Best Educational Magazines for Kids
Best Educational Magazines for Kids
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In a world dominated by screens, a physical magazine arriving in the mail with a child’s name on it still carries a special magic. Educational magazines for children combine the tactile pleasure of print with curated, age-appropriate content that informs and inspires. They build reading habits, expose children to topics they might never search for online, and provide screen-free learning experiences. Many now include digital companions with videos and interactive content. We reviewed the top educational magazines to help you find the perfect subscription for your child.
How We Evaluated
Each magazine was reviewed across multiple issues, with children and parents providing feedback. We scored on five criteria:
- Content quality — Is the writing engaging, accurate, and age-appropriate?
- Educational value — Does each issue teach children something substantive?
- Visual appeal — Are the photos, illustrations, and design compelling enough to draw children in?
- Reading level match — Does the magazine hit the right reading level for its target audience?
- Value — Does the subscription price reflect the quality and quantity of content?
Top Picks
| Product/App | Age Range | Price | Our Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Geographic Kids | 6-14 | $19.95/yr | 4.9 / 5 | Best overall science |
| Highlights | 6-12 | $39.99/yr | 4.7 / 5 | Best general enrichment |
| Ask Magazine | 7-10 | $33.95/yr | 4.8 / 5 | Best science and curiosity |
| Ranger Rick | 7-12 | $24.95/yr | 4.7 / 5 | Best nature and wildlife |
| Cricket Magazine | 9-14 | $33.95/yr | 4.6 / 5 | Best literature and storytelling |
National Geographic Kids — Best Overall Science
National Geographic Kids delivers the same stunning photography and compelling storytelling that makes the adult version iconic, calibrated for young readers. Each issue covers animals, science, geography, and culture with feature articles, photo galleries, fun facts, and activities. The writing is clear and engaging, presenting complex topics like climate science and animal migration at a level children can understand.
The digital companion includes videos, quizzes, and interactive features that extend each issue. The magazine also regularly features kid contributors and young scientists, which inspires children to see themselves as part of the scientific community.
Why parents love it: The photography alone makes each issue worth keeping. Children develop a broad understanding of the natural world and current science. The magazine encourages reading nonfiction, which many children avoid. Excellent value at under $20 per year.
Limitation: The content skews toward natural science and geography. Children interested in technology, engineering, or math will find less coverage of those topics.
Highlights — Best General Enrichment
Highlights has been a staple of children’s publishing for over 75 years, and the current magazine maintains its quality. Each issue combines fiction stories, nonfiction articles, puzzles, craft ideas, and the iconic Hidden Pictures. The content covers a wide range of topics — science, history, social skills, and creative expression.
The magazine comes in three age-specific versions: Hello (ages 0-2), High Five (ages 2-6), and the original Highlights (ages 6-12). This range means families can start a subscription early and maintain it through elementary school.
Why parents love it: The variety ensures every child finds something engaging in each issue. The puzzles build critical thinking. The stories promote positive values. Highlights is a trusted brand that consistently delivers quality.
Limitation: The breadth means no single topic is covered deeply. Children with strong specific interests may prefer a subject-focused magazine.
Ask Magazine — Best Science and Curiosity
Ask Magazine (published by Cricket Media) is designed specifically for curious children aged 7 to 10. Each issue explores a single theme in depth — previous topics have included volcanoes, the ocean floor, animal intelligence, and space exploration. The deep-dive format teaches children how to think about a topic from multiple angles.
Why parents love it: The single-topic format produces genuine expertise. Children finish each issue knowing a subject well rather than skimming multiple topics superficially. The writing treats young readers as intelligent and capable.
Limitation: If the month’s topic does not interest the child, the entire issue may go unread. The narrow age range means children age out relatively quickly.
Ranger Rick — Best Nature and Wildlife
Ranger Rick, published by the National Wildlife Federation, focuses exclusively on animals and nature. Each issue features wildlife photography, animal profiles, habitat explorations, and outdoor activity ideas. The writing emphasizes conservation and environmental stewardship alongside animal facts.
Why parents love it: Children who love animals are captivated by every issue. The conservation message is woven naturally into engaging content. The outdoor activity suggestions get children outside.
Limitation: The narrow focus on wildlife means children interested in technology, space, or math will need a second subscription.
Cricket Magazine — Best Literature and Storytelling
Cricket Magazine publishes high-quality fiction, poetry, and nonfiction for children aged 9 to 14. Each issue includes stories by published children’s authors, illustrations by notable artists, and writing prompts that encourage creative expression. The literary quality is consistently high.
Why parents love it: Cricket develops a love of reading and writing that extends beyond the magazine. Children who read Cricket regularly show improved vocabulary and writing skills. The writing contests motivate aspiring young authors.
Limitation: The literary focus means less emphasis on STEM topics. Best paired with a science-focused publication.
What to Look For
When choosing an educational magazine, start with your child’s interests and reading level. A child who loves animals will devour Ranger Rick or National Geographic Kids. A voracious reader will appreciate Cricket’s literary quality. A broadly curious child will enjoy Highlights or Ask.
Consider how your child engages with print. Some children read cover to cover immediately. Others browse over days or weeks. Both approaches are valid. The key is regular exposure to quality content that builds reading habits and expands knowledge.
Magazine subscriptions also make excellent gifts that deliver value throughout the year. Pair a magazine subscription with dedicated reading time for maximum impact. For digital learning resources, see our guide to screen time rules by age.
Key Takeaways
- National Geographic Kids offers the best combination of photography, science content, and value
- Highlights provides the broadest range of content for general enrichment
- Single-topic magazines like Ask build deeper understanding than multi-topic publications
- Print magazines provide valuable screen-free learning experiences
- Match the magazine to your child’s specific interests for best engagement
Next Steps
- Review our screen time rules by age to balance digital and print learning
- Explore best STEM toys by age for hands-on activities that complement magazine learning
- Check our online safety for kids guide for managing the digital companions that many magazines now include