One of my favorite ways to encourage children to read more is by having good kids’ magazine subscriptions. In this post, I am going to share with you my pick of the best magazines for kids organized by age. These are the magazines that will encourage young readers to read and learn more.
But first, why do I suggest magazine subscriptions for kids?
Here is why: Think back to your own childhood. Don’t you remember LOVING it when you saw mail with your name on it? This is very exciting for children.
(This is also why I love Kids Subscription Boxes. They are fun for kids and encourage learning.)
While an art activity subscription box focuses on activities, a magazine subscriptions for kids encourages them to read and observe. They will learn more about life, animals, the environment, and more.
Kids magazines are created with a child in mind, so children will be lured in by the colorful pictures and short stories. Many of them also include games that can be played using just a pencil.
A kid’s magazine subscription is also a great gift for a classroom. Magazines can provide an interesting topic for students to discuss with their peers and for class discussions.
There are so many benefits of reading, and reading magazines can help children grow to enjoy books and have an interest in reading. This is especially true if you choose an educational magazine around a topic that your child (or student) has a natural interest towards.
We have rounded up some of the best kid’s magazines for kids of all ages to check out. Each suggestion has a recommended age.
However, remember that you know your child best! Your reader may be ready for a more advanced magazine with parent support or prefer the content in a magazine geared toward younger children.
Please note that affiliate links are used in this post. This means that if you purchase through one of these links,at no extra cost to you, this site will earn a small commission.
The Best Magazines For Kids
Ranger Rick
1. Ranger Rick Cub
Ages 1 to 4 year old’s
Give your little ones their first experience with animals with Ranger Rick’s Cub: A First Look At Animals. This magazine is filled with colorful and bright pictures of animals. The simple text keeps children engaged and makes them easy to read with even the youngest children.
2. Ranger Rick Jr
Ages 4 to 7 year old’s
Perfect for preschoolers, Ranger Rick Jr kids’ magazine helps kids learn fun facts about animals through animal tales and interactive content. Emerging readers will gain confidence reading this kids magazine geared at their level.
3. Ranger Rick
Ages 7+
Older readers will find that Ranger Rick provides a more in-depth look at animals and includes more challenging activities such as puzzles and riddles.
Zoobooks
5. Zoobooks
Ages 7+
Each issue of Zoobooks highlights a specific animal. Kids will learn all about the animal, including characteristics, physical appearance, habitat, and more.
6. ZooDinos
Ages 5+
Older readers will find that Ranger Rick provides a more in-depth look at animals and includes more challenging activities such as puzzles and riddles.
Highlights
These offerings are fun and educational. They often include science experiments, games, and stories that are ideal even for reluctant readers. There is even a bilingual (Spanish) offering! Highlights offers magazine subscriptions for youngsters as little as six months up to three years depending on your situation.
7. Hello
Ages 0 to 2 year’s old
This kids magazine is perfect for infants and young toddlers: the pages wipe clean and cannot be torn. Each issue has a theme that kids will love and includes illustrations as well as color photographs.
8. High Five
Ages 2 to 6 years old
Because this magazine is designed and written by experts in early childhood education, you know it is going to have relevant and age-appropriate content. There are stories and fun activities like hidden picture games and crafts.
7. High Five Bilingüe
Ages 2 to 6 year old’s
Similar content to the High Five magazine, in bilingual English-Spanish magazines. If you are not a Spanish speaker, you can learn the language alongside your child!
8. Highlights
Ages 6 to 12 year old’s
A classic, Highlights magazine has been entertaining young children for years. Not only do children enjoy reading the stories and completing the puzzles, they are also learning valuable lessons. They will learn about different cultures through stories and consider right and wrong behaviors through a monthly comic strip.
National Geographic
This is the kid-friendly offering of National Geographic. This magazine for kids covers a variety of educational topics including science and history, current events, and cool new technology.
9. National Geographic Little Kids
Ages 3-6 year old’s
Introduce young learners to their world with the interactive offering from National Geographic. It also includes fun learning puzzles and games.
