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DHAHRAN: Boys clad in crisp white thobes and girls adorned in colorful jalabiyas, along with their families, recently gathered at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture for the Gargee'an festivities.

The three-night event, which concluded on Sunday, celebrated a traditional festival marking the middle of Ramadan with joyous fervor.

The word Gargee’an essentially refers to the giving of gifts or goods, and Ithra offered numerous indoor and outdoor activities for children of all ages, including performances of traditional folk songs.

The Energy Exhibit featured the Chocolate Slime Factory that invited people to create chocolate treats mixed with nuts.

Outside in the gardens, a parade, a choreographed folk dance by youngsters, and a live stage play added to the atmosphere.

The popular Stories on Wheels bus gave an immersive storytelling experience, allowing visitors to engage with the tales.

Numerous activities, including making Gargee’an cards, took place in the library area, alongside storytelling sessions.

A captivating story time took place at the children’s museum, the tale involving a humble clothespin’s desire to join the family’s Ramadan festivities. Children were encouraged to visit the nearby crafts table to decorate their own clothespin to take home as a souvenir.

Dr. Ola Al-Shuhail took her young daughter Luluwah Al-Hamdan to that attraction, and told Arab News: “I heard about the festivities from social media and decided to come to celebrate the Gargee’an and to see Ithra; it is our first time. We live in Riyadh but we are moving to Alkhobar.

“I think it's more than we expected: the building, the organization, how they treat kids. I loved it, it's wonderful. I think she's excited and now she’s doing some crafts.”

Al-Hamdan said: “This is my new friend Crusty,” pointing to her decorated clothespin with eyes she had glued on.