Although the big day itself is glorious, there's something even more thrilling about Christmas Eve and the anticipation of what's to come. As well as diving into a Christmas Eve box and leaving out a mince pie, milk and carrot for Father Christmas and trusty Rudolph, it's now possible to follow the big man and his sleigh full of presents, thanks to the invention of Santa tracker apps.
If you're not already familiar with it, the best Santa tracker apps allow you and your little one to watch Father Christmas fly across the world and make his way to your home with those much-longed-for presents, adding a whole new layer to the excitement of Christmas.
We've also found that these nifty apps help encourage children to finally make their way to bed, ready for Christmas morning.
Although there are not loads of options, there are a few different ways of tracking Santa's route, so we've pulled together the best Santa tracker apps to delight your youngster on the 24th.
Google Santa tracker
While it's not technically an app, you can still access this webpage from Google via your phone or tablet. As well as tracking Santa, there are lots of fun games, such as Present Bounce and Snowball Storm, for little ones to play on the run-up to the day itself.
The Santa tracker will provide the big man's precise location and how many presents he has delivered.
NORAD Santa Tracker
Available on a website, the Apple Store, and the Google Play Store, NORAD (aka North American Aerospace Defence Command) uses its satellites to help track Father Christmas.
One of the most popular Santa tracker apps, NORAD, has been around for over 65 years. Once downloaded, the app provides a precise GPS location and shows where Father Christmas is.
In addition to the tracker, you can watch videos, listen to Christmas music, and play games in 'The Arcade', a new one released every day.
Santa Tracker - Track Santa
This free and simple Santa tracking app can be downloaded on phones and tablets and is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can create a profile for your child and enjoy features such as "Where is Santa Claus right now?" "What is Santa doing right now?" and "Find my House."
Alexa Santa Tracker
If your little ones can’t go a day without asking Alexa for answers, this Alexa skill is a must-have for your family this holiday season. Get ready to add serious festive magic to your smart home with a range of Alexa Santa Skills. From asking Santa if they've been naughty or nice (spoiler: he knows) to listening to a heartwarming Christmas story from the big guy himself, these skills bring all the holiday fun you could ask for. Whether you have an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, this is the perfect way to turn your home into a Christmas wonderland with a simple voice command.
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.