With the holiday season upon us, it won’t be long before your little ones are glued to the window, eagerly scanning the night sky for a glimpse of Santa. Instead of letting them fret, why not let them join in on the fun and “track” Santa’s journey online, courtesy of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)?
Starting at 2:01 a.m. E.S.T. on December 24, your kiddos can check out Santa’s exact whereabouts by visiting noradsanta.org. Last year, the site saw a whopping 22 million unique visitors! For those who prefer mobile tracking, Santa’s journey can also be followed through dedicated apps on iPhone, Android, and Windows devices. Plus, for the social media-savvy children, NORAD will be sharing live updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
If your children are feeling a bit anxious about Santa’s whereabouts, they can chat with one of the many enthusiastic volunteers at NORAD’s Peterson Air Force Base HQ in Colorado starting at 6 a.m. E.S.T. Unfortunately, we won’t be sharing any phone numbers here, but you can always visit this page for more details.
The Tradition Behind Santa Tracking
The Santa tracking tradition began back in 1955 due to a misprinted ad for Sears Roebuck & Co., which accidentally directed kids to the operations hotline instead of Santa’s. Colonel Max Thompson, who was overseeing the command at the time, had his team check the radar for Santa’s whereabouts. NORAD eventually took over this delightful responsibility, and year after year, dedicated volunteers have made it possible for children worldwide to follow Santa’s journey. “A fantastic team of military and community volunteers makes this happen,” said NORAD spokesperson Jamie McAllister.
In 2016 alone, over 1,400 hotline volunteers fielded a staggering 154,192 calls—an average of 1.8 calls per second! And while kids are thrilled to track Santa, the NORAD team also reassures parents by reminding the little ones, “He’ll only visit if you’re tucked in bed and sound asleep.”
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In summary, NORAD offers an exciting way for children to track Santa on Christmas Eve, whether through their website, mobile apps, or a friendly chat with volunteers. This cherished tradition not only sparks joy in kids but also gives parents a little peace of mind.