Brilliant magazine for 8-12 year olds

[frogs]

I've recently discovered Aquila magazine and have taken out a subscription (it's not available through shops) for dd1. She loves it getting it through the post each month and reads it for ages.

It's aimed at lively, non pop-culturey children, but the content isn't too heavily educational -- lots of jokes and fun articles too. Apparently it's also v. popular with families based abroad or home-edding.

I have no connection with them, btw, just v. pleased and wanted to plug it a bit -- it's a joy to see something aimed at older kids that isn't just tacky popstars-and-soap-opera tat.

This sounds interesting frogs. Do you think it would appeal to boys as much as girls?

thanks frogs just checked it out, will get that and it looks really interesting (might have a read myself too).

I've just ordered a back issue copy as a trial for him, but it certainly looks great.

I think so, roisin, tho' it would depend on the child, I suppose. My dd isn't a particularly girly girl, and I would say the content is pretty gender-neutral, with very good science content. Most issues seem to take a theme (eg. metals, Australia) and then take lots of different angles on it, eg. craft activities, practical experiments, quizzes etc.

Frogs, thank you thank you thank you ... It's fab. I ordered a back copy as a sample; it arrived today and purely by coincidence the topic was 'minibeasts', which ds1 has been doing in school today.

He's been entranced by it for half an hour already, and just bounced it to say "Mummy, I simply have to take this in to school tomorrow. Can I?" [Verbatim - he is rather eccentric!]

So I guess we'll be subscribing too!

Thanks Frogs!

From seeing this thread, I ordered the "4-month trial" for DD1 (almost 9). The first one arrived today and I had a look through - thought it was very good.

DD1 has been reading through it since she got home Makes a refreshing change from the usual "teeny-pop" magazines with lip gloss etc!

Diverting slightly, there is an excellent magazine called circa out there which is similar though based around maths, in a cartoon style, different puzzles etc, not as general as the aquila. It's £9 for 3 issues
www.circamaths.co.uk/

spod75

Glad to hear other people liked it too -- deserves to be better known, I feel.

Thanks frogs I've been looking for something like this for my ds2 to read to practice his english (greek 1st language)It looks really good!

Frogs - this looks great, have taken out a year's subscription. I have struggled to find a good mag for my older girls, and am pretty horrified by the usual trash that is aimed at them - full of stories about boyfriends/abuse/popstar rubbish etc. This one looks ideal - fun and educational (good for showing the education officer when she next puts in an appearance!!). Thanks.

Another good one is Discovery box, very good for boys in particular. I sent it on subscription to the boy I minded, from age 7, now 10 and still loves getting it. here

We bought a year's sub of Aquila for a friend's child but she is VERY pop-culturey and didn't really like it I suspect (they were too polite to be honest). Looking forward to getting it for ds when he's a bit older - I loved "Look and Learn" when I was the same age

DD1 took her copy into school last week to show the teacher. Teacher was VERY impressed with it (kept it over lunchtime to have a proper look) and has asked DD1 if she would mind bringing in any future copies.

Had to bump this. We just received our first issue and the girls loved it! So colourful, fun and deviously educational. Worth every penny - thanks frogs.