For most 7 to 11 year olds, the best option is a parent-controlled card account: Monzo for Under 16s or Starling Kite if you want it free, or Rooster Money or GoHenry if you want chores and money lessons built in.
Standalone children’s current accounts in a child’s own name don’t start until age 11.
At a glance
| Card account | Ages | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monzo for Under 16s | 6 to 15 | Free | Savings pots with interest (2.75% AER) |
| Starling Kite | 6 to 15 | Free | Simple spending control |
| NatWest Rooster Money | 6 to 17 | £1.99 a month (free for NatWest Group customers) | Chores and pocket money |
| GoHenry | 6 to 18 | From £3.99 a month | Money lessons and goals |
| HyperJar Kids | 6 to 15 | Free | Budgeting jars |
Fees, rates and age limits were checked in November 2026 and can change at any time, so confirm them with the provider before you sign up. This guide is general information, not financial advice.
Two types of card account
Bank-linked (Monzo, Starling Kite)
A real bank account that sits under yours. Free, with strong parental controls. You need an account with the same bank first.
Prepaid app (GoHenry, Rooster Money, HyperJar)
A card plus an app built for kids. Most charge a monthly fee, and in return you get chores, goals and learning tools.
The options reviewed
Monzo for Under 16s
- Best for: families who want free, plus interest on savings
- Cost: free
- Good: own card, spending limits, notifications, and savings pots paying 2.75% AER on up to £10,000 per child
- Watch out: you need your own Monzo account, and it can’t be a joint one
Starling Kite
- Best for: simple, free control
- Cost: free
- Good: daily spending limits from 1p to £500, card blocking, instant notifications, automatic pocket money transfers
- Watch out: no chores, savings pots or rewards, and the child’s app is read-only. You need your own Starling account.
NatWest Rooster Money
- Best for: chores and pocket money on a budget
- Cost: £1.99 a month or £19.99 a year; free for up to three cards for NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank customers
- Good: chore and reward tracking, and a free tracker with no card for younger children
- Watch out: the card itself is for ages 6 and up
GoHenry
- Best for: the most money lessons
- Cost: £3.99 a month per child (Everyday), £5.99 (Plus) or £9.99 for up to four children (Max)
- Good: chores, savings goals and in-app money lessons
- Watch out: the highest running cost here, and Everyday includes only one free top-up a month (then 50p)
HyperJar Kids
- Best for: teaching budgeting with jars
- Cost: free
- Good: budgeting jars and shared savings goals
- Watch out: no cash withdrawals
Which should you choose?
- Free and simple: Starling Kite
- Free, with interest on savings: Monzo for Under 16s
- Chores on a budget: Rooster Money
- The most learning tools: GoHenry
Getting started
- Open a parent account with the provider if you need one.
- Set up weekly pocket money and agree a split between spending and saving.
- Sit down with your child once a month to review what they spent and saved.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 7 year old have a bank account?
Yes, through a parent-linked account like Monzo or Starling Kite, or a prepaid card such as GoHenry. A standalone current account in their own name starts at 11.
What happens at 11?
More options open up, including Nationwide’s FlexOne current account.
Saving, spending and budgeting are all part of the Smartmonies course: ten lessons for ages 7–11, taught one-to-one by qualified teachers or as an interactive digital course. The first digital lesson is free. For more ideas to try at home, browse our free money activities.