Santa Tracking With Google: Unlock Daily Games, Experiences

STOW, OH -- It's that time of year when people honor the season of giving by transforming homes, offices, buildings and cities into holiday wonderlands. This magical transformation occurs everywhere, it seems, even on the Internet, where free, digital programs offer kids (and adults) fun ways to learn, play and explore online, Santa-style. One online spot gets especially creative with its digital, holiday flare: Google's Santa Tracker.

First, Google's Santa Tracker, which goes live Dec. 24, allows anyone to know, down to the second, how long before Santa starts his journey around the world. At the time of this writing, for example, there are 15 days, six hours, 51 minutes and 49 seconds left to wait until users can track Santa's progress toward the skies over Stow, Ohio.

According to the Web site, however, each year (for 13 years now) the Google Santa Tracker experience begins Dec. 1 with the grand opening of Santa's Village. And, as the days of December go by and the countdown to Santa's departure begins, the village unlocks new games that provide and expand user experiences with topics such as basic coding skills, geography knowledge, artificial intelligence, machine learning and how to create original artwork. Visitors even get hands-on experience that teaches about charitable educational organizations.

Further, teachers can check out Santa Tracker for Educators and download lesson plans with all-new video guides to help teach students about fundamental coding skills. The Learning with Santa Tracker area covers subjects such as geography, computer science, language and social studies.

Finally, on Dec. 24, the Tracker goes live allowing Santa fans worldwide to follow his progress any way they can: on desktop Web, mobile Web (Android/iOS), Android app, Android TV app and Chromecast. Until then, though, during those long, holiday trips, remember, Google has your back with its online Santa Tracker playground.