Highlights is a company that is well-known for providing educational children's entertainment. Highlights came into existence in 1946, when Garry Cleveland Myers and Caroline Myers put their more than 15 years of experience in writing children's publications to the test--hoping to create the ultimate children's magazine for "fun with a purpose." It took their life savings, but they were able to produce 20,000 copies of the first issue of "Highlights," so named because it was meant to represent the best in children's entertainment. By the 60th anniversary of the magazine, the one billionth copy had been printed. While the company is mainly known for "Highlights" magazine, the company now also creates books, toys, puzzles and other items and other content designed to educate and entertain simultaneously.
The "Highlights" magazine has been a widely recognized educational magazine for children for decades. The idea behind the magazine is that it mixes fun and learning together. Created with children ages 6 to 12 in mind, the magazine features informative articles on current science and nature subjects mixed with silly stories and fun activities. There are plenty of jokes, riddles, poems and drawings along with science experiments and crafts. Each monthly issue is 42 pages long and features no advertising.
Another magazine published by Highlights is the "High Five" magazine, which follows the same principle as the other magazine, the idea that learning and fun can be mixed. This monthly magazine, however, is aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 6. The magazine contains read-along stories and poems in its 40 pages, along with recipes and crafts that are easy for youngsters to do and build self confidence. There are counting activities and hidden puzzles, as well as a pullout activity and available online audio to help young children to develop reading skills.
In addition to their magazines, Highlights also produces a line of products like toys, puzzles, science kits, arts, crafts and books. As with the magazines, the other products Highlights offers are educational, but fun. There are jigsaw puzzles, spelling games, shape games and challenging scientific puzzles as well as electronic learning toys. Other toys offered are based on realistic play, like a toy ATM machine or fashion design set. The science kits teach things like building paper airplanes and using a microscope. Highlights provides books that are collections of their popular "Hidden Pictures" features, books of puzzles and mazes, readers and pre-readers. Some of the artistic items under the Highlights brand include quilting kits, crafting books and art supplies.
Highlights has created some apps for the iPad and iPhone that give kids a chance to do "Hidden Pictures" on those devices, practice their handwriting or build their memory. There are also a number of clubs sponsored by Highlights that allow kids to get regular installments of things like "Hidden Pictures," puzzles, math or maps shipped right to their door.
