Looking for the best debit cards for kids? Here are the top 7 debit cards, including free options for kids under 13 and teenagers!
Have your kids ever asked, “Can I get a card like yours?” If so, you’re not alone. Whether it’s for an allowance, chore money, or part-time job income, more parents are turning to debit cards for kids to help teach money management in a real-world way.
And honestly? I love it. Because it’s a much better way to start teaching money management skills from a young age — rather than letting them use your card (and not understand that it’s “real” money) or making them wait until college to get a credit card without any prior experience using a card.
7 Best Debit Cards for Kids (Teenagers and Kids Under 13)
While I’m a big proponent of using cash, I know that some parents prefer the idea of a prepaid debit card for their kids. I often get asked about the best debit cards for kids, so I wanted to share a detailed post about some of the best options out there and how they work.
1. Greenlight
Age Range: Children and adults of all ages (no minimum or maximum)Cost: Family plans start at $5.99/month
Greenlight is one of the most popular debit cards for kids, and it’s easy to see why. It’s designed to help kids of all ages learn how to save, spend wisely, and even invest with plenty of guardrails built in.
Parents can assign chores, set allowance schedules, and approve spending in real time. The app also lets you set spending limits by category.
One feature I really love? Greenlight pays savings interest up to 6% depending on your plan, which is a fantastic motivator for kids to build up their balances. There’s even an investing feature for older kids, with parental approval required for every transaction.
Plans start at $5.99/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 who want to save, spend, and even invest a little, this one definitely checks all the boxes.
2. Acorns Early (Formerly GoHenry)
Age Range: 6-18 years oldCost: $5/month for one child or $10/month for up to four children
If you’ve used Acorns for investing, you might be excited to know that they now offer a full-featured chip debit card for kids under the Acorns Early umbrella. This card focuses on teaching kids financial literacy through interactive “Money Missions,” little videos and quizzes that make learning about saving, spending, and giving super engaging.
Acorns Early also lets you set up chores, automate allowance payments, and even encourage charitable giving. The app’s clean interface is fun and intuitive for kids, 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 up to four kids. However, they also offer a one-month free trial so you can test it out before committing. This is a great option if your kids thrive on interactive learning and you want more than just a spending tool.
3. FamZoo
Age Range: Options for kids under 13, teenagers, and even young adults over 18Cost: $5.99/month for family plan
FamZoo has been around for a while and is a favorite among parents who want flexibility. It’s a prepaid debit card for kids that lets you customize just about everything from chore charts and allowance schedules to reimbursements and more. You can even set up “parent-paid interest” to reward savings, just like with Greenlight.
FamZoo works great for larger families or anyone who wants to reinforce money values consistently across several kids. It’s about $5.99/month for the whole family or cheaper if you pay annually. While it may not have features like investing, it’s solid, customizable, and practical which is perfect if you prefer a no-frills approach to teaching your kids how to manage money.
4. BusyKid
Age Range: 5-17 years oldCost: $4/month billed annually
If you’re looking for something chore-based and simple, BusyKid is a great choice. Kids earn money by completing tasks and can then use their debit card to spend what they’ve earned. Parents can approve purchases, transfer funds, and even encourage giving. BusyKid has a built-in charitable donation feature that allows kids to give to real organizations.
BusyKid also includes a savings and investing option, though it’s not as extensive as Greenlight‘s. For families who want to tie earnings directly to responsibility, this prepaid debit card for kids is a solid tool to start with. Plans cost $4/month billed anually.
5. Step
Age Range: No age requirement, but geared towards teens and young adultsCost: FREE with zero fees
Looking for a free debit card for kids that still includes some cool features? Check out Step. It’s aimed at teens, so it’s ideal for kids who are 13 years old and up, but Step also welcomes anyone under 18 to sign up with a parent or guardian to monitor their account if they wish.
Step gives teens a real Visa card and a no-fee bank account with savings tools built in. They can even earn cashback from certain retailers, and parents can monitor spending through the app.
