Explore Your Big Backyard!

"Your Big Backyard" is a monthly publication geared for children ages 3-6 years old. It is published by the National Wildlife Federation, the same group that publishes "Ranger Rick" magazine.

My daughter received a 12-month subscription to "Your Big Backyard" from her grandparents when she was 2-1/2 years old. She was immediately drawn to the gorgeous photographs of animals that grace literally 90% of the pages in the magazine. The other 10% are made up of colorful activities or stories for your child. This magazine contains NO advertisements.

Each monthly issue follows a similar format. Each magazine is 32 pages in length, and features regular sections for crafts, activities, recipes, a read-to-me story, and parents' pages.

At age 2-1/2 she was a bit young for most of the activity pages, such as hidden pictures, riddles, and dot-to-dot pictures. She did, however, love looking at the animal pictures while I read the descriptions to her. Each monthly magazine has a beautiful pullout poster in the centerfold. Our daughter's room was decorated in a jungle theme, so these pictures were a beautiful addition to her walls.

My daughter is now 3 years old, and she loves this magazine more than ever. Each month as soon as HER magazine arrives, she grabs a crayon and flips right to the activity pages. Her natural curiosity for nature is definitely encouraged with this magazine. Because of this magazine, I find her applying what she's learned into real life situations. Recently we were hiking near a river; we had to climb on some rocks. My daughter said "Look Mommy! I'm a bighorn sheep! I'm climbing rocks!" I thought that was incredible.

My daughter has also become an avid "birder" thanks to "Your Big Backyard." Last fall, one of the crafts was to make a bird feeder out of a 2-liter soda bottle. We had great fun putting it together, and my daughter diligently checks "her" birds everyday. She has learned to identify cardinals, blue jays, and mourning doves. I'm really proud of her attention to detail, and caring for wildlife.

Another very helpful feature in “Your Big Backyard” is the Parents’ Pages. Located at the very back of the magazine, these pages list ideas and activities that pertain to the subjects within each issue, and allow you, the parent, to expand your child’s horizons even further. There are book recommendations, field trip ideas, and “fun things to do” for each month.

I would recommend this magazine to any parent of a pre-schooler. You will watch your child’s natural curiosity grow, and grow. “Your Big Backyard” is a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf.