Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Best Debit Cards For Kids And Teens In 2025

BEST FOR LARGE FAMILIES

Greenlight Debit Card

4.3

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$5.99 to $19.98

Greenlight Debit Card
Learn MoreArrow
On Greenlight's Website
Editor's Take
Pros & Cons
Details

BEST FOR LOW FEES

Current Teen Debit Card

4.1

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Editor's Take
Pros & Cons
Details

BEST FOR FINANCIAL EDUCATION

Acorns Early (formerly GoHenry)

4.1

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$5/mo for one kid and $10/mo for 2-4 kids

Acorns Early (formerly GoHenry)
Learn MoreArrow
Read Our Review
Editor's Take
Pros & Cons
Details

BEST COMPLIMENTARY PREPAID DEBIT CARD FOR KIDS

Revolut Kids and Teens

4.0

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$0

Revolut Kids and Teens
Editor's Take
Pros & Cons
Details

BEST FOR KIDS UNDER 13

Jassby Debit Card

3.9

Annual Percentage Yield

N/A

Minimum Deposit Requirement

$0

Monthly Maintenance Fee

$5.95

Jassby Debit Card
Editor's Take
Pros & Cons
Details

Summary: Best Debit Cards For Kids And Teens

DEBIT CARDFORBES ADVISOR RATINGANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD MINIMUMMINIMUM DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTLEARN MORE
4.3
N/A
$0
On Greenlight's Website
4.1
N/A
$0
4.1
N/A
$0
Read Our Review
4.0
N/A
$0
3.9
N/A
$0

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?

Benefits of a Debit Card for Kids and Teens

Opening a debit card for your child can offer many benefits. Some of the main advantages include:

  • Teaches children about responsible money management
  • Keeps money secure by eliminating need to carry cash
  • Helps you track birthday gifts, earnings and allowances with one account
  • Introduces kids to concept of saving and earning interest

Financial literacy is best learned through practice, not just lectures. That first misstep with a debit card creates a memorable lesson that sticks.
We’re moving toward a cashless society where everything is paid with cards or digital payments, so teaching kids with actual debit cards is more relevant than the old cash allowance system. It prepares them for how they’ll actually handle money as adults.

— Courtney Hale, financial analyst and founder of Super Money Kids

What To Look for in a Debit Card for Kids

Consider the following criteria when researching debit cards for kids:

  • Low or no monthly fees: Does the account require a monthly fee to keep it open?
  • Access to ATM network: Will you or your children have convenient access to fee-free ATMs?
  • Minimum balance requirements: Must a minimum balance be maintained in the account? Is there a fee if the balance goes below that amount?
  • Cards for multiple kids: If you have more than one child, will the account support multiple debit cards?
  • Ability to set up chores and allowances: Can you set up recurring chores and send your children an allowance through the app?
  • Parental control features: Will you be able to monitor activity, place spending limits, receive alerts and lock the card if needed?
  • Methods of depositing and transferring money: Can you deposit cash? What other ways can you deposit or take out money from the account?
  • Customer service access and reviews: How can you contact the support team? What do existing customers say about the quality of the customer service?
  • Educational materials for kids: Does the card have a mobile app or website with games or videos to help your child learn the basics of money management?
  • Interest on balances: Do deposits in the account(s) earn interest?

Top Checking Accounts for November 6, 2025

How To Get a Debit Card for Kids

  1. Research your options and choose the account that makes the most sense for you and your family.
  2. Go to the debit card’s website and start the account opening process.
  3. Follow the sign-up prompts, which will usually ask you to provide information like your full name, phone number, home address, date of birth, Social Security number and identification.
  4. Provide information about your child (or children). This may include their full names, dates of birth and information found on their birth certificates.
  5. After opening your account, download the mobile app. Add your child as a user or invite them to use the app.
  6. Involve your child by letting them choose a debit card design (if this option is offered).
  7. Fund your account by transferring money from your bank account.
  8. Transfer money to your child’s card so they can start using it.

Methodology

To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed 26 kids’ debit cards from 24 providers, including a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banks, online banks, credit unions and fintech companies. We ranked each account on 17 data points within the categories of fees, minimum requirements, access, customer experiences and available features.

The following is the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Fees: 20%
  • Minimums: 20%
  • Features: 20%
  • Access: 10%
  • Customer experiences: 25%
  • Rewards: 5%

Specific characteristics taken into consideration within each category included monthly fees, ATM fees, ATM access, app ratings, minimum deposit and balance requirements, APY/cash-back rewards, spending controls, activity monitoring and debit card lock capability.

Find The Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2025

Best Debit Cards for Kids and Teens FAQs

Are debit cards for kids a good idea?

Is there a debit card for kids with no fees?