Writer: Choncé Maddox
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
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Prepaid debit cards for minors are gaining popularity. Many people rely on debit cards for payments, and having one can offer your child or teen a practical way to manage their own money.
The best thing about prepaid debit cards for minors is that they don’t work like a credit card or prepaid credit card (secured credit cards). Spending is often limited to only the amount available on the card. That way, your child can use it just like a bank card.
Prepaid Cards | Debit Cards | FAQs
The Best Prepaid Debit Cards For Minors
Choosing the best prepaid debit card for minors really depends on the specific features you’re after. We’ve narrowed it down to the top seven options that deliver great value and are user-friendly for both you and your child.
We rank the Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids as the best debit card for minors. It’s loaded with features that teach kids about managing finances and provides parents with an easily managed account to assign chores and pay allowances.
Savings accounts not only earn interest, but the app also empowers kids to grow their wealth through investments in fractional shares. The card offers real-time notifications and instant transfers, and parents have the ability to set spending limits.
There are three plans to choose from with varying monthly fees of up to roughly $15 per month.
The BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Card is another solid option for young adults to spend money using a real Visa card and learn along the way.
The BusyKid Spend Card features a secure EMV chip to enhance transaction safety. If you ever misplace the card, you can lock it instantly with just one tap in the mobile app.
Because it’s a reloadable debit card, both children and parents can effortlessly add funds by logging into the account, clicking ‘Spend,’ then selecting ‘Transfer to Card.’ Simply enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm by hitting ‘Transfer.’ You’ll get a notification prompting you to reply ‘Yes’ to approve the transfer to the spend card.
- Great for families who wish to store money on multiple prepaid cards linked together
- No risk of debt, overdraft, or hidden fees
- Retain parental visibility and control while empowering kids of all ages
- Separate funds into multiple purpose-driven accounts
- Alert parents and children about card activity and the remaining balance in real time
- A paid FamZoo subscription entitles you to use all of the active prepaid cards in your FamZoo family for as long as your subscription remains active. Adding family members and adding cards does not impact your subscription fee.
FamZoo stands out as a top choice for prepaid debit cards for minors because it engages the entire family in learning about financial literacy. The FamZoo Prepaid Mastercard is crafted for families, allowing parents to manage the primary card that funds other accounts. You can effortlessly transfer funds among family members for allowances, chores, or even small jobs.
Your kids have their own login to track spending, while you can view the entire dashboard and set controls. A major benefit of this kids’ debit card is that it helps your child learn to budget, monitor savings, and even make charitable donations. The card can be loaded through direct deposit, bank transfer, and PayPal, among other methods.
Since the FamZoo prepaid card isn’t connected to a traditional bank account, there are no overdraft fees, late fees, or debt risks. You can sign your kids up at any age, as this card has no age restrictions. There’s a monthly fee per family for using your FamZoo prepaid debit cards, but you can pay in advance for six months or the entire year to get a significant discount. Depending on where you reload your card, there might also be a small reload fee.
- Move money from your PayPal account to fund your prepaid card account.
- Earn cash back and personalized offers, just for using your card.
- With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
- Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
- Click PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® for additional features & program details, and to request a Card.
Additional Disclosure: The information related to PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® allows you to add children from the age of 13 to 17 years old as authorized users. First, you’ll need to apply for the card then request to add your child as an authorized user so he or she can get their own card. You must be the legal parent or guardian, and you can request up to two secondary cards for eligible minors to use.
Depositing money onto your Mastercard prepaid debit card is easy and free when you choose from one of Netspend’s 130,000+ reload network locations. Another way to put money on this card is through direct deposit. If your teen has a part-time job, for example, they can set up direct deposit through their employer and get paid up to two days earlier.
Consider using this card to teach your child how to deposit money, track spending, and even pay bills. You’ll gain access to the PayPal Prepaid mobile app to check your balance, review transactions, and even deposit paper checks. This prepaid card is accepted anywhere that accepts Mastercard payments including purchases online or over the phone.
