The jolly old elf is prepping for his annual flight around the world, and thanks to the power of modern technology, you and your kids can follow his progress all day and night on Christmas Eve.
We don't know how he does it. Circling the globe in one night and stopping at the home of every single child there is? Various movies have speculated over the years that maybe he uses magic, or perhaps he has access to technology that slows time for everyone but himself. However he does it, he's been delivering toys to boys and girls for centuries — and with infinitely greater efficiency than anyone else has ever managed.
If you and your kids want to keep track of Santa's progress, here's where and how to do it.
NORAD
NORAD has been has been monitoring Santa's flight and posting his progress online almost as long as there's been an Internet. Its website, noradsanta.org, has grown significantly over the years and boasts loads of educational materials like games, videos and much more. NORAD also mirrors its data on an official app for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone. NORAD's tracking kicks off at 2:00 AM EST on December 24.
Google started its own Santa tracker a while back as a rival to NORAD's, and its site, santatracker.google.com, offers many similar features. Google's site focuses less on education and more on fun, so there are plenty of games and interactive features to explore. Google offers an Android app version of its Santa tracker, but iOS and Windows Phone users are out of luck. Google's tracker starts around 4:00 AM EST on December 24. (Google's tracker isn't embeddable this year.)
Radio
Looking to stay informed but not glued to your computer? Kringle Radio is a terrific alternative. Starting at 6:00 AM EST every December 23, Kringle Radio broadcasts live newscasts directly from the North Pole, providing up-to-the-minute coverage of Santa's every move. More than just a tracker, Kringle Radio gives insider news and realtime reports. Is Santa encountering bad weather? Do the reindeer need to stop for a short break? Are airplanes flying within range of the sleigh? Kringle Radio keeps you posted.
Are you following us here on Twitter yet? If not, now is the time! Our tracking event starts tonight!
— TheSantaTracker (@TheSantaTracker) December 23, 2014
Finally, if you like your Santa updates in 140-words-or-less chunks, try Twitter account @TheSantaTracker. (But be prepared for potentially hundreds of tweets on Christmas Eve.) They tweet every time Santa stops in a new country or state.
You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout...
I think you know why.
