6 Magazines That Make Smart Gifts for Your Teen or Tween (Yes, They Still Read)
The holidays are upon us-and if you're looking for a thoughtful, screen-free gift that keeps giving all year, consider a print magazine subscription. Not only are magazines tangible and fun, but they also spark curiosity, build reading habits, and celebrate your child's unique interests. Research shows that print magazines offer structured, digestible reading, vibrant visuals, and freedom to explore without digital distractions-making them especially ideal for busy teens and tweens.
Here are six fantastic magazines (with direct links to buy on Magazines.com) that make smart, personal holiday gifts:
Girls' Life
A trusted standout since 1994, Girls' Life is tailored to girls ages 8-12, offering a mix of fashion, self-esteem, friendships, life advice, and fun quizzes. It strikes the perfect balance between heartfelt guidance and lighthearted entertainment, helping preteens feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Cricket Magazine
For kids who love stories, Cricket is a treasure trove of literary delight-featuring short stories, poetry, and illustrations that inspire imagination and a lifelong love of reading. It's classy, creative, and consistently engaging.
PC Gamer
Perfect for tech-savvy teens who eat, sleep, and breathe gaming. PC Gamer delivers reviews, hardware insights, and gaming trends-all in print. It's screen-related content delivered through a refreshingly physical medium.
Young Rider
Is your tween horse-obsessed? Young Rider covers horseback riding basics, horse care tips, and real-life rider stories that both inform and inspire budding equestrians in a fun, age-appropriate way.
Dance Magazine
Ideal for dancers or movement lovers, Dance Magazine offers thoughtful features, profiles of choreographers and performers, and expert advice-nurturing creativity and ambition in graceful, inspiring ways.
InStyle
For teens interested in fashion and beauty, InStyle brings the latest trends, celebrity style, and lifestyle tips-an aspirational gift that blends entertainment with a touch of elegance.
Why These Print Gifts Work
They're gifts that keep giving. Each issue arrives new and exciting-building anticipation and continuity all year.
Developmentally ideal. Magazines present bite-sized reading, vivid imagery, and navigable layouts that fit a teen's attention span and interests.
Safe & curated. In an age of algorithm-driven content, print magazines remain a trustworthy, vetted space-providing age-appropriate entertainment and advice.
Holiday Gifting Tips for Parents
Pair with a personal note. Write why you chose the magazine-maybe it's to fuel a hobby, boost confidence, or simply share cozy reading time together.
Consider a combo. Mix and match: combine PC Gamer with Girls' Life for a gamer tween who also loves style, or pair Dance Magazine with InStyle to nurture both passion and presentation.
Highlight the experience. Let them know each issue is like unwrapping a mini adventure-an experience that arrives long after the holiday glow fades.
Holiday Gifting Made Easy with Magazines.com
This holiday season, support your teen or tween's interests with one of these six standout magazines from Magazines.com. They're more than gifts-they're invitations to explore, create, learn, and grow. Whether it's fashion, gaming, equestrian passion, dance, or thoughtful reading, there's a printed page waiting to spark joy-and maybe even a lifelong love of reading.
Happy gifting, and happy reading!