One of my favourite past times as a kid was receiving my monthly kids magazine subscription. I looked forward to it arriving and, once it was in my hot little hands, would quickly rip out the poster in the middle and add it to my wall before pouring over the information inside.
Why a Magazine Subscription for Kids?
Table of Contents
Magazines are a great literacy activity for kids. Magazines for children, tweens and teens, including comics and newspapers for children, whilst not books in the true sense, offer another access point to the joy of reading.
A magazine subscription for kids is also a great birthday, Christmas or special occasion gift idea that they can enjoy throughout the year.
Which Magazine Subscription is best for YOUR child?
But which magazine should you grab for your child? We have rounded up around 30 different magazine subscriptions from Australia, America and the UK to find quality magazines (that means limited glaring adverts and licensed characters) that we ourselves would be happy for our kids to read.
Please note that we have included some affiliate links.
The Best Magazine Subscriptions for Kids, Tweens and Teens
Magazines Subscriptions for Children Aged 2-6
The following kid’s magazines are suited to preschool children, although I suggest they are something you read along with them. We’ve included some news magazines for kids, along with STEM and some just for fun.
National Geographic Little Kids Magazine
An innovative new magazine full of learning and fun for today’s preschoolers and their parents! Bursting with lively photographs, engaging stories, and interactive picture games, each issue supplies you with fresh and imaginative teaching tools created by noted educators at National Geographic.
Ages 3 – 6 Subscribe to National Geographic Little Kids via isubscribe
StoryBox Magazine
This award-winning magazine combines fiction and fun in a unique way. In every issue, children and parents can enjoy a story, science questions with clear pictures and explanations, pictures stories, animal world with beautiful illustrations, games and fun activities. Made in the UK.
Ages 3-6 years
Subscribe to StoryBox Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe
Chirp Magazine
Made for little hands and growing minds, the colourful pages, silly jokes, engaging stories, and early-learning activities in Chirp inspire young children to make their first attempts at reading, writing, and creating with age-appropriate content that gives youngsters confidence.
Ages: 3 to 6
Subscribe to Chirp Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe
Grilled Cheese Magazine
Grilled Cheese is a triennial kids magazine entirely produced and printed in Montreal, and as such, it’s in both English and French. Great for kids practising either French or English.
Each issue has a great retro feel thanks to its two colour aesthetic printed by risograph, a process that layers transparent inks to create a range of shades. This printing style gives each magazine it’s own unique style and texture. After printing each issue is then assembled, bound and cut by hand, thinking of the little readers who will read them.
Ages 2 to 4 and 5 to 10
Click here for Grilled Cheese subscriptions
DOT Magazine
DOT Magazine is a quarterly print magazine which is ad-free. DOT encompasses all aspects of a child’s life, from jumping in puddles to learning through play. It encourages kids to be resourceful and find solutions using all the tools they naturally have at their disposition: imagination, creativity and fun. Made in the UK.
Ages 5 years and underClick here to read more about DOT magazine.
Magazines Subscriptions for Children Aged 6 – 12
The following magazines for kids are suited to the 6 – 12 age bracket. We’ve gathered together an eclectic magazine subscription list that will suit a wide range of kids. You may even like to look at our tween and teen mag subscription list which may be suitable too.
The IN Kids Magazine
Introducing theINmag: Empowering Australia’s Youth to Create, Share, and Learn Together!
Step into the vibrant world of theINmag, a nation-wide magazine crafted entirely by kids, for kids! The magazine’s mission is clear: to provide a genuine platform for young minds to display their exceptional creations and talents.
Delight in our thoughtfully curated content, designed to align with the curriculum while infusing learning with fun and excitement. The editors believe in empowering kids and fostering an environment of shared learning that supports both parents and teachers.
All ages.
Click here to read about the In Kids Magazine.
National Geographic Kids Magazine
First printed in 1975, National Geographic Kids Magazine is packed with animals, entertainment, science, technology, current events, cultures from around the world and much more.
Ages 6+
Subscribe to National Geographic Little Kids via isubscribe
Youkie (previously Kookie)
What I love about this magazine is that it is free from advertising, fast fashion and makeup. It is the type of magazine that I would like to see more girls subscribing to each month. Youkie features great interviews, profiles of pioneering women in history, craft, adventure and activism, poster and more. It is the thinking tweens magazine!
Ages 7 – 12 years. Written for girls, by girls.Head to Youkie Magazine for their subscription details.
