NORAD Tracks Santa facts for kids

NORAD Tracks Santa is a super fun yearly program where NORAD pretends to track Santa Claus! Every Christmas Eve, Santa is said to leave the North Pole to deliver presents to children all over the world. NORAD's program helps kids follow his journey. While the program officially begins on December 1st, the actual Santa-tracking starts at midnight on December 23rd. This special event is a way for NORAD to connect with communities, and it has been happening every year since 1955.

What is NORAD Tracks Santa?

NORAD Tracks Santa is a popular program that lets millions of children and families follow Santa's journey around the world on Christmas Eve. It's run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD for short. NORAD's real job is to protect the skies over North America. But for one special night each year, they use their amazing tracking skills to follow Santa's sleigh!

How Did It All Start?

The NORAD Tracks Santa program began by accident in 1955. A local Sears department store in Colorado Springs, Colorado, placed an advertisement in a newspaper. The ad invited children to call Santa directly. However, the phone number printed in the ad was wrong! Instead of Santa's hotline, it was the direct phone number for the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center. CONAD was the organization that came before NORAD.

The First Call to Santa

On Christmas Eve in 1955, the phone at CONAD rang. It was a little girl asking to speak to Santa Claus! Colonel Harry Shoup, who was on duty that night, realized what had happened. Instead of hanging up, he played along. He told the girl that he was Santa and asked if she had been a good girl. He then had his staff check the radar for Santa's sleigh. This kind act started a wonderful tradition.

From CONAD to NORAD

In 1958, CONAD became NORAD. The new organization decided to continue the Santa tracking tradition. Over the years, the program grew. It started with just phone calls, but soon it added radio and television updates.

How NORAD Tracks Santa Today

Today, NORAD Tracks Santa is a huge operation. It uses modern technology to show Santa's journey.

The NORAD Tracks Santa Website

The program has a special website that goes live on December 1st. On the website, kids can play games, listen to Christmas music, and learn about Santa and NORAD. On Christmas Eve, the website becomes a live tracker, showing Santa's location as he delivers presents.

Volunteers and Technology

Hundreds of volunteers help make the program possible. They answer phone calls and emails from children around the world. These volunteers include military personnel, their families, and other community members. They use computers, phones, and large screens to show Santa's path. NORAD uses its advanced radar and satellite systems to "track" Santa, making the experience feel very real.

Where Does Santa Go First?

According to NORAD's tracking, Santa usually starts his journey in the Pacific Ocean. He then travels west, visiting countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and finally the Americas. He flies incredibly fast, delivering presents to millions of homes in just one night!

Why NORAD Tracks Santa?

NORAD Tracks Santa is more than just a fun game. It's a way for NORAD to connect with people and share some holiday cheer.

Community Outreach

The program is a great example of "community outreach." This means it's a way for a government organization to engage with the public in a positive way. It helps people learn about NORAD's important work in a friendly, festive setting.

A Holiday Tradition

For many families, checking NORAD Tracks Santa on Christmas Eve has become a beloved holiday tradition. It adds to the excitement and magic of the season. It also shows how a small mistake can lead to something truly special and long-lasting.

Images for kids

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  The 1955 Sears ad with, according to legend, the misprinted telephone number that led to the NORAD Tracks Santa program

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  Harry Shoup, the Santa Colonel

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  NORAD volunteers answering phone calls in 2007

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  Former First Lady Michelle Obama reacts while talking on the phone to children across the country as part of NORAD Tracks Santa 2016.