National Geographic Kids Magazine

Pros: Occasional good articles...

Cons: Permeated with stealth advertising, promotes unhealthy lifestyle, poor content, more...

The Bottom Line: I expected SOOOO much more from "National Geographic Kids"...

Review: Buying magazines for your kids is different than buying magazines for yourself. You want quality content that will educate and foster curiosity and creativity in their growing minds, but you also want something with wholesome values: you want the...

Pros: The occasional science or nature-related article is good.

Cons: Advertisements for junk food, games, movies and television. Most of the magazine centered around pop-culture.

The Bottom Line: Lose the fluff and NG Kids could be worthwhile. As is, this magazine somewhat resembles a pre-teen tabloid and is not worth the trees it took to print it out.

Review: I am such a fan of National Geographic magazine and I remember pouring over the National Geographic World magazine as a child. So, I had no hesitation when I received an offer for National Geographic Kids magazine. My...

Pros: For preschoolers, nature and animal pictures, learning activities and science experiments

Cons: Your child will quickly outgrow the material

The Bottom Line: I do recommend this magazine for preschoolers who need help with preschool learning activities but don't expect this magazine to last long in your household.

Review: Since my daughter's reading skills took off, I have been interested in getting her kids' magazine subscriptions. Most of the time I can try out a magazine before buying with a free issue from the company or I can pick up a few issues at the local...

Pros: Few science facts, animal facts, kids' contests

Cons: Too much advertisement for junk. Too little of what I expected--science learning

The Bottom Line: Skip this magazine for your children, I wish we had.

Review: Always on the lookout for great reading material for my daughter, I was excited to run across National Geographic Kids. I expected it to be similar to the nature and science kids programs on television but I was very wrong! For one thing, it is much...

Pros: One or two articles worthy of the National Geographic name

Cons: Most of the magazine is full of dribble and some is inappropriate

The Bottom Line: Do not be fooled by the National Geographic name! National Geographic Kids is all about advertising to children.

Review: When I was a kid there were only a handful of magazines that targeted children. I am amazed at the number available to children today. Unfortunately there are some that should not be offered up. One of these is Nation Geographic Kids.

What...

Pros: educational, durable, great pictures, easy reading

Cons: short, pricey for 6 issues.

The Bottom Line: A great magazine, if you're prepared to pay. Those kids that can read can breeze through this quickly, so I'd recommend it for younger kids.

Review: I always say you can never have enough reading material around for your kids. I guess that is how I justify all these magazine subscriptions we have. I decided not to renew several of my magazines this year, but did decide to pick up a few, and one...

Pros: lots of fun for a kid to read, very few advertisements

Cons: not many science facts, hardly any cool pictures like the original magazine

The Bottom Line: This is a good magazine for kids, especially younger ones!

Review: National Geographic for Kids Magazine is a great magazine for children (especially younger ones) because it is jammed pack with a lot of fun and games and stuff to do! It will keep your child amused for hours, although I wish it would have...

Pros: A guide to American mass cultural literacy

Cons: $20 a year to bombard your kids with ads.

The Bottom Line: Why pay for a subscription when you get the same ads on TV for free.

Review: This magazine is far removed from the tradition of active exploration suggested by its National Geographic roots. Every issue is packed full of advertisements, promotions, and product placement pieces. The May 2007 issue relentlessly pushes junk...

Pros: Good pictures but is focused too much on entertainment and selling the advertiser's products.

Cons: Too many ads and far less substance. Writing and content are poor in quality.

Review: National Geographic Kids used to be called World Magazine. Unfortunately the name change is not all that changed. The magazine is now full of ads for junk food and tv shows. The magazine used to be interesting and informative, now it seems like...

Pros: Perfect for 3rd-grade and up boys and for most girls, too.

Cons: Too difficult for most 2nd graders to read on their own; not a read-aloud magazine.

The Bottom Line: This fun, intelligent magazine holds much kid-appeal AND offers brain-food for young minds. Highly recommended; great birthday/other gift.

Review: Move over Nickelodeon, American Girl, and even Sports Illustrated for kids. THIS is a magazine for which I'll happily fork over the $$ to have my daughter read it. (And, read it she does, the day it comes, and many articles,...