Find out what Mumsnetters and their children have to say about Toxic magazine

[LucyBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 100 Mumsnetters who have been testing Toxic magazine with their children. All Mumsnet testers involved in this product test have at least one child aged 6 to 12. All testers were sent a copy of the latest edition of Toxic magazine.

Here’s what Toxic magazine have to say: “Welcome to Toxic magazine! Every issue brings your children an unbeatable mix of the coolest stuff in their world. We are packed full of awesome entertainment – from gaming guides and movie news, to hilarious comics, puzzles and activities, as well as competitions to win the latest toys and games consoles!

From Pokémon to LEGO Ninjago and Marvel Super Heroes to Fortnite, we’ve got all the biggest brands assembled just for kids! Plus EVERY issue of Toxic is crammed with FREE gifts. We want to make sure we are always delivering the best content for our young readers, so we’d love to know what you and your kids think of us. Please let us know your thoughts on what you think is right or wrong about Toxic magazine!”

Testers, please give your feedback by answering the questions below as well as completing the survey we have emailed you:

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
2. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?
3. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
4. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

All testers who give the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where three lucky testers will each win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Shannith]

I got an email saying I'd been selected, but not had anything through yet...

[anon2020202020]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging? Packaging was bold, bright and will draw kids to it. It's quite busy looking packaging.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? Yes he did. He laughed at the picture of the man cutting the grass while there was a tornado in the background.

What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine? The team toxic comic pages.

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? He loved the gun and the pokemon cards. Was it better or worse than you both expected? Slightly better but still only really single use toys.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be? Lower your price slightly. If the magazine was £4.99, I would be more inclined to pick it up for him.

We have never seen this magazine in any supermarket (Scotland)

[Holly221288]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
   

I thought it was fab that you couldn’t see through the packaging, lots more fun for the kids. Also was attractive to them as mentioned the words Fortnite and Pokemon!!

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine? As always he was more interested in the gifts.
   
2. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
   

There was definitely a good volume of gifts. Loved the fortnite mini mag and Pokemon cards. Made it feel better value for the money

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be? Slightly different content, more Fortnite and Football

[weebarra]

Testers, please give your feedback by answering the questions below as well as completing the survey we have emailed you:

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

Too much plastic, something more recycled would be good. The cover and the back made it look interesting.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

Ds did not like it because he felt it wasn't up to date. He is 12 and feels he's a bit too old for it. He liked the page about the video games.

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

He said that the blaster did not work, the popper did not pop and the stickers weren't sticky!

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Less plastic!

[feelingchange]

1. My daughters first impression was WOW! She was so excited to open it and loved the blind bags. I thought it was very bulky and it wouldn't fit through my standard letter box so I would worry about subscribing as I wouldn't want to have to go and collect it from Royal Mail frequently.

1. She really liked the cartoons and posters. Her favourite page was the sonic the hedgehog page as she liked learning about the different sonic games.

1. She thought the gifts were better than expected but in reality the only one she played with was the nerf gun.

1. It was very much a boys magazine and although my daughter likes Pokemon, sonic and Lego ninjago she just thought it could be a bit more mixed.

[feelingchange]

I meant to add that £5.99 is way too expensive for a magazine no matter how good the toys are.

[PickledChicory]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

Unsustainable and cheap

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? Not much

What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?
The big posters

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

Gifts were good and reasonable quality

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Sustainable packaging and more female heroines

[CremeDeSudo]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging? I didn't get chance to look at DS was excited. Echo a PP who mentioned sustainability though.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine? No. He complained there weren't enough words and it found it hard to follow!

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected? He likes the gun, less interested in the rest.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be? Could there be short stories? Also, address teh single use plastic packaging.

[Starfish78]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
   

My DD was very excited when it arrived, and couldn’t wait to see what things were under the packaging

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?
   

She loved looking through the magazine and enjoyed the board game on one of the pages which we all played together. The poster she has given to the boy next door as he loves fortnite

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
   

She loved the nerf gun and has stuck the target page onto her bedroom wall so she can practice. She also enjoyed playing with the disk which flys up into the air when you set it

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?
   

To lower the price as it’s too expensive to buy regularly

[Didiusfalco]

That’s a terrible name for a kids magazine.

