Best 2025 Prepaid Cards for Kids

• How do prepaid cards for kids work?
• Prepaid cards for kids VS a bank accounts
• Best 2025 Prepaid Cards for Kids

Recent research by Wealthify found that nearly three-quarters of the UK falls below the financial literacy benchmark, with young people scoring the lowest. This shows that young people need help understanding financial matters better, and prepaid cards for kids can be one way to teach your children about money.

How do prepaid cards for kids work?

Prepaid card accounts for kids will give children the freedom to spend their money while allowing parents or guardians to view transactions and stay in control. While you may prefer giving cash as pocket money, a card has some advantages. Prepaid cards for kids offer spending limits, savings goals, instant mobile notifications, and other handy features to help kids learn how to handle money. 

Prepaid cards for kids VS a bank accounts

Prepaid cards are different from regular bank accounts. For one thing, prepaid cards are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. You also have to top up prepaid cards when the balance is low. Prepaid cards also come with fees that a bank account may not have, such as top-up fees.

Prepaid cards are generally easier to get, and there are prepaid options available for kids six years old and over. A debit card linked to a bank account requires the child to be a minimum age of 11.

If you are looking for a way to save and put money away, you may want to consider a bank account for your child, as prepaid cards do not offer interest on savings. If your child is 16 or over, they will be able to apply for a bank account themselves. Bank accounts for 16-year-olds come with some perks, too, including interest on savings, discounts on driving lessons, spending insights, and more.

Best 2025 Prepaid Cards for Kids

We’ve short-listed and compared five prepaid cards for kids, including fees, top-up options, and features that you may find handy.

1. GoHenry

GoHenry is one of the most well-known prepaid cards for kids aged 6 to 18. It comes with a Visa debit card and an app that helps children learn about money through interactive tools and quizzes. Parents can set spending limits, monitor transactions, and even personalise the card with their child's name.

• Fees: £3.99 per month for GoHenry EveryDay (other plans available)
• Top-Up Options: Parents can add money through the app (top-up fees of 50p can apply, depending on plan)
• Features: Spending limits, real-time notifications, savings goals, and financial education tools

More information: GoHenry.com

2. NatWest Rooster Money

NatWest Rooster Money offers a prepaid debit card for children aged 6 to 17, designed to help manage pocket money and teach budgeting. Parents can set tasks for kids to earn money, track their progress, and monitor spending through the app.

• Fees: £1.99 per month or £19.99 annually (1-month free trail applies)
• Top-Up Options: Money can be added via the app
• Features: Task management, spending tracking, savings goals, and parental controls

3. HyperJar Prepaid Kids Card

HyperJar is a free prepaid card for children aged 6 to 15. It allows parents to divide money into "jars" for different spending categories, helping kids learn budgeting skills. Parents can monitor spending and set limits through the app (they need a HyperJar account). Note that the HyperJar Kids card cannot be used at ATMs.

• Fees: No monthly fees
• Top-Up Options: Funds are added via the app (fees can apply)
• Features: Spending categories, parental controls, and savings pots

4. Starling Kite

Starling Kite is linked to a parent's Starling Bank account and is designed for children aged 6 to 16. It is not a prepaid card account; it’s a Space linked to an adult’s bank account.

Any money added will be protected through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Starling Kite allows parents to manage their child's spending and set limits while giving children access to a simplified banking app to track their money.

• Fees: No monthly fees
• Top-Up Options: Transfers from the parent's Starling account. There are no fees for withdrawing or topping up.
• Features: Spending notifications, parental controls, and savings spaces

5. Nimbl

The Nimbl prepaid card is £2.49 per month or £28 per year. Any additional cards for your family (including kids) cost £1.99 per month or £23.00 per year. Kids aged 6 to 18 can get a card. It helps children manage their money, set savings goals, and develop good financial habits. Parents can set spending limits and receive instant notifications for transactions.

• Fees: £2.49 per month
• Top-Up Options: Money can be added through the app or online
• Features: Spending limits, savings goals, and real-time notifications

Conclusion

Prepaid cards are a great way to introduce kids to money management in a safe and controlled way. Each card has its own benefits, so the best choice depends on your child's needs and your preferences as a parent. These cards can be used for:

• For educational purposes
• For earning money through chores and an alternative to cash
• For developing good money habits in kids
• Improve parental control

However, there are fees and limitations to consider, and there is no interest on savings, which you would get from a bank. Considering pros, cons and key features means you can find the best-prepaid card to help your child develop smart money habits. You can find and compare prepaid cards, including travel cards, currency cards and cards for kids for free on MustCompare.