10. National Geographic Kids
Ages 6 +
Appropriate for elementary school children, the “Kids” magazine contains cool facts and articles that are relevant to a child’s life. This is a great magazine for 6 year old’s and above.
Cricket
Another educational magazine for kids of all ages. This magazine covers a wide variety of subjects from science and history to literature. Find the magazine offering that most fits your child. Cricket offers the most variety in magazine options for kids on this list.
12. Babybug
Ages 0 – 3 years old
Designed to inspire a love of reading in the youngest children, Babybug magazine is designed to appeal to children with the lovely illustrations and engaging content. The last page will be of particular interest to parents and caregivers, as it provides tips and advice for reading with your child.
Related post → Some kids devour their magazines and prefer to move on to new reading material rather than re-read multiple times. So what do you do with all those magazines? Do some fun magazine art!
18. Cobblestone
Ages 9 – 14 years old
A magazine that helps make history come alive through its pages, Cobblestone focuses on American history from the 1600s to the present. It contains true facts about famous Americans as well as information about how Americans lived in the past.
More Children’s Magazines
19. The Week Junior
Ages : Tweens
A magazine for tweens, “The Week Junior” focuses on current events all around the world. It is a perfect kid-friendly way to keep your child involved in the goings-on around the world while keeping the content appropriate. There is something for every kid from nature stories to inspire people around the globe.
20. Girls’ World
Ages 6 – 12 year old’s
Aimed at tween girls, and appropriate for ages 6-12, Girls’ World is considered a celebrity lifestyle magazine. Young girls will appreciate the content which ranges from advice, celebrity interviews, recipes, and craft ideas. The variety of topics will appeal to all sorts of kids and are completely kid-friendly.
21. Jack and Jill
Ages 6 – 12
An award-winning selection, Jack and Jill magazine provides engaging and educational content for children ages 6 to 12. The magazine includes a wide range of topics and showcases educational content through high-interest stories and comics as well as age-appropriate games. Kids will also love the opportunity to submit their own drawings, stories, and other creative pieces for the possibility of being published.
22. Sports Illustrated Kids
Ages 9-14 year old’s
Perfect for the sports-lover, this great magazine contains tons of content related to sports and athletics. Each issue contains up-to-date sports content and news, as well as biographical pieces on favorite athletes. This magazine is perfect for older elementary through teen-aged kids, ages 9 to 14.
23. Honest History
Ages 6 – 12
Honest history brings stories from the past into each issue with beautiful designs and illustrations. Each issue aims to entertain and educate. young historians through stories, facts, DIY’s, and activities.
Free Magazines for Kids
The subscription-based offerings listed above are fantastic, and you know you will get your money’s worth with any of these choices. Sometimes though, the budget doesn’t allow for multiple magazine subscriptions or any at all. Don’t worry, there are some great free options for you to check out.
While there aren’t any free subscription-based print magazines out there, a great resource is your public library. You can check out current issues of a huge assortment of magazines at the library.
PETA Kids offers one free print magazine for kids, “The Kids’ Guide to Helping Animals.” Children will read all about helping animals in different ways.
Though it is not a magazine, the National Geographic Kids website contains a lot of high-quality content. You can even find some of the articles from the most recent issue of the magazine on the site.
Four times a year, kids ages 5 through 9 can receive a free issue of LEGO Life Magazine! Perfect for kids who love building with LEGOs and are always looking for inspiration.
Check out the “Kid Reporter” section of the Sports Illustrated Kids website. There your reader will find sports-themed articles written by kids.
Scholastic News offers its nonfiction magazines free on their website. You’ll find content appropriate for 1st through 6th grade.
There are so many magazines for kids out there for everyone. Whether your child is a sports-lover, obsessed with dinosaurs, or loves to get lost in a story, you will find something to fit their preferences on this list!
Are you looking for more monthly subscription ideas for your children? Check out our list of the Best Subscription Boxes for Kids! You’re bound to find something to compliment your monthly magazine subscription.
