Getting Started
- Who is Ranger Rick?
- What makes Ranger Rick trustworthy?
- What are the different Ranger Rick magazines?
- Which magazine is right for my child’s age and reading level?
- What is the Ranger Rick book club?
- Are there special rates for bulk or classroom orders?
- In what language is Ranger Rick offered?
- Why do some magazine issues include links or QR codes?
My Privacy
My Subscription
- How do I create a Ranger Rick account to manage my subscription?
- What is your return policy?
- How long will it take for my order to arrive?
- What should I do if an issue wasn’t delivered?
- Where do I find my expiration date?
- How do I update my address?
- How do I make a payment?
- What are your shipping and handling fees?
- I sent a payment — why did I receive a bill?
- How do I renew my subscription?
- How does automatic renewal work?
- How do I cancel my subscription or turn off auto-renewal?
- How do I switch to a more age-appropriate title?
- Can I send a gift announcement to the recipient?
Our Magazines & Book Clubs
- About Ranger Rick
- About Ranger Rick Jr.
- About Ranger Rick Cub
- About Ranger Rick Dinosaurs
- About Ranger Rick Zoobooks
- About Ranger Rick Adventures Book Club
- About Reading with Ricky Book Club
- About Critters Up Close Book Club
Other Topics
Let’s Dig In
Getting Started
Who is Ranger Rick?
The beloved raccoon ambassador of National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Always up for a wild adventure, he’s the heart of NWF’s publications for children, and a friend to every kid who’s ever been curious about animals and nature. Since 1959, Ranger Rick has been inspiring kids to discover the natural world with wonder and curiosity. He’s still at it today, connecting kids of all ages to wildlife and the outdoors through stunning photography, fun facts, hands-on activities, and great storytelling.
What makes Ranger Rick trustworthy?
Ranger Rick is published by National Wildlife Federation, and for decades, we’ve built our stories with the people who study the natural world. We bring scientists, wildlife biologists, conservation specialists, and educators into our editorial process: fact-checking stories, surfacing the research that shapes how we talk about animals and ecosystems, and helping us find the line between accessible and accurate. That rigor goes into every page. When we write about a species, we’re drawing on the latest information. When we frame a conservation story, we’re thinking about what the science actually says, not just what makes a good headline. And when we develop content for kids at different developmental stages across our five titles, we’re thinking about how children learn and what builds genuine curiosity. As Ranger Rick launches new editorial features, digital experiences, videos, books, and beyond — the same mission and editorial principles stay with us.
What are the different Ranger Rick magazines?
Today we publish five award-winning magazine titles for kids: Ranger Rick, Ranger Rick Jr., Ranger Rick Cub, Ranger Rick Dinosaurs, and Ranger Rick Zoobooks.
Which magazine is right for my child’s age and reading level?
We publish five wildlife magazines for kids so there are age-appropriate options.
- Ages 0–4: Ranger Rick Cub
- Ages 4–7: Ranger Rick Jr. and Ranger Rick Dinosaurs
- Ages 7+: Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Zoobooks
Age is a great start, and reading level matters too.
- Ranger Rick Cub is made for kids at the very beginning of their pre-literacy journey
- Ranger Rick Jr. and Ranger Rick Dinosaurs support early literacy skill development
- Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Zoobooks are written for emerging and confident readers alike
Are there special rates for bulk or classroom magazine orders?
Yes. Thank you for your interest in bulk and classroom magazine subscriptions. Please call our customer care team toll-free at 800-611-1599 to learn more about pricing and place an order. We are available Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm ET (7:00am-8:00pm CT) and Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm ET (8:00am – 6:00pm CT). We are closed Sunday.
What is the Ranger Rick Book Club?
We publish three wildlife-focused book clubs for children, each designed for a different age and stage:
- Critters Up Close (Ages 0–4): Illustrated board books that put the animal kingdom into a baby or toddler’s hands
- Reading with Ricky (Ages 4–7): Soft-cover story books that spark curiosity about nature through fun storytelling and whimsical illustrations
- Ranger Rick Adventures (Ages 7+): Soft-cover activity books that inspire kids to love wildlife through fun facts, comic adventures, games, puzzles, and more
In what language is Ranger Rick offered?
Ranger Rick magazine and book club subscriptions are offered in English.
Why do some magazine issues include links or QR codes?
