For kids, controlled by you Custom cards (fee applies) Send/receive money in seconds
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Finder Score for kids' cards
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In the UK, high-street banks usually won’t let children open an account until they turn 11—and some, like Santander’s 123 Mini Current Account, require them to be 13 to apply directly. But what if you want to give your grandchildren a taste of financial independence long before then?
That’s where prepaid cards for kids come in. They offer a safe, modern bridge between cash pocket money and a full adult bank account:
Start earlier. Give younger grandchildren their own payment card before traditional banks allow them to open an account.
Build smart habits. Handy mobile apps allow you to send money, set savings goals, and encourage good financial decisions.
Stay in the loop. Keep peace of mind by easily monitoring where and how they spend.
Zero risk. Because they are prepaid, your grandchildren can only spend what you load onto the card—so there’s no risk of debt or overdrafts.
Features of a kids’ debit card
Spending controls. Many grandchildren’s debit cards come with spending control limits that parents can set within the linked mobile app.
Card lock. Parents can also lock the debit card via the app.
Choose how your grandchild can spend. Parents can choose if the debit card can be used at ATMs, online or for in-store purchases.
Spending tracking tools. Many of the apps offer spending tracking tools and features to help your grandchild learn how to manage their money.
How to choose the best prepaid debit cards for kids
Compare the following features when shopping around for a debit card for your kids:
Check the fees. The costs can vary between different cards. Most prepaid accounts will have either a monthly or yearly fee.
Spending limits. Look for cards that let you cap daily spending, set limits for ATM withdrawals or block 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.
How do prepaid debit cards for grandchilren work?
These prepaid cards let you top up your grandchildren’s spending money in seconds using a smartphone app linked to your bank account.
Beyond simple top-ups, the accompanying app includes handy extras—like tracking their purchases to see where their pocket money goes, or rewarding them with extra cash when they complete jobs around the house.
At what age can my grandchild get a debit card?
Prepaid cards are available for grandchildren as young as six years old.
As they grow up, they can simply carry on using their prepaid card, or you can support them in opening a traditional teen current account once they outgrow it.
What are the pros and cons of debit cards for kids?
Before you get a debit card for your grandchild, consider these features and drawbacks:
Pros
Control. Keep track of your grandchild's spending online and cap the daily limit as you see fit.
Security. You can monitor your grandchild's spending in the mobile app and see where they're shopping.
Safety. Because you can quickly and easily lock the debit card if it's misplaced, debit cards are often safer than carrying cash.
Teaching good practice. Using a prepaid card can teach your grandchild how money works digitally. Some apps are also designed to encourage good finance habits like saving money or finishing chores in order to get pocket money.
Cons
Not a current account. These types of debit cards are prepaid cards and not actual current accounts.
Not good for large purchases. The spending limits on these prepaid debit cards for kids are generally much lower than those found on traditional adult debit cards.
Account fees. Some cards come with a monthly or annual fee.
No interest. These types of prepaid accounts usually don't pay interest.
Age limits. Each debit card or app can set its own age limit.
The verdict
A prepaid debit card paired with a mobile app is a brilliant way to teach your grandchildren how to manage money responsibly—while letting you keep a reassuring eye on their spending. If this sounds like the right fit, there are several popular options available in the UK; take a look at our guide to GoHenry and similar alternatives to compare them.
However, keep in mind that prepaid cards aren’t traditional bank accounts or interest-earning savings accounts. Before deciding, it’s worth thinking about what you want this money to achieve for your grandchild:
This is completely up to you and your individual experience. You might consider giving your grandchild a debit card when:
They start going out for social activities without you present.
When they start secondary school or if they take public transport to get to school.
They start wanting or needing to buy things when you’re not with them.
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 card company.
You can’t request that the card company reverses a transaction unless you can prove the transaction was fraudulent. But you can keep an eye on your grandchild’s spending via the card’s accompanying mobile app. And in many cases, cards can be frozen from the app so that your grandchild can’t continue to spend if you aren’t happy with their purchases.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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