How to create a one-off allowance for a child

A one-off allowance is a single money transfer you send to your child’s KiddyCash wallet — once, with no repeat schedule attached. It is useful when you want to top up your child’s wallet for a specific reason: school supplies, a weekend outing in Nairobi, or simply rewarding good behaviour. If you are looking to send money automatically every week or every month instead, see how to create a weekly allowance or how to create a monthly allowance.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

  • A verified KiddyCash parent account (KYC completed)
  • At least one child added to your family on the platform
  • A funded wallet or linked payment method (such as M-Pesa) with enough balance to cover the transfer

Steps

  1. Open the allowance creation screen. Go directly to https://kiddy.cash/family/kiddy/account/allowance/create or, from the KiddyCash home screen, tap Family, select your family, then tap Allowances followed by + New Allowance.

  2. Select the child who will receive the money. A list of children linked to your family account appears. Tap the name of the child you want to pay. Each child has their own wallet, so the funds go directly to that child and no one else.

  3. Enter the amount. Type the amount in the Amount field. KiddyCash uses KES (Kenyan Shillings) by default. For example, type 500 to send KES 500. Make sure your wallet balance or linked M-Pesa account can cover this figure before continuing.

  4. Set the frequency to “One-off”. Below the amount field you will see a Frequency option. Tap it and choose One-off (sometimes labelled Once). This is the setting that prevents the transfer from repeating. If you leave this on a daily, weekly, or monthly setting by mistake, KiddyCash will keep sending the amount on a schedule — so double-check this step.

  5. Choose the send date. Tap the Date field and select when you want the money to arrive in your child’s wallet. You can choose today or any future date. If you pick today, the transfer processes immediately after you confirm.

  6. Add an optional note. Use the Note field to tell your child what the money is for — for example, “School trip money” or “Well done on your exam!”. Your child will see this note in their wallet activity feed. Leaving this blank is fine.

  7. Review and confirm. A summary screen shows the child’s name, the amount, the frequency (One-off), and the send date. Check every detail carefully, then tap Confirm. The transfer is queued immediately.

  8. Check the transaction in your activity feed. Return to your family dashboard and open Allowances. Your new one-off allowance appears with a Scheduled or Sent status depending on whether the send date has passed. Your child will also see the funds — and your note — appear in their KiddyCash wallet.

Why one-off allowances matter

Giving children direct control over a specific sum — rather than cash — helps them practise real decisions. Research explored in this piece on how schools and families can collaborate on financial education shows that hands-on experience reinforces what children learn in the classroom. You may also find it useful to read about the bigger role schools play in financial literacy and how you can build on that at home.