Every kid I know loves receiving real-life mail in the post! So for a gift that keeps on giving how about signing up for kids magazine subscriptions? You also often save money compared to the newsstand price as well.
Here’s my roundup of the best children’s magazines and teen magazines and even magazines for preschoolers.
These publications feature high-quality content, not too much ‘branded’ content or advertising and make for interesting reading, even for adults!
MagazineS subscriptions for Kids
1. LEGO Life Magazine
The LEGO® Life Magazine are kids magazines that are free! It is aimed for 5 to 9-year-olds and it is delivered to your door, addressed to your child, four times per year. Even shipping is free!
Each LEGO Life Magazine issue contains comics, activities, posters, inspiration and instructions to make your own LEGO creations and photographs and drawings of creations submitted by subscribers (parental permission required with each submission).
If you can’t wait for the first issue to arrive in the mail, you can access previous issues digitally on the LEGO Life Magazine Archive.
Subscribe to LEGO Life Magazine
Related Posts: LEGO Super Mario review, LEGOland Melbourne review and Melbourne’s first dedicated LEGO shop
2. Double Helix Magazine
Double Helix probably the most well-known science magazines for kids aged 8-14 years. The kids science magazine by CSIRO has been around since I was a kid (with a brief break) and I even remember winning a competition once from the magazine!
Every Double Helix issue covers interesting facts and stories about science, technology, engineering and maths. There are also puzzles, competitions and things to make. Note it does not come with the free gifts available in newsstand copies.
Double Helix is published 8 times a year. A subscription to Double Helix can be for 6, 12 month or 24 months.
Subscribe to Double Helix on Magshop or on isubscribe
3. Kookie
A friend with a tween girl recommended Kookie to me and it’s great! It’s an Australian/UK co-produced girls magazine as it contains girl-led content for kids age 7 to 12 years (though boys may enjoy it just as much).
The magazine contains profiles of female role models, original fiction and comics as well as features on everything from adventure and activism to science and sleepovers, plus craft, debate, books, pets, problems, puzzles and loads more. The magazine is 100% ad-free, hence the higher-than-standard magazine cover price.
Kookie won Mumbrella’s Consumer Publication of the Year (Small Publisher) in 2019.
Kookie is published 4 times a year. A subscription to Kookie can be for 6 months (2 issues) or 12 months (4 months).
4. Poppy For Real
Poppy For Real is a tween girl magazine for kids age 8-11 years.
There are NO ADS, just quality information and short, informative articles on history, archaeology and nature.
Poppy For Real is published 11 times a year. A subscription to Poppy For Real is for 12 months.
Subscribe to Poppy For Real on Magshop or on isubscribe
5. Owl
Since 1976, OWL has ignited the curiosities of kids ages 9 to 13. OWL continues to give children access to new information in a fun, age-appropriate and engaging way.
OWL highlights elements of science, technology, engineering, art, and math to encourage kids to discover, explore, engage, and inspire. 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 a signature honesty, intelligence, and humour.
The publisher of OWL also produces the magazine ChickaDEE for kids 6-9 years and Chirp for kids 3-6 years.
Owl is published every monthly. A subscription to Owl is for 12 months (10 issues).
Subscribe to Owl on Magshop or on isubscribe
Subscribe to ChickaDEE on Magshop or on isubscribe
Subscribe to Chirp on Magshop or on isubscribe
6. AdventureBox and AdventureBox Max
From the publishers of Storybox come AdventureBox and AdventureBox Max – educational, award-winning childrens magazines for the next age groups – 6-9 year olds and 9-12 year old. While its not strictly marked as a boys magazine it does tend to appeal to boys more than girls.
AdventureBox includes a multi-chapter story featuring action, suspense, drama and humour with exciting illustrations for newly independent readers, natural science, games, quizzes, jokes and Zak Jinks: a hilarious comic strip about a boy who always has a plan to handle the situation.
