for your consideration.
Consider whether being able to make online purchases is a benefit or a downside, and opt for a kids’ debit card such as Greenlight, which lets you restrict your child from spending money at specific stores.
Many prepaid debit cards for kids include interactive tools that can help your child learn how to spend and save responsibly. A few cards even include financial literacy quizzes your kid must complete in order to use their card.
If you want to look beyond chores and allowances, look at cards like Busykid or Greenlight that can teach your child how to start investing real money. And if you’re looking for a true kids brokerage account, consider the Fidelity Youth account. But if your child isn’t ready to dabble in investing just yet, look at prepaid cards like Famzoo, which allow your child to invest using mock stocks.
A few debit cards for kids let your child donate a portion of their funds to charity. Some of these cards give your kid a list of preselected nonprofits to choose from, while others let your child choose any charity they like.
A few cards, such as Greenlight, BusyKid and Copper, support real-time transfers between the parent’s account and the kid’s account, while other cards make you wait a few days for funds to arrive.
Several debit cards for kids let you automate allowance payments on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. Many cards also include chores tools that let you create tasks your child can complete for financial rewards.
Some kids’ debit cards come in a variety of designs or let your child customize the look of the card. For example, the BusyKid card is available in several different designs, while Greenlight lets you add a custom image to your card for $9.99. And GoHenry cards are available in more than 45 different design and your kid has the option of choosing a biodegradable version.
Most debit cards for kids let you monitor or control your child’s spending, but these controls come in a variety of forms. Here are some of the controls offered by today’s best kids’ debit cards.
Although many debit cards for kids give parents a great deal of control over their childrens’ saving and spending habits, these controls have their limits. For instance, the BusyKid card lets you decide how much money your kid can transfer to their spend or share balance, but it doesn’t let you control how your kid uses their money once it’s loaded onto the debit card.
Similarly, the Navy Federal Visa Buxx card lets you limit ATM access and restrict how much cash your kid can get back from participating retailers, but you can’t control where your child uses the card. Different cards offer different levels of control, so choose one that has the controls that are important to you.
Debit cards for kids help parents teach their children how to start managing their money at an early age. But kids will need their parent’s help to get one as they can’t open a bank account on their own until they’re 18. These debit cards allow kids to save and spend money online or at a store all while learning how money works through financial quizzes, chores and allowances. There are two types of cards to choose from:
If you’re not sure whether to choose a checking account or a prepaid debit card for your child, here’s some guidance that may help you make the right decision.
Yes, a debit card is a good option for teens to develop healthy money habits. But which card you choose depends on what your teen is ready for as some cards have less parental controls, which gives the user more freedom to move their money without approval. If you want to have more control over your teen’s spending, consider a prepaid debit card. But if you want them to have more freedom, you can open a teen’s checking account.
It depends on the type of account. In many cases, prepaid debit cards for teens will continue working after your child turns 18. If you want to upgrade your child to an account for adults, look at free interest-bearing checking accounts such as Ally Bank Interest Checking or Axos Bank Rewards Checking.
If you have a kids’ checking account, the account will automatically transition to a standard account once they turn 18 in most cases. For instance, the Alliant Teen Checking account will automatically convert to the Alliant High-Rate Checking account. These accounts often have monthly fees and are less forgiving when it comes to overdrafts, so it’s best to contact the bank directly to avoid unnecessary charges.
Kids debit cards are becoming increasingly popular with more accounts emerging. Currently we’re seeing more accounts taking into consideration investment opportunities in not only cash, but also cryptocurrencies. Two examples of these include:
If you’re looking for a free debit card for kids, consider these options:
We asked parents to share their experiences after getting a debit card for their kid and what they’ve learned so far.
I got a debit card for my niece when she was 17 and she’s had it for a year now. We opened an account at a local bank. I’m actually a joint owner on her account, so I could monitor and assist her with her account. She has learned the fundamentals of banking: how long it takes for a purchase to go through, how a debit card works, the difference between a debit card and a credit card. She’s learned basic personal finance! It has been very useful to her and she has been able to teach several of her friends some of these basic concepts.
The Current Debit card was my go-to debit card for my kids because it’s highly cost-effective, costing only $36 per year. I can also control the card since I can set the spending limit and exclude specific shops to protect my children. I can also view the purchases made with the card to keep a check of what my child is doing.
Earlier this year I got my boys, ages 12 and 14, the Greenlight debit card. I chose this card — despite its monthly fee — because I wanted the ability to automate allowance. Every Sunday, they get money automatically deposited into their account.
Having a debit card has helped my boys develop independence. Right after he got the card, my 12-year-old was so excited to bike to a local donut shop and buy himself breakfast. He was also nervous because he wasn’t sure if he’d need to put in a PIN or sign something — little things that we as adults take for granted, but they were all new experiences for him.
