These interesting magazines and newspapers for children are ideal to get youngsters to turn off the TV and computer, and get interested about the world around them. They can read these publications in the garden or in the bedroom (for hours of fun on rainy days). And these magazines are not packed with ads, or sold with plastic toys. So whether you have a little swotter or more of a creative little bean, your little one will love these. Subscribe online, for savings.
For creative projects: find nontoxic art materials at Natural Earth Paints & Veggie Baby (crayons are choking hazards). Coccoina is a nontoxic glue (avoid tin version, made with boar bristle hair). All glue is toxic to pets.
- Aquila Magazine is a magazine for curious & creative children, packed with science, history and puzzles. Articles in a sample issue: a trip to the Amazon to meet pink rover dolphins, learning the science of rubber, a well-travelled bear from Darkest Peru – and ant maths!
- Anorak is a nice magazine, aiming to raise happy children. Each edition is printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks and covers a different theme: kindness, mountains, birds, love, corals etc. Published 4 times a year, for children age 6 to 12.
- National Geographic Kids is the child’s version of this popular magazine on nature and wildlife, with profits helping to support their valuable work around the world. Subscription includes a large poster (plastic-free) and school subscriptions.
- Kookie is an award-winning magazine from two mothers (one in England, one in Australia) empower pre-teen girls. Free from ads, beauty or fashion – find interviews, debate, challenges and puzzles.
- Scoop is a feast of words and pictures for children over 7, who want to make a difference (the current guest editor is from The Big Issue). This educates through passion and curiosity, rather than the national curriculum. Packed with painting, poetry & writing.
- Brilliant Brainz is a magazine for the bookish child, covering science, nature and philosophy. Aimed at children 6 to 12, this is ideal for home educators, with all info by teaching experts.
- Eco Kids Planet is a magazine for children 7 to 11. There are resource packs about tropical rainforests, underwater worlds and how to say goodbye to plastic. 20% discount for annual school subscriptions.
- The Caterpillar is a beautiful magazine of poetry, short stories and art, for children 7 to 11. Published 4 times a year, this was founded by writers and artists, and has its own poetry competition.
Magazines for Younger Children
- DOT (under 5s) is by the same publisher as Anorak (above), also on recycled paper with vegetable inks. Each edition covers a theme: colours, shapes, numbers, sea, woodlands, food, friends, seasons etc.
- Kazoo is a magazine of fun, peace and friendship. For children age 5 to 12, this was the most successful ever journalistic crowdfunding project. Find science, art, interviews with inspiring women and fun. Printed in Vermont on recycled paper, sample issues include: draw a cat, learn about birds, a journey under the sea, the science of flight, a journey to Brazil and how to do ballet.
Children’s Newspapers
- First News is a fun weekly newspaper that informs, without giving children a breakdown. The founder also wrote a nice book How to Make a Better World. There are free online resources for schools.
- The Week Junior is a child’s edition of the popular newspaper that informs, ‘without all the boring bits’. Try 6 issues free, then find intelligent and balanced articles, delivered plastic-free. You can take out a joint subscription with its sister publication Science & Nature, ideal for little boffins.
