At what age should kids be told Santa isnt real?

While everyone is different, according to a recent poll by House Method, the average age kids in the United States stop believing in Santa Claus is 8.5 years. So, chances are good that somewhere around then is the right age for your child to learn the true story about Santa Claus.


Should I tell my 12 year old there is no Santa?

"It's not an overnight shift in thinking," says Laura Lamminen, Ph. D., a pediatric psychologist at Children's Health℠, "and there's no set age where children should know the truth about Santa Claus." Dr. Lamminen says each family and each child within that family will be ready to talk about Santa at different ages.

Should I tell my 10 year old that Santa isn't real?

Adults should not lie to children about Santa. When a child asks the question as to whether Santa is real or not, they're already at a developmental stage to distinguish between reality and fictional characters.


Do 12 year olds believe in Santa?

The Age Most Kids Figure It Out

In most cases, eight or nine is the age that children stop believing in Santa, but not for the reasons you'd think. While most parents would probably blame their child's peers for blowing the whistle, it actually has more to do with the normal development of a child's brain.

Is 13 years old too old to believe in Santa?

"There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy," Kelman tells Yahoo Life. "Letting kids figure it out on their own is preferable to parents breaking the news to them.


Parents Explain to Their Kids Santa Isn't Real | Cut



What age do most stop believing in Santa?

Most Americans (67%) stopped expecting Santa to shimmy down their chimney by the time they entered seventh grade. Half (49%) of Americans say they stopped believing in Santa before the age of 10 – with a quarter (23%) reporting that they lost sight of him between the ages of seven (10%) and eight (13%).

Do most 10 year olds believe in Santa?

A study from 1978 found that about 85 percent of young American kids believe in Santa, and researchers today confirm those numbers still hold true, with many kids believing until about age eight.

Should I tell my 9 year old about Santa?

There isn't a right or wrong age to tell kids the truth

And it occurs to them that flying reindeer and a guy coming down the chimney might be a little far fetched. So don't be surprised if your child starts asking questions.


How do I tell my 13 year old about Santa?

10 Ways To Tell Your Child The Truth About Santa
  1. 10/10 Tell Them About Everyone at Once.
  2. 9/10 Explain the Magic of Christmas.
  3. 8/10 Offer To Still Label Gifts From Santa.
  4. 7/10 Tell Them the Story of When You Found Out.
  5. 6/10 Have Older Kids in the Family Talk With Them After.
  6. 5/10 Find a Book or Movie First.


Can a 14 year old believe in Santa?

Because Santa is synonymous with childhood, the belief in him must go away at one point or another if we want our kids to grow up. There's no specific age, necessarily. No edict that at exactly 11 3/4, a child will cease to believe.

What age should I tell my daughter Santa isn't real?

While everyone is different, according to a recent poll by House Method, the average age kids in the United States stop believing in Santa Claus is 8.5 years. So, chances are good that somewhere around then is the right age for your child to learn the true story about Santa Claus.


How do you explain Santa to a 10 year old?

Explain that Santa is a symbol
  1. …of someone who lived a long, long time ago called St. Nicholas who secretly gave money to people who needed it.”
  2. …to be kind and generous to other people in our family or even outside our family, especially people who have less than we do.”


Why you shouldn't tell your kids Santa is real?

It's just morally wrong.

Just because someone is gullible is no reason to lie to them, and children have a right not to be deceived like everyone else. You can make a case for some "white lies" but the Santa lie is not a white lie.

What is the average age kids learn Santa isn't real?

As for when the shift starts to happen, it's different depending on the child, but expect the questioning to get serious somewhere between the ages of 7 and 10.


Do most 8 year olds believe in Santa?

A study published in 1978 in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that the number of children believing in Jolly Saint Nick sharply dropped at age 8. At age 4, 85% believed. At age 6, 65% still believed. At age 8, only 25% still believed.

What is the average age kids believe in Santa?

“Children's belief in Santa starts when they're between 3 and 4 years old. It's very strong when they're between about 4 and 8,” she said. “Then, at 8 years old is when we start to see the drop-off in belief, when children start to understand the reality of Santa Claus.”

Should I tell my 7 year old about Santa?

Coulson's advice, “I would suggest letting your child believe in Santa when they're young and when they first start asking questions, encourage them to think about it critically.” He makes an excellent point, “No child is going to hate Christmas if you let them figure out the truth on their own.


Should parents lie to their child about Santa?

While there are many benefits to protecting children's belief in Santa, it's not OK to lie to children about his existence. Discovering the truth about Santa is part of growing up and a sign that the child is developing critical thinking skills.

How do I tell my 8 year old about Santa?

Be Honest
  1. Simply explain to your child that the gifts are purchased and wrapped by mom and dad, and that you share in the magic of Christmas as a family by spreading joy.
  2. Let them know that the Santa they see in the store is someone paid to sit and give children the joy of believing in something magical.


When kids question if Santa is real?

Some tweens hold onto their childhood beliefs for as long as they possibly can. The truth is that if your children are asking questions like "Is Santa real?", they probably already know the truth or have an idea about the reality of the tradition. They may just be looking for validation from you.


What to say when kid asks if Santa is real?

“Having a little bit of grief over recognizing the world is not a magical place is natural.” Instead of whipping out another lie, tell your child it's OK to be sad, and admit that it's fun to think Santa is real.

Do 11 year olds believe in Santa?

Most Americans (67%) stopped expecting Santa to shimmy down their chimney by the time they entered seventh grade. Half (49%) of Americans say they stopped believing in Santa before the age of 10 – with a quarter (23%) reporting that they lost sight of him between the ages of seven (10%) and eight (13%).

Should I tell my son Santa isn't real?

Research shows that kids who are lied to by their parents are more likely to lie themselves, so it is always a good idea to tell the truth if possible. Don't use Santa as a tool for motivating your kid. Letting them grow through fantasy and imagination is positive.


How do you explain Santa without lying?

5 Brilliant Ways To Explain Santa Without Lying
  1. IS IT WRONG TO LIE ABOUT SANTA? ...
  2. 5 WAYS TO EXPLAIN SANTA WITHOUT LYING.
  3. OPTION 1: WAIT UNTIL THEY STOP BELIEVING ON THEIR OWN. ...
  4. OPTION 2: THROW THE QUESTION BACK TO THEM. ...
  5. OPTION 3: GIVE OR READ THEM THIS PRINTABLE SCRIPT. ...
  6. OPTION 4: LET THEM IN ON THE SECRET.


Is Santa real yes or no 2022?

According to historical records, Santa is real. Santa is real in the sense that he was an actual person. Otherwise known as Saint Nicholas, his story goes all the way back to the 3rd century. He was a monk who was born in 280 A.D. in modern-day Turkey.