This card is currently not available.5. NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card
Netspend is well known for its NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card but what you may not know is that you can add your teen (ages 13 through 17) as an authorized user. To get the Netspend Visa Prepaid card, there is no credit check, activation fee, or minimum balance required, so it’s perfect for someone who’s just starting out. Order your reloadable prepaid card online or you can buy it at a local retailer that sells prepaid cards.
This Visa card also helps you get paid up to two days earlier with direct deposit, but this option may not be available to your teen with their card. To help you save money on reloading your Netspend card, these locations allow you to add money to your card for a low fee to help you save on reloading fees.
Keep in mind that reloading fees can range from $0 to $3.95, so the costs can add up.
The Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account has no monthly fees and can be used wherever American Express is accepted. You can load your Bluebird Card for free at any Walmart checkout register or MoneyCenter. This is another excellent prepaid debit card option for minors since you can add a subaccount for your child when they are 13 years old or older.
With a subaccount, the other person will have access to your Bluebird American Express account funds but you have control over how much they can spend. They will receive their own card and login credentials, but you will be the primary account holder.
You can use the debit card to pay your child’s allowance or send money to them for college. You’ll also get to add up to four subaccounts. Once you create the new account(s), adding money to their card is easy. Since everything is connected, all you need to do is make a simple transfer. Utilize control features like setting a daily spending limit, enabling or disabling ATM access, and limiting purchases to only the United States if that is your preference.
With the Bluebird Card, you can assist your teen in setting up savings goals or even handle online bill payments, such as their cellphone bill.
American Express is well known for its credit cards, but debit cards are also available, including the Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account. American Express Serve is a prepaid debit card available in different versions that offer different benefits, including free reloads, cash back, and free direct deposit, among other perks. This card is widely accepted wherever Visa or American Express cards are accepted.
If your child is at least 13 years old, you can add them as an authorized user so they can get their own card. Early direct deposit is available, and you can skip the monthly fee if you have at least $500 directly deposited each month. The free mobile banking app lets you check your balance, deposit paper checks, and send money. Use Moneypass ATMs to withdraw funds without any fees.
Another benefit of having American Express Serve is that, if you use the cash back card option, your teen can experience earning cash back for regular purchases.
Best Debit Cards For Minors
Debit cards connect to a bank account and need to be loaded with cash before you can use them, much like a prepaid card. They’re an excellent option for parents who want to keep control while allowing their kids some spending freedom.
8. Capital One MONEY Teen
The Capital One MONEY teen checking account is a fee-free bank account that comes with a debit card for kids. It’s a great option if you want to allow your child to make purchases on a card and learn how to manage money.
How it works is that you have a joint bank account with your child where you can monitor their activity, send allowance easily to their account, and lock or unlock their account as you see fit. You can give your child a spending limit to help them save some of the money in their account. Plus, they can also set savings goals for future purchases and track their progress.
This teen checking account has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement. Another fantastic aspect of this card is that it’s not limited to teens. You can open an account for your child as long as they are at least 8 years old.
Kids can use their cards to withdraw money from more than 70,000 fee-free Capital One ATMs and Moneypass ATM locations nationwide. Capital One also offers savings account options for minors.
9. Current Visa Debit Card
Current is an online-only bank based on the belief that every person should have accessible and affordable banking opportunities. Current has a teen banking card that minors can use to help them learn more about financial responsibility and properly managing the money they have.
Kids can set up automatic round-up transfers to reach their savings goals with their accounts. As a parent, you can set limits on their spending, block specific merchants, and easily make transfers, especially if you’re encouraging your teen to earn an allowance.
You’ll need to first sign up on the Current app and then connect your bank account. Next, have your teen download the banking app for iOS or Android, then you can link your account with their Current Visa Debit Card. After that, they should be ready to use their new debit card.
This card charges an annual fee, but it doesn’t have any minimum balance fees, overdraft fees, or hidden costs. You can set spending limits for the debit card and even limit spending categories with just a touch of a button in the app.
Another great feature of using the Current Visa Debit card is that you can set up a chores list as well as an allowance, then set up transfers to their account. Just use the app to choose a day for allowance to be paid out to your teen each week once chores are complete. Then the money will transfer directly from your account.
