Best Kids’ Bank Accounts in the UK: When Should Your Child Get a Current Account?

When is the right time to get your child their own bank account and which are the best accounts? It’s a question we often ask ourselves at Financielle HQ as 50% of the team have young families.

As children grow up and start to become more independent, it’s important that we help teach them how to manage their own money – the goal is to build strong money habits early on in life.

There are some excellent kid friendly bank accounts on the market at the moment, here are some of the team’s favourites ⬇️

Go Henry (6-18 years)

Often referred to as the number one kids debit and prepaid card in the UK, we see Go Henry as the OG money brand for kids.

Financielle loves

Go Henry is dedicated to helping children manage their money from a young age. With a range of really helpful features, leaning into education and personalisation, we think it could be a real hit with the kids.

Is it free?

Go Henry isn’t free, they have 3 plans available with prices from £3.99 per month to £9.99 per month and first time users will get access to a 1 month free trial.

You can switch or cancel your membership anytime in-app. Check out the plans here

Account Features

📈 Interest on savings – Earn 3.20% AER interest on savings that could compound over time to help grow their money faster

🎁 Giftlinks – Take the hassle out of organising presents. Money goes straight to their card or Junior ISA

🎓 Gamified lessons – Boost financial literacy with 100+ educational money lessons created by experts

🧽 Pocket money – Setting chores for pocket money in the app is a great way to teach the value of money

💳 45 customisable cards – Let kids explore their individuality and personality with customisable cards

Kite (6 – 15 years)

Kite is Starling’s free debit card for kids, the account is known for its easy set up if you have a Starling current account. 

Financielle loves

The collaborative element of this account, it’s very much a shared experience where kids can learn to manage money in a safe space. 

Is it free?

Yes, Kite is a free debit card.

Account features

🏆2024 Winner – Best children’s financial provider at the British Bank Awards

📲 Instant phone notifications – Every time your child spends or receives money

💰 Automatic top-ups – Easily add money to your child’s account, great for managing pocket money

💳 Free Mastercard debit card – Made from 95% recycled plastic

🤳🏽 Card on their phone – Add your child’s card to Apple Pay or Google Pay

Monzo (6-15 years)

Easy to set up for existing Monzo users, this award winning kids account is definitely one for the cool kids, with eye-catching neon cards up for grabs.

Financielle loves

This award winning children’s account has a focus on helping kids’ pocket money grow.

Is it free?

Monzo is free to open and use.

Account features

🏆 2025 Winner – Best children’s financial provider at the British Bank Awards

💰Set Limits – Help increase your kids independent with the limit controls setting

📈 Interest – Help their pocket money grow with interest calculated daily and monthly to see it build over time

🧊 Freeze it – If you notice suspicious spending on the account or a child loses their card you can freeze their account immediately

NatWest (3-17 years)

NatWest has two accounts available to children depending on their age. ‘Adapt’, for kids aged 11-17 years, and ‘Rooster’ available for kids aged 3 – 17 years.

Financielle loves

NatWest have recognised the need to personalise the offering of their kids accounts based on what the kids need at different stages in their lives.

Is it free?

Some costs are associated with the Rooster account if you’re not a NatWest account holder. There are also optional extras for certain card designs

Account features

💳 Adapt (11-17 years) great for building financial independence

💰 Fee-free – No monthly fees on the account

📈 Interest payments – 1.85% AER, Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly

📲 App features – Include ‘pay your mates’ (13+), freeze your debit card and check balance on the go

💸 Cash – Get cash without your debit card 

💳 Rooster (3-17 years) great for building positive money habits early

💰 Free for NatWest group personal customers, otherwise £1.99 per month or £19.99 per year

💳 Cards – Personalised cards to suit every personality (payment of £4.99 required for certain designs)

📱 Contactless – Pre-paid card linked to their card pot 

🫶🏼 Parental control – Top-ups, limits, real time spending notifications all give the parent control but from afar

If you’re looking to help create positive money habits for your children, it’s time to tackle your financial wellness first. Check out these helpful articles to get you started ⬇️

💰 Top 3 bank accounts in the UK

💸 How to stop dipping into your savings

🤑 The complete guide to budgeting on payday