[jackstini]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

Hard to get into. Didn't like the foil - would have rather been able to see what was in there (before buying, if we were buying)

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

No, DS (11) thought it was too babyish. Think it's maybe trying to appeal to too wide an age range so only a few pages suit 7/8 yrs then a few for 10/11 yrs etc. Favourite page was Fortnite poster. The puzzles were too easy

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

Worse - the dino was ok but for someone much younger. Wasn't interested in Pokemon cards - said' this is not even a thing anymore' First thing he said when he opened it was 'I thought people were supposed to be cutting down on plastic'

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be? Name (although it needs a lot more than 1 change!)

[alibobins]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

Exciting packaging and it was good that you couldn't see what was inside. He was very eager to get into the magazine. The magazine was good quality and strong.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

He really enjoyed reading the Fortnite facts and even found out new facts!

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

He really liked the gun and the Pokémon cards. I'm not sure about one of the other gifts as he can't even remember it.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

I think it was the right mix for my sons interests he has kept it in his bed and flicked through most nights which is a positive as he doesn't usually like reading.
Maybe less gifts as only 2 were used.

[bigarse1]

Thank you for letting us trial this.

1. my child was excited by the fact the packaging meant she couldn't see which gifts she got.
   
2. she seemed to enjoy the whole magazine and her younger siblings enjoyed flicking through and looking at the pictured.
   
3. she loved the gun! Was frustrated by the disc which we couldn't use as we didn't have the toy it goes with.
   
4. I would recommend not giving toys that you already need to own a part of as she found that frustrating and it would put me off buying but overall all 3 children in our house enjoyed it

[Glittercandle]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
   

Seems like quite a large package- felt like there was a fair amount of product for the procet.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?
   

My son (age 11) , had a quick look through but didn’t seem interested. Said the best bit was an advert for Dragon ball!

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
   

More gifts than expected, the gun provided a few minutes of fun and was then left on the floor. The dinosaur hasn’t been opened yet.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?
   

Less gifts, maybe one better quality toy.

[SherbertDip]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
Very bright, not sure of the plastic wrapper

2. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

Child loved the magazine, child loved the free gifts and the puzzles

3. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
Child loved the gifts especially the dinosaur

4. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?
Less plastic packaging and maybe a new change

[twinkletoedelephant]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

Boys loved it and couldn't wait to year into the free gifts and have a look at the articles inside

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

Both were a big fan of the jokes

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

Boys LOVED the need gun and Pokémon cards, shiny one in pack :)

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Change the name? My boys are 11, would I buy for a younger child?? I would have a more in depth look at it rather than agreeing to pester power x2

[starlight36]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

The packaging was pretty standard for this type of magazine. I understand why the whole bag works better as with multiple gifts they would easily fall out but if children were choosing between a number of magazines they usually like to flick through them, which wasn't possible with this packaging. In an ideal work I would prefer the bag to be compostible, similar to other publications we receive.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

My child is a huge Lego Ninjago fan so loved the posters best.

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
2. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

[starlight36]

Sorry - post hit in error, rest of answers below.

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

My child loved the different gifts - he couldn't believe he was getting so many. They were definitely better than expected. He was a bit disappointed there were only three Pokemon cards but loved the dinosaur and the gun was his favourite.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

The price is quite high. With two children I prefer not to pay more than £5 for each magazine - maybe fewer gifts and a cheaper price? I'm not sure if saying it is a magazine targeted at children is just being politically correct rather than saying it is a boy's magazine. My daughter (aged 9) took one look at it and asked me why I had bought her brother another magazine. She just assumed it was for him snd when I asked her to take a look didn't find anything of interest to her. We had s few of her friends around and they thought the same. Both of my children thought it was odd there was s Fortnite magazine in a magazine aimed at their ages (7 and 9) as Fortnite is banned at their school. My son would certainly like to get it - probably more because of all of the gifts rather than the magazine though.

[outnumbered77]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

I suppose the fact that it was opaque made the contents more exiting but it didn't seem very environmentally friendly.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

My son (10) felt it was a bit young for him and only really flicked through it. He liked fornite content best.

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

The gifts were a bit plastic tat really, but he did like the gun. The disk thing was unusable as we didn't have the other part.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Reduce the price as it's really expensive for what it is, and reduce the plastic tat gifts.

[Creativebee]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
My daughter was really excited when the magazine arrived and actually mentioned the foil wrapping. She actually read everything on the front of the packaging. In my opinion, although the packaging looks exciting and appealing, I thought it was a little 'busy' and I did wonder that if I was doing my shopping and my child was choosing a magazine would my child only choose it because of the 'six gifts' heading.

2. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?
My daughter loves super heroes, Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario. She's not keen on football so didn't really pay much attention to that. Her favourite page was the Captain Gross comic strip, she equally liked the Nintendo Switch competition.

3. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?
She wasn't happy with the Power Pux but the Double Blaster was a definite hit.

4. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?
Both me and my daughter enjoyed the comic strips and felt that the magazine could have done with some more comic strip content. There are only two competitions in the magazine, one which my daughter has entered (Nintendo Switch) and the other which is the Fortnite one, which my daughter is not into so has not entered. It would have been nice to have some more competitions, even if it had been for smaller prizes.

[MadameJosephine]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?
   

DD was excited, she loves magazines but I rarely buy her the ones with ‘gifts’. To be honest I thought it looked like it was likely to be full of plastic tat and not something I would usually buy

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine? she seemed to have enjoyed most of it although she skimmed some parts, she doesn’t play computer games so some bits she didn’t really ‘get’ her favourite was the pokemon, she has all her brothers old cards and loves to learn all about different Pokemon
   

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected? she loved it, it was just as I expected
   

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be? I’d prefer a magazine that concentrated on content rather than gimmicky plastic ‘gifts’. We recently had a trial of the Phoenix and much preferred it

[kierie]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

Loads of plastic packaging. Seemed like one of those mags that is all plastic that little substance.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

He did enjoy it, but it didn't take home long to finish it. He liked a joke page with a man mowing with a tornado behind him.

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

He loved the gun. He doesn't like football or Pokémon, so gave those cards away. He hadn't seen the power pux thing before, but couldn't play with it, as we don't have a launcher. I didn't think that one toy out of all of them is good value for money.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Less plastic!!!! I couldn't recycle any of it. I think you need to focus on one type of audience, you're trying to hit too many brands/ interests. The football cards would have put my son off of buying the mag in the shops. If it had been more Minecraft/ Roblox, Nerf, jokes, comics he would have been more interested.

[noideawhat]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

I thought it looked pretty cool... Lots going on & DS was really excited when it arrived. I baulked at the usual £5.99 price tag though & would probably prefer to buy a book!

The gifts made it feel quite substantial & it was exciting waiting to see what was included. Packaging wise, I'd have much preferred it to be recyclable & this was something DS mentioned as well.

2. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

He really enjoyed it & has read it several times now. His favourite page was the page about Ali-A (pg 31) because he loves watching him on YouTube. I think he was surprised to see him in a magazine that I'd been sent from Mumsnet!

DD(6) has also enjoyed flicking through it but probably didn't recognise as many of the shows/characters.

3. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

All 3 DC loved the gifts. They were pretty substantial & much better quality than I was expecting. DS also noticed the quality.

4. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Improve the outer packaging! E.g. Compostable or paper cover. And less packaging on the gifts.

[dennisdonut]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

I thought it seemed like a lot of packaging, the magazine could have had a label on it rather than an extra bag and all the gifts were individually packaged.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine?

She wasn’t that bothered, we looked at it together but she got bored quickly
What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine
She didn’t have one

1. What did your child think of the gift that was included with the magazine? Was it better or worse than you both expected?

She really likes the gifts, particulary the dinosaur and Pokemon cards.

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

Less packaging

[brusselsprout5]

1. What were your first impressions of the magazine when it arrived What did you think of the packaging?

My son really liked the foil packaging. He was very impressed with the free gifts. We weren't expecting so many.

I thought it was a bit busy. There was a lot of different things on the packaging.

1. Did your child like the content of the magazine? What was your child’s favourite page in the magazine?

He enjoyed all of the magazine, he loves all those characters. I liked it as it encourages him to read & he doesn't notice he's reading when looking at magazines, especially one like this.
He liked the Pokemon quiz best.

1. What did your child think of the gift

He was really impressed with the gifts. He looked at them all very carefully. I was surprised at the quality & quantity. Free gifts sometimes put me off buying magazines as I can't be bothered with the extra junk but these were surprisingly ok!!

1. If you could recommend one change to be made to Toxic magazine, what would it be?

My son would like more facts, weird facts. Less football. His brother stole a poster too & this upset him greatly as he doesn't like to ruin magazines by taking out the posters!