We believe it’s critical that kids spend time outdoors, and we champion screen-free wildlife experiences. Kids learn in a multitude of ways, and we want to inspire as many of them as possible to discover and love wildlife. To do that, we have to reach kids where they already are: YouTube, Sensical, Kahoot, and more. In some issues, we include QR codes or links to videos, games, crafts, recipes, and other activities online, because sometimes the best way to hear a bird call, watch an animal in motion, or try a nature craft is to see it come to life. Every link we include is carefully chosen to deepen kids’ access and connection to the natural world. And we always count on parents and caregivers to explore alongside their kids.
My Subscription
How do I create a Ranger Rick account to manage my subscription?
You can access the Ranger Rick customer service center at nwf.cloud.buysub.com/login. From there, you can create your Ranger Rick account or sign in.
Once signed in, your account gives you access to a range of options, including:
- Switching to an age-appropriate title: Request a title change as your child grows
- Viewing subscription details: Check your expiration date and subscription status
- Checking recent issues: See which issues our records show you should have received
- Updating your address: Make address changes quickly online
- Making a payment: You’ll be prompted if a balance is due, with options to pay by credit card or PayPal
- Managing gift subscriptions: View and manage any gift subscriptions tied to your account
- Updating your email address: Keep your contact info current to receive important subscription communications
What is your return policy?
Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Cancel anytime and receive a full refund for all unshipped magazine issues. For our book clubs there is no minimum amount of books to buy; you are free to cancel anytime. Just reach out to our customer service team toll-free at 800-611-1599. We’re available Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm ET (7:00am-8:00pm CT) and Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm ET (8:00am – 6:00pm CT). We are closed Sunday.
How long will it take for my order to arrive?
When you order directly from Ranger Rick or National Wildlife Federation, initial magazine issues orders typically take 4-8 weeks for delivery, while initial book club orders can take 2-4 weeks for delivery. (Deliveries outside the U.S. may take longer.)
What should I do if an order wasn’t delivered?
Sign in to your Ranger Rick account and select “Contact Customer Service” from the main menu. A “Contact Customer Service” form will appear where you can select the magazine title and “Missed/Damaged Issue” as the reason for contacting us. Provide any additional information and click “Send”. Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone, email or chat for more details. We’re happy to help!
Where do I find my expiration date?
The month-end expiration date of your subscription can be found on the magazine label, near your name. You can also locate your account number on your renewal notice. And at anytime, sign in to your Ranger Rick account to view the expiration information by selecting “My Gift Subscriptions” from the main menu and view the dates under the “Expires On” header.
How do I update my address?
Change your address by signing in to your Ranger Rick account, visiting the main menu, and selecting “Change Address”. Or, to adjust the recipient’s address, select “My Gift Subscriptions” in the main menu, go to the recipient, and click “Actions”. Then, update the address and confirm your changes.
How do I make a payment?
If a payment is due, you will receive a clearly stated reminder notification based on your communication preferences (email and/or mail) and will be prompted in your Ranger Rick account to make a payment on your subscription(s). To make a payment in your Ranger Rick account, select “My Gift Subscriptions” from the main menu, go to the recipient you would like to renew, select “Renew Now” to proceed. Online payments can be made using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or PayPal.
If you would like to pay by check or money order, please include your account number with your payment and mail it to:
Ranger Rick
PO Box 5153
Boone, IA 5050-0153
What are your shipping and handling fees?
For U.S. deliveries, there’s no shipping and handling fee for our magazines. Our book clubs have a shipping and handling fee is $4.98. We also ship to APO/FPO military addresses through the United States Postal Service, treated just like standard U.S. deliveries. Magazines shipped to Canadian and other international addresses, a $15.00 USD shipping fee applies per subscription per year. Book clubs are not shipped outside of the U.S.
I sent a payment — why did I receive a bill?
Payments can take up to two weeks to process. If you recently sent a payment, you can safely disregard any invoices that arrive in the meantime. If it’s been more than two weeks, sign in to your Ranger Rick account to check your last payment date.
How do I renew my subscription?
- Online: The easiest way to renew is to sign in to your account.
- By Phone: Give us a call at 1-800-611-1599. Available Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm ET (7:00am-8:00pm CT) and Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm ET (8:00am – 6:00pm CT). We are closed Sunday.
- By Mail: Send the renewal form we mailed to you, or send your request to: National Wildlife Federation, PO Box 5153, Boone, IA 50950-0153.
