One for the whole family. There are activities for the entire month of December including a countdown timer & Santa games!
Our favourite part of this app is the live Santa Tracker for Christmas Eve! You can follow Santa’s route around the world delivering toys and gifts to little boys and girls everywhere, perfect if like us you have family in other countries! It’s completely free and has NO ads. Download here
Free for iOS and Android
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is behind this free app, allowing you to track Santa’s progress around the world as he goes on his Christmas Eve journey around the world. The website and app goes live on 1st December offering a Christmas Countdown, games, the Secret Santa Files and more, so in the run-up to the big night you can find out more about Santa from their library; where he lives; the legends and the fact that he must, of course, exist in a different space-time continuum than the rest of us mere mortals. Staffed by lots of volunteers on 24th December it’s possible to contact them and keep your fingers crossed for a reply… their email address is Including how to track Santa on Christmas Eve, receive a phone call from the man himself and how to reroute him to Granny’s housenoradtrackssanta@outlook.com
Free for iOS and Android
You can choose the free PNP video option but there are more available for a fee of £3.99 (or £7.99 for an even larger choice). When creating the video you are prompted to enter personal details (most of these are optional) about your child such as their age, names of friends etc. There is also the option to upload a photo of your child to be included in the video message. I opted not to do this when testing it out and they used the picture of a teddy bear instead of my daughter. The video itself is good quality, the elves are silly and fun, and Santa talks about hoping the child will be on the Nice List this year. The app also offers information on ways to give back to others at Christmas through a donation to charity.
This is one of our personal favourites! Show your kids proof that Santa was at their house with Catch A Character. This app allows you to create free photos using images taken in your house, along with stock images of Santa Claus. Santa can be shown placing presents beneath the Christmas tree, checking his list, or even looking shocked to be caught on camera.
To help parents keep holiday magic going year-round, the app also offers similar photos of the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.
Free for iOS and Android
Decorate your favourite photos with a Christmas theme using frames, effects, filter and decorations. Easy to share on social media or send to relatives who live far away to share the Christmas spirit from your house to theirs.
Free for iOS and Android
Receive a phone call or voicemail from Santa. You will need to create an account and provide details including the child’s name, what their likes and interests are (however these will only be used if you upgrade from the free account). You will also need to select a reason for the call for example, that the child was nice to their brother or sister. You can then schedule the “call.” When you’re ready the screen will imitate an incoming call so your child can press the button to start. In the free version Santa will ask the child’s name with a pause for them to answer before going talking for about a minute, congratulating the child for their good behaviour (if you selected that option) and mentioning things like his new sleigh and how he looks forward to talking to them again – so be warned, your child will likely want you to put Santa on speed dial. All in all, a fun app but the free version launches into an ad immediately after the call.
Free for iOS and Android
This app offers the chance to upload photos of friends and family and turn them into dancing elves with new options available this year. Always worth a good giggle.