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You are here: Home / Holidays / Christmas / Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

December 9, 2019 by Erin Vincent 10 Comments

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Tracking Santa? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Did you know that your children can track Santa’s progress as he delivers presents across the world?

We loved tracking Santa last year! It turned out to be a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy….and dare I say it….a little bit educational….

The kids can’t wait to do it all over again this year.
Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity - Did you know that your children can track Santa's progress as he delivers presents across the world? #Christmas #Santa #geography #santatracking #norad  #games #gameschooling

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

Tracking Santa with NORAD

NORAD has been the official Santa tracker for over 60 years and it began with a typo in a Colorado Springs newspaper. It all started in 1955 when a SEARS ad informed children that they could call Santa on what turned out to be a secret military number!

Luckily, the straight-laced Colonel who answered the phone call of a small child, hoping to talk to Santa, had a sense of humor, a heart of gold, and played the part of “The Big Guy.”

That’s how NORAD grew to be what it is today. You can read more about how it all began with a typo and then pop over to NORAD on Christmas Eve to begin tracking Santa yourself! NORAD provides your children with “REAL TIME” action as Santa makes his way from country to country all over the world!

When I announced that Santa was currently in Mumbai India my kiddos were instantly obsessed. Even better, NORAD gives you insight into where Santa will be next and gives you a countdown!

Yes, we were constantly counting down throughout the day as Santa made his way across the globe.
Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

Throughout Christmas Eve we were baking cookies, playing games, and singing Christmas carols. We even attended a family gathering. But, we were also tracking Santa!

This was such a fun activity! 

We used our Pin It Maps throughout the day to pinpoint where Santa was at any given moment. These maps are AMAZING as you have map pins for every country in the world, major cities, and each country’s flag….so…we had a ton of options to choose from!

These are absolutely our favorite maps EVER! Pin It Maps make geography a hands-on experience.

Luckily, when Santa arrived in countries we were unfamiliar with, we used our Pin It Maps control maps that have the countries already labeled on them. This came in handy for countries like Turkmenistan, Azerbaijin, and Tajikstan.

Although, we totally know where those countries are NOW!
Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

When Santa left Poland and headed for Prague, Czech Republic we learned that it held the largest castle in the world!

That’s a pretty cool fact nugget!

Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa

Even when we went to a family gathering, the children told their friends and cousins that they were tracking Santa. Friends and cousins became interested and before we knew it everyone wanted to know where Santa was!

Paris, France.

Have you ever done a Santa countdown at a red light?

Twice?

Guilty!

Don’t be fooled. Santa’s a lot faster than he looks!

Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

The energy was high around here when Santa finally made it across the Atlantic Ocean! But, these kiddos skidded into bed not a moment too soon!

Thank goodness.

And Santa arrived right on time!

Phew!

Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

If you want to track Santa be sure to hop on over to NORAD!

If you want to take your tracking up a notch, then grab your Pin It Maps, Geography Games, and put on some Christmas music!

You’re in for an exciting time!

Here Are Some Fantastic Geography Games You Can Include While Tracking Santa:

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Christmas Themed Games

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity

Tell me, will your kiddos track Santa this year?

Countdown to Christmas with awesome STEAM experiments from STEAM KIDS Christmas!

You may also enjoy these other Holiday Posts:

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  • 10 EASY Homeschool Holiday Activities

  • The Nutcracker Ballet Activities and Books

  • Christmas Carol Study with SQUILT

  • Winter Solstice Activities & Books

  • 25 Favorite Christmas Books the Whole Family Will Love

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  • Our A-Book-A-Day Advent Calendar

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  • Swirl Paint Christmas Ornaments

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  • Top 20 Doctor Who Gift Ideas

  • Fun Gilmore Girls Gift Ideas


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Filed Under: Christmas, Fall/Winter, Geography, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Games for kids, Educational Games, Educational Games for kids, Games, geography, geography activities, Geography Games for kids, maps, NORAD, NORAD Santa Tracker, Pin It Maps, Santa Claus, Santa tracking, track down Santa Claus, Track Santa, Track Santa Claus, track Santa for kids, tracking Santa Family Activity

About Erin Vincent

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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  1. 10 EASY Homeschool Holiday Activities ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    December 5, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

    Reply
  2. Pursuing A Slow December ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    November 19, 2019 at 10:14 am

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  3. The Nutcracker Ballet Activities and Books ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    October 21, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

    Reply
  4. Black Friday and Cyber Monday Homeschool Deals ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    October 16, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    […] are our favorite maps, folks! We even used them to track Santa last year on Christmas […]

    Reply
  5. Traveling with Kids: Remember to Bring Audio Books & a Big Travel Mug of Patience ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    May 17, 2019 at 8:56 am

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

    Reply
  6. Harry Potter Christmas Tree ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    September 21, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

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  7. 25 Favorite Christmas Books the Whole Family Will Love ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    September 21, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

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  8. Christmas Carol Study with SQUILT ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    September 21, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

    Reply
  9. Festive Christmas Chalk Pastel Art Lessons For Kids ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    September 21, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

    Reply
  10. Swirl Paint Christmas Ornaments ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    September 21, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    […] Tracking Santa On Christmas Eve: A Family Activity […]

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Welcome! I'm Erin, a homeschooling mom to two very intense kids. Every day I try to find what works best for me and my family. My blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. I hope these posts will encourage you on your homeschool adventure.

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