A kids' party that gives books back. (Plus: cookies!)

Despite light-up toys, dolls that talk, and, um, iPads, at the end of the day, nothing holds a candle -- or backlit touchpad screen -- to a good kids' book. It's a lesson my 3.5 year-old daughter has already learned, and I'm sure your kids are totally on board with that message, too.
So imagine the joy of this: a big party featuring storytime, glasses of milk and plates of cookies, and -- coolest of all -- helping get good books into the hands of kids who don't have any. Milk + Bookies is a neat charitable organization that facilitates events around the country enabling kids to pick out and purchase books, then inscribe and donate them to other kids who don't have books of their own. All while listening to stories, doing arts and crafts, and course, devouring milk and cookies.
You can also host your own Milk + Bookies party. I think my favorite kind is the M+B Birthday Party which encourages your birthday kid's guests to bring books in lieu of toys. Because while my daughter has learned the "books are good" lesson already, I'm pretty sure she'll dig the "books are great to give to kids who need them" lesson, too. -Lexi
Bookmark Milk + Bookies--and go to a party. Or throw your own!