Best Christmas Apps for Kids in 2026: 7 Apps Compared

NORAD Tracks Santa is our pick for Christmas Eve. Run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command as a long tradition, it counts down through December with games, music and holiday content, then shows a live map of Santa journey on December 24. Families can also call the Santa hotline on Christmas Eve, which adds a memorable touch for younger children.

The obvious limit is seasonality. Tracking only goes live on the day itself, so December use is mostly countdown and games. For the main event, though, NORAD is the tracker most families return to year after year, and it is completely free.

Google Santa Tracker suits younger children best, with a village full of games, coding activities, geography lessons and holiday videos all through December. A countdown builds excitement, and live tracking starts on Christmas Eve, so one site covers the whole month. It runs in a browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no account needed.

Some families prefer a dedicated app, and Google tracker is primarily a website, though an Android app exists. For December play plus Christmas Eve tracking in one free place, Google Santa Tracker is the most complete option.

Portable North Pole makes a personalized video from Santa for a child, using their photo and name for a greeting that feels made just for them. The basic version is free, which covers a single magical video to share with family. It works on web, iOS and Android, so grandparents can receive the video easily too.

Premium options add longer videos, more personalization and extra features at a cost, so check prices before upgrading. For one special greeting that delights a young child, the free version is enough, and it is the most personal Christmas app on this list.

Email Santa Tracker is the simple alternative for families who want tracking without games and extras. The site has tracked Santa for years, offers a straightforward map experience on Christmas Eve, and needs no account. For older children or for a second tracker to compare with NORAD, it is a useful free option.

It lacks the games, learning activities and polish of Google tracker, and the design is plainer. If simplicity is the goal, or if you want a backup tracker on the night, Email Santa Tracker does the job for free.

Flightradar24, known for real flight tracking, also tracks Santa on Christmas Eve with a map presentation that older children may enjoy. The flight-style view, with route and position details, appeals to kids who like planes and maps, and the core Flightradar24 service is free to view.

It is not a dedicated kids app, so there are fewer games and holiday activities than NORAD or Google offer. For a map-loving child, or as a second screen alongside a main tracker, Flightradar24 Santa Tracker is a fun free extra.

PBS Kids offers holiday-themed games with familiar characters for preschool and early elementary children, all free and without advertising. The games suit the youngest Christmas app users, with simple play and friendly characters, and the nonprofit design avoids purchase pressure.

Holiday content is seasonal and limited compared with the dedicated trackers, and games are short by design. For preschoolers who want festive play without trackers or videos, PBS Kids holiday games are a safe and free choice.

Khan Academy Kids includes seasonal books and activities around the holidays inside its free early learning app. Children can enjoy festive stories and creative activities alongside regular reading, math and science content, all without ads or purchases. Offline mode helps on holiday trips.

It is not a Christmas tracker or a dedicated holiday game collection, so families who want Santa tracking still need NORAD or Google tracker. As a safe, free app with festive content for young children through the season, Khan Academy Kids is a reliable addition to the December device.