What on Earth! Magazine

What on Earth! Magazine, published in partnership with Encyclopaedia Britannica, is the UK’s fastest-growing children’s magazine, helping curious kids fall in love with reading, knowledge and learning. Covering all their favourite topics – from space, animals and the natural world, to history, machines and inventions – each issue is bursting with amazing facts, photos, quizzes, puzzles, jokes and more!

ZANY FACTS FACTopia! • Follow the trail of crazily connected facts all the way from escaping an avalanche to… a plant that eats insects!

SNAP IT! • Astonishing photos from around the world

Eureka • The latest astonishing discoveries, inventions and scientific breakthroughs.

How to chat… ALLIGATOR • Reptiles aren't the chattiest of animals. But if you come face to toothy snout with an American alligator, it might be wise to have these phrases handy!

WORD UP! • Your guide to the wonderful world of languages and linguistics. THIS MONTH: Limericks!

26 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT 2026

POLE TO POLE • Set off on on epic adventure to Earth's frozen poles to discover how explorers brave these harsh, icy environments. Plus, meet the animals that have adapted to live and thrive in these frozen worlds.

Race to the NORTH POLE

20 AMAZINC ANIMALS • From thick-furred foxes and rockhopping penguins to deep-diving whales, meet the animals built for life in the planet's coldest places. Discover how their superpowers, from natural antifreeze to colour-changing coats, help them survive at the icy poles.

Race to the SOUTH POLE

HOW THE EYE WORKS!

PUZZLES & GAMES! • Inside this 16-page activity section, you will find quizzes to do, puzzles to solve and fun activities to try. And don't worry if you get stuck - all the answers are on page 42.

TREASURE HUNT!

EYE DON'T BELIEVE IT! • Amazing optical illusions that trick your brain…

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS • How do people in your family or community celebrate Christmas? Here are some fun and fascinating festive traditions from around the world.

LISTIFIED! • Prepare to be amazed (and amused!) by the unusual facts crammed into these irresistible lists.

Crystal-Gazing • Thirty-five different types of snowflake

A timeline of inventions! • Throughout history, humans have used their creativity and ingenuity to invent things to make our lives easier and better (or, in the case of weaponry, to cause more destruction). Across the next four pages, discover the history of invention over hundreds of thousands of years, all from the fascinating Britannica's Encyclopedia Infographica.

MAP IT

THINK DIFFERENT! • Original people who changed the world. This month: Walt Disney.

FUNNY ANIMALS! • Our brains are wired to spot human-like behaviour everywhere. When we see it in animals, it's unexpected and delightful - let's explore why.

THE BIG QUESTIONS

NOBODY KNOWS! • People who cuddle cats know how comforting it can be to feel a cat's purr. Cats purr when they are happy, but also when they are stressed. Scientists still don't know exactly how they do it. And as for why cats make their purring sounds…

Tell us your favourite FESTIVE JOKE!

Listen to these oink-credible impersonations of pigs!

What on Earth! Magazine

MAKE YOUR OWN BATH BOMB! • A nice hot bath can feel so relaxing on a chilly evening. And what's better than a gently fizzing bath that smells wonderful, too? Bath bombs are a fun and easy way to make your bath a little bit fancier. And if you wrap them up nicely they also make charming Christmas gifts.

Jokes & Riddles • Send your name, age and favourite joke to our jokes editor May at jokes@whatonearthmag.com. If your joke is featured in a future...