Kids' birthday party guide, 2011

Having your child's birthday party at home has its advantages. It's usually less expensive and provides an intimate environment. However, most kids eventually want to have their birthday party at a locale other than their own backyard. That's where this guide comes in handy.

Whether your kid is more bouncy or craft-oriented, there's a Brew City birthday party that can accommodate his / her wishes. The beauty of the away-from-home birthday party is that you don't have to clean up after the festivities.

Here's a list of Milwaukee businesses that offer birthday parties, and feel free to add your own via the Talkback feature.

At A Hair For Kids Salon
14023 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, (262) 938-5999
partypop.com/Vendors/4294234.htm
Parties include a dress-up trunk full of prom dresses and evening gowns, hair styles with fairy glitter dust, nail polishing, make-up, karaoke and a fashion show. The salon offers make-your-own glitter body lotions and glitter lip gloss, too. Call or check the Web site for prices.

Build-A-Bear Workshop
2500 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 453-2327
buildabear.com
Prices vary greatly at a Build-A-Bear party, but a "pawsonal" party planner helps keep it within your budget. Each guest gets to "build" a bear, which starts at $10 per child for a simple, undressed bear. To build a bear with an outfit and accessories, the price starts at $25 per kid.

Chuck E. Cheese's
2701 S. Chase Ave., (414) 483-8655
chuckecheese.com
The birthday party package is $10.99 plus tax per guest. Each guest receives 20 tokens, and the birthday child gets 1oo tokens. A "Super Party Package" can be purchased for an additional cost. Some pizza and soda included in both packages.

Godsell Farm
S105W15585 Loomis Dr., Muskego, (414) 425-2937
godsellfarm.com
This family farm features lots of party options, including petting zoo parties, craft parties, theme parties ("Little House on The Prairie," cowboy / cowgirl, etc.) and more. Hay rides, pumpkin picking (seasonal), bonfires, pinatas and farming demonstrations can be included in the event. The basic package is $150 for 20 kids.

Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets
7323 N. 76th St., (414) 760-2257
Kids get to observe fish and reptile areas, and will meet a bunny, chinchilla, rat, millipede, beaded dragon and / or snake. The cost is $150 for up to 15 kids. Parents may bring in food, beverage and party favors, and can set up in a large party room.

Hula Hoop Party from Hoop Vive
http://www.hoopvive.com/parties.php
Milwaukee hula hoop queen Anna Stone will comes to your home / yard and provide two hula hoop performances and a hula hoop making workshop. Each child gets a hoop to keep. Recommended for kids at least 7 years old. Stone brings all of her own supplies and can provide a sound system if needed. The cost is $150 for up to 15 kids.

Kid-do's Glamour Partyz
N81W15042 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls, (262) 251-8060
Glam up your next party with a special makeover, hairstyle and nail polish application at one of the few hair salons just for kids in the Milwaukee area. The cost is $25 per kid, and there's a four-kid minimum. The party is approximately two hours long and includes fun music to dance to and a "modeling show."

Koz's Mini Bowl
2087 S. 7th St., (414) 383-0560
Weekend bowling parties available for $2.50 per kid and $3 per adult. Features four lanes of "duck pin" bowling and human pinsetters. Soda and chips available for purchase.

Lucky Bob's Raceway
5822 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield, (414) 327-4003
At Lucky Bob's, a slot car racing party costs $90 and allows eight guests (each additional guest costs $10). The party package includes practice race time, a 30-minute race and a T-shirt for the birthday child. Pizza, treats and sodas available for purchase.

Milwaukee County Zoo
10001 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 771-3040
milwaukeezoo.org
Prices and packages vary, but the zoo offers a fun, educational environment for birthday parties of all sizes. Call for more information.

Monkey Joe's
2040 W. Bluemound Rd., Waukesha, (262) 549-3866
monkeyjoes.com
Monkey Joe's indoor inflatable playground offers party rates that range depending on the number of guests and whether the party is held on a weekday or weekend. Parties include use of a party room, and you can bring in your own cake. Food and drink must be purchased from Monkey Joe's vending area.

Murray Hill Pottery
2458 N. Murray Ave., (414) 332-8828
murrayhillpottery.com
Murray Hill offers small-scale kids' parties where each guest makes and paints a clay bowl. Bring in your own food and drink. Call Murray Hill for more information.

Organ Piper Music Palace
4353 S. 108th St., (414) 529-1177
organpiperpizza.com
Call ahead to make a reservation for your child's party. Organ Piper doesn't offer party packages, but can accommodate large groups and offers pizza, a game room and free organ entertainment.

Pettit National Ice Center
500 S. 84th St., (414) 266-0100
thepettit.com
Ice skating parties are available in three packages, and all include skate rental, admission and