Can a Minor Get a Prepaid Debit Card?
A prepaid debit card is a fantastic way to introduce your kids to money management and digital banking as they mature. Plus, it simplifies transferring money for allowances and other needs.
If your child often asks you about ordering things online, you may have thought about getting them a prepaid debit card. If you’re looking to teach your child about credit and their credit score, consider checking out our list of prepaid cards that build credit.
Most prepaid cards are available to those who are 18 or older. However, there are ways to get a prepaid debit card for your minor child if you’re interested.
One of the easiest ways to get started is to add your child as an authorized user to your prepaid card. That way, your child will likely get access to their own card, but you can monitor transactions and even set up spending limits.
Another option would be to open a checking account for them and treat their debit card as a prepaid card. See if you can add overdraft protection or otherwise forego an overdraft fee. Realize that if popular banks don’t offer prepaid debit cards for minors, smaller online financial services, like FamZoo and a few other companies mentioned in our list above, may offer that service.
How Do I Add My Child as an Authorized User?
Adding your child as an authorized user for a prepaid debit card should be a pretty streamlined process. First, you will likely need to open an account in your name and receive your prepaid debit card. From there, you can add your child as an authorized user either online or by calling the card issuer.
Some cards may allow you to log in to the app or website and submit a request. Be sure to read the eligibility requirements to make sure you and your child qualify.
For instance, many prepaid debit cards require your child to be at least 13 years old to become an authorized user. However, some cards might not have any age restrictions.
You should carefully review the terms to understand what’s required for authorized users. Determine if they will receive their own card and linked account or if they’ll be spending from your account. Also, check if there’s a fee for issuing a new card for an authorized user—there usually isn’t, but it’s always good to confirm.
For example, with the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®, you can add an authorized user by logging into your account online and starting at the Account Summary page. You will then be transferred to the Synchrony Bank servicing site where you can manage cardholders and add a new cardholder.
Another option with the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® is to call the number on the back of your card and request to add an authorized user by phone. Once your request to add an authorized user is approved, it may take a few business days for your child to receive their new card in the mail.
Which Prepaid Cards Charge No Fees?
When using a prepaid debit card, be aware of fees since they can add up quickly. Prepaid cards typically come with all types of fees, including:
- Monthly maintenance
- Not meeting the minimum balance requirement
- Cash reload
- ATM withdrawal
- Allowing your account to go inactive
That said, prepaid cards that do not charge fees are highly sought after. Some of the best low and no-fee prepaid cards include cards like PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account.
Once you’ve pinpointed the best prepaid card without fees, it’s crucial to read the fine print and review the fee schedule for each card. The Netspend card imposes a monthly fee, but you can have this waived by opting for the pay-as-you-go plan.
Some cards may advertise no fees but when you dive a little deeper and pull up the fees list, you’ll see that there are charges associated with using your card. One of the biggest fees with prepaid cards is the loading fee that allows you to add money to the card. You can avoid this fee by setting up direct deposit through your employer as well as only using approved network loading centers to add money to your card.
Each prepaid debit card offers locations where you can add money to the card without any fees, helping you avoid ATM charges. It’s a good idea to identify the nearest locations where you can top up the card for free and keep those in mind for convenience.
If you’re on the move with your prepaid debit card, it’s wise to check if your card offers a locator tool that can guide you to the nearest free cash reload spot.
Which Accounts Offer Parental Controls?
Several of the best prepaid cards for minors offer parental controls. While you may want your child to enjoy the experience of having a prepaid debit card, you also probably want to monitor their spending and help them learn basic money management skills. Parental controls can be very helpful in this area.
- Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids
- BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Card
- FamZoo Prepaid Mastercard
- Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account
- Capital One MONEY Teen
- Current Visa Debit Card
All of the family-oriented debit cards reviewed in this article have parental controls, including the Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids, BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Card, and FamZoo Prepaid Mastercard.
With the Capital One MONEY Teen debit card for kids, you can set limits for your child’s spending, track their activities, and lock their account if you need to. Having a spending limit allows your child to see their account balance, but they may not be able to spend the whole amount.
