Looking for the best debit cards for children? Here are the top 7 payment cards, including free options for children under the age of 13 and teenagers!
Have your children ever asked: “Can I get a card like yours?” If so, you are not the only one. Whether it is a reimbursement, chatting money or part -time task income, more parents turn to payment cards for children to teach money management in a real way.
And to be honest? I think it’s great. Because it is a much better way to teach money management skills at a young age – instead of having them use your card (and not to understand that it is “real” money) or to let them wait for the university to get a credit card without earlier experience using a card.
7 best payment cards for children (teenagers and children under the age of 13)
Although I am a strong in favor of using cash, I know that some parents prefer the idea of a prepaid bank card for their children. I am often asked about the best debit cards for children, so I wanted to share a detailed message about some of the best options there are and how they work.
1. Greenlight
Age range: children and adults of all ages (no minimum or maximum)
Costs: Family plans start at $ 5.99/month
Greenlight Is one of the most popular payment cards for children, and it is easy to see why. It is designed to help children of all ages learn to save, spend wisely and even invest with many guardrails built in.
Parents can allocate jobs, set allowance schedules and approve the expenses in real time. With the app you can also set spending limits per category.
One function that I really love? Greenlight Pay savings up to 6%, depending on your plan, which is a fantastic motivator for children to build their balances. There is even an investment function for older children, with approval from the parents required for each transaction.
Plans start at $ 5.99/month for the whole family, but the added value makes it one of the best payment cards for children if you want an all-in-one learning tool. If you are looking for a bank card for children who want to store, spend and even invest a little, it will certainly check all subjects.
2. Acorns early (Formerly Gohenry)
Age category: 6-18 years old
Costs: $ 5/month for one child or $ 10/month for a maximum of four children
If you have used acorns to invest, you may be enthusiastic to know that they now offer a full chip debit card for children under the Acorns early umbrella. This card focuses on teaching children’s financial literacy through interactive ‘money missions’, small videos and quizzes that learn about saving, publishing and making super fascinating.
Acors can also set up chores early, automate reimbursement payments and even encourage giving charity. The clean interface of the app is fun and intuitive for children, and parents have full control over where and how the card is used.
The plan costs around $ 5/month for one child or $ 10/month for a maximum of four children. However, they also offer a free one -month trial period, so that you can test it before you sign up. This is a great option if your children thrive on interactive learning and you want more than just a spending tool.
3. Famzoo
Age category: Options for children under the age of 13, teenagers and even young adults older than 18
Costs: $ 5.99/month for family plan
Famzoo has been around for a while and is a favorite among parents who want flexibility. It is a prepaid payment card for children with whom you can adjust just about everything, from Chore hit lists and allowance schedules to reimbursements and more. You can even set “parent -paid interest” to reward savings, just like Greenlight.
Famzoo works great for larger families or someone who wants to consistently strengthen money values among different children. It is around $ 5.99/month for the whole family or cheaper if you pay annually. Although it may not have functions, such as investing, it is solid, adaptable and practical, which is perfect if you prefer a no-frills approach to teach your children how to manage money.
4. Pressman
Age category: 5-17 years old
Costs: $ 4/month invoiced annually
If you are looking for something based and simple, Pressman is a great choice. Children earn money by completing tasks and can then use their bank card to publish what they have earned. Parents can approve purchases, transfer funds and even encourage. Drukkid has a built -in charity function with which children can give to real organizations.
Busykid also contains an option for savings and investment, although it is not as extensive as GreenlightS. For families who want to bind income directly to responsibility, this prepaid payment card for children is a solid tool to start with. Plans cost $ 4/month.
5. Step
Age category: no age requirement, but aimed at teenagers and young adults
Costs: free with zero costs
Looking for a free bank card for children who still contain a number of cool functions? Check out Step. It is aimed at teenagers, so it is ideal for children who are 13 years old, but Step also welcomes Everyone under the age of 18 years Register with a parent or guardian to check their account if they wish.
Step gives teenagers a real visa card and a no-fee bank account with built-in savings instruments. They can even earn cashback from certain retailers and parents can follow the expenses via the app.
