“But we do not have a chimney”
He has a key that works on any door for one night. Better still, ask your child how they think he manages it — an explanation they invented themselves is one no classmate can argue them out of.
The short answer
Santa gets into a house with no chimney with a magic key that works on every door for one night, or simply through the front door — and the best answer is the one your child suggests. North Pole Rescue makes it official, with a notice of entry and a letter from Santa, for $6.99.
North Pole Rescue is available now, $6.99 for one child. Ready about a minute after purchase.
Let them solve it
The strongest move is not to supply an answer at all. Ask them how they think he manages it. Children produce better explanations than adults do, and one they invented themselves is one they will defend against their friends.
You only need to agree. An explanation a child owns cannot be argued out of them by a sceptical classmate, because it was never yours to be caught out on.
If they want an answer from you
- The magic key: Santa has a key that works on any door for one night, and it stops working at dawn
- The door itself: he comes in the front door, quietly, which is why the deadbolt is off tonight
- The window that never quite shuts: every home has one, and he knows which one it is
- He does not come in at all: he leaves everything on the doorstep and someone brings it in before you wake
Make it visible
If you go with the magic key, put a key somewhere they will find it — hung on the inside of the front door, on a ribbon. An object beats an explanation. It is the same reason a boot print works better than a story about a boot.
Keep whatever you choose the same next year. The children who stop believing are usually the ones who noticed the story changed.
Questions
How does Santa get into a house with no chimney?
The most common answers are a key that works on any door for one night, or simply the front door. Better still, ask the child how they think he does it — their own explanation is far more durable than yours.
What if we live in a flat with a shared entrance?
The magic key answer covers it: it works on every door between the street and the tree. Some families hang a ribboned key by the door on Christmas Eve so there is something to point at.
Should the answer be the same every year?
Yes. Changing the explanation is what usually breaks it. Pick one and keep it.
While you are here
- North Pole Rescue
A present that did not arrive, no chimney, two homes, away for Christmas: an official North Pole notice and a letter from Santa that explains it to your child. $6.99.
- Leaving proof that Santa was here
How to leave convincing evidence that Santa visited, from boot prints to the half-eaten carrot, and the one rule that keeps it believable.
- Waking up somewhere that is not home
Travelling over Christmas, or waking up somewhere that is not home. How to explain it to a child and how to make the morning still feel like Christmas.
- A personalized Santa video that knows the little things
A personalized Santa video where Santa mentions the small, specific things only your family knows. Made for children aged 2 to 10. $24.99.
Santa knows more than you think.
Tell Santa the small things nobody else knows, and he will tell them back.