How does automatic renewal work?
Our online orders with auto-renew allow you to lock in an introductory first-year rate. If that applies to your order, you’ll see it clearly noted on the order page before you complete your purchase. By ordering, you are agreeing to the purchase of the selected print magazine subscription at the advertised price with the convenience of automatic renewal. Your subscription will be automatically renewed for one year and you will receive a clearly stated reminder notification with the then current rate prior to any charge to your original form of payment. You authorize us to charge your original form of payment accordingly. Of course, you are free to discontinue any further automatic renewal charges by simply contacting customer service, toll-free at 1-800-611-1599, or by logging in to my Ranger Rick account to cancel automatic renewal by going to the left sidebar, selecting “My Gift Subscriptions”, determining a subscription to be edited, selecting “Actions” in the drop down menu, and selecting “Turn off auto renew”. Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed, no questions asked. For more information, please review our Payment Terms and contact us.
How do I cancel my subscription or turn off auto-renewal?
Adjust your subscription by signing in to your Ranger Rick account, clicking “My Gift Subscriptions” on the main menu, selecting which subscription to edit and clicking “Actions”. From there you have the option to “Turn off auto renew” to avoid future automatic renewal charges and/or the option to “End subscription early” to cancel remaining issues and receive a refund for any unserved issues. For book club cancellations or if you need additional support, please contact us.
Why do I need to provide my email address?
Your email address helps us keep you informed about important updates related to your subscription. To check or update your email, simply sign in to your Ranger Rick account. We take your privacy seriously. Your contact information is used only to communicate with you about your subscription and relevant products, services, and events, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
How do I switch to a more age-appropriate title?
As your child grows, so does Ranger Rick! Sign in to your Ranger Rick account, visit the main menu, and select “My Gift Subscriptions”. Then choose the right recipient, select “Actions” and go to “Switch Magazine” to easily switch your subscription to the title that’s the best fit for your reader. Not sure which title is best? View our helpful guide for more details.
Can I send a gift announcement to the recipient?
Yes! On our online order pages, you can schedule an e-card announcing the gift. Just enter the recipient’s email address, choose a send date, pick a card design, and add a personal message. You can even preview the e-card before it goes out.
Our Magazines
We reserve the right to change the number of issues in a subscription term and pages per issue without advance notice.
About Ranger Rick
- Ages 7+
- 10 issues/year (Dec/Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun/Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov)
- 36 pages per issue
Ranger Rick magazine brings kids all the things they most enjoy: close encounters with animals in the wild, science discoveries to share with friends and use in school assignments, and special pages full of puzzles, riddles, and mazes that stimulate logical thinking. Every issue delivers amazing wildlife photography that reveals the marvels of the natural world, outdoor adventures and discoveries with projects that foster environmental awareness, expert answers to readers’ questions about plants, animals, and the wilderness, and puzzles, games, stories, comics, and more — all full of learning fun!
About Ranger Rick Jr.
- Ages 4-7
- 10 issues/year (Dec/Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun/Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov)
- Five 30-page issues (including a pull-out poster) and five 28-page issues
Ranger Rick Jr. introduces young readers to wildlife, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of nature. Hosted by Ricky Raccoon and Sammy Skunk, every issue is packed with stunning animal photos, fascinating facts, stories, games, crafts, and ideas for outdoor fun. Designed for preschoolers and beginning readers, the magazine presents animal and nature information in bite-sized chunks with large fonts and simple sentence structure, so early readers can build confidence while discovering the natural world.
About Ranger Rick Cub
- Ages 0-4
- 6 issues/year (Jan, Mar, May, July, Sep, Nov)
- 20 “baby-proof” pages per issue
Ranger Rick Cub magazine offers a first look at the wonderful world of animals, introducing kids to wildlife through stories, photos, and fun activities. Every issue comes with beautiful animal photos that teach animal names alongside familiar adjectives and verbs. Simple and endearing animal stories about elephants, bears, chipmunks, ducks, and more. Highlights letter and number recognition, learning activities that ask children to sort, find, or compare objects, sing-song animal poems, thing to do outside, and parent tips for sharing animal learning fun.
