Any recipe for success has many different ingredients. In the case of the Imagine Children’s Museum, the right mixture of vision, energy and commitment (combined with a heaping measure of generosity) helped to create the fabulous treat that we can all enjoy as we celebrate its first birthday on Sunday.
You’ll find very few “don’t touch” or “keep off” signs in this downtown Everett treasure. This is a place for serious play, where exercising a child’s imagination is the name of the game.
Take a spin around the space and you’ll be impressed by the attention to detail in each exhibit, spanning three glorious floors of wonder and amusement. If you’re interested in spending time at the farm, this is the place for you. If you have loftier aspirations, take a spin in the replica jet airplane. If puddles and water are your scene, step aboard the ferryboat for some fun with fluid. On the lower level, be sure to check out the decked-out art center complete with refrigerator doors where they proudly display artwork created by even the tiniest of tikes. There’s also a theater, a bank and a clinic where stuffed animals with imaginary illnesses are nursed back to health.
Every vista is special, from the rooftop play area boasting a space for exploring prehistoric dinosaur bones or burning off some energy on the jungle gym, to a construction zone where essential building blocks and gizmos come complete with hard hats and safety vests.
While the space is designed for kids, many adults can’t seem to resist joining in the fun. At the recent grand opening for the snazzy rooftop exhibit, several adults dressed in their business attire couldn’t pass up a quick slip down the circular slide. The energy of the space is simply irresistible.
Having far surpassed their first-year admission projections, the museum staff is setting aside some time to celebrate at the “biggest, bestest birthday bash ever” from noon-4 p.m. Sunday. The party offers the perfect opportunity to stop in and take a tour. Along with the standard fare of birthday cake and punch, the focus will be on celebrating cultural diversity through activities highlighting birthdays around the world.
Although the ingredients are dynamic and ever-changing, one thing is certain: The folks at the Imagine Children’s Museum have found the right recipe for creating magic in our community. We wish them the happiest of birthdays!
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