NORAD Santa Tracker: Follow Saint Nick From The North Pole to Connecticut on Christmas Eve

The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) normally watches the skies for threats, but on Christmas Eve they also track Santa. The NORAD Tracks Santa website shows where Santa is dropping off presents throughout the day — and much more.

The gift counter is hilarious and there are so many other things to occupy restless kids on the site, including Track Santa's route in 3D, using the navigation controls on the upper right to change the view. Icons show locations Santa has been spotted, and you can click on an icon to learn more about the location. There is even a Santa Cam, with video icons indicating that Santa Cams have recorded footage of Santa at that location. And the sound track is great.

Tracking Santa has been a tradition at NORAD and its predecessor since 1955. Back then, a Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for a 'call Santa hotline' contained a misprint, and children began calling the military installation, according to a NORAD website.

The officers and airmen at the tracking center near Colorado Springs, Colorado had fun with the calls and began giving the children updates on Santa's location, and that tradition continues in 2016.

Click here to go directly to the Norad Tracks Santa website.

Image via NORAD