About Ranger Rick Dinosaurs
- Ages 4-7
- 6 issues/year (Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct)
- 20 pages per issue
Ranger Rick Dinosaurs magazine brings prehistoric animals to life through colorful illustrations, fun facts, and time-travel adventures. Each issue explores the wild, long-gone world of dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles, focusing on a different dinosaur group to excite a thirst for learning and encourage curiosity well beyond its pages. In a trademark design, captivating photographs and beautiful illustrations work together to make complex concepts easily understandable.
About Ranger Rick Zoobooks
- Ages 7+
- 9 issues/year (Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, July/Aug Sep, Oct, Nov)
- 20 pages per issue
Zoobooks magazine takes kids on a deep dive into wildlife, focusing each issue on a single animal or group of animals. This encyclopedia-style magazine series covers animals from A to Z, with facts, interactive pullout activity pages, and age-appropriate information. In a trademark design, captivating photographs and beautiful illustrations work together to make complex concepts easily understandable.
About Ranger Rick Adventures Book Club
- Ages 7+
- 2 soft-cover activity books about every 4 weeks
The Ranger Rick Adventures Book Club inspires kids to love wildlife through nature facts, comic adventures, games, puzzles, and more.
About Reading with Ricky Book Club
- Ages 4-6
- 2 soft-cover story books about every 4 weeks
The Reading with Ricky Book Club sparks curiosity about nature and boosts literacy development through fun storytelling and whimsical illustrations.
About Critters Up Close Book Club
- Ages 0-3
- 2 board books about every 4 weeks
The Critters Up Close Book Club puts the wild animal kingdom into a baby or toddler’s hands.
Other Topics
How can I adjust my communication preferences?
From time to time Ranger Rick may reach out to you. Here’s how to manage your communication preferences:
- Ranger Rick Account, Magazine Subscription, or Book Club: Log in to your Ranger Rick account to quickly access our Customer Care team or update your contact information and settings. You can also renew, send a gift magazine subscription, and more.
- Email: Unsubscribe within the Ranger Rick email to be opted out. Please note you may receive email from Ranger Rick or National Wildlife Federation.
- Postal Mail and List Rental: Opt out of Postal Mail and List Rental marketing mail from Ranger Rick with promotions and on occasion partners we think you might like. We never share children’s data.
Even after unsubscribing or opting out, you still could receive email or mail from Ranger Rick and National Wildlife Federation related to your active magazine subscriptions or gifts (for example, renewal reminders or order confirmations). To manage those communication preferences too, you can log in to your Ranger Rick account or contact us.
What is Jr. Ranger?
Jr. Ranger is a nationwide competition that inspires young explorers (ages 4–12) to connect with nature and learn about conservation as they compete to earn $20,000, appear in a Ranger Rick Magazine, and meet Jeff Corwin for an exclusive adventure. The competition is run by Colossal and benefits the National Wildlife Federation. Learn more at jr-ranger.org.
Who runs the Jr. Ranger competition?
Colossal Management, LLC runs the Jr. Ranger competition as part of a fundraising campaign on behalf of DTCare, a 501(c)(3) charity.
Where does the competition money go?
The grant to the National Wildlife Federation will come from donations generated through votes by donation during the competition. 100% of donations made through the competition will go directly to DTCare, which will subsequently grant donation funds (minus competition fees/costs and a nominal percentage retained by DTCare) to the National Wildlife Federation. For more information visit https://jr-ranger.org/rules.
Why DTCare?
Many charities with honorable missions lack the bandwidth to run effective fundraising campaigns year-round. Through this competition, DTCare allows the National Wildlife Federation to spend less time raising funds and more time focusing on their mission.
Do the National Wildlife Federation, Jeff Corwin, or Ranger Rick Magazine run this competition?
No. Colossal Management, LLC runs the Jr. Ranger competition as part of a fundraising campaign on behalf of DTCare, a 501(c)(3) charity.
Are votes by donation tax deductible?
Yes! Every vote by donation is a direct donation to DTCare, a 501(c)(3) charity. Votes by donation are deductible for federal income tax purposes. DTCare will subsequently make the grant to the National Wildlife Federation after the winner is announced. Donors will receive a receipt via email.
Still have questions? Contact us.
- Call Us toll-free at 800-611-1599. Available on Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm ET (7:00am-8:00pm CT) and Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm ET (8:00am – 6:00pm CT). We are closed Sunday.
- Chat With Us. Available Monday – Saturday 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM CST. Closed Sunday.
- Email Us. We’ll do our best to respond within 1-3 days.