For readers of AdventureBox, AdventureBox Max 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.
AdventureBox and AdventureBox Max are published every month. A subscription to AdventureBox and AdventureBox Max is for 12 months (10 issues).
Subscribe to AdventureBox on Magshop or on isubscribe
Subscribe to AdventureBox Max on Magshop or on isubscribe
7. Crikey Magazine
Crikey! Magazine is an action-packed, conservation-focused, fun magazine for all ages produced by Australia Zoo and the Irwin family.
The quarterly magazine is full of great wildlife photos, posters, stories on saving our planet’s beautiful animals, Australia Zoo updates, animal profiles and exclusive editorial by Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin. Also, a Free Child Pass to Australia Zoo is included in every copy!
Crikey! is published every 3 months. A subscription to Crikey is for 12 months (4 issues).
8. The Week Junior
The Week Junior is a UK-based current affairs magazine for 8–14 year olds. It’s delivered weekly and is filled with fascinating stories and information, written to engage curious minds.
Read by over 75,000 families every week, The Week Junior helps children make sense of the world, provides context and clarity to complex issues, improves general knowledge and encourages discussion and debate.
As the tagline says, it helps kids ‘make sense of the world’ and you get the first 6 mags free!
I asked Lady AB to tell me about 3 things she learnt from the first issue and she said: ‘There was a Hiroshima memorial service, a COVID medical breakthrough & McVities announced that chocolate digestives are meant to be eaten chocolate side down!’
While the content is UK-based The Week Junior is delivered worldwide. Subscribe with 6 issues free. You can also bundle your annual subscription with quarterly issues of Science + Nature.
9. Wonder
Wonder is an Australian magazine for girls that empowers pre-teen girls from 7+ years to be creative, brave, kind and to inspire them to think about who they are and what they could be.
Advertisements in Wonder are selective and minimal with a focus on artists and brands that are ethical, age-appropriate and Australian made.
Wonder Magazine is published quarterly, with each issue inspired by the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. Each issue covers role models, adventure, science, reader contributions, recipes, craft, beauty, DIY and more.
10. HistoriCool
HistoriCool is an Australian website and magazine that aims to make history cool for kids.
While you can no longer subscribe to HistoriCool you can still purchase past issues, books and digital resources.
Purchase back issues of HistoriCool
11. Kazoo
Kazoo is a quarterly ad-free print magazine for girls aged 5 to 12—one that celebrates them for being strong, smart, fierce and, above all, true to themselves. I like how they address the question ‘Can Boys read Kazoo too?’
‘Of course! We’d love it, and they’d probably love it, too. After all, there’s no such thing as say, girls’ science and boys’ science, or girls’ art and boys’ art. Science is science and art is art, of course. But here’s the thing: Most media that cover similar topics use boys as the default target audience, while girls are left with the burden of just “putting themselves in the story.” Or, if they do feature an active girl—one who practices science, runs fast, rides horses, etc—she’s often hailed as the exception to the rule, as in, “See? Girls don’t have to be ‘so girly.’ They can be powerful, too.” While we think these stories are well-intentioned, they often have the opposite effect of reinforcing stereotypes, rather than breaking them. Little girls don’t think that, by being their already powerful selves, they’re breaking any stereotypes. They’re just being who they are without any degree of self-consciousness. That’s what we want to preserve in girls specifically, which is why we call Kazoo a magazine for girls. It’s the only place where they can see themselves, and amazing women role models, on every single page.’
How powerful is that!
It ships from America to anywhere in the world, but there is a shipping charge if shipping to Australia.
12. BIG Kids Magazine
Big Kids Magazine is a beautifully produced magazine for kids, as you’d expect when its subject matter is Australian contemporary art. It was only a limited edition magazine so while there are no more new issues you can still purchase back copies.
The magazine features the artworks of children and professional artist side by side. It offers an immersive, interactive and imaginative arts experience for children of all ages.
