In the Toy Time Special, Santa steps away from his busy Christmas preparations to do what children love best — play. The video follows Santa as he explores a collection of bright, festive holiday toys, in a lighthearted, imaginative bit of fun from the House of Kringle.
It’s a delightful watch for younger children especially, who love seeing Santa enjoy the simple magic of the season right alongside them. There’s no song and no story to follow — just the cheerful, unhurried fun of playtime at the North Pole.
There’s something quietly reassuring for a child in watching Santa play. So much of the Santa story is about work — the workshop, the list, the long Christmas Eve journey. Seeing Santa simply enjoy himself, delighting in toys the way a child would, makes him feel warmer and more relatable. He isn’t only the figure who brings the toys; he genuinely loves them too.
Play is also how young children make sense of the world, and a video like this meets them exactly where they are. Watching Santa pick up a toy, examine it, and enjoy it models the kind of imaginative, unhurried play that childhood is built on. For many families, it’s a gentle, screen-time-worthy watch that feels in keeping with the spirit of the season rather than a distraction from it.
It can spark real-world play, too. Children often want to join in — pulling out their own favorite toys, narrating their own “toy time,” or showing Santa what they’d play with. A short video becomes the starting point for an afternoon of imaginative play, which is one of the best gifts the season can offer.
And it’s a natural moment to talk with children about the toys they’re hoping for, the ones they already love, and the joy of sharing and giving them — keeping the focus on wonder and generosity rather than just the wish list.
If your little ones would love to share a moment like this with Santa themselves, here’s how.
Santa Can Visit From Anywhere
Not in Southern California? Santa can still visit your family — virtually, from anywhere in the world.