It’s that time of year again! For many families the countdown to Christmas starts with getting ready for the arrival of Santa, and now the Google Santa Tracker app is available to start building up the excitement with plenty of countdown fun. Kids all over the world will enjoy this app that features not only the great man but also the elves and reindeers.

We’ll start with details of the Google Santa Tracker website which is now live and features a countdown until Santa departs. There’s plenty going on right now though, as the elves are busy with toys and packing while the reindeers are in training for the big journey. The sleigh-tracking algorithm is also being prepared, and while that’s all going on there’s a new game or fun activity each day in Santa’s village to keep the kids entertained

The countdown reads 22 days, 0 hours, 19 minutes and 6 seconds at the time of writing, and this is all leading up to Christmas Eve when Santa’s dashboard technology will be on show using Google Maps technology and sleigh engineering to follow him around the world. As well as this, yesterday the Google Santa Tracker app for Android went live on the Google Play Store.

The app has been redesigned for 2014 and children can enjoy games featuring rocket-powered sleighs, elves with jetpacks, and rolling gumballs. Once December 24th arrives users of the app will also be able to track Santa’s global trip. The updated app for this year also provides integration for Chromecast and Android Wear.

If you want to download the Google Santa Tracker Android app you’ll find it at Google Play. It’s a free app and compatible with devices running Android 4.0.3 or later. At this point there’s no sign of the Google Santa Tracker iOS app, but we’ll let you know if one appears.

Will you be downloading this app for your kids to keep them amused in the time until Christmas? Tell us what you think of the Google Santa Tracker for Android app by sending us your comments.