The Family Friend was a magazine published in book form in England for much of the 19th century.

Included were articles on cooking, diet, lacemaking, patterns, embroidery, scientific discoveries, the latest explorations of the world, advice on planting and maintaining trees and vegetables, breeding birds and animals, household tips, parenting advice, spiritual reflections and dramatic fiction.

The format was varied as well, presenting prose, song, poetry, clothing patterns, and sundry other items of interest.

One of the more popular features was the inclusion of serialized novels, most of which concerned women and were essentially morality tales.

The Family Friend gives insight into the general tone of Victorian households' interests and activities, and is an accurate source for authors and filmmakers of costume design and other period details.