Imagine Children's Museum: A month for parties, museum-style

Imagine Children's Museum in Everett this holiday season has adopted the idea that "if one party is good, three parties would be even better."

In that spirit, its North Pole Party, which for the past two years has taken place all in one day, this year will be split into three separate events.

The first took place Nov. 29, but the latter two are still ahead; one spreading over Saturday and Sunday, the other set for Dec. 22.

"This way, visitors have three chances to come and experience the holiday season at Imagine Children's Museum," said creative arts manager Raniere, who goes by one name.

This weekend's party, with the theme of "Gingerbread Village," offers visitors the chance to have photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus throughout the day, to listen to stories with the museum's elves and to decorate their own "gingergram" holiday greeting cards.

Furthermore, visitors can watch local artists at work in the museum's lower level, adding final touches to several 18-inch-tall wooden structures -- including a town hall, a fire station, a clock tower and other buildings that would be seen in a real town.

To accompany the wooden buildings, there will be a special community gingerbread house. Each visitor will be encouraged to use numerous pieces of candy to decorate his or her own frosted graham cracker "brick" that will be added to this gingerbread house.

At the Dec. 22 "Polar City" party, visitors can strap on some skates made especially for the museum's carpeted floor and spend some time zooming along, with music in the background. In addition, guests can craft their own "polar" holiday stockings to hang up at home.

Also on that day, the Quil Ceda Woodcarvers will bring cut-outs of polar bears, penguins, icicles, ornaments and other shapes for visitors to embellish with art supplies including glitter, paint and sequins. Santa and Mrs. Claus once again will be on hand for photographs.