Last Updated on February 18, 2026 by Ewen Finser
There are many challenges parents face when raising children, and one of them is deciding when to give their child a phone. Should they have a basic flip phone or a smartphone with enhanced parental controls? What age is appropriate to start? Should you add a line to your existing phone plan?
As a parent of a one-year-old, I am already thinking about these questions. After researching various services, I believe the best option is a prepaid phone plan.
A prepaid phone plan is a plan you pay for upfront, usually month-to-month, rather than receiving a bill after usage. There are no long-term contracts, credit checks, or coverage charges. You choose a plan with a set price, and once it’s paid, that’s it for the month. This is a low-risk option for kids who are getting their first phone or don’t need unlimited access. I have rounded up four of the best prepaid phone plans for kids, focusing on multiple-line discounts, network coverage, and price.
Best Prepaid Phone Plans for Kids
- Best for multiple lines: Total Wireless
- Best network: Visible
- Best for free: TextNow
- Best for young kids: Tello Mobile
Best for Multiple Lines: Total Wireless
Total Wireless prioritizes predictability, coverage, and built-in protections without complicating things.
Plans include unlimited talk, text, and data with taxes and fees included, and pricing is guaranteed for five years. This makes budgeting easy while eliminating surprise charges. Because it runs on Verizon’s network, coverage is reliable nationwide, helping you stay connected to your child.
My favorite feature is the Total Spam Filter, which provides an additional layer of protection by reducing unwanted calls and texts that I wouldn’t want my child to receive. Overall, this is an easy-to-manage plan for your child’s first phone.
Pros
- Price guaranteed for five years
- Built-in spam filtering for safer communication
- Hotspot included (15GB)
- Multi-line discounts available for families
Cons
- Higher-tier plans can be pricey for a child’s first phone
- Hotspot data is capped
Best Network: Visible
If you want a plan that uses Verizon’s network, Visible is the option for you.
Visible offers three plans: $25/month, $35/month, and $40/month. They include unlimited talk, text, and data with no hidden fees, making budgeting easier and avoiding surprise charges if your child forgets to turn off data or streams more than expected.
Coverage reaches most of the U.S. thanks to Verizon’s network, so you won’t have to worry about your child being unreachable when they’re away from home. An unlimited hotspot can also be useful for on-the-go schoolwork without worrying about caps or overages.
I don’t like that Visible doesn’t have physical stores, which can make support a bit tedious, but it does offer 24/7 human support via chat if something goes wrong.
Pros
- Affordable unlimited data plans
- Uses Verizon’s network
- 5G is included in the plan
- Unlimited hotspot
Cons
- Focuses on unlimited plans—no smaller data or light-use options
Best for Free: TextNow
This may seem hard to believe, but thanks to TextNow, you can have a phone plan that is absolutely free – but there is a catch.
The free version of this plan includes ads, so if you’re trying to limit your child’s exposure to them, this wouldn’t be a good choice. However, TextNow does offer a $35/month paid plan that includes unlimited data, talk, and text, with no ads.
TextNow is the only free phone service provider that offers unlimited talk and text, free data with select apps, and nationwide coverage. This is an option if you are ready to give your child a bit more freedom while still limiting data usage, which can prevent mindless scrolling.
You can purchase “Data Passes” to provide your child with 24 hours of data. To use the service, download the app on your phone and select a free local phone number. Then you get unlimited talk and text via Wi-Fi.
Pros
- Free calling and texting
- Easy setup and use
- Works across devices
- Local phone numbers available
Cons
- Ads on free service
- No mobile data without paid passes
Best for Young Kids: Tello Mobile
If you’re looking for a prepaid plan that you can customize, there’s Tello Mobile. You can build your own plan by choosing the amount of data you want the phone to have, ranging from no data to unlimited data each month.
The other options are 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 15GB. Then you choose how many minutes you want to include. The options are: no minutes, 100, 300, 500, and unlimited. All options except “no minutes” include free texting. With these options, the monthly plan ranges from $5 to $25 and includes unlimited data and minutes.
I really like that you can give your child a bit of freedom with their phone, yet still keep some control over how often they can use it. There is free Wi-Fi calling, which provides peace of mind knowing your child can reach you in an emergency when they are near a free public Wi-Fi. There are also free international calls, so they can keep in touch with family or friends abroad.
Pros
- Hotspot included
- Free Wi-Fi calling
- Free International Calls to 60+ countries
- Upgrade/downgrade anytime for free
Cons
- No discounts for multiple lines
FAQs
Are prepaid phone plans good for kids?
Prepaid plans are often considered ideal for kids. With predictable costs, no extra fees, and more control for parents, you can also easily stop or change service without any penalties.
At what age should a child get a prepaid phone plan?
There is never a “right” age. Everything depends on your decision as a parent. A common option is to give prepaid plans to children between the ages of 8 to 13 years old. These are the years when a child usually starts playing after-school sports, staying at friends, joining clubs, walking to school, or even begins staying home alone.
Can parents control a prepaid phone plan?
Yes, but the level of control will depend on the carrier. Most plans allow parents to set spending limits, block premium charges, and manage the account online. Others may not allow for content or media control, stopping spam calls, ads, or other possible dangers.
Final Thoughts
Prepaid phone plans offer a middle ground between staying connected with family and maintaining boundaries. It gives parents peace of mind without any long-term commitments or unforeseen charges. The best plan will ultimately depend on your child’s age and how you want to balance independence with some control.
Total Wireless is a strong choice for families managing multiple lines. Visible stands out for its reliable nationwide network. TextNow is a somewhat low-risk way to introduce phone access, and Tello Mobile offers customization for younger kids.
Regardless of the route you choose, prepaid plans make it easier to give your child a phone in a way that feels intentional, affordable, and age-appropriate.