I might love my new Google Nexus 7 for e-reading, but sometimes you can’t beat the feel of paper between your fingers. I’m one of those old-school people who still get their newspapers delivered and love relaxing with a magazine when Craig insists on watching Match of the Day. Dexter might only be tiny, but he’s definitely inherited my love for the printed word - he’ll trample all over an expensive pile of toys to get to his board books and loves curling up with mum to look at the pictures of pregnant women as I’m flicking though Pregnancy and Baby Magazine. When I was offered the opportunity to get a subscription to National Geographic Kids, I couldn’t resist seeing how he’d respond to a magazine of all his very own!

National Geographic Kids’ mission is to entertain children while educating them about their world, using superlative photography, dynamic graphics and compelling storytelling… National Geographic Kids takes a sneaky approach to teaching, delivering interactive, bite-sized information that gets children discovering the world around them. Our readers are having so much fun they don’t even realise they’re learning!

We received our first copy just before Christmas and it’s been read to death by Dexter (with a little help from various family members!) over the last few weeks. I’m definitely impressed with how colourful these magazines are, and ratio of written word to illustration. Clearly these magazines are aimed at children well beyond Dexter’s age, but the reporting and information is timeless and will be relevant for him when he’s much older - until then I’ll let him use the pictures to learn about the natural world beyond his front door.

He’s definitely intrigued about animals as he’s often pointing at pictures of those he hasn’t had the opportunity to see yet (giraffes, monkeys, hippos etc) and watching us mouth their names and the noises they make. Daddy does a mean goat impression that I must record for YouTube!

Each magazine comes with a free toy or mini activity for children and is crammed with articles, interesting facts, pictures and information about the natural world. Our first issue (November) also had in-depth articles on Buckingham Palace, flying foxes and volcanoes - so a real mix of things to discover and read about.

Regular features include:

What’s Up?

Which is effectively a round-up of the latest television shows, films and books (both educational and entertaining) and is littered with pop-up trivia.

Mini Histories Comic Strip

November’s issue showed a time-travelling mouse, Max, meeting the founders of the Football Association!

Posters

Each edition has a pull-out poster section, some of which are double spread. There’s everything from mammals to insects all shot beautifully.

Prize Planet

Opportunities to win age-appropriate prizes by solving easy puzzles or answering multiple choice questions.

Make it!

A monthly make section shows children how to make craft items out of everyday materials. I love how each stage of the make is represented by a picture diagram making it easy for kids (and parents!) to follow.

Junior Reporters Page

This, for me, is what makes this magazine. Kids can send in letters or emails with their special reports of places they’ve been, or fun facts they’ve uncovered for a chance to appear in the magazine. We’ll definitely be encouraging Dexter to take part when he’s old enough. There’s something very special about seeing your child in print!

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Overall the subscription would make an ideal birthday present for a child, or a little good luck gift for those just starting primary school. They’ll get excited when it lands on the doormat and it certainly helps nurture a love of learning away from the internet.

The NGKids website is well worth checking out for games, videos, facts and photos for slightly older children (I’d plump for 6+), and there you have the opportunity to subscribe to the magazine for £28 for a year - this will entitle you to 12 editions usually priced at £3.30 each (a saving of almost 30%).

Disclaimer - Dexter was given his very own 12 month subscription in exchange for mummy’s thoughts