Teaching kids and teens about money starts with giving them tools they can actually use. If you're already a Chime member, it's natural to wonder whether your child can have their own account or get a card under your setup. The short answer is that chime for kids isn't a product Chime formally offers — but there are still options worth knowing about, plus strong alternatives for families who want teen-focused banking features.
Does Chime Have an Account for Kids?
Chime is a fintech company — not a bank — that delivers banking services through partner banks The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. Chime requires the primary account holder to be at least 18 years old.
Chime does not currently offer a dedicated joint teen account or a standalone chime card for kids the way some traditional banks and fintechs do. This is an important starting point for any parent doing research.
For a full overview of what Chime does offer adults, see What Is Chime? Full Review of the Chime App.
Chime
Chime
- Fee-free banking plus early pay access - Overdraft up to $200 without fees - 5% cash back and build credit everyday. - 3.75% APY on your savings.
Standout feature
No credit check, no interest, no annual fee, and no minimum deposit required.
Fees
$0
Pros
Fee-Free Banking and Get paid up to 2 days early
Cons
App/online-only support, no branches
Can a Teen Be an Authorized User on Chime?
Chime does allow account holders to add authorized users — meaning a parent can add a teen to their existing Chime account. The teen would receive a debit card linked to the parent's checking balance.
This has some practical limitations:
- The teen's card draws from the parent's account, not a separate balance.
- Chime's app doesn't offer robust parental controls like spending category limits or real-time notifications specifically designed for youth accounts.
- The parent remains fully responsible for all account activity.
If you just want your teen to have a card for everyday purchases and you trust them to spend within limits, authorized user status may work. But it lacks the guardrails that dedicated teen banking products offer.
What Age Can You Get a Chime Account?
The minimum age for a Chime account is 18 years old. This applies to the Chime Checking Account, Savings Account, and Credit Builder card. There are no exceptions for minors, even with parental co-signing — Chime currently does not offer a joint minor account option.
This is different from traditional banks like U.S. Bank or Wells Fargo, which allow teens as young as 13 to open joint accounts with a parent or guardian.
If your child is under 18, Chime is not the right primary tool for them right now. That said, it can still be a strong account for young adults once they turn 18.
Teen-Friendly Alternatives to Chime
Since chime teen account options are limited, families often look at platforms built with younger users in mind. Here are some categories worth considering:
Fintech apps with teen features: Some fintechs were built specifically to serve younger users and their parents. These platforms typically include parental controls, spending notifications, allowance tools, and educational content alongside basic debit card access.
Traditional bank teen checking: Many national and regional banks offer teen checking accounts jointly held with a parent. These can provide FDIC-insured deposits and in-person branch access. Minimum ages typically range from 13 to 16.
Prepaid debit cards for minors: Prepaid cards loaded by parents offer control and spending limits without a bank account. They're useful for younger kids who aren't ready for a full debit product.
Current Banking: A Teen-Friendly Option Worth Knowing
Current is a fintech that started with a strong focus on teen banking and family accounts. Parents can open a teen account linked to their own Current account, set spending controls, approve individual purchases, and receive real-time notifications. Teens get their own debit card and a separate balance.
Current has since expanded its features for adults, but its roots in teen banking give it an edge for families looking for structure and oversight.
Current Banking
Current Banking
Current is a mobile-first banking app with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Members can earn up to 4.00% APY with a qualifying direct deposit of $200, receive direct-deposit paychecks up to 2 days early, and overdraft up to $200 fee-free.
Standout feature
4.00% APY on Savings Pods (with a $200+ qualifying direct deposit) plus paycheck up to 2 days early — both included on the standard account for free
Fees
Free
Pros
$0 monthly fee; up to 4.00% APY on Savings Pods with qualifying direct deposit; paycheck up to 2 days early;
Cons
No physical branches
What Parents Should Know Before Choosing Teen Banking
Before picking a platform, consider what features matter most to your family:
Parental controls: Can you set spending limits by category or per transaction? Can you freeze the card instantly from an app?
Separate balances: Does the teen have their own balance, or do they draw from yours? Separate balances help teens learn to manage money independently.
Notifications: Will you get an alert every time your teen spends? Real-time visibility helps parents stay informed without micromanaging.
Direct deposit for teens: If your teen works a part-time job, can they receive direct deposit? This teaches real-world financial habits early.
FDIC insurance: Confirm that deposits are insured — either through the app's partner bank or directly through a bank account.
For families interested in Chime once a teen turns 18, features like Chime MyPay and SpotMe can be genuinely helpful for young adults managing their first paychecks.
Teaching Kids About Banking Before They Turn 18
Even without a dedicated account, there are ways to build financial literacy early:
- Use a prepaid card to give your child a set weekly or monthly budget and let them track spending.
- Walk through bank statements together and explain how debits, credits, and balances work.
- Discuss savings goals — even small ones like a $50 purchase — to teach delayed gratification.
- When they're close to 18, help them research what to look for in a first checking account.
Chime can be a strong option once they're eligible. Its fee-free model, no minimum balance requirements, and tools like early direct deposit make it beginner-friendly for young adults. See How to Add Money & Deposit Cash to Chime for a sense of how simple the account setup is.
What About Chime's Credit Builder for Young Adults?
Once a family member turns 18 and opens a Chime account, the Credit Builder secured card is one of the best tools available for building credit from scratch. It has no annual fee, no interest charges, and no credit check to open. For a detailed look, see Chime Card Review: Credit Builder Pros & Cons.
For young adults who are just getting started with managing money, Chime pairs well with other tools available through Firstcard. Firstcard is not a product issuer; always review terms directly with any financial provider.
Summary: Is Chime Right for Your Family?
Chime does not offer a kids or teen account. The minimum age is 18. For younger children and teens, parents should look at fintech platforms designed for youth banking or traditional bank joint accounts.
Once a teen turns 18, Chime is worth considering as a first adult checking account — especially with features like fee-free overdraft through Chime SpotMe, early direct deposit, and the Credit Builder card.
Chime
Chime
- Fee-free banking plus early pay access - Overdraft up to $200 without fees - 5% cash back and build credit everyday. - 3.75% APY on your savings.
Standout feature
No credit check, no interest, no annual fee, and no minimum deposit required.
Fees
$0
Pros
Fee-Free Banking and Get paid up to 2 days early
Cons
App/online-only support, no branches
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 16-year-old get a Chime account?
No. Chime requires account holders to be at least 18 years old. There is no joint account option for minors, even with a parent or guardian as co-signer. Teens under 18 should look at platforms designed for youth banking, such as fintech apps with parental controls or traditional bank teen checking accounts.
Can I add my child as an authorized user on my Chime account?
Chime does allow authorized users on an account, so a parent could add a teen to their Chime account. However, the teen's card would draw from the parent's main balance, and Chime does not offer the parental controls or separate balances that dedicated youth banking platforms provide.
What is the best banking option for teens who want their own account?
For teens who want their own card and balance with parental oversight, fintech apps built for family banking — like Current — are strong options. Traditional bank teen checking accounts (joint with a parent) are also worth considering. Once a teen turns 18, Chime becomes a solid choice for a first adult account.
When can a teen start using Chime on their own?
A teen can open their own Chime account once they turn 18 and meet the standard eligibility requirements. At that point, they gain access to Chime's full feature set, including the Checking Account, Savings Account, Credit Builder card, early direct deposit, and SpotMe overdraft coverage for eligible members.
