Best Debit Cards for Kids in Singapore: Features and Fees

Helping your child learn to manage money is important, and a kids debit card can be a practical first step. It gives them a safer way to practise spending and budgeting, while giving parents visibility and control.

Different cards suit different needs. Some are better for local SGD spending, school payments and saving, while others are more useful for travel or overseas online shopping.

In this guide, we’ll look at options like the OCBC MyOwn Account, POSB Smart Buddy and the Wise Young Explorer card, which can be useful for low-cost international spending.

What’s a debit card for kids?

A debit card for kids is usually linked to an account or balance managed by a parent or guardian. It lets children spend money in a controlled way, while parents can keep visibility over transactions.

Some kids debit cards come with child-friendly designs, lower spending or withdrawal limits, and age-based restrictions. Features vary by provider, and some cards are better for local SGD spending while others are more useful for travel or overseas online shopping.

Age rules also vary. Some products offer different features depending on how old your child is, so check the eligibility, parent controls and spending options before you choose.

How to choose a debit card for kids in Singapore

The right kids debit card depends on how your child will use it. Some cards are designed mainly for school and local payments, while others work better for travel, online shopping or spending in foreign currencies.

Before you choose, compare:

Best debit card for kids in Singapore

Let’s look in more detail at some options for the best debit card for kids in Singapore - we’ve picked out four major providers both locally and internationally to compare:

*Details correct at time of research - 22nd April 2026

Wise Young Explorer

Best for: Overseas spending with mid-market exchange rates and no foreign transaction fees

The Wise Young Explorer card is available for children and teens aged 6 to 17, and is linked to a parent’s Wise account. As a parent, you can order a card for your child, set aside money for them to spend, view their transactions and top up when needed.

Children can also get access to their own child-friendly view of the Wise app, where they can see how much they have available to spend. Parents stay in control of the balance, as children can’t top up the card themselves. You can also add another adult to help top up the card and monitor spending.

The card can be used for in-store and online spending in 150+ countries, with no foreign transaction fee. If currency conversion is needed, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent conversion fees, making it a useful option for families who travel often or shop online internationally.

Features and fees:

• Age eligibility: 6 - 17 years old
• Card type: International debit card
• Parent controls: Parents can set spending limits and view transactions
• Child app access: Children can get their own child-friendly Wise app view to check their available balance
• How spending works: Spend in person and online, including contactless payments. Children aged 13 or over may be able to add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Overseas use: No foreign transaction fee
• Fees: One time card order fee applies

➡️ Learn more about Wise Young Explorer

Revolut Kids & Teens

Best for: App-based money tools and personalised cards

Revolut Kids & Teens¹ accounts are available for children and teens aged 6 to 17. Features vary by age, but children can get a debit card, customise their card, set savings goals and use app-based tools to learn about money. A parent or guardian must have a linked Revolut account.

Revolut can also be used for overseas card payments. However, Kids & Teens account holders can’t hold foreign currency balances themselves. If currency conversion is needed, Revolut converts during the transaction, and fees may apply depending on the parent’s plan limits and other factors.

Features and fees:

• Age eligibility: 6 - 17 years old
• Card type: International debit card
• Parent controls: View transactions, get alerts and add money
• How spending works: Spend in person and online, use mobile payments where supported, and make overseas withdrawals
• Overseas use: Overseas payments are supported, but currency conversion fees may apply depending on plan limits
• Fees: No monthly fee for the <18 account. Linked adult accounts may cost up to 21.99 SGD/month⁵

OCBC MyOwn Account

Best for: Local SGD spending, saving and themed cards

The OCBC MyOwn Account² is designed for children aged 7 to 15. It offers themed debit cards, partner offers and a Parent’s Dashboard, which parents can use to view transactions and manage spending limits.

Features and fees:

• Age eligibility: 7 - 15 years old
• Card type: OCBC kids debit card, with themed cards available
• Parent controls: Set limits, view transactions and manage card activity through the Parent’s Dashboard
• How spending works: Spend with contactless payments, make ATM withdrawals, and use QR payments or PayNow where available
• Overseas use: 3.25% foreign transaction fee applies⁶
• Fees: No MyOwn Account fee. The linked parent account may have fall-below fees, depending on the account type⁷

POSB Smart Buddy

Best for: School payments at Smart Buddy enabled schools

POSB Smart Buddy³ offers a NETS card or smart watch for students at participating primary and secondary schools. Children can use it for school payments, public transport and selected NETS payments in Singapore.

Features and fees:

• Age eligibility: Not specified. Intended mainly for students at Smart Buddy enabled schools
• Card type: NETS card or smart watch
• Parent controls: Get spending notifications, disable the card feature and transfer unspent money to the child’s savings account
• How spending works: Use NETS payments in participating schools, on public transport and at selected retailers in Singapore
• Overseas use: NETS payments are not usually supported overseas
• Fees: No Smart Buddy fee for adults with a DBS or POSB account. Linked account fees or balance requirements may apply

Summary: What’s the best kids debit card in Singapore?

There’s not one single best debit card for kids in Singapore. There are several good options, so the right choice depends on how your child will use the card.

Some kids debit cards are issued through banks, and may be linked to a parent’s account or a child savings account. These can be a simple way for kids to learn about saving and spending in SGD before they move on to a fuller account later on. Just bear in mind that some linked adult accounts may have fall-below fees or other charges.

Other options focus more on digital tools, school payments or international spending. For example, POSB Smart Buddy can be useful for students at participating schools, while Revolut Kids & Teens offers app-based money management features and overseas spending options.

It’s worth comparing a few cards before you decide. One strong choice, especially for families who travel often, is the Wise Young Explorer card. This card offers multi-currency features, mid-market exchange rates, no foreign transaction fee and no monthly fee. Parents can also set aside money for their child, track spending and keep control through their own Wise account.

🚀 Order a Wise Young Explorer card