What age do children find out about Santa?

[Feellikerubbish]

We have a 6 year old and was thinking of when to take him to lapland. He turns 7 this November and at the moment still very much believes in Santa.

I have heard some kids find out the truth by 9 and some earlier and some later and just wanted to hear from you all and find out an average!

I was wondering when you would get told off for writing it in the title.

Personally I knew Santa was not real before I would have been able to read the thread title.

11

I was about 9 and my mum told me. I was absolutely mortified when I found out.

I had begun to wonder but DPs wouldn't have lied to me surely!!!

Both DSs were 7. DS1 has since said he stopped believing at 6 but kept up the pretence in case the presents stopped.

By 8 everyone at school knew, those in the playground who didn't were soon told by the others.

Mine asked questions from about the age of 6 yrs and I came up with answers. They asked directly around age of 8 yrs and so I told them - it doesn't mean that you stop stockings etc.

Ours have each worked it out by 5 and are happy to pretend but I think it's irrelevant- anyone would love that experience surely?!

I would try and keep the magic alive for as long as possible, but defo stop at the end of primary school

I am amazed that they can get to the end of primary school without someone telling them! A friend told me when I was 6yrs old.

OP - we went to Lapland this year just before Christmas, our DCs are 7 and 5 (just about to turn 8 and 6) and both are convinced they have met the 'real' Father Christmas. The youngest was particularly convinced and I reckon it has probably given the older one another year of believing.

DS was 11 and in secondary school, DD was 10 when she doubted in year 6, and definitely knew in year 7. They both still have Santa presents and were upset they forgot to leave a carrot and mince pie out this year, so I pretended I had :)

I was 5 - my brother told me (he's 6 years older).

One was 10 and the other was 7. I know of others who have been told by their parents before they start at high school so they don't get teased.

Bloody hell, my dds are 10 and nearly 13. They are both very bright kids, but very innocent, and they still believe! I think it's partly because of the way DH and I are very convincing ( too convincing) in the administration of it. Also they went to Lapland aged 6 and 8 and when you've seen the real one, in authentic surroundings, it adds weight to the whole thing.

I'm now worried about my eldest...should we tell her?

The only thing that occurs to me is that they are keeping up with the suspension of disbelief too, and being convincing with it.

Should I tell them before next Xmas? I'm going to have to...dd1 will be nearly 14!

Hi there
We have edited the thread title here.
Happyholidays one and all

cosy I can't imagine a bright 13 year old still believing, maybe she's pretending to for you.

Sunna, I know it's nuts! She can be very superstitious so I reckon she might have decided she needs to present herself as a believer or face the consequences.

Cosy of course she's keeping up the pretence for you - you don't seriously think she genuinely believes do you? She just likes the whole traditional family and Santa thing and wants to keep all her Christmases as special as her childhood ones that's all!