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Original poster

Magazine subscription for boys aged 9 - 12

35 replies

brittanyfairies · 08/10/2015 08:09

I don't live in the UK but would like to buy a present for my nephew and godsons and thought I could buy a monthly magazine subscription for them BUT because I don't live in the UK I don't know what the boys of this age are reading. Can anyone advise me of what magazines are appropriate?

OP posts:
ChristmasZombie · 08/10/2015 08:39

There's one called Aquila that's meant to be very good. I think it's aimed at academic/scientific types, if that fits the bill?
www.aquila.co.uk/

Gatekeeper · 08/10/2015 08:45

The Phoenix is good www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/

also this one looks interesting as well www.get-geeky.today/

ChristmasZombie · 08/10/2015 08:51

Oh, and the WWE also produce two magazines: WWE Magazine, and WWE Kids. Most boys seem to be into wrestling!

ihatethecold · 08/10/2015 08:58

The Simpsons.

WhatAPigsEar · 08/10/2015 09:05

If they like football Match of the Day magazine would be popular. Ds (11) has been getting that since he was 9.

lavendersun · 08/10/2015 09:06

We get Aquilia and Stew - both very good. DD here but both good for either sex.

If they have a tablet you can buy an e subscription. We get Horrible Histories that way, bet lots of others are available too.

Had a gift subscription for National Geo Kids for a year, was ok, not old enough for 9-12 imo.

I think that Aquilia would be your best bet.

Twinkie1 · 08/10/2015 09:06

DS 10 has a top gear subscription which gets read cover to cover every month.

Cocolepew · 08/10/2015 09:13

There is an app called Readly which is £9.99 a month. There are hundreds of magazines on it, included loads for kids.

AlpacaLypse · 08/10/2015 09:15

There's a monthly called How Things Work which was very good for KS3 (aged 11-14), and the same company do a range of other educational titles.

NG Kids we found a bit puerile after age nine or so.

We all love grown up National Geographic, but the youngest are now 16.

Branleuse · 08/10/2015 09:29

Beano

DingbatsFur · 08/10/2015 09:32

Thanks for the tip about aquila, have ordered a copy.

Original poster
brittanyfairies · 08/10/2015 10:04

Thanks for the suggestions - I'm going to have a good look at all of them

OP posts:
CocktailQueen · 08/10/2015 12:14

BBC Wildlife mag? RPSB mag? Aquila v good.
Match of the Day mag. Or there's a new Thunderbirds one coming out in time for Xmas!

IssyStark · 08/10/2015 12:49

Another vote for Aquilla - my ds has been getting it for the past two years from my dp as a Christmas present. He loves getting it through the post!

Original poster
brittanyfairies · 08/10/2015 14:42

I haven't ordered any magazines as Christmas presents, but I did sign up to Aquila for my son for his birthday next month. Thanks very much for the tip.

OP posts:
chicaguapa · 09/10/2015 07:20

DC get First News every week which they like. It comes on a Friday and I've found it to be pretty neutral.

SoupDragon · 09/10/2015 07:24

There's a monthly called How Things Work

DS2 has had this since he was about 11 or 12.

Panicmode1 · 09/10/2015 07:26

My 11 year old now gets How it Works (which I also give to my 9 year old godson) after he got a bit fed up with Aquila (which he'd had for a couple of years). However, my 7 year old now gets Aquila and really enjoys it.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 09/10/2015 07:29

My parents bought DD (9) a subscription to Aquila last year, neither she or DS (11) read it, it just doesn't grab their attention.

DS devours MOTD every week and also loves the monthly Formula 1 magazine aimed at adults.

lavendersun · 09/10/2015 07:31

I like the sound of both First News and How Things Work, off to google.

SouthWestmom · 09/10/2015 07:44

Gosh these are all a bit educational - I was coming on to say Toxic or WWF!

Gatekeeper · 09/10/2015 08:27

my two didn't care for Aquila either- they are more the custard pie in face type kids like their dear mama

ChippyMinton · 10/10/2015 17:04

Commando comics are a big hit here.

Chasingsquirrels · 11/10/2015 12:22

13yo ds has How It Works, probably for the last 2 or 3 years and devours it.
NG Kids was good from around 6yo-9yo for him although 9yo ds is now enjoying the back issues - although his favourite is still Moshi Monsters!

lavendersun · 11/10/2015 14:56

Thing is Noeuf - unless you want pink and plastic there isn't much out there for girls on the shelf. NG Kids and Horrible Histories is it really, or all I came across anyway.

Gatekeeper made me laugh Grin.

DD is a bookworm, Aquilia and Stew are fairly bookish so suit her, HH makes her laugh, subscribe on iPad these days, NGKids was ok but I didn't renew the subscription. We get a lovely kids mag from our local wildlife trust and the NHM free kids mag is nice.

I would like her to read the news though really, might trial First News.

I keep meaning to look at things like the Dandy relives youth but have never got around to it.