Category: Kids News

Everyone knows Santa’s sleigh, is pulled by reindeer. But did you know, that they’re all girls? Male reindeer shed their antlers in early December, so any reindeer that still have antlers on Christmas Eve, must be female. Of course, since they’re magical flying reindeer, I suppose it’s possible Santa’s crew doesn’t follow the rules.

Most of the time NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is in charge of aerospace and maritime warning and control. But on Christmas Eve, NORAD tracks Santa Claus! They use radar, satellites, jet fighter escorts, and Santacams to get some pictures. Visit the noradsanta.org website to follow Santa’s travels around the world today!

Today is Eggnog Day. Also known as egg milk punch (which I think sounds kind of gross), eggnog is a drink made from milk, cream, sugar, spices and eggs. It’s also good in coffee! Sometimes it’s served spiked with liquor, so make sure you ask an adult, before you drink any!

Some Christmas trees, have a Nativity scene underneath. Usually, it shows Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a stable, possibly with 3 wise men, a shepherd, and animals. Eugenio Milano, in Rhode Island, has been adding to his Nativity scene for 50 years. It now has more than 400 pieces, and has been moved outside.

The Newquay Zoo in England, has a tiny new resident. Rina and Max are the proud mom and dad, of a baby Goeldi’s monkey. Newborn Goeldi’s monkeys weigh about the same as a golf ball, and only grow to around 9 inches tall. Rina’s baby likes to ride on her back, exploring its surroundings.

If you drove along Australia’s coastline, from Melbourne to Sydney, it would be about 1000 km, or 621 miles. If you drove an electric car called the Sunswift 7, you could make the trip on a single solar charge. The Australian solar-powered car isn’t quite road-ready yet. It still needs airbags and air conditioning.

Today is Roots Day. You are the twigs, branching out from your family’s roots. Draw a picture of your family tree, label your parents and grandparents, and see how far back you can trace. Did any of your ancestors come from other countries? Visiting family at the holidays, is your chance to gather information.

In 1997, a character in the TV show Seinfeld, made up a holiday called Festivus, because he thought Christmas was too commercialized. The rest of us now celebrate Festivus. They have the Airing of Grievances during dinner, perform Feats of Strength by wrestling, and perform Festivus Miracles, like getting groceries into the house without tripping.

Have you heard of deer, decorating for Christmas? A 3-legged buck in Oregon, nicknamed Tripod, was spotted with his antlers tangled in holiday lights. Wildlife officials were able to subdue him, to safely remove the lights. They recommend hanging lights high up, since deer rub their antlers against objects, to mark their territory.

Have you ever seen the Trevi Fountain, in Rome Italy? It’s traditional to throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, to guarantee that you’ll return to the city someday. All those coins add up, and are used to help the city’s poor. Tourists toss in more than $1,000,000 every year!