Six Ways to Use Brilliant Star with Kids Ages 4-7

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When my older daughter started reading Brilliant Star, my younger daughter was a preschooler. Though she enjoyed looking through the colorful pages and illustrations in her sister’s issues, she was too young to read the stories or do any of the word puzzles herself. The magazine is geared toward 8 to 12-year-olds, but with a little help and imagination, my younger daughter was able to actively participate in Brilliant Star activities.

Reading skills is the biggest issue when it comes to younger children enjoying Brilliant Star. But even if they can’t read yet, your young kids can still benefit from the inspiring stories, fun activities, and spiritual empowerment the magazine offers with your help.

Here are some of our pages that can be a good fit for kids younger than 7:

 

1) Stories

Young kids love to be read to, and Brilliant Star’s folktales and fiction stories are a good length for reading aloud. And every story includes moral or spiritual concepts that parents or teachers can discuss with children according to their understanding and capacity.

 

2) Coloring Pages

Brilliant Star’s coloring pages offer kids of all ages a chance to bring art to life through color. You can talk about what’s in the scene, and let them express their imagination by choosing how to fill it in. Some coloring pages also double as hidden pictures for twice the fun!

 

3) Drawing Pages

The beauty of drawing pages is that they don’t require highly developed artistic skills. Kids who can control a pencil or crayon can create their own version of the drawing prompt and see their own unique artwork showcased in the magazine.

 

4) Crafts

Our Nur’s Nook craft activities are designed for older kids to do with minimal help, using standard art supplies and common household materials. But they are equally enjoyable for parents and children to do together. Young kids can practice skills such as cutting, gluing, and folding, and take pride in creating something together with parents or an older sibling.

 

5) Hidden Pictures

Even if they aren’t able to read the words, young children are super sleuths when it comes to seek-and-find activities. Hidden picture pages help kids develop their powers of observation, patience, and perseverance—plus, they’re fun!

 

6) Animal Finds

Many issues of Brilliant Star include pages where readers have to find a certain number of animals in a scene. From box turtles to zebras, searching for animals helps kids practice counting skills while learning about our flying or furry friends. And it gives them a great sense of accomplishment if they’re able to find them all!

 

Brilliant Star offers engaging, empowering content that kids and families can learn from and enjoy. And don’t forget about the games and activities on our website as well. There’s fun to be had for all ages!

 

Annie Reneau is a homeschooling mom of three, lover of chocolate and travel, and former assistant editor with Brilliant Star. She now works as associate editor at Upworthy/GOOD and shares her personal musings on life and parenting at Motherhood and More.

Updated on 4.07.16