How NORAD Tracks Santa
Discover the unexpected origin of NORAD's Santa tracking tradition. Children will trace Santa's journey across the world map, learning how time zones mean Christmas Eve begins at different moments around the globe, and predicting when Santa will arrive in various locations.
The lesson goal is learners will understand the fun story behind NORAD's Santa tracking program. They will also be able to trace Santa's journey across the world map, figuring out how time zones affect his arrival and predicting when he'll reach different places, including their own home.
What You Need
Missing something? Don't let it stop you. The app offers easy alternatives for every item you have at home.
Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction5 Min
- Ask: "How did a wrong phone number in 1955 start the tradition of tracking Santa's flight?"
- Move on when Student has offered at least one guess or theory about the question.
Photo by Petra Ryan on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan8 Min
- Tell the story of the 1955 Sears ad, CONAD, and Colonel Shoup.
- Lay out the world map (worksheet).
- Ask: "Where do you think Santa starts his journey? Why there?"
- Ask: "What do all those lines on our map mean? How might they help Santa?"
- Move on when Student understands the origin story and has identified the International Date Line as Santa's starting point on the map.
Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels - 3
Discussion6 Min
- Explain time zones: "Time zones are like an invisible wave of midnight that washes over the Earth from east to west. Every place gets its own 'midnight' when that wave reaches it, so people can celebrate Christmas at the right local time."
- Ask: "If it's midnight here, what time might it be for people far away?"
- Ask: "Why doesn't everyone on Earth just celebrate Christmas at the same exact moment?"
- Move on when Student can explain in their own words why we have time zones and how they help Santa.
Photo by Jueon Kim 김주언 on Pexels - 4
Activity9 Min
- Help mark Santa's starting point at the International Date Line.
- Trace Santa's path westward, marking key countries or cities.
- For chosen cities, ask: "What time is it in [City] when it's midnight here?"
- Ask: "If Santa is in [City] at midnight, what time would it be here for us?"
- Move on when Student has marked at least five locations on Santa's route and calculated 'our time' for Christmas Eve in two of them.
Photo by Lara Jameson on Pexels - 5
Summary2 Min
- Ask: "What surprised you most about Santa's journey or time zones?"
- Ask: "How do time zones help other people besides Santa, like pilots or people calling family far away?"
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway or insight from the lesson.
Photo by Iana Pugachova on Pexels
Personalize The Spark
Add a twist your child will love, and we'll email you a printable guide made just for them. New to Mai? We'll set you up with a free 30-day guest pass so you can open it in the app.