AQUILA Magazine
Every single issue features gorgeous artwork on the cover. AQUILA is the ultimate intelligent read for curious kids! Science, History & General knowledge are blended into absorbing articles in a beautifully illustrated publication that pops through the letterbox every month. The magazine challenges and stimulates children to realise their unique potential beyond the classroom.
Every monthly issue of AQUILA has a new topic and is a fresh opportunity for children to fall in love with learning. It is UK based but delivers to Australia.
Ages 8+
Head to AQUILA magazine for their subscription details.
LEGO Life Magazine
LEGO Life Magazine is a free magazine for children aged 5 to 9 years. Each issue is packed full of LEGO news and behind the bricks interviews, comic adventures, games, puzzles, building challenges and Cool Creations created by fans. It also includes sneak peeks of upcoming releases.
Ages 5 and 9
Head to LEGO Life Magazine to subscribe.
Double Helix
This is the CSIRO’s science magazine for kids. Packed full of stories and things to make and do, Double Helix promotes critical thinking, strengthens literacy skills and fosters an interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Double Helix comes out eight times per year (approximately every six weeks).
Ages 8 to 14 years.
You can subscribe to Double Helix directly here or via isubscribe.
HorseWyse Magazine
HorseWyse is a proud independently Australian-owned, family business with a strong focus on young rider education, safety and FUN! It is published four times a year with each issue featuring articles, fun stuff activities, Totally Horses Club, competitions, funny photos, reader letters and photos, Hall of Fame, Superstars, ‘how to’ columns, super-sized POSTERS, horsing around and more.
Ages 6-18 years
You can subscribe to HorseWyse Magazine via isubscribe.
Poppy for Real Magazine
Poppy for Real magazine is full of fun and true, absorbing content, delivered monthly by subscription only – and no ads. Poppy for real is for kids who are into dancing, lip gloss and crop tops, as well as pets, sport and fun.
Ages 8 to 10 You can subscribe to Poppy for Real Magazine via isubscribe.
Wacky But True Magazine
There are NO ADS, just quality information about this wacky world of ours. The kids love it! Short, informative articles on history, archaeology and nature educate the kids without them realising it! You will be surprised at how much they learn.
Ages 8 – 15
You can subscribe to Whacky But True Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe.
Anorak Magazine
Anorak Magazine, the ‘happy mag for kids’ for boys and girls. Published four times a year, every issue has a theme to inspire and encourage kids to tap into their natural creativity and learn while having fun. Every edition has plenty of beautifully illustrated stories, games and activities to keep your little ones’ creative cells buzzing!
Ages 6 – 12 years
Click here to read more about Anorak Magazine
ChickaDEE Magazine
Every month, the Chickadee team creates a package of interactive stories, puzzles, animal features, and science experiments to educate and entertain readers.
Right from the first page, the magazine’s title characters Chick and Dee greet the reader with learning and laughs. You Asked? column fosters kids’ intellectual curiosity while promoting real engagement with magazine editors. Brain-teasing puzzles, fun animal facts, unique crafts, simple science experiments, and rich, engaging fiction round out Chickadee’s pages, providing hours of enjoyment, whether read alone or with the help of an adult.
Ages: 6 to 9
Subscription for Chickadee Magazine is via Booktopia or isubscribe.
AdventureBox Magazine
The magazine that gets kids hooked on reading! Every issue includes a 4-page illustrated story, divided into manageable chapters for newly independent readers; a chat with the creators, to go further and understand more about the author and illustrators creative process; a hilarious 8-page graphic story with funny and mischievous characters who take readers on a variety of adventures; plus, comics, quizzes and more.
Age: 6 – 9
Subscribe to AdventureBox Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe.
DiscoveryBox Magazine
A journey of discovery through nature, science and history. In every issue, enjoy animals and nature, with spectacular photographs; fascinating scientific topics, with clear explanations and experiments to carry out; historical events, presented in a lively and informative way and, do-it-yourself activities, linked to the topics of the month, as well as comic-strips, games, quizzes…
Age: 9 -12
Subscribe to DiscoveryBox Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe.
Kazoo Magazine
Kazoo is an award-winning, ad-free, indie magazine for girls that celebrates them for being strong, smart, fierce and true to themselves. It’s published quarterly in Brooklyn, New York and is sold all around the world.
Age: 5 – 12
Click here to read Kazoo Magazine.
Illustoria Magazine
llustoria is a print magazine for creative kids & their grownups. We celebrate visual storytelling, makers and DIY culture through stories, art, comics, interviews, crafts and activities. Illustoria is the official publication of the International Alliance of Youth Writing Centers, publishing writing and art by young people alongside accomplished professionals.
Age 6 – 12
Click here to read more about Illustoria.
