FamilyFun: How to be a Cool Parent and Other Whimsy

FamilyFun Magazine has become one of my all-time favorite parenting-type magazines. I first found it through a search on birthday party themes two years ago. I was astounded by how many links led me straight to familyfun.com or family.com. Once I got into the heart of their website I knew that a purchase of the magazine was in order.

I was recently given a subscription, which I read from cover to cover and dog-ear almost a third of the magazine each month. If you’re a parent of young children all the way through early teens, then this is a magazine that may provide you with some very useful information.

I bought this magazine initially because I was intrigued with the crafts, recipes, and family activities offered on the website. I continued to buy, and now own, Family Fun because it has content that interests my little ones and me. My husband lives vicariously through me when it comes to Family Fun’s content so don’t expect too much secondary reading from the family member that is the backseat driver when it comes to planning craft activities or a trip to the local kids museum.

The magazine comes out 10 times per year at a cost of $12.95. You can also purchase the magazine for $2.99 an issue. I would highly recommend getting a subscription because you won’t want to miss a thing, especially any birthday ideas, recipes to make with kids, theme issues (Halloween, Christmas), etc. I never throw an issue away and keep it close by for reference purposes.

This magazine is not your typical parenting magazine where they cover topics like How to Get Your Child to Sleep Through the Night or Ten Tips for Successful Potty Training. This is a magazine devoted to idea sharing, ideas to be shared with the entire family. Kids like to help in the kitchen, so peruse the recipe index for some winning entries. Kids like to make ornaments for the Christmas tree, peruse through the craft section and find the craft that suits your child’s age and attention span. You are getting ready to attack your Christmas shopping list, pick up a copy of November’s issue to see what toys are worthy of a look in the Family Fun Awards section. These toys can be accessed for 2000 by visiting etoys.com in their awards section:

http://www.etoys.com/cat/toy/category/etoys_rec/award_winners/familyfun_mag/ff_2000/ff_2000_5-7?c=et230C1


Here is how FamilyFun describes itself:

FAMILYFUN, an award-winning magazine for parents of kids ages 3 to 12, is about all the great things your family can do together. Each issue is packed with quick activities, winning travel destinations, easy recipes, and reviews of family entertainment. Whether you're looking for a special beach town to visit this summer, ghoulish ideas for the best haunted house ever, or tasty recipes that will get your kids to eat their vegetables, you'll find it in FAMILYFUN. We're the information source that more and more parents are turning to for inspiration.

Yes, YES! This is a perfect homage to FamilyFun, even if they did write the copy themselves.

I find myself lost in this magazine for 1 ½ hours, bookmarking ideas for the Halloween party when all I had planned on bringing were treat bags. Now you’ll have to witness my Martha Stewart-like tendencies awaken from a long, long nap. When my son’s birthday party was fast approaching you better believe that I had my multiple issues spread out on my nightstand notebook and pen at the ready.

I keep a running list of children’s book recommendations and software ideas because FamilyFun does features on the newest and latest additions to the media world. While the reviews leave a bit to be desired in the content arena, it is a fine starting place to whet my appetite.

If you’re a fan of Child, Parents, or Parenting magazines, then you will find this a highly valuable resource in addition to a subscription to these. Most magazines have their own departments that just covers the content that FamilyFun covers in depth.

The articles are very user-friendly and don’t leave me with an intimidated feeling or a feeling that something was left out. If it’s a craft or recipe, FamilyFun employs a panel of people that checks and double-checks the editorial content to insure it is not the least bit confusing to the end user.

And this lack of confusion mixed with parental gratitude that the projects, ideas, travel suggestions, reviews, and recipes always work or are right on target, has me recommending this magazine to the masses. Remember 10 issues for $12.95 = great gift idea for yourself or another “fun oriented” parent or caregiver. It also makes a great Teacher Appreciation gift at the end of the year or for a holiday gift.