Convincing your kids to read can sometimes be a major pain in the neck (and the wallet). But buying books isn’t the only way to get your children to love literature. You can always check out the 5 best magazines for kids.
The 5 best magazines for kids
Deep down, your kids actually love to explore stories and ideas through words. They just might not know it yet because you haven’t found the right inspiration. Since it’s your duty to make them healthy, happy, and intelligent, do your homework too. That means researching different kids’ mags until you find one that fits.
These are your five most realistic options, especially for the kids who don’t like to read those boring books:
- National Geographic Kids – This one features brilliant photos and stories of nature, animals, and humans.
- Highlights Magazine – It’s a colorful, interactive magalog for kids of all ages (and it’s one of the most popular around too).
- The Week Junior – It’s full of fascinating current events for kids between the ages of 8 and 14.
- Kind News/RedRover – This is a more interactive version of National Geographic Kids for parents and educators.
- Weekly Reader – It can be used in schools and at home, with dozens of topical mags to choose from.
Keep in mind that subscription fees don’t always account for an entire year. So, read the fine print to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Most of the time, you can save money if you buy in bulk.
TIP: You could always introduce your kids to some old classics like Boys’ Life or Girls’ Life Magazines. Both offer gender-specific content at age-appropriate reading levels, with games and activities to keep them engaged.
Encouraging your children to read magazines
Not all kids are born loving to read. Sometimes, teaching them to enjoy it becomes a parent or teacher’s task. So, those parents and teachers usually pick out popular children’s magazines that have the following features:
- Colorful Pages – because that’s what helps prevent your kids from wanting more screen time.
- Interactive Games – because children will move on to something more exciting if it’s not.
- Age-Appropriate Relevance – because handing them old-school mags probably won’t end well.
You can also make magazine reading time a part of their daily chores, or even integrate it into their homeschool curriculum. Always offer a prize when they get done answering simple questions about the material. Then, slowly ween them from the prize by trading it for gratification from learning.
Tips for subscribing to the best magazines for kids
Paying for a subscription is probably less expensive than buying one issue at a time. However, there might be a large upfront cost and that could be dangerous when dealing with a kid who hates to read. So, before you subscribe, make sure your kid is actually enjoying the magazine.
Once you’ve both made up your minds, see if you find any discounts. Many times, your child’s school will provide coupon codes for certain publications. The school then gets points toward various prizes every time a parent uses that code. If you can, save some money by giving credit where it’s due.