Because Step is backed by a real bank, it helps teens build credit (yes, credit!) without the risk of overdraft fees or debt. It’s one of the best debit cards for kids entering those tween and teen years who are ready for more independence but still need guidance.
6. Venmo Debit Card for Teens
Age Range: 13-17 year oldsCost: FREE
This is another great free debit card for kids! Did you know teens can have their own Venmo account and debit card? Parents set it up and manage the account, but teens (13-17) can easily send and receive money — perfect for things like receiving babysitting payments or splitting takeout with friends!
To get started, log into your own Venmo account on your phone, tap “Me” in the bottom right, then the arrow next to your name in the top left, and select “Create a teen account.” Your teen will get their own account and a Venmo Teen Debit Card, while you’ll still have full visibility and control.
Teens can use their debit card at most merchants (just not places Venmo has deemed are “high-risk”) and they can send and receive person-to-person payments with designated friends and family, but they can’t receive payments for goods/services or cash checks. As the parent, you can also set the privacy level for their account.
If your teens have a bank account, any transfers must go through your (the parent’s) Venmo, since teens can’t directly link to banks. It’s a small extra step, but helpful since Venmo is so widely used!
7. Capital One MONEY Teen Checking
Age Range: 8+ years oldCost: FREE
Another great contender for kids’ free debit cards is the Capital One MONEY Teen Checking account, designed for tweens and teens (ages 8+) who are ready to step into the banking world. This is not just a flashy fintech app. It’s a full-fledged FDIC-insured checking account with a real Mastercard debit card that your child can use at stores, online, and even at more than 70,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.
What makes Capital One shine is its simplicity and transparency. There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and no ATM fees including for out-of-network machines. (Though it’s good to note that if a non-Capital One ATM charges its own fee, it won’t be reimbursed.)
Both parents and kids get separate log-ins, so teens can gain independence managing their own money while parents retain oversight. Alerts, lock/unlock features, and customizable spending limits help make it a guided experience.
Plus, teens earn a bit of interest every month, and parents can set up automatic transfers or link external bank accounts for smooth funding.
Whether you’re just starting your child’s money journey or looking for a better way to manage allowance and chores, debit cards for kids can be a total game changer. You don’t have to worry about lost cash, you get full transparency into where their money is going, and most importantly, your kids start learning how to budget and make decisions with real money.
Every family’s needs are different, but there’s no shortage of options. The best debit cards for kids come down to what features matter most to you, whether that’s parental control, financial education, savings interest, or just keeping things simple and free!
FAQ: Common Questions About Kids’ Debit Cards
What’s the best debit card for a child?It depends! If you want a feature-packed experience with savings, investing, and strong parental controls, Greenlight is a top contender. If you’re looking for something interactive and educational, Acorns Early is great. And for teens who want more independence, Step is a fantastic option. The best debit card for kids heavily depends on your current needs, goals, and preferences, so it’s important to choose what works best for your family.
Is Greenlight or GoHenry better?Greenlight tends to win on features: it offers more options for saving, spending, and investing, plus has better parental controls. However, Acorns Early (formerly GoHenry) is better for kids who enjoy game-like learning and lessons. Your choice depends on whether you’re more focused on features or interactive education.
Is there a real debit card for kids?Yes! All of these are real Visa or Mastercard debit cards that work in stores, online, and at ATMs (with limits). Parents can help fund the accounts, set controls, and monitor spending all while teaching kids about managing their own money.
Is a Greenlight card worth it?For many families, absolutely. If you want your kids to save, invest, and learn while having guardrails in place, Greenlight is a powerful teaching tool. It’s especially valuable for larger families since you can add up to five kids under one plan.
Which bank is best for kids’ accounts?While traditional banks offer kids’ savings accounts, fintech options like Greenlight and Step, often provide helpful tools for teaching money management. And let’s not forget about CapitalOne’s Teen Checking Account which offers several convenient features. Many parents find all of these more helpful than a basic bank account, especially for debit cards for kids under 13.
Have you gotten your kids a debit card? We’d love to hear about your experience and what you’d recommend or avoid in the comments!
More Inspiration for Teaching Your Kids about Money:
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