Hello! Welcome to the world of Santa’s Sleigh Ride! Note that in order to play this game you need an interpreter that can play z-code blorbed files, the type of file this game uses.

Part 1: Getting the Interpreter
Now, I realize “z-code blorbed file” may seem like nonsense and impossible to find an interpreter for, so I’ll help you out on this front. Here are some interpreters that I know handle z-code blorbed files:

For Windows:

Windows Frotz (ported by David Kinder): available at http://ifarchive.smallwhitehouse.org/if-archive/infocom/interpreters/frotz/WindowsFrotz.zip 

For Mac:

Zoom (coded by Andrew Hunter): available at http://www.logicalshift.co.uk/mac/index.html 
(Note that Zoom can play some files other than z-code that are specifically made for interactive fiction)

Part 2: What is Interactive Fiction, and How to Play it
Now I suppose you all are wondering “What the heck is this interactive fiction nonsense anyway?” Interactive fiction is basically just a fancy word for text adventures. If you’ve ever played “Adventure: Colossal Caves” or any of the “Zork” games, you know what they’re like. If you haven’t, they’re text-based games with a text-based command input that uses natural English words. Some words are understood by the command input (better known as the parser), but not all, and what words are accepted by the parser tends to vary from game to game.

Still confused? Then here are some guides to interactive fiction to help you out:

Beginners’ Guide to IF (by Stephen Granade and Emily Short): http://brasslantern.org/beginners/beginnersguide.html
How to Play a Text Adventure, Part 1 (by Stephen Granade):
http://brasslantern.org/beginners/playta1.html
How to Play a Text Adventure, Part 2 (by Stephen Granade)
http://brasslantern.org/beginners/playta2.html

Part 3: Other Interactive Fiction Games You Might Like

Games for Children of All Ages:

A Bear’s Night Out (by David Dyte): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=c9ll6cr8zr1txtfe) In this game you’re a Teddy Bear who has to prepare himself and his owner for the teddy bear picnic. The puzzles are a little tough for kids, but it’s still a charming piece of fun.

Snack Time! (by Hardy the Bulldog and Renee Choba): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=yr3y8s9k8e40hl5q) A game where you play a dog who desperately wants a snack. Easy puzzles and funny story.

Mother Loose (by Irene Callaci): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=4wd3lyaxi4thp8qi) Help out some famous nursery rhyme characters! Contains a few hard puzzles, but has in-game hints to make up for it.

Winter Wonderland (by Laura Knauth): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=vtuf6hfo9aj5xs64) Explore a wintry landscape in a fantasy world. Rather puzzly, but contains some in-game hints to help with the puzzles.

The Sleeping Princess (by Molly Engelberg, Alex Engelberg, and Mark Engelberg): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=bxio01ferbyxr4rk) A fantasy game specifically written for children. The latest version comes with an interactive tutorial. (Note: You may need a TADS interpreter to play this game; go to http://www.tads.org/tads3.htm and look for interpreters.)

Lost Pig (by Admiral Jota): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=mohwfk47yjzii14w) Play as Grunk the orc in this hilarious tale of a lost pig, a gnome, and a place under ground.

Games for Older Players:

Photpia (by Adam Cadre): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=ju778uv5xaswnlpl) A linear adventure told from many perspectives. Contains some scenes that may not suitable for younger players.

Galatea (by Emily Short): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=urxrv27t7qtu52lb) An interactive conversation with a living museum exhibit. Has multiple endings. Some of the conversation paths deal with subjects that may not be suitable for younger players.

Violet (by Jeremy Freese): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=4glrrfh7wrp9zz7b) A short, puzzly game with in-game hints and good writing. Contains some scenes that may not be suitable for younger players. (Disclaimer: I was a beta-tester for this game.)

Dreamhold (by Andrew Plotkin): (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=3myqnrs64nbtwdaz) A fantasy game that was designed especially for beginners in the world of interactive fiction. May be a little too bizarre for younger players.

9:05 (by Adam Cadre) (Available here: http://ifdb.tads.org/viewgame?id=qzftg3j8nh5f34i2) A very short, very funny game. Contains scenes that may not be suitable for younger players.