| Imagine giving a gift that will last longer than the | | | | both boys and girls will love, including National |
| wrapping. Giving one which inspires imagination and | | | | Geographic Kids and Dig magazine. |
| brings fun all year long. When you give a subscription | | | | Ages 14+ - Many popular adult magazines have made |
| to a children's magazine as a gift for Christmas, | | | | a foray into publishing for the "young adult" category |
| birthday or any other gift-giving occasion, you are | | | | - teens from about age 14. This is the age where |
| giving a gift that renews itself with each new issue. | | | | special interest really comes into play, but there are |
| One month may bring puzzles and games; another | | | | still more general magazine choices for this age group. |
| may send your lucky gift recipient on a trip through | | | | For boys, Boys Life is a perennial favorite, but Sports |
| the Amazon jungles, African deserts or outer space. | | | | Illustrated for Kids is currently extremely popular. |
| There are magazines aimed at every age group and | | | | Magazines for girls have come a long way since |
| to suit nearly any interest you - or the child in your | | | | Seventeen. While that magazine is still going strong, |
| life - can imagine. Choosing the right magazine | | | | it's joined by Discovery Girls magazine, Cosmo Girls, |
| subscription for the very special children in your life is | | | | Girls' Life and many more. |
| as easy as following a few simple tips. | | | | 2.Choose a magazine that is geared to a child's |
| 1.Choose a magazine that's aimed at the appropriate | | | | interests. |
| age group. | | | | In a child's early years, most children have not |
| A magazine that's written for kindergarten age | | | | developed specific interests. By age six or so, |
| children won't hold much appeal for an eight year old. | | | | though, many children already have started to |
| Likewise, a magazine that's aimed at pre-teens will go | | | | explore specific interests. Many of the most popular |
| right over the heads of most six year olds. Don't go | | | | children's magazines focus on interests like history, |
| strictly on the age on the front cover, though. Some | | | | travel, wildlife and the creative arts. If you're looking |
| children are ready for real stories when others their | | | | for a gift for a child over five, let their interests guide |
| age prefer picture stories. Remember that there is | | | | you. |
| some overlap in ages between these groups and let | | | | Animals and Wildlife |
| your knowledge of the child guide your choice. | | | | National Geographic and the National Wildlife |
| Ages 0-3 - Choose magazines with bright pictures | | | | Federation both publish a stepping stone series of |
| and easy activities. There should be few, simple | | | | magazines aimed at different age levels. Your Big |
| words and sentences and read-aloud stories. Try Wild | | | | Back Yard, Ranger Rick, National Geographic for Kids |
| Animal Baby, published by the National Wildlife | | | | and Zootles are just a few of the many magazines |
| Federation, or Babybug Magazine with read-aloud | | | | aimed at children of different ages that focus on |
| stories for children 6 months to two years, or Turtle, | | | | animals and the worlds in which they live. |
| a classic magazine for babies and toddlers and their | | | | Science and Technology |
| parents. | | | | Like many adults, kids are fascinated by science and |
| Ages 4-6 - Preschoolers are ready to start reading | | | | technological things. Magazines about explorers and |
| simple words on their own, but they still love to hear | | | | inventors, space and archaeology can spark a lifelong |
| stories read aloud. Coloring pages and activity pages | | | | interest and love that eventually becomes a career - |
| are a must in magazines for this age group. Also, by | | | | or remains a fascination forever. When you give a |
| this age many children have started to develop | | | | gift subscription to a magazine like Dig, Muse (from |
| specific interests and may enjoy magazines that | | | | the Smithsonian Institute) or Odyssey, you may be |
| highlight them. Highlights for Children has been around | | | | opening the door to new worlds that will engage |
| for decades, but it's still one of the top magazines | | | | your children for the rest of their lives. |
| published for this age group. Other choices for | | | | Social Studies (History and Culture) |
| preschool to first graders include Cricket magazine, | | | | Bring history and culture to life for your children with |
| Humpty Dumpty magazine, and Disney and Me | | | | a gift subscription to a magazine that explores the |
| magazine from Disney. | | | | lessons of history or the impact of culture in stories |
| Ages 7-9 - By second or third grade, children are | | | | and articles that they can understand and enjoy. |
| ready to start reading on their own - and they want | | | | There are a number of kids magazines that focus on |
| stories about real things that interest them. They still | | | | historical personalities and events, including |
| enjoy activity pages, but the editorial content of the | | | | Cobblestones (ages to 8 years), Learning Through |
| magazine becomes more important. Look for colorful, | | | | History (ages 7-14) and Calliope (5th to 10th graders). |
| fun and engaging artwork and informative stories | | | | Literature |
| with a fun slant to them. A great choice for this age | | | | Is your child a young writer? Children love to see |
| group is Nickelodeon magazine. | | | | their own works in print. Some of the best children's |
| Ages 10-13 - The split between magazines for boys | | | | magazines are those that accept and publish only |
| and magazines for girls becomes really evident at this | | | | submissions from other children. Check out the |
| age. Even so, there are plenty of magazines that | | | | magazine New Moon (for girls ages 8-14). |