This can help teach your child good financial habits, such as how to avoid spending every dime that’s in their account, as well as keeping money in a savings account for future purchases.
With the Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account, you can control your authorized subaccounts from the settings section in the debit card app. Decide whether you want to enable or disable certain purchases or set a daily spending limit. This means that if you only want your child to spend $30 during an outing, you can just set the limit for their prepaid debit card and not worry about it.
Another great feature of the Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account is the low balance alerts so you can be notified when your child has a low card balance.
With Current’s Teen Banking card, you can set certain spending limits, automate allowance payments, and authorize other family members to add funds to their card. Another helpful feature of this card is the ability to block purchases from specific merchants.
Is There a Prepaid Debit Card With No Age Limit?
Yes, cards designed for children, such as the Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids, generally have no minimum age requirements. But it’s important to check the specific terms and conditions of each card before choosing, as some may have restrictions based on the state you reside in.
Which Banks Give Debit Cards to Minors?
Quite a few banks give debit cards to minors, including Capital One, Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, and Bank of America. Navy Federal Credit Union issues the Visa Buxx Card to students and allows parents to easily monitor spending and load money onto the card. However, these debit cards are usually tied to an active checking account.
Unlike traditional debit cards, prepaid debit cards aren’t linked to a bank account. You simply load funds onto the card and can spend up to that amount at various stores or use it to pay bills.
The list of top prepaid debit cards for minors includes several nonbank options, giving you plenty of choices if you prefer a prepaid card over one linked to a checking account. Whichever path you take, your child will undoubtedly learn crucial lessons about money management, saving, and tracking their spending.
What Are the Advantages of Giving My Child a Prepaid Card?
There are plenty of reasons to introduce your child to a prepaid debit card. It not only empowers them to manage money but also prepares them for using a regular debit card as they grow older.
According to a 2023 FDIC survey, about 5.6 million U.S. households—representing 4.2% of all households—had no bank or credit union account, while 14.2% were considered underbanked and often rely on alternative financial services like high-interest payday loans and check-cashing services that pack on tons of fees.
Getting your child a prepaid debit card early on can be a great way to teach them how to smartly use a debit card, handle their spending, and develop essential money management skills. You might also consider giving your teen a small bill to manage, like their cellphone or Netflix subscription, so they can start getting the hang of handling monthly expenses.
Another advantage of getting your child a prepaid card is that it can teach your child how to budget and set certain savings goals. It’s also easier to send money to a savings account with a debit card. A piggy bank is no longer the only way to help kids save and visualize their goals.
Every prepaid card we’ve included here comes with access to a mobile app, letting kids check their balance and set goals for their savings. It’s a great way for them to learn about managing their money.
Replacing a lost debit or credit card can be costly, so starting your child off with a prepaid card can teach them responsibility and the importance of keeping their card safe.
What Are the Disadvantages of Giving My Child a Prepaid Card?
Giving your child a prepaid debit card can come with its disadvantages as well. It’s important for you to make sure your child does not get into the habit of overspending or making unnecessary purchases simply because there is money on their card.
A prepaid card is not the same as a gift card since you can use it at a variety of merchants.
Know that your child will likely make mistakes with their card or perhaps even lose it. Understanding how to use your parental controls can help. Some prepaid accounts allow parents to control every aspect of their kid’s spending and savings goals.
You’ll need to keep an eye on your child’s spending, especially if they’re interested in ordering online. You want to ensure they don’t fall victim to scams or accidentally share personal information.
Finally, these prepaid debit cards don’t build credit. If you’re looking to help your child build credit, consider a secured credit card instead, or adding your child as an authorized user to one of your credit cards. Most issuers allow authorized users age 13 or older.
Compare the Best Prepaid Debit Cards For Minors
Prepaid debit cards can be great tools for teaching your child about money and the consequences of spending. When you’re choosing the best option, compare all the features and benefits of each card side by side. Know what you need for effective money management and watch out for extra fees.
Tons of great options are out there, and this list just scratches the surface.
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