The best phone plans for kids: What parents should look for

We knew this day would come. That kid of yours is all grown up and wants their own cell phone. And let’s be honest, you also want them to have one so you can reach them when you need to. What you don’t want is an incredibly high cell phone bill added to your monthly expenses. So how do you pick the best cell phone plan for your kid? The choice might be easier than it seems.

What’s the best phone plan for kids?

Different kids have different needs, and different parents have different requirements as well. So while there is no objectively “best” phone plan for kids, there are certain things to consider when shopping for your kid’s phone plan to find the one best suited for them. Do they just need talk & text so they can let you know when they’re ready to be picked up from school? Or are they gonna need enough high-speed data to browse college websites and watch math tutorials on YouTube? Research shows that safety and communication are the most important factors to parents who are shopping for cell phones for their kids. With that in mind, let’s go over the features that should be top-of-mind when choosing your kid’s first phone plan.

What features to look for in a kids phone plan?

Unlimited talk & text  

You don’t want to worry about limits on basic cell phone communications. Whether it’s an emergency or they just want to borrow $5 (which, to them, can also be an emergency), it’s important to be able to call or text your kids at any time. 

Coverage

Unlimited talk & text doesn’t mean much if you don’t have a signal. Be sure to confirm the coverage in your area, especially at home, school and anywhere else your kid likes to frequent. 

High-speed data

Raise your hand if “online” wasn’t a thing when you were your kid’s age… then lower it slowly so you don’t hurt your shoulder again. Between school, social media, gaming, watching YouTube and spending time on whatever new app they’re hiding from us dinosaurs, kids are very active online. As a parent, you can set rules & manage expectations, so any high-speed data is used responsibly, but you’ll rest easy knowing they’ll have it when they need it.

Affordability

You don’t need to splurge on a fancy plan with a bunch of added extras for your kid’s first phone. Especially if that phone might end up getting taken away and put in a drawer every few weeks. Just saying.

Flexibility

That backpack you got them six months ago isn’t cool anymore. They outgrew their last pair of shoes on the way home from the shoe store. Kids’ needs change all the time, including their wireless needs. You don’t want to be tied down to a multi-year contract with no wiggle room.

Mint offers plans parents can rely on

You’re reading this blog on the Mint Mobile site, so of course we’re gonna be a bit biased about where the best phone plans for kids are. But there are several reasons why Mint Mobile is the way to go for your kid’s phone (and also your own). 

Reliable coverage on the nation’s largest 5G network

At Mint, we focus on providing premium wireless service without all the fluff or other nonsense those overpriced wireless carriers like to tack on. Unlimited talk & text and high-speed data on the nation’s largest, most reliable 5G network, providing 5G coverage to 98% of Americans and 4G LTE coverage to 99% of Americans,* is really all you need in a kids phone plan, and that’s like… our whole thing. 

Flexible plans that can grow with your kids

We don’t do long-term contracts at Mint, so when your kid’s needs change, your Mint Mobile plan can change too. Start at 5GB and increase your high-speed data amount whenever you need to. Start with three months as a test run, then switch to a 12-month plan when they’ve leveled up in responsibility. Actually, a 12-month plan saves you more money too, but they don’t have to know that.

Full parental control provides peace of mind

Your kid’s plan is activated by you, managed by you, and all communications & changes go through you. As the parent, you’re able to track your kid’s data usage, purchase data add-ons, add roaming credit and pay their bill with ease online or using the Mint Mobile app. Any updates or important account communications coming from Mint Mobile will go to you, and only you. Looking to set restrictions and monitor how your kid uses their phone? You can choose a parental control app that works best for both of you.  

Ready to get your kid a Mint Mobile plan? 

If you’ve decided it’s finally time to get your kid a phone, there’s no better choice than Mint Mobile when choosing a plan to go with it. Whether you’re handing down your old phone for them to use with Mint, or you’re trying to choose from the best phones for kids, we’ve got flexible, affordable plans for any age. Well, almost any age. Unlimited talk & text don’t mean much if they can’t talk or read yet.

_{*5G and/or 4G LTE access req’s capable device w/in appropriate coverage area. Actual availability, speed & coverage may vary.}