The Portable North Pole app and website is hands-down our favorite way for kids to get a chance to talk with Santa. And this year, it’s back with new features that make it better than ever. For kids who are clever, curious (and maybe a little doubtful) the elaborate setup and great visual effects at PNP will probably reassure them for another year or so that Santa really is real.
Related: Where in the world is Santa? The Google Santa Tracker knows.
New this year: personalized group videos. This is my favorite feature, because now instead of making just my own kid feel the magic of Santa, I’ll get to watch his entire class geek out when they get a message directly from Santa at their class holiday party. They will totally lose it.
For a premium upgrade, they can see Santa’s house, visit his study, watch the cool gift-wrapping machine work, and my favorite, record your child’s reaction to Santa’s call. If you add on the magic pass ($13.99) you can access the animated video stories about how Christmas is celebrated in a handful of countries around the world, from Iceland to Columbia. For both upgrades, PNP donates 5% to a children’s hospital near you.
Related: 6 of the most fun Santa apps
Skip the lines at the mall, and get a personal convo directly to the big man’s house at the North Pole. It’s the best of both worlds for those of us who are kind of low-key Santa parents or those of you who love nothing more than going all-out at Christmas.
Download Portable North Pole for iOS or Android for free.