Best Debit Cards For Kids And Teens in 2025
Summary: Best Debit Cards For Kids And Teens
Things To Consider Before Getting a Debit Card for Kids
Getting a debit card for your child or teen can be a great way to introduce them to financial responsibility. However, there are several things to consider before doing so.
- Is your child old enough (or mature enough) to handle a debit card responsibly?
- What are the minimum age requirements for the account?
- Is it easy to add money to the account?
- What parental control features are available?
- What fees are associated with the account?
Parental Involvement for Kids Debit Cards
Parents can control their kid’s debit card/bank account in several ways.
- Track and monitor balances
- Set spending limits
- Temporarily lock card
- Receive account notifications and alerts
- Set chores and allowance
Benefits of a Debit Card for Kids and Teens
Opening a debit card for your child or teenager can offer many benefits. For one, having their own debit card helps children understand how to be a responsible spender (and saver) from an early age. Many kid’s debit cards come with accounts that let parents set up chores and allowances and also offer financial literacy tools to teach kids how to manage their money.
By having a bank account and debit card, children can begin to understand the value of money, as well as the importance of saving to achieve specific goals. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your kid saving a stack of cash and potentially losing it—or having to struggle to keep track of how much allowance they have saved.
Free Debit Cards for Kids
There are plenty of free options for debit cards for kids. From the list above, neither Current nor Revolut <18 debit cards carry subscription fees. Popular banks such as Capital One, Chase and Axos and credit unions like Connexus and Alliant also offer free debit cards and checking accounts for kids.
How To Get a Debit Card for Kids
Once you’ve found the right debit card for your kid or teen, you’ll need the following information to apply.
- Name
- Phone number
- Home address
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license)
- Child’s information
- Child’s birth certificate (if required)
To set up the account, you’ll follow these steps:
- Download the mobile app
- Add your child as a user or invite them to use the app
- Let them choose a debit card design (if offered)
- Fund your account and start transferring money to your child’s account
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Best Debit Cards For Kids And Teens FAQs
Are debit cards for kids a good idea?
Debit cards can be a valuable tool for teaching kids about finance through hands-on experience. If you want your kid or teen to understand the importance of saving money and spending responsibly, opening their own debit card can be a wise decision. Most kids and teen debit card accounts offer financial literacy tools in-app, as well as chore and allowance features and the ability to set savings goals.
Plus, with most kids’ debit cards, parents have complete control and can set up spending limits, monitor balances, receive notifications and even lock cards entirely.
Is there a debit card for kids with no fees?
Neither Current nor Revolut <18 debit cards carry subscription fees. However, cards may carry other standard banking fees, such as foreign transaction fees or transfer fees.
