Money makes the world go round — you know it, your parents know it, and maybe your children even know it. And that’s why teaching them financial literacy is one of the best gifts you can give them.
As someone whose parents started them out young on all things finance, I am very thankful for the skills I learned at a very young age and still carry with me today.
And yes, teaching children about finances goes beyond just handing out pocket money. It’s about helping them understand how to save, spend wisely, and make sound financial choices — and that’s exactly where ING steps in.
With free bank accounts for kids and teens, and a range of tools and resources, they make banking heaps easier for everyone involved. 👇
1. Bank accounts that grow with your child
Kids grow up so fast, huh? Well, luckily, their ING bank account can grow with them.
ING offers bank accounts that adapt as your child grows, providing age-appropriate features designed for different stages of financial learning.
ING Child Account (Kinderrekening)
Your child can start off with an ING Child Account (Kinderrekening). These accounts are available for children aged between 0 and 12 and are designed to give them the opportunity to explore money for the first time.
A Kinderrekening comes with an Orange Savings Account, perfect for getting digital pocket money or storing away any birthday or Christmas money.
From age six onwards, children can get a personalised debit card, which allows them to spend money from their current account. By age eight, they can begin using the ING app to check balances and track their spending.
While all this is happening, parents have full oversight over their child’s financial journey, as the app lets them set spending limits and oversee transactions. This provides a sense of security while children start learning about saving and spending in a safe space.
ING Youth Account (Jongerenrekening)
Once a child turns 12, their ING Child Account automatically becomes an ING Youth account (Jongerenrekening), offering the same perks but more independence.
With this account, your child can learn to handle their finances on their own — but don’t worry, parents are still able to monitor their child’s activity. 😉
Teens get their own debit card and can manage their money, make payments, and set savings goals through the app. It’s a great way to handle things such as their first paycheck, lunch money for school, pocket money, or money for clothes.
What’s one thing teens can’t live without? Their phones! That’s why the ING app becomes more and more relevant as they get older. They can send or receive money via the app, and once they turn 16, they can activate mobile payments and start paying with their phone.
Just like the Child Account, the Youth Account also includes a free Orange Savings Account, where teens can set up to 10 savings goals to help them learn about budgeting.
The “Groei Groter Rekening”
“Groei Groter Rekening” literally translates to “grow bigger account” — and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a savings account for children that accompanies them as they (and their savings) grow up.
The difference between the normal savings account and the Groei Groter Rekening is that the latter, while it is in your child’s name, cannot be accessed by the child.
READ MORE | 7 ways to teach your children about money in the Netherlands
Instead, this account is entirely managed by the parents. It has its own IBAN, making it easy for Oma and Opa to transfer some birthday money — and it will be made available to your child when they turn 18.
2. Independence with their own debit card
With both a Child and a Youth account, kids over six can receive their own debit cards at ING. And the best part? The cards are fully customisable to make finances fun!
While this may seem small to us, it’s a significant step toward gaining financial independence for the kids.
With their own card in hand, children learn the responsibility of managing their spending, understanding card-based transactions, and making financial decisions in real time.
3. Financial awareness thanks to the ING app
The ING Child or Youth Account goes hand in hand with the ING app, which is a powerful tool for both children and parents.
For children
The ING app gives your child access to their finances on their phone or tablet.
With their account directly connected to their ING app, they can easily see where their money is going, and even set savings goals.
This is not only convenient, but it also offers an important learning opportunity: By monitoring their account through the app, your child can get a better understanding of money and the importance of financial responsibility. 🌟
For parents
Of course, the ING app is also crucial for parents, allowing them to easily oversee their child’s banking activity.
Parents can set spending limits, or receive notifications when their child makes a payment. As your child grows older, you can decide to give them more and more responsibility by adjusting these settings to match your comfort level.
4. All about savings with a kid-friendly ING savings account
As we’ve already established, every ING Child or Youth account comes with a free savings account.
Saving money is a crucial part of gaining financial literacy, and ING makes it fun for kids to work towards their goals, be it a shiny new bike or a new video game.
With the option to set clear targets, saving becomes not just a responsibility, but a rewarding experience for children, who can earn interest on their deposits while working toward their savings goals.
5. Free resources to help a parent out
If you clicked on this article, there’s a chance you’re trying to figure out the best ways to navigate your child’s financial education. I can imagine it can seem daunting — but it doesn’t have to be.
ING provides a wealth of online resources to help parents raise financially literate kids.
From tips on how to introduce the concept of money to guides on making the most of ING’s services, these resources ensure that parents are well-equipped to teach their kids the ins and outs of managing money.
And psssst… though some resources are only available in Dutch, you can simply use your web browser’s translation function to help you out!
With a range of features tailored to different age groups, ING makes banking accessible, educational, and fun for parents, kids, and teens alike.
By introducing financial literacy at an early age and supporting children throughout their journey, you can help set them up for a strong financial future — and one day they’ll thank you for it. 💪
How are you educating your children about finances? Share your thoughts in the comments.