National Geographic Kids
A free kids website with animal facts, science, history, space, games, quizzes and short videos, plus print magazines: Nat Geo Kids for ages 6–8 from $39 a year and Nat Geo Little Kids for ages 3–5 at $54 a year.
What is National Geographic Kids?
National Geographic Kids is the children's brand of National Geographic, run by National Geographic Partners, part of The Walt Disney Company's family of businesses. It has two main parts: a free website full of animal facts, science, space, history and games, and print magazines for young readers.
The website is the part most families use. It's built for kids to explore on their own, with big photos, short articles and quick videos.
How it works
On the website, kids can:
- Look up an animal in sections like mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and prehistoric animals.
- Read about science, space, history, U.S. states and countries.
- Play games, quizzes and puzzles, or try funny fill-ins.
- Watch short video series such as Amazing Animals, Weird But True! and Try This!
Homework help pages, such as how to write an animal report, make it useful for school projects. There's no account and no set path; kids follow their curiosity.
The magazines arrive by mail. Nat Geo Little Kids has pull-out activity sheets and hands-on ideas for ages 3–5. The new Nat Geo Kids for ages 6–8 features animals, amazing facts and hands-on science, with features like So You Wanna Be and Dare to Explore.
What it covers
| Part | Ages | What's in it |
|---|---|---|
| Website: Animals | All ages | Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, prehistoric animals |
| Website: Science and history | Elementary | Space, gemstones, national parks, endangered species, women heroes |
| Website: Games and videos | Elementary | Quizzes, puzzles, Amazing Animals, Weird But True! |
| Nat Geo Little Kids | 3–5 | Early-reader stories, activity sheets |
| Nat Geo Kids | 6–8 | Animals, facts, hands-on science |
Who it's best for
National Geographic Kids is perfect for curious kids who love animals and facts, and for families who want free, reliable reading for reports and read-alouds. The magazines are a good screen-free option for young kids.
It's not a curriculum. For a full year of science, browse elementary science or homeschool science options on Edulist.
Pricing at a glance
The website is free. As of October 2026, Nat Geo Kids magazine starts at $39 a year and Nat Geo Little Kids is $54 a year with a free book. Manage subscriptions at National Geographic's magazine customer service site.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
The website costs nothing. Some programs treat magazine subscriptions as educational materials, while many limit spending to curriculum; each program decides. Check your state's rules, such as Arizona, and read how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work. Save paid programs to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
PBS Kids is another free option for younger kids. CuriosityStream offers full documentaries for older kids and families. Crash Course Kids has free science videos for grades 3–5, and Highlights is a popular magazine alternative.
See the best educational websites for kids for more picks.
Who National Geographic Kids is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Curious kids who love animals and weird facts
- Students researching an animal or country report
- Families who want free, trustworthy science reading
- Young kids who'd enjoy a screen-free magazine each month
Look elsewhere if
- Families looking for a structured science curriculum
- Middle and high schoolers who need deeper content
- Parents who want zero ad tracking; the site uses interest-based ads and measurement
National Geographic Kids pros and cons
Pros
- Free website with no login
- High-quality photos and well-researched facts
- Mix of reading, games and short videos
- Affordable print magazines for ages 3–8
Cons
- No lesson plans, sequence or assessments
- Content leans toward younger readers
- Site uses interest-based advertising and measurement tools
- Magazine age bands are narrow
What’s included
- Free website with animal profiles, science, space, history and U.S. states and countries
- Games, personality quizzes, puzzles and funny fill-ins
- Short video series such as Amazing Animals and Weird But True!
- Homework help pages, such as how to write an animal report
- Monthly Nat Geo Kids magazine for ages 6–8; Nat Geo Little Kids for ages 3–5
- Weird But True! and other Nat Geo Kids books
How much does National Geographic Kids cost?
The National Geographic Kids website is free with no login. Print magazines are sold by subscription: as of October 2026, Nat Geo Kids for ages 6–8 starts at $39 a year, with magazine-only and book-bundle options, and Nat Geo Little Kids for ages 3–5 costs $54 a year, bundled with a choice of a Big Book of Why or Big Book of Animals. Both offers include two pairs of animal socks.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nat Geo Kids magazine (ages 6–8), from | $39/yr | Yearly | $3.25/mo |
| Nat Geo Little Kids magazine (ages 3–5) | $54/yr | Yearly | $4.50/mo |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistNational Geographic Kids family reviews
Be the first to review
Loading…
National Geographic Kids FAQs
Is National Geographic Kids free?
The website is free, with games, quizzes, animal facts and videos and no login. The print magazines are paid subscriptions.
How much is a Nat Geo Kids magazine subscription?
As of October 2026, Nat Geo Kids for ages 6–8 starts at $39 a year, with magazine-only and book-bundle options. Nat Geo Little Kids for ages 3–5 is $54 a year and includes a free book.
What age is National Geographic Kids for?
Nat Geo Little Kids magazine is for ages 3–5 and Nat Geo Kids magazine is for ages 6–8. The website suits a wider range of elementary readers.
How often does Nat Geo Kids magazine come?
National Geographic describes the new Nat Geo Kids as delivered screen-free every month. Check the subscription page for the current issue count before you order.
How do I cancel a Nat Geo Kids subscription?
Use National Geographic's online magazine customer service at ngmservice.com, which handles renewals and account changes, or contact the National Geographic help center.
Can National Geographic Kids be used for homeschool science?
Yes, as a supplement. Its animal pages and homework help are great for reports and read-alouds, but pair it with a structured program for a full science year.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: