Banking Children's Bank Accounts UK — Best Accounts for Kids and Teens Best bank accounts for children and teenagers in the UK. How to open an account, age requirements, teaching money skills, and saving for your child's future.
25 July 2025
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3 min read
Teaching children about money from a young age builds essential life skills. Children’s bank accounts — from simple savings to teen debit cards — offer hands-on experience with managing money responsibly.
Accounts by Age Age Account Type Features 0–6 Children’s savings account Parent-controlled, grows savings 7–10 Children’s current account Debit card, limited features, parental controls 11–15 Teen account More independence, budgeting tools 16–17 Teen or standard account Near-full banking, some overdrafts 18+ Adult account Full access including credit
Best Children’s Savings Accounts Provider Account Rate Features NS&I Junior ISA Variable Government-backed, tax-free Nationwide Smart Limited Access 4%+ Good rate, limited withdrawals Halifax Kids’ Regular Saver 5%+ Monthly deposits up to £100 Coventry BS Young Saver 4%+ Easy access Junior ISA Various providers Up to 5%+ Tax-free, locked until 18
Best Children’s Current Accounts (7-15) Provider Account Age Debit Card App Parental Controls GoHenry GoHenry 6–18 ✅ ✅ ✅ Excellent RoosterMoney Rooster Card 6–17 ✅ ✅ ✅ Excellent Starling Kite 6–16 ✅ ✅ (via parent) ✅ Good NatWest Adapt 11–17 ✅ ✅ ✅ Good Nationwide FlexOne 11–17 ✅ ✅ Limited HSBC MySavings 7–17 Via parent ✅ Via parent Revolut Revolut Junior 6–17 ✅ ✅ ✅ Excellent
Comparison: GoHenry vs Starling Kite vs RoosterMoney Feature GoHenry Starling Kite RoosterMoney Monthly fee £3.99 Free Free (basic) / £2.99+ (card) Age range 6–18 6–16 6–17 Parental controls Excellent Good Excellent Spending limits Customisable Customisable Customisable Saving goals ✅ ✅ ✅ Pocket money automation ✅ Via parent’s Starling ✅ Chores/earning tasks ✅ ❌ ✅ Card customisation ✅ (extra fee) ❌ ✅ Instant notifications ✅ ✅ ✅
Best Teen Accounts (16-17) Provider Account Features Starling Standard account Full features, no overdraft until 18 Monzo 16+ account Pots, budgeting, no overdraft NatWest NatWest Adapt Full current account features HSBC MyAccount Standard current account Nationwide FlexOne Savings link available
Features Parents Should Look For Feature Why It Matters Parental controls Set spending limits, block categories Instant notifications See what your child spends Chores/tasks Teach earning through work Savings goals Encourage goal-setting Spending insights Review where money goes Card freeze Quickly disable if lost No overdraft Cannot go into debt
Teaching Money Skills by Age Ages 6-10 Lesson How to Teach Money has value Let them earn pocket money Saving for goals Visual savings goals in app Spending choices Limited budget for toys/treats Digital vs physical Show how card spending = real money
Ages 11-15 Lesson How to Teach Budgeting Fixed pocket money, they decide spending Saving percentage Save 20% of any money received Delayed gratification Wait for bigger purchases Comparing prices Let them shop around Needs vs wants Discuss purchases
Ages 16-17 Lesson How to Teach Managing a current account Real account responsibility Earning money Part-time job, managing income Bills and commitments Phone contract responsibility Credit dangers Explain before they turn 18 Banking choices Compare accounts together
Junior ISAs vs Savings Accounts Feature Junior ISA Children’s Savings Tax-free ✅ ❌ (uses child’s allowance) Access Locked until 18 Varies (often easy access) Annual limit £9,000 (2025/26) No limit Control Child at 18 Parent/child depending on account Best for Long-term saving Short-term goals, teaching
See our Junior ISA guide for full details.
Fees and Costs Account Monthly Fee Card Fee GoHenry £3.99 Included RoosterMoney Free–£4.99 Card on paid plans Starling Kite Free Free Revolut Junior Free Free High street banks Usually free Free
Opening an Account You Will Need Detail Parent ID Passport or driving licence Child’s ID Birth certificate usually sufficient Proof of address Utility bill, bank statement Child’s agreement Older children may need to consent
Process Step Detail 1 Choose account type 2 Apply online or in branch 3 Verify identity 4 Receive card in post 5 Set up parental controls 6 Transfer first funds
For long-term saving for children, see our Junior ISA guide and for teaching budgeting, see our budget planner guide .