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The award-winning debit card and app for kids

Starling Kite

Help kids manage their pocket money and turn spending into skills, with our debit card and app for 6 - 16 year olds.

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Starling Bank's Kite card features
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Try Kite for free

Get your first month of Kite on us. There’s no need to commit, and you can cancel at any time.

Try Kite for free

Say hello to Starling Kite: digital banking for young people aged 6-16.

It’s like a child bank account, but built seamlessly into your account for better visibility and control. Set it up in minutes, transfer money onto their Kite card in seconds and help them learn money skills for life.

Kids get their own version of the app, where they can track their spending, start budgeting, and save for goals. You’ll be able to keep an eye on things from your own app, and set limits if you want to. It’s simple, secure and convenient banking for kids.

16 or 17? Head over to our teen account.

A picture of badge awarded to Starling Bank for being the Best Children Financial Provider 2022
Trustpilot reviews
A picture of badge awarded to Starling Bank for being the Best Current Account Provider 2022

Easy control
Set up a Kite space for your child in minutes, ping cash over instantly or set up regular transfers, all from a single app. Plus get a notification the second they spend.

Financial flying lessons
They’ll get their own version of the app, so they can keep an eye on their transactions and get notifications whenever they spend and learn about money management.

A single monthly fee
Our children’s debit card comes at a flat fee of £2 a month per card. Plus unlike some competitors, we don’t charge for transfers or ATM withdrawals.

A fully-licensed bank
You’re still the primary account holder, so the money you add to Kite is covered by your account’s FSCS protection up to £85,000.

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Why Kite’s great for kids

  • Great for pocket money. Our debit card for kids is safer and easier to use than cash – and a simple way for them to learn about grown-up spending and saving. Discover our Make Pocket Money Equal campaign.

  • Great for life lessons. Use the tools in their app to start conversations about money. With instant notifications and access to their balance and transactions, they’ll see exactly where their money goes.

  • Great for the planet. As a branchless, paperless bank that runs mainly on renewable energy, we’re a greener bank for a greener generation. Plus, our Kite debit cards are made from recycled plastic.

  • Great for birthdays and treats. Share a KiteLink with friends and family, and they’ll be able to send money directly to your kid’s Kite Space. Faster and more secure than cash in the post!

It’s fun to use. You don’t have to spend your parents’ money. You can learn how to use your card when you grow up.

Evie, 9, Starling Kite cardholder

Why Kite’s great for you

  • Under one roof. No more switching between apps. You’ll get the full picture and see what they’re spending directly from your app.

  • And under your wing. Get instant payment notifications whenever they spend and full access to their spending history. Our children’s debit cards also come with spending control limits.

  • Safety. Contactless beats cash for peace of mind. Lock the card instantly if it’s lost or stolen and get money over to them wherever they are.

  • Easy family banking. Switch seamlessly between your personal account, joint account, and your children’s Kite space. Both parents can manage Kite at the same time too.

The feature that lets us lock and secure the card if it’s lost or stolen, gives us extra confidence that we know her money is safe.

Davina, parent of Starling Kite cardholder

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Features of our kid’s bank card

  • Set daily spending limits
  • Top up the card with a tap or set up regular transfers from your own account
  • Set where it can be used; in shops, online or at cash machines
  • Download their own version of the app, to give them access to their balance and transaction list, plus instant notifications whenever they spend
  • 24/7 UK customer support
  • Instant card locking
  • Monthly spending breakdowns
  • No fees overseas

  • KiteLink: allow family and friends to send money to your kid’s Kite Space with a unique payment link.

  • A single monthly subscription fee, with no charges for loading money, or for ATM withdrawals

  • Joint account? You’ll both get notifications whenever spending happens on the account

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How to get a Starling Kite debit card for kids

Already have a Starling account? Just follow these steps to add Kite to your account:

Step 1

Open the Starling app from the account you want the Kite card connected to (personal or joint). Once you’re logged in, tap on Spaces.

Step 2

Tap on ‘Kite Space’ and follow the steps to set one up.

Step 3

That’s it! Nice work – it’ll be winging its way to you shortly.

Open app

New to Starling? You’ll need our award-winning current account to get a Kite card. It only takes a few minutes to apply, and it’s done entirely from your phone. Then, just follow the steps above.

Apply for a current account

Would you let your kids run your budget?

We asked three podcasters to give their kids TOTAL power over the family spending for a day. Find out what happened, and why you should get involved with the #StarlingKidsTakeover challenge too.

Here’s just some of the good stuff you can expect from your own free Starling account:

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