Best Phone Plans for Kids (2026)

So it’s time to buy a cell phone plan for your child and you don’t know where to begin. Do you sign up for a basic plan that just keeps them connected? A premium plan that includes extra perks like streaming subscriptions and hotspot data? Or do you just add them on to your family plan? 

To help you decide, we’ve picked out a variety of the best plans for kids according to different needs and age ranges. Read on to discover the best cell phone plans for kids in 2026. 

Why You Should Trust Us

I have over 10 years of experience writing about and reviewing mobile plans and phones. I’ve tried every carrier under the sun—and have some strong opinions about which ones are worth signing up for, and which you should steer clear of.

For this article, and I focused on the following factors as it relates to the best phone plans for kids:
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- Overall value
- Child-friendly features
- Plan features
- Cell phone coverage
- Quality of customer service 

The following piece offers an honest look at how well AT&T fares in each of these areas.

Best Phone Plans For Young Kids

A cell phone—and a plan to go along with it—is essential for staying in contact with your child. If you have a younger, pre-teen child, opting for a pared-back cell phone plan without all the bells-and-whistles can be a way to keep connected and save a few bucks at the same time. 

The good news: the market is awash with unlimited plans that are both low-cost and free of data caps. Here are a few of the best ones. 

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Best Phone Plans For Teens

If you’re the parent to a phone-obsessed teen who streams, browses, or games like there’s no tomorrow, opting for a premium unlimited plan can be the way to go. Here are a few of the best premium plans for teens on the market right now. 

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Family Cell Phone Plans

Adding your child to your current cell phone plan—i.e. turning it into a family plan—is a great way to save money. After all, cell phone plan per-line prices tend to drop precipitously as you add lines. 

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all offer great family plan packages, as do many prepaid carriers. To that end, here’s one of our favorites: 

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How to Pick Phone Plans for Kids

Here are some important factors to consider when deciding on which phone plan to pick for your child. 

Cell Phone Coverage

While it can’t completely eliminate the “I didn’t get your call, my phone said ‘no service’” excuse from your kid, the backing of good cell phone coverage can at least give you reason to question it. 

Major carriers tend to deliver the fastest, most reliable coverage, prioritizing their customers ahead of those of prepaid, or sub-carrier, brands like the aforementioned Mint Mobile and Visible by Verizon. By the numbers, T-Mobile delivers the best national 5G coverage (that’s the most up-to-date, and fastest type of network), while AT&T wields the best 4G LTE. Make sure to check out the carrier maps for Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T before choosing a plan for your child. 

Cell Phone Data

Choosing a plan with sufficient data for your child’s needs is important. Generally speaking, we recommend sticking with unlimited data plans, since they can allow you to avoid data caps that can render your child’s phone useless for anything other than calling or texting once they’re reached. After all, it’s hard enough for adults to stay on top of data usage—much less children. 

Parental Controls

Many carriers offer parental controls that allow you to limit what your child can do on their phone. For example, Verizon's Just Kids plan includes features like contact management, content filters, and location tracking through the Smart Family app. T-Mobile offers FamilyMode, an add-on that enables screen time limits and content restrictions.

There are also a handful of third-party apps that do the same. If this is a concern, make sure to check out what you have at your disposal for parental controls before committing to a plan. 

The Bottom Line

Whether you're looking for a simple way to stay connected with a young child or need a premium, data-rich plan for a teen who’s constantly online, there’s no shortage of great options. From affordable prepaid plans like Mint Mobile and Visible to premium offerings from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, today's market offers flexibility and value for every type of parent and child. Don’t forget to factor in parental controls, data limits, and network coverage as you decide. With the right plan, you’ll not only keep your child connected—you’ll also gain peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone plans offer built-in parental controls?

Yes, Verizon's Just Kids plan includes features like contact management, content filters, and location tracking through the Smart Family app. T-Mobile offers FamilyMode, an add-on that enables screen time limits and content restrictions.

Is it better to choose a prepaid or postpaid plan for a child's phone?

Prepaid plans are often preferred for children due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility. They allow parents to manage expenses without long-term commitments. However, postpaid family plans, like those from Verizon or T-Mobile, can offer additional features such as advanced parental controls and data sharing options.

What age is appropriate for a child to have their own phone plan in 2026?

Many experts and parents agree that ages 10 to 13 are common for a child’s first phone plan, depending on maturity, school needs, and family communication. Carriers now offer plans tailored for younger users with built-in safety features.