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.
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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.
Track 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
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!
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!
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!
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:
Christmas Themed Games
Tell me, will your kiddos track Santa this year?
Countdown to Christmas with awesome STEAM experiments from STEAM KIDS Christmas!
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