--- title: "Best Santa Apps for Kids: Video Calls, Photos and Trackers" description: "The best Santa apps for kids: video calls and messages from Santa, photos of Santa in your house and NORAD’s free tracker, with what each one costs." url: https://decomytree.link/blog/santa-apps-for-kids language: en last_updated: 2026-11-09 --- Blog · Ideas # The best Santa apps for kids this Christmas A phone call from Santa, a photo of him by your tree, his sleigh on a map on Christmas Eve: a phone can add a lot of magic to December. Here are the Santa apps parents use most, checked on the App Store and Google Play, with what each one does, what’s free and what to watch out for. By [Ömer Ercan](https://decomytree.link/about#founder), founder ## The quick picks | App | Best for | Cost | | --- | --- | --- | | PNP | Personal videos and calls from Santa | A free trial video, then paid | | Speak to Santa | A pretend live video call | Free to download, Pro is paid | | Message from Santa | Calls, voicemail and texts | Free with ads, Premium is paid | | Video Call Santa | Calls about bedtime, food or school | Free to download, episodes are paid | | Catch Santa In My House! | A photo of Santa in your room | Free with ads, more Santas are paid | | Catch Santa Claus in My House | Santa, elves and reindeer in your photos | Free to download, packs are paid | | Elf Cam | A video of an elf in your home | Free to download, recording is paid | | NORAD Tracks Santa | Following Santa on Christmas Eve | Free, with no ads | | ElfYourself | Your family’s faces on dancing elves | Some dances free, most paid | All nine work on iPhone and Android. We don’t make any of them and nobody paid to be on this list. They’re made for a grown-up to set up: you type in your child’s name, choose the call or the photo, then share the moment. The ratings are the ones the stores showed on November 9, 2026. ## A call or a video from Santa None of these apps puts your child through to a real person. The calls are recorded or simulated, and they feel personal because Santa uses what you type in, like your child’s name and age. So watch one yourself before the big moment. ### PNP (Portable North Pole) ![PNP app: an incoming call from Santa and a personalized Santa video, with the PNP icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/santa-video-call-app-pnp-800.webp) From PNP’s App Store page: a call from Santa and a personalized video. PNP has made personalized Santa videos since 2008. Santa says your child’s name, knows their age and can even hold a book with their photo in it. There are phone calls for different moments, like a bedtime check-in, and conversations where your child asks Santa questions and hears him answer. A Reaction Recorder films your child’s face while they watch, so grandparents can see it too. **Good to know:** the first video is a free trial; more videos, calls and the Magic Pass are paid in the app. It’s rated 4.8 on the App Store (75,000+ ratings) and 4.6 on Google Play, with over 10 million downloads, and the iPhone app comes in 20 languages. Look for Santa Claus Video Call: PNP on iPhone and Call & Video from Santa: PNP on Android. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/santa-claus-video-call-pnp/id902026228) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ugroupmedia.pnp14). ### Speak to Santa ![Speak to Santa app: Santa on a video call and the Santa Tracker map, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/speak-to-santa-app-800.webp) From Speak to Santa’s App Store page: the video call and the Christmas Eve tracker. This one feels most like a FaceTime call. You first fill in Santa’s list, up to 12 facts such as your child’s name, age, favourite colour and the gift they want. Then you pick what the call is about: being nice, being a little naughty, or tips for getting on the nice list. Santa brings it all up, and you can record the call to keep. On Christmas Eve, your child can even call Santa while he’s out on his sleigh. **Good to know:** free to download, and the Pro Edition is paid, by subscription or once. Rated 4.5 on the App Store (100,000+ ratings) and 4.5 on Google Play, where it’s called Speak to Santa! Tracker & Call. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speak-to-santa-christmas-call/id660842333) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gravytraingames.santatrackerlitereal). ### Message from Santa ![Message from Santa app: an incoming call from Santa Claus and a video message from Santa, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/message-from-santa-app-800.webp) From Message from Santa’s App Store page: a call and a video message. Message from Santa covers the phone side of the North Pole. Santa calls and mentions your child’s name, age and interests. Your child can ring Santa’s voicemail to leave a wish list, and text Santa and get an answer straight away. There are short personalized video messages too, in English only. **Good to know:** you can use it without paying, with ads; Premium is a subscription. Rated 4.8 on the App Store (100,000+ ratings) and 4.0 on Google Play, with over 5 million downloads. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/message-from-santa-call-video/id933921849) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.retropixel.CallSanta). ### Video Call Santa ![Video Call Santa app: Santa on a video call and the list of call episodes, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/video-call-santa-app-800.webp) From Video Call Santa’s App Store page: a call and the episodes to choose from. Video Call Santa turns the call into short episodes with a purpose. Besides being nice or naughty, there are episodes about cheering up, going to sleep on time, eating well and doing well in school, which can help on a difficult evening. Santa greets your child by name, each call is saved as a video, and a Parents Only area opens with Face ID or Touch ID. **Good to know:** free to download; the themed episodes are paid one by one or all together. Rated 4.7 on the App Store, with more ratings than any other app here (161,000+), and 3.9 on Google Play. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/video-call-santa/id947281623) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surrealknight.videocallsanta). ## A photo of Santa in your house The idea is simple: take a photo of your room, add Santa and show it on Christmas morning as proof he came. Two apps with very similar names do it well on iPhone, so check the maker’s name before you install. ### Catch Santa In My House! ![Catch Santa In My House! app: Santa added to a photo of a living room and a choice of Santa poses, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/catch-santa-in-my-house-app-800.webp) From Catch Santa In My House!’s App Store page: Santa in a living room and some of his poses. Made by Magical Beliefs, this is the classic “we caught Santa” photo. Take a picture of your living room or your tree, choose one of four Santas in hundreds of poses, then adjust the brightness, exposure and blur so he blends into the light of your room. You can add elves, a snowman or reindeer as stickers. **Good to know:** free to download, with ads; the full Santa sets and sticker packs are paid. Rated 4.8 on the App Store (25,000+ ratings) but only 2.0 on Google Play, where it’s called Catch Santa Claus In My House!, so on Android read the latest reviews first. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/catch-santa-in-my-house/id1166974799) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobiledevelopment.lazarpesic.capturethemagic). ### Catch Santa Claus in My House ![Catch Santa Claus in My House app: the same room before and after Santa is added with his sack of gifts, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/catch-santa-claus-in-my-house-app-800.webp) From Catch Santa Claus in My House’s App Store page: the same room before and after. This one, by Dualverse, does the same job. Add Santa to a photo you already have or take a new one, and set up a whole scene: Santa leaving gifts by your tree, elves in the living room or his reindeer in your front yard. On iPhone, the Santa stickers work inside iMessage too. **Good to know:** free to download; the Santa, elf and reindeer packs are paid. Rated 4.8 on the App Store (19,000+ ratings) and 2.5 on Google Play, where it’s listed as Catch Santa in My House. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/catch-santa-claus-in-my-house/id1544603413) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.landon.litegoogle.catchsanta). ### Elf Cam ![Elf Cam app: an elf recorded in a room at home, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/elf-cam-app-800.webp) From Elf Cam’s App Store page: recording an elf around the house. If an elf visits your house in December, Elf Cam is for the mornings it goes missing. Place the elf in your room, choose its path and record it running, jumping, crawling or dancing. Effects like CCTV, night vision and snow make it look caught on camera. You can dress the elf first, with its own colours, hats and accessories. **Good to know:** free to download, but making and recording videos needs paid access. Rated 4.5 on the App Store (7,000+ ratings) and 3.7 on Google Play, and the iPhone app comes in 12 languages. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elf-cam-santas-elf-tracker/id1540065832) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.elfcam.elfcam). ## On Christmas Eve: track Santa ### NORAD Tracks Santa ![NORAD Tracks Santa app: the countdown to Santa’s journey and a December calendar of games, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/norad-tracks-santa-app-800.webp) From NORAD Tracks Santa’s App Store page: the countdown and a game for each day. This is the official app of NORAD Tracks Santa, the program run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Before the big night it counts down the days, with games, stories and a new game each day in December. On Christmas Eve, it follows Santa’s journey around the world. **Good to know:** completely free, with no ads and no in-app purchases. If you’d rather not install anything, NORAD Tracks Santa also has an official website, noradsanta.org. Get the app on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/norad-tracks-santa-claus/id1181633163) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.norad.santa). ## Just for fun: the whole family as elves ### ElfYourself ![ElfYourself app: adding faces from photos and a video of dancing elves, with the app icon](https://decomytree.link/assets/blog/elfyourself-app-800.webp) From ElfYourself’s App Store page: adding faces and the finished dance. Not a Santa app, but a family favourite, on the App Store since 2012. Add up to five faces from your photos, pick a dance, and the app makes a video of your family as dancing elves, ready to send to grandparents or to post. **Good to know:** some dances are free and most are paid, one by one or with a Season Pass; the Android version has ads. Rated 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play, with over 10 million downloads. Get it on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elfyourself/id582486077) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.officemax.magicmirror.ElfYourSelf). ## Before you hand over the phone - **Set it up alone first.