The Best Magazines For Canadian Kids Of All Ages

Magazines have always been a part of our home library. My son (now 12) has had subscriptions since kindergarten, and I subscribe to lifestyle and cooking titles.

As an avid reader, he's always excited when a new issue arrives. As a parent, magazines are convenient and very portable. Instead of handing your phone over in the doctor's waiting room, pack a magazine.

We tend to stick to Canadian titles. They help kids learn about local issues, show products that we can get (which isn't always the case with mags from south of the border), and they help keep us informed about the happenings in other parts of the country.

Magazines still matter

In my opinion, a certain amount of screen time is fine and even necessary—after all, our kids are growing up in a digital age. But they also need time away from a screen, and reading is a healthy habit to instill now.

Pat Gracey, Children's Services Specialist at the Toronto Public Library, agrees. "Magazines are a good resource for kids because they present timely, relevant content designed to appeal to and engage children in topics related to culture, people and places."

"Most magazines include activity ideas that can help introduce children to new and interesting hobbies, from colouring sheets to more challenging crafts and recipes. They often contain small comics, cartoons and humour sections as well, heightening their appeal."

Plus, there's always the draw of being included in their favourite publication. My son once submitted a photo of himself and our new pup to a kids' magazine, and they printed it. He was over the moon!

Most of these magazines have online components as well, making them more accessible.

Top magazines for Canadian kids by age and interest

Toddlers (0-5 years)

Magazines can help little kids work on their numbers, letters and basic sight word recognition. And reading together is a lovely way to bond.

• 🍁Chirp (Owlkids): Canadian content, crafts, games, and simple stories.
• National Geographic Little Kids Magazine: Cute animals, age-appropriate science and fun activities.

Ages 6-10

Magazines are especially beneficial to reluctant readers. While a book can seem overwhelming, magazines offer snippets of information that can be taken in here and there without committing to a longer passage.

• National Geographic Kids: Stunning visuals and educational articles on animals, geography, and culture.
• Ranger Rick/Ranger Rick Dinosaurs/Zoobooks: Wildlife and conservation with fun facts and photos.
• Jack & Jill: Activities, stories, and health-oriented themes.
• 🍁Owl (Owlkids): Science, tech, and nature with an interactive Canadian twist.
• 🍁Brainspace: STEM and culture-based magazine that includes augmented reality.

Tweens (9-12 years)

For tweens, magazines are a way to zero in on their interests and keep them engaged in reading. Whether it's fashion, the arts, music, sports, or a specific hobby, find the right magazine to keep your tween interested.

• Scout Life: Practical life skills, outdoor adventures, and activities.
• Young Rider: For horse lovers—riding tips, stories, and equine care.
• Girls' Life Magazine: Topics on friendship, self-esteem, and lifestyle geared toward tween girls.
• 🍁Owl and Brainspace: Both remain engaging and developmentally appropriate into the tween years.

How to choose the right magazine for your child

• Observe their interests: Are they drawn to animals, crafts, science, stories?
• Check the reading level: Use sample issues or online previews to assess fit.
• Involve your child: Let them help select from a few options.
• Consider the format: Look for interactivity (for toddlers), independence-building (6-10), and critical engagement (tweens).

Where to find and subscribe to magazines in Canada

Subscribing is easy. You can usually subscribe online or go to a bookstore or newsstand and buy a copy. All the subscription info will be inside the issue.

Libraries have free access to children's magazines. Just ask at your local branch. "We offer English and French language magazines on a variety of themes: animals, nature, science, history, sports, creative activities, and more," said Matt Abbott, Senior Manager of Collection Development, and Janet Eastwood, Senior Collections Specialist of Collection Development, at the Toronto Public Library. "Each branch across our system selects which magazines to make available and can renew current subscriptions on an annual basis using tools like circulation data and customer feedback to make informed decisions."

Be sure to even check out school book fairs and clubs. They can be a great source for both subscriptions and one-off issues.

Tips for making the most of magazine time

Create a cozy reading nook at home where you can curl up with a great read. I also love keeping magazines accessible at all times: there are some on our living room coffee table, on the end tables of our beds, and in the bathroom (because there's valuable reading time in there, too!).

Set a routine. Why not have "Magazine Mondays" every week, or use bedtime as a chance to catch up on magazine reading?

Do activities or crafts together from the magazine. Mark pages with sticky notes, and when you hear "I'm bored," break out your latest issues and get crafting, creating, or cooking!

Let kids explore pages independently. While sitting with your magazines is a great time to have quality time together, it's also important to create an independent reader who can get joy and stay interested in reading on their own.

Reuse old issues for collages, sorting games, or themed learning (especially for toddlers). Don't throw away those magazines once you've read them—keep a master binder of your favourite activities or repurpose them for art projects. Or donate them—schools always love having extra magazines.

Bringing the joy of reading into your home

Magazines offer an accessible, screen-free source of entertainment and education for every age group. They foster reading habits, curiosity, and joy through manageable, digestible content. "Magazines are still relevant and important today, and are great for engaging reluctant readers," said Margaret Godden, a Children's Services Specialist at Toronto Public Library.

"Magazines contain lots of short, interesting facts and include fun and interactive content that supports literacy learning in a fun way. While we're noticing more interest in digital magazines and comics, many classic print magazines have stood the test of time and are still quite popular at our branches."

With so many great options available, now's the perfect time to explore the world of children's magazines.