Best Debit Cards for Kids (7 Great Options!)

Looking for the best debit cards for kids? There are top 7 debit cards, including free options for children and teens under 13 years old.

If you say to your child, “Can I get a card like you?”, then you are not alone. Whether it’s allowances, chore money, or part-time employment income, more parents are turning to debit cards for their children and helping them teach money in a real-world way.

And honestly? I love it. Because it’s a better way to teach money management skills from a young age, rather than letting you use your card (don’t understand that it’s “real” money) or wait until college to get your credit card without prior experience using your card.

7 Best Debit Cards for Kids (Teenagers and Children Under 13)

I’m a big advocate for using cash, but I know that some parents prefer the idea of ​​prepaid debit cards for their kids. I’m often asked about the best debit cards for kids, so I wanted to share some of the best options out there and a detailed post about how they work.

1. Green Light

Age Range: Children and Adults of all ages (no minimum or maximum)
Cost: Family planning starts at $5.99 per month

Green Light It is one of the most popular debit cards for kids, and it’s easy to see why. It is designed to help children of all ages learn how to save money, spend wisely, and even invest in a lot of guardrails.

Parents can assign chores, schedule allowances, and approve spending in real time. Additionally, this app allows you to set spending limits by category.

One feature I really like? Green Light Pay up to 6% savings interest depending on your plan. This is a great motivation for kids to build their balances. Older children also have investment functions, and all transactions require parental approval.

The plan starts at $5.99 a month for the whole family, but the added value makes it one of the best debit cards for kids if you want an all-in-one teaching tool. If you’re looking for a debit card for kids that want to save a little, spend and invest a little, this will definitely check out all the boxes.

2. Acorns early (formerly Gohenry)

Age range: 6-18 years old
Cost: $5 per child per month, up to 4 children per month

If you’re using Acorns for your investment, you might be excited to learn that they now offer full-featured chip debit cards for kids Acorns early umbrella. This card focuses on teaching children’s financial literacy through interactive “money missions”, small videos and quizzes, learning about savings, spending and engaging appeal.

Also, by doing so early, Acorns can set up chores, automate allowance payments, and even encourage charitable contributions. The clean interface of the app is fun and intuitive for kids, giving parents complete control over how and how the card is used.

This plan costs around $5 a month for one child and $10 a month for up to four children. However, they also offer a free one-month trial so you can test it before committing. This is a great option if your child thrives in interactive learning and you want more than just a spending tool.

3. Famzoo

Age Range: Options for children under 13, teenagers, and even young people over 18
Cost: $5.99 per month for family planning

Famzoo It’s been a favorite among parents who want flexibility for a while. A prepaid debit card for kids that lets you customize almost everything, from chore charts and allowance schedules to refunds. You can also reward your savings by setting “interests that parents pay.” Green Light.

Famzoo is also perfect for large families and those who want to consistently strengthen the value of their money among several children. The whole family is about $5.99 a month, or cheaper if you pay annually. It may not have features like investment, but it is solid, customizable, practical, and perfect if you prefer a noisy approach to teaching your kids how to manage your money.

4. BuysyKid

Age range: 5-17 years old
Cost: You will be charged per $4 per month

If you’re looking for something simple based on chores, BuysyKid It’s a great choice. Kids can make money by completing tasks and use what they earn using their debit cards. Parents can even approve the purchase, transfer and encourage funds to be given. BusyKid incorporates charitable donation features that allow children to give to real organizations.

BusyKid also includes savings and investment options, but it’s not that broad Green Light‘s. For families who want to directly link revenue to responsibility, this prepaid debit card is a solid tool from the start. The plan costs $4 a month.

5. Steps

Age Range: No age requirements, but prepared for teens and young adults
Cost: Free at a free price

Still looking for a free debit card for kids that includes some cool features? Check out Steps. I’m aiming to become a teenager, so it’s perfect for kids over 13, but I’m also happy to have a step. People under the age of 18 Sign up with your parent or guardian and monitor your account if necessary.

Step offers teenagers a free bank account with real visa cards and savings tools built into them. They can even earn cashback from certain retailers, and parents can monitor their spending through the app.

because Steps Supported by real banks, it helps teens build credits (yes, credits!) without the risk of overdraft fees or debt. It is one of the best debit cards for kids entering the tweens and teens who are more ready for independence but still need guidance.

6. BenModelbit Cards for Teens

Age range: 13-17 years old
Cost: Free

This is another great free debit card for kids! Did you know that teens have their own? Venmo account and debit card? Parents set it up and manage their accounts, but teens (13-17) can easily send and receive money.

To get started, log in to your Venmo account on your mobile phone, tap “ME” in the bottom right, then tap the arrow next to your name on the top left, and select “Create a teenage account.” Your teen gets their account and Venmo teen debit card, but still has full visibility and control.

Teens can use debit cards with most merchants (not where Venmo considers them “high risk”). You may send and receive payments from individuals to persons to designated friends and family members, but you may not receive payments for goods/services or cash checks. As a parent, you can also set the privacy level for your account.

If teens have bank accounts, the relocation must go through (parents) benmo, as teens cannot link directly to the bank. It’s a small extra step but it’s helpful ever since Benmo It is very widely used!

7. Capital One Money Teen Check

Age range: 8 years and above
Cost: Free

Another great candidate for a free debit card for kids Capital One Money Teen checking accountIt is designed for tweens and teens (ages over 8) who are ready to step into the world of banking. This isn’t just a flashy fintech app. This is a full-fledged FDIC insurance checking account with a genuine MasterCard debit card that children can use in stores, online and even online at over 70,000 paid ATMs nationwide.

What makes Capital One shine is its simplicity and transparency. There are no monthly fees, minimum balances, or ATM fees including out-of-network machines. (It’s good to note that if one ATM charges its own fee, it won’t be refunded.)

Both parents and children get separate logins, allowing teens to gain independence while their parents hold supervision while they manage their money. Alerts, lock/lock features, and customizable spending limits can help you become a guided experience.

Additionally, teens are a bit more interested each month, allowing parents to set up automatic forwarding and link external bank accounts to smooth fundraising.

Whether you’re just beginning your child’s money journey or looking for a better way to manage your allowances and chores, a debit card for kids can be a complete game changer. You don’t need to worry about lost cash, you get full transparency in your child where their money is heading and most importantly Start learning how to budget And make decisions with real money.

All families have different needs, but there is no shortage of options. The best debit cards for kids will lead to the most important features for you, whether it’s parental control, financial education, savings benefits, or simply keeping something simple and free!

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Children’s Debit Cards

What is the best debit card for kids?
it depends! If you want a feature-packed experience of savings, investments and powerful parental control, Green Light He is a candidate for the top. If you’re looking for something interactive and educational, Acorns early It’s amazing. And for teens who want more independence. Steps A great option. The best debit card for your child depends heavily on current needs, goals and preferences, so it’s important to choose the one that’s best for your family.

Is Greenlight or Gohenry good?
Green Light It tends to win the features. It offers more options for saving, spending and investment, and even better parental control. but, Acorns Atery (formerly Gohenry) It’s good for kids who enjoy learning and lessons like games. Your choices will depend on whether you are more focused on features and interactive education.

Are there any real debit cards for kids?
yes! These are all actual visas or Mastercard debit cards that work in stores, online, and in ATMs (with limited availability). Parents can help them monitor all their spending while funding their accounts, setting controls, and teaching their children about managing their money.

Are Green Light Cards valuable?
For many families, absolutely. If you want to save, invest and learn in your child, while keeping the guardrail in place, Green Light It is a powerful educational tool. It is especially valuable for large families as it can add up to five children under one plan.

Which bank is best for your child’s account?
Traditional banks offer savings accounts for children, but fintech options Green Light and Stepsoften provide useful tools for teaching money management. And don’t forget Capitalone teenage checking account It offers several useful features. Many parents find this all more useful than a basic bank account, especially with debit cards aimed at children under the age of 13.

Have you got a debit card for your child? We would love to hear about your experience and what you recommend or avoid in the comments!

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