Guide to the Best Magazines for Children

Boys or girls it doesn't matter, Highlights High Five is the newest in the popular "Highlights" magazine series. Children from pre-k through elementary aged can find something fun, creative, educational, and interesting to do in this monthly magazine.  You definitely get your "money's worth"  with the magazine subscription that may have up to 40 pages of read along, sing along, and move along activities. But children also learn lessons of kindness and caring, playing well with others, and even taking care of the environment.  Best of all - Highlights High Five is ad free so mom and dad don't have to hear, "Can I have THAT!" with every turn of the page, but hear instead, "Can I do that!?"

Ranger Rick, designed for children ages 7 and up is a monthly magazine which features the great outdoors and nature.  It is jam packed with outdoor adventures, stories to read, and really amazing photos.  It has also received  a Parent's Choice Gold Award.  It is also ad-free and because it is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation it's printed on paper certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council as having come from trees harvested from responsibly managed forests.

National Geographic for Kids is for children ages 6-14 and it offers young readers information, activities and entertainment on a variety of topics including science, technology, animals, and different cultures. But it's not just educational, it's entertaining and children will spend hours either reading the articles or doing any one of the many "fun stuff" games, puzzles, and comics.

American Girl Magazine is made especially for girls ages 8 and up. Instead of our tweens and teens heading straight for "Seventeen" magazine, this one actually offers age appropriate advice, crafts, games, puzzles and even a contest or two. There are also articles on dealing with friends, peer pressure, bullying, and other important tweenager topics.  American Girl Magazine may be considered by some parents to be expensive, but there is no advertising, other than those for American Girl products.  This means no 10 year old wondering about their body image and a 9 year old asking about wearing make up.

Sports Illustrated for Kids, isn't just for the guys, like the grown up version. It is a monthly magazine subscription for kids ages 8-14 and offers readers articles about a variety of different sports teams and players, all at different levels from college to professional. In the Sports Illustrated for Kids Magazine, articles try to stress postive role models, preformance tips, advice on sportsmanship, as well as photographs of the sports heroes our children love.  I have even seen an adult or two enjoying their child's magazine (making sure it is age appropriate of course!). 

No matter what the age of your child, there are monthly magazine subscriptions available that can help them with everything from academics to sports as well as pursing their interests on a variety of topics in between.  Magazines offer a wild range of opportunities, information and activities all in one place for children to enjoy and with these best of magazines for children, they will never get bored.