Why You Can Trust CNET How to track Santa, listen to North Pole Radio and more with Alexa
Here are all the ways Alexa can help you connect with St. Nick this holiday season.
If your little one is all about Santa, there are plenty of ways you can connect with him using your Alexa device. From tracking him on Christmas Eve and sending him letters, to listening to his favorite radio station, Alexa is your holiday elf this Christmas.
Send Santa Christmas letters
If your child hasn't sent a Christmas letter to Santa yet -- or has some amendments to make -- then you can use Alexa instead of the post office.
To create your letter, go to Skill Blueprints and click the Santa's Letter option. Follow the onscreen directions to create your letter with your kid, then send them off to play. Parents can then customize the experience by adding a reply letter from Santa to the experience with a couple of clicks of the mouse.
Once it's sent, Alexa will give your child daily updates on the letter as it heads toward the North Pole. To get updates and a letter from Santa, just say "Alexa, open Santa's Letter," and your device will do the rest.
Check your naughty or nice status
Curious about who's naughty or nice in you house? Ask Alexa. Enable the Santa Claus skill and say, "Alexa, ask Santa Claus if I'm naughty or nice." Giggles are sure to follow.
How to track Santa with Alexa
A great way to add to the suspense of Christmas Eve is by tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way around the world. With several apps and services dedicated to tracking Santa, there is no shortage of ways to participate. But the easiest way to find out Ol' St. Nick's whereabouts this year is to ask Alexa.
To track Santa with your Alexa-enabled speaker, you need to enable the KAYAK skill. Come Christmas Eve, you'll be able to ask Alexa when Santa is expected to arrive at your home or in other cities around the world. Just say:
- "Alexa, ask KAYAK to track Santa."
- "Alexa, ask KAYAK where Santa is."
- "Alexa, ask KAYAK, when will Santa be in Boston?"
- "Alexa, ask KAYAK when Santa will be here?"
If you're hitting the road for the holidays and won't have your Alexa speaker around, you can install the Alexa app on your phone (iOS, Android) or use one of the many different ways to track Santa with your phone.
Play North Pole Radio and more
What's Santa's favorite radio station? North Pole Radio, of course. Enable the Santa Pals skill and say, "Alexa, play North Pole Radio," to tune in.
You can also use this skill to count down to Christmas morning, play Santa's secret number game, feed Santa's reindeer, learn some Santa facts and a lot more. The more you use the skill, the more elf points you gain. With enough points, you can become Santa's head elf.