Each magazine is printed on high-quality draw-ready paper and includes The Child Artist Response Project, a pull out artist print plus creative projects, activities and ideas.
Purchase back copies of Big Kids Magazine
13. The School Magazine
In 1961, the NSW Department of Education published the first edition of a free literary magazine for public school children called The School Magazine. The School Magazine has been published continuously since then and the stories, poems and plays published throughout the decades reflect the times, making The School Magazine a unique documentation of Australia’s history.
Public schools probably still subscribe to The School Magazine but non-government schools, organisations and individuals can also subscribe. There are four versions of the magazine – Countdown (7-9 years), Blast Off (9-10 years), Orbit (10-11 years) and Touchdown (11+ years).
The School Magazine is issued every month during the school year and a subscription to The School Magazine is for 12 months for 10 issues. If you subscribe midway through a school year you will receive the back issues for that year and the remainder of the issues that year as they are published.
Subscribe to The School Magazine
14. Aquila
Aquila is a high-quality UK publication for girls and boys aged 8-12 years.
Full of exuberant articles and puzzles, it is beautifully illustrated throughout, and every magazine covers science, history and general knowledge. There are no advertisements, gimmicks or cartoons.
Aquila is published every month. A subscription to Aquila can be for 4 months or 12 months and they ship from the UK to Australia. You can even keep all your Aquila copies in an Aquila binder!
15. Anorak Magazine
Anorak Magazine is a production of Studio Anorak an illustration and content agency, which works with museums, brands and cultural associations to create fun pieces of communications aimed at families.
They are proud to produce printed magazines that last and on REAL (recycled) paper with REAL (vegetable) ink. It makes them smell nice and it is at the heart of their commitment to provide kids with a calm, immersive, fun piece of culture.
They are designed to be collected, kept, handed down and revisited.
Use my Anorak referral link to get 20% off (I get 20% off too)!
16. National Geographic Kids
If you’re looking for one of the most popular magazine subscriptions for kids then look no further than National Geographic Kids!
National Geographic for kids is the child-friendly edition of the long-running National Geographic magazine, with the same high-quality stories and dazzling images but aimed at kids 6-14 years.
The science magazine covers everything from wildlife to space, geography and the environment. There are also puzzles, competitions and things to make. Note it does not come with the free gifts available in newsstand copies.
Nat Geo Kids is issued monthly and is aimed at kids age 6-14 years. A subscription to National Geographic kids can be for 6 or 12 months.
Subscribe to National Geographic Kids on Magshop or on isubscribe
Magazines for teenagers
17. Teen Breathe
A fantastic Australian mindfulness magazine for tweens and teens age 9-18 years. It’s a beautiful publication issued by the folks behind the magazine for adults Breathe Magazine.
Teen Breathe provides mindfulness tips, activities and inspiring ideas to help tweens and teens explore how mindfulness and paying attention to everything you do forms the basis of a happier, healthier and more authentic life.
Teen Breathe is issued bi-monthly and a subscription to Teen Breathe is for 12 months for 6 issues.
Subscribe to Teen Breathe on Magshop or on isubscribe
18. Wacky But True
The publishers of Poppy For Real also publish Wacky But True for kids age 8-15 years.
Again there are no ads, just fun facts and games on history, archaeology and nature. It’s good clean fun – and it’s all true!
Wacky But True is published 11 times a year. A subscription to Wacky But True is for 12 months and includes free access to the online magazine.
Subscribe to Wacky But True on Magshop or on isubscribe
19. KIT Magazine
The publishers of Teen Breathe also publish KIT, an active mindfulness magazine for boy teens and tweens aged 9- 15 years.
While it’s aimed primarily at boys, girls may enjoy it too, as the magazine focuses on kids who enjoy sports, hands-on activity and outdoor adventure. It uses these activities to inspire courage and creativity, develop emotional resilience and intelligence, defeat negative self-talk and build self-confidence.