** Type in the details, pick the call or the photo and watch it once, so nothing surprises you in front of your child. - **Check what you share.** Many of these apps ask for your child’s name, age or photo. The App Privacy section on the App Store and Data safety on Google Play show what each app collects. - **Lock purchases.** If your child has their own phone or tablet, turn on Ask to Buy in Family Sharing on Apple devices, or purchase approvals for your Google family group, so nothing is bought without you. - **Skip the prank apps.** Apps sold as a “prank call” or a “fake call” are made to fool grown-ups, not to delight children. Planning the presents too? The [Christmas gift rules](https://decomytree.link/blog/christmas-gift-rules) keep the pile under the tree simple, and our [tree decorating ideas](https://decomytree.link/blog/christmas-tree-decorating-ideas) include a candy cane tree that’s easy to make with kids. Make a Christmas tree for the family Share the link with grandparents, aunts and cousins: each one hangs a message that opens on Christmas Day. - [Create your tree](https://decomytree.link/create-tree) - [Send a message](https://decomytree.link/send-message) ## Questions ### Is there a free app to call Santa? Message from Santa lets your child get calls from Santa without paying, with ads, and PNP starts with a free trial video. For Christmas Eve, NORAD Tracks Santa is completely free. ### Can kids really video call Santa? Not a live Santa. The calls in these apps are recorded or simulated, and made personal with what you type in, like your child’s name, age and wish list. Watch one yourself first. ### Which app puts Santa in a photo of your house? Catch Santa In My House! by Magical Beliefs and Catch Santa Claus in My House by Dualverse. You take a photo of your room, add Santa and save the picture. Both are free to download, with paid extras. ### Is the NORAD Santa tracker app free? Yes. NORAD Tracks Santa is the official app, with no ads and no in-app purchases, on both the App Store and Google Play. ### Are Santa apps safe for kids? The ones here are made for families, but most have paid extras and some ask for your child’s name or photo. Set them up yourself, read the privacy details in the store, and turn on purchase approvals if your child uses their own device. ## Sources Facts checked against these pages on November 9, 2026. 1. [Santa Claus Video Call: PNP](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/santa-claus-video-call-pnp/id902026228), App Store 2. [Call & Video from Santa: PNP](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ugroupmedia.pnp14), Google Play 3. [Speak to Santa™ Christmas Call](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speak-to-santa-christmas-call/id660842333), App Store 4. [Message from Santa® call&video](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/message-from-santa-call-video/id933921849), App Store 5. [Video Call Santa](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/video-call-santa/id947281623), App Store 6. [Catch Santa In My House!](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/catch-santa-in-my-house/id1166974799), App Store 7. [Catch Santa Claus In My House!](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobiledevelopment.lazarpesic.capturethemagic), Google Play 8. [Catch Santa Claus in My House](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/catch-santa-claus-in-my-house/id1544603413), App Store 9. [Elf Cam - Santa’s elf tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elf-cam-santas-elf-tracker/id1540065832), App Store 10. [NORAD Tracks Santa](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.norad.santa), Google Play 11. [ElfYourself®](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elfyourself/id582486077), App Store 12. [Approve what your child can purchase and download with Ask to Buy](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105055), Apple Support 13. [Purchase approvals on Google Play](https://support.google.com/families/answer/7039872?hl=en), Google For Families Help ## More pages - [The 3, 4 and 5 gift rules](https://decomytree.link/blog/christmas-gift-rules): Want, need, wear, read: simple rules for calmer shopping - [Tree decorating ideas](https://decomytree.link/blog/christmas-tree-decorating-ideas): 10 themes and colour schemes, and the order to decorate in - [How to use Deco My Tree](https://decomytree.link/blog/how-to-use-deco-my-tree): Make your tree, share your link and open your gifts on the day