KIT
In our fast-paced modern world of computer screens and smartphones, social media, and daily pressure to do more and be more, teens can easily feel overwhelmed. Created with teen boys in mind, KIT is a motivating adventure-focused magazine and personal development guide designed to give teens of ages 9 to 16+ the inspiration, strength, courage and confidence to face daily challenges, take control of their lives and change the world.
Ages 9 – 16
Click here to read more about KIT Magazine
Magazines Subscriptions for Tweens and Teens
Tweens and teens tend to love magazines but I am loath to subscribe to issues that provide my daughter and son with unrealistic body image concepts and are jammed full of marketing. As such, the magazine subscriptions I have gathered together here are free of this as much as possible.
Double Helix Magazine
This is the CSIRO’s science magazine for kids. Packed full of stories and things to make and do, Double Helix promotes critical thinking, strengthens literacy skills and fosters an interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Double Helix comes out eight times per year (approximately every six weeks).
Ages 8 to 14 years.
You can subscribe to Double Helix directly here or via isubscribe.
Teen Breathe Magazine
Teen Breathe promotes mindfulness as the basis of a happier, healthier, more authentic life. While other teen titles are pushing the need to stay up to date with the latest fashion trends, the newest beauty fads, or which celebrities are dating, Teen Breathe inspires its readers to be mindful in everything that they do – from mindful movement, friendship, healthy eating, crafting, positive thinking, caring for the environment, and everything in between.
You can subscribe to Teen Breathe Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe.
AdventureBox Max Magazine
AdventureBox Max takes its readers by the hand to venture onto more sophisticated plot lines. For readers of AdventureBox, this magazine is a natural progression into longer, more challenging stories. Paired with stimulating and interesting tidbits of trivia, your child will also build their repertoire of general knowledge to discuss with friends and family.
Ages: 9 – 12
Subscribe to AdventureBox Max Magazine via Isubscribe or Booktopia
OWL Magazine
OWL inspires kids to learn and discover through articles, puzzles and quizzes, infographics, interviews and more to highlight the elements of science and tech, engineering, art and math. Unusual for its intended age group, OWL is loved by both girls and boys, identifying the core of what really matters to 9- to 13-year-olds and relaying it with signature honesty, intelligence, and humour. Made in Canada
Age 9 – 13
Subscribe to OWL Magazine via Booktopia or isubscribe
Wonder Magazine
Wonder is an Australian publication that empowers pre-teen children through creativity, science, adventure, craft projects, reader contributions and more… For Tweens
Click here to read more about Wonder Magazine.
The Week Junior Magazine
The Week Junior is designed and written by experts to carefully explain current affairs, science, sport, the arts, nature and technology to 8 to 14 year olds, encouraging them to explore their world and develop their own opinions. It brings core curriculum topics to life in a way that makes learning fun.
Age: 8 – 14
Subscribe to The Week Junior Magazine via isubscribe.
KIT Magazine Magazine
In our fast-paced modern world of computer screens and smartphones, social media, and daily pressure to do more and be more, teens can easily feel overwhelmed. Created with teen boys in mind, KIT is a motivating adventure-focused magazine and personal development guide designed to give teens of ages 9 to 16+ the inspiration, strength, courage and confidence to face daily challenges, take control of their lives and change the world.
Ages 9 – 16
Click to read about KIT Magazine.
Magazines Subscriptions for All Ages
Crikey Magazine
The world’s WILDEST magazine is packed with exclusive content from everyone’s favourite Wildlife Warriors, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin! Keep up-to-date with what’s going on at Australia Zoo, get a sneak peek at the patients of the world’s busiest wildlife hospital and expand your knowledge with conservation and research news from the field.
All ages
Click here to read about Crikey Magazine.
Big Kids Magazine
Big Kids Magazine seeks to ensure meaningful art experiences are accessible to all kids everywhere. It is is an Australian contemporary arts magazine that provides an immersive, interactive and imaginative arts experience for children of all ages. As well as publishing the work of children and artists side by side each magazine is printed on high quality draw-ready paper and includes The Child Artist Response Project, A FREE pull out print plus creative projects, activities and ideas.
All ages.
Click here to read about Big Kids Magazine.
Magazines that are largely advertising
Just Kidding | Little Angel | Total Girl | K-Zone | KRASH
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More Subscription Ideas
Looking for more subscription ideas? Make sure to check out our Subscription Boxes for kids. These are perfect gift ideas or just something for fun.
Don’t forget to check our Sydney Annual Family Passes roundup if you are looking for a gift that will have the entire family out and about