KIT is published bi-monthly times a year. A subscription to KIT is for 12 months (6 issues).
Magazines for kids: Preschoolers under 6 years old
20. Storybox
Share the joy of reading with StoryBox magazine, which is aimed at children aged 3-6.
This award-winning magazine combines fiction and fun in a unique way. In every issue, children and adults can enjoy an engaging and exciting 25-page story, beautifully written and illustrated by top artists from around the world.
There are also segments that introduce children to science, the natural world, poems, rhymes, picture stories, games and fun activities.
Storybox is completely advert-free.
Storybox is published every month. A subscription to Storybox is for 12 months (10 issues).
Subscribe to Storybox on Magshop or on isubscribe
21. Chirp
Chirp is a Canadian magazine with stories, puzzles, and activities featuring a lovable yellow chick, Chirp. It is designed for 3- to 6-year-olds to enjoy on their own and adults.
The small size makes it perfect for little minds and the colourful pages contain silly jokes, engaging stories, and early-learning craft and recipe ideas to inspire young children to make their first attempts at reading, writing, and creating.
The publisher of Chirp also produces the magazines OWL for kids 9-12 years and ChickaDEE for kids 6-9 years.
Chirp is published every monthly. A subscription to Chirp is for 12 months (10 issues) and ships worldwide.
Subscribe to Owl on Magshop or on isubscribe
Subscribe to ChickaDEE on Magshop or on isubscribe
Subscribe to Chirp on Magshop or on isubscribe
22. Bluey Magazine
Bluey is the hit TV show which follows the adventures of six year old Bluey and her 4 year old sister Bingo.
Just like them, this is a magazine that loves to play… and play! It’s filled with silly humour and jokes, which bring the crazy antics of Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli into an interactive magazine that will keep little tikes busy for hours.
The top kids magazine is packed with different ways for young readers to explore activities independently: to draw, stick, colour, imagine, create, make and do, with plenty of open-ended play and opportunities for kids to use their imagination.
Bluey Magazine is published monthly.
Related: Bluey merchandise – pyjamas, clothing, toys, books & live show
23. DOT Magazine
DOT Magazine is a magazine by Studio Anorak made for preschoolers. It is unisex and sold all around the world online, in kids boutiques, museum shops and newsagents. It follows the same aesthetic and concept in children’s magazine publishing as their sister publication Anorak.
Use my DOT referral link to get 20% off (I get 20% off too)!
24. Operation Ouch
Official children’s magazine of the award-winning BBC TV show; Operation Ouch magazine is a fun-tastic magazine jam-packed with interactive puzzles, experiments, amazing facts and more!
In this magazine, readers will be able to join Doctors Chris, Xand van Tulleken and Ronx as they discover, explore and learn all about the intriguing worlds of medicine and human biology.
Subscribe to Operation Ouch on Magshop or on isubscribe
25. National Geographic Little Kids
National Geographic Little Kids is the ultimate gift for kids aged 3 to 6. Packed with adorable animals, interactive activities, and stimulating puzzles, it’s tailor-made for young nature enthusiasts.
With vibrant visuals, accessible language, and interactive elements, each issue nurtures key skills while sparking curiosity and encouraging exploration. From captivating photographs to thought-provoking questions, it’s a treasure trove of learning and discovery for budding minds.
Subscribe to National Geographic Little Kids
26. OYLA Magazine
OYLA is the leading science magazine for kids aged 12 and up, offering monthly STEM-focused content. Each issue features captivating scientific articles for the whole family, covering topics from the latest breakthroughs to unsolved mysteries.
Since 2015, OYLA Magazine has been published in over six languages and distributed across ten countries. Their international team of designers, educators, scientists, and journalists produce high-quality content that fosters inquiry, debate, and innovation, paving the way for future scientific and social advancements.
Subscribe to OYLA Magazine
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