To get a debit card, minors will need a parent or legal guardian who is at least 18 years old. Although there are exceptions, most prepaid cards allow you to be as young as 5 and checking accounts as young as 13.
Debit cards for kids are safe for these main reasons:
If your kid has misplaced their debit card, you’ll want to act fast to prevent unauthorized access. Here are a few things you should do:
Checking accounts and prepaid cards for kids both offer FDIC insurance. While prepaid cards are typically attached to fintechs they partner up with banks that protect your funds up to $250,000. Both types of accounts also offer parents a way to lock or freeze cards.
However, prepaid cards offer extra protection by providing separate accounts for your funds within the account. For instance, they’ll offer a Spend, Save and sometimes even Invest or Give accounts. Since the physical prepaid card is attached to the Spend account only, if the card is ever stolen thieves will only have access to funds within the Spend account. As an extra protective measure, parents can transfer money from the Spend account into another account to ensure that no one has access to the money in the card.
Most debit cards for kids give all parents on the account equal access to funding sources. This means if you’re on the account with your ex, they could potentially see your bank account information. You have a few options if want more privacy.
If you both want the ability to set chores and allowances, BusyKid is your best option. It supports two separate parent accounts with separate funding sources where you don’t have access to each other’s bank account information.
If one parent simply wants to add funds to their child’s account and nothing else, you have two card options.
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.
Once you get a debit card for your kid, you can load the card by transferring money from your checking account. You’ll then be ready to start using all the features available. You’ll find that most prepaid cards for kids like Famzoo, Busykid and Goalsetter Cashola, offer more features than regular checking accounts for kids. Some features include chore tracking, automated allowances, spending controls, investing and financial literacy quizzes.
Yes. If you’re a grandparent who wants to give your grandchild some spending power, you can sign them up for a kids’ debit card with you listed as a joint owner on the account. However, if you want to transfer ownership of the account to one of your grandchildren’s parents, you may encounter some issues. For instance, Greenlight doesn’t currently allow a primary account holder to remove their name from a kid’s account, even if another adult is added as a co-owner. FamZoo, however, does support such transfers and will allow you to completely disassociate yourself from your grandkid’s account, but you can only do this by calling a FamZoo support specialist.
If your grandchild already has a debit card that their parent or guardian signed them up for, you can usually fund the account quite easily. A few popular debit cards for kids, including FamZoo and GoHenry, let your grandchild share a link that allows family and friends to fund the account without having to join the account as a co-owner.
When signing up for a kids debit card, you’ll need the primary accountholder’s information as well as a few details about the child:
Don’t apply for a kids’ debit card before following these four steps.
If you’re not sure whether a kids’ debit card is right for your family, these pros and cons might help you decide.
Debit cards for kids and teens offer these benefits.
Before choosing a debit card for your kid, consider these limitations.
While the decision is ultimately yours to decide, kids debit cards come with deposit limits. For instance, Famzoo allows your child to keep up to $5,000 in the account and the maximum deposit amount a day is $2,500. Check the fees and limitations attached to your kid’s debit card before you deposit money. Alternatively, if you don’t want to make an initial deposit, some kids cards allow you to start creating an allowance and chore plan. If you’re setting up a weekly allowance, consider basing it on your child’s age. For instance, if they’re six years old, they’ll earn $6 a week.
No. A debit card can be a good way for your teen to learn how to budget, save and spend responsibly, but it won’t impact your teen’s credit history one way or the other. Yet if helping your kid build credit is important to you, check out the Step banking card, which uses secured deposits to establish your kid’s credit. Or, you can add your kid as an authorized user of one of your credit card or find a credit card with no minimum age for authorized users.
If you’re not set on a comprehensive debit card for your child, here are some other options to consider, depending on their age:
The best debit card for kids helps your child learn how to manage money responsibly — and lets you track their spending so you can see if they’re meeting their goals. But while some prepaid cards let kids save money on them, they’re not a replacement for a savings account. Compare different kids’ bank accounts and consider which one — or which combination of accounts — help your child learn about their finances.
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A kids’ chores calculator to help you estimate how much paying your kids to complete chores might cost you every week.
Save and invest on behalf of a minor with this custodial account.
Compare Greenlight and Current debit card to see which one is best for your teen.
Not sure if Greenlight or Famzoo is right for your kid? Read this side-by-side comparison to find out!
Read this side-by-side comparison to see if Gohenry or Greenlight is best for your kid.
These games broach the topic of investing in a fun and engaging way.
Age can make a difference when choosing between prepaid debit cards and kids’ checking accounts.
