Debit cards for children and teens offer a variety of services and features to kickstart healthy financial habits.
A conversation in a Facebook moms group launched my journey to discover the best debit card for my children. High school students were attending a school-sponsored field trip where the eatery didn’t accept cash, so moms were frantically searching for digital payment options that would allow their youngsters to buy lunch. And so I set off to find a debit card that I could open in my children’s names — one with no fees and that included helpful financial literacy tools.
There are plenty of companies that offer debit cards or bank accounts specifically geared toward children and teens under the age of 18. Many also provide educational resources and apps to help your child build good money habits. But there are risks to consider. We’ll help you sort through which companies help to keep your child’s personal information safe and include appropriate parental oversight features so you can monitor your child’s spending.
The best debit cards for kids and teens, compared
| Card | Monthly fees | Age |
| Greenlight Debit Card | $5 to $15, for up to five children | Any |
| GoHenry Debit Card | $5 for one child; $10 for up to four children | 6 to 18 |
| Step Debit Card | None | Any |
| BusyKid Debit Card | $4 for up to five children | Any |
| Axos First Checking | None | 13 to 17 |
| Chase First and High School Checking | None | 6 to 17 |
