Did you know that many famous architects and designers started out as kids with simple Meccano and Lego sets, learning how to create structures right there on the playroom floor? Halifax architect Harvey Freeman has revisited his childhood affection for the metal construction toy Meccano, with a special exhibit just in time for Christmas at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. It's a nostalgic exercise that invites some audience participation: "You can make small and simple models, or you can make something amazingly complex."

The Art Gallery of Ontario is celebrating the season with a series of watercolours, drawings and wooden and tin toys from illustrator and humourist Walter Trier (1890-1951). This display offers children a fascinating glimpse at a world of toys before Disney, Mattel and the complete commercialization of imagination.

The Vancouver Art Gallery had to close down its superb children's gallery a few years ago due to lack of funding, but it continues kiddie outreach with "Super Sundays (this weekend, Sunday Dec. 16). They open up every floor of the gallery to children, with specially arranged talks, games and arts & crafts activities.

The Glenbow Museum in Calgary has a show bound to fascinate everyone, Mysteries of Egypt. The exhibit includes a full-scale replica of Tutankhamun's portrait mask representing the boy-king as the god Osiris, plus 450 artifacts and reproductions. And especially for children, on Dec. 16, 23, and 30, an interactive presentation called Get Mummy Wrapped Up in the Fun! This free session allows children to get wrapped like a mummy for a fantastic photo opportunity. A little scary for the tots, but fun for older kids.

On the banks of the Ottawa River, the Museum of Civilization has assembled a vast array dolls for Timeless Treasures: The Story of Dolls in Canada. Among the objects of little girl's affection are: Inuit Dolls from Prehistory to Today; First Nations Dolls; Settlers' Homemade Dolls; Eaton's Beauty Dolls ( 1900-1994); and Mechanical Dolls.

Music Notes: Another great way to celebrate the season with your family is to head down to Roy Thomson Hall to hear "the glorious sound of 400 children's voices joined by special guests True North Brass." Conductor Jean Ashworth Bartle leads the choir in a selection of timeless and contemporary carols plus the endearing fable "Brother Heinrich's Christmas" by John Rutter." Tune up your rusty pipes and get ready to sing along to some classic Yuletide tunes.

Fine Tuning: Do you want to celebrate a Merry Red Green Christmas? Then pour yourself a glass of whatever makes you feel fine, settle into your favourite easy chair and get ready for some cool yule tips courtesy of the folks at Possum Lodge. Red's going to show you how to cook Christmas dinner on an engine block and curl with frozen turkeys. Holy gobble gobble gobble! Graham Greene, Joel Harris, Peter Keleghan, Wayne Robson and Gordon Pinsent are aboard with holiday pot pourri and tips a plenty. Plus there's a special feature on why pets make the worst possible present. Tonight at 9 p.m. on CBC TV.