Because Step is supported by a real bank, it helps teenagers to build credit (yes, credit!) Without the risk of redstand or debts. It is one of the best debit cards for children who introduce those two and teenage years that are ready for more independence but still need guidance.
6. Venmo -Payal Pass for Teenagers
Age category: 13-17 year olds
Costs: Free
This is another great free bank card for children! Did you know that teenagers can have their own? Venmo account and payment card? Parents have set up and manage the bill, but teenagers (13-17) can easily send money and receive perfect for things such as receiving babysitting payments or splitting picking up with friends!
Register on your own Venmo account on your phone to start with, tap “Me” at the bottom right, then the arrow next to your name at the top left and select “Create a teenage account”. Your teenager will receive his own account and a Venmo Teen paying pass, while you still have complete visibility and control.
Teenagers can use their payment card with most traders (just not placing Venmo as “high-risk”) and they can send and receive payments from person to person with designated friends and family, but they cannot receive payments for goods/services or cash checks. As a parent you can also set the privacy level for their account.
If your teenagers have a bank account, all transfers must go through your (the parent) Venmo, because teenagers cannot link directly to banks. It is a small extra step, but since then useful Venmo is used so much!
7. Capital One Money Teen Checking
Age category: 8+ years old
Costs: Free
Another great candidate for the free debit cards of children is the Capital One Money Teen Payment accountDesigned for Tweens and teenagers (Age 8+) who are ready to board the banking world. This is not just a flashy fintech app. It is a fully-fledged FDIC-insured payment account with a real Mastercard payment pass that your child can use in stores, online and even with more than 70,000 reimbursement-free ATMs nationwide.
What makes Capital One Shine is its simplicity and transparency. There are no monthly costs, no minimum balance and no ATM costs, including for machines outside the network. (Although it is good to note that if a non-capital will charge one ATM, it will not be reimbursed.)
Both parents and children receive individual log-ins, so that teenagers can get independence to manage their own money, while parents supervise. Warnings, lock/unlocking functions and adaptable spending limits help make it a guided experience.
In addition, teenagers earn a little interest every month and parents can set up automatic transfers or link external bank accounts for smooth financing.
Whether you are just starting with your child’s money trip or are looking for a better way to manage reimbursement and chores, payment cards for children can be a total game change. You don’t have to worry about lost money, you get full transparency where their money is going, and especially your children Start learning to budget And make decisions with real money.
The needs of each family are different, but there is no shortage of options. The best debit cards for children amount to which functions are the most important for you, whether that is parental supervision, financial education, savings interest or just keep it simple and free!
FAQ: Common questions about children’s debit cards
What is the best bank card for a child?
It depends on it! If you want an experience experience with functions with savings, investing and strong parental supervision, Greenlight is a top candidate. If you are looking for something interactive and educational, Acorns early Is great. And for teenagers who want more independence, Step is a fantastic option. The best bank card for children depends strongly on your current needs, goals and preferences, so it is important to choose what works best for your family.
Is Greenlight or Gohenry better?
Greenlight Has the tendency to win on functions: it offers more options for saving, expenses and investing, Plus has better parental supervision. However, Acures Early (formerly Gohenry) Is better for children who enjoy game-like learning and lessons. Your choice depends on whether you are more focused on functions or interactive training.
Is there a real bank card for children?
Yes! These are all real visa or mastercard -paying cards that work in stores, online and at ATMs (with limits). Parents can help finance the bills, set checks and check the expenses while they teach children about managing their own money.
Is a Greenlight card worth it?
For many families, absolutely. If you want your children to save, invest and learn while you have guardrails in place, Greenlight is a powerful learning tool. It is especially valuable for larger families, because you can add a maximum of five children under one plan.
Which bank is the best for children’s accounts?
While traditional banks offer children’s savings accounts, fintech options such as such as such as Greenlight And StepOften offer useful tools for teaching money management. And let’s not forget it Capitalone’s Teen checking account that offers various handy functions. Many parents find all this more useful than a basic bank account, especially for payment cards for children under the age of 13.
Did you get your children a bank card? We would like to hear about your experience and what you would recommend or avoid in the comments!
More inspiration to teach your children about money:
Do you want to pick up a money-slimming teenager?
Grab our Free financial skills for teenagers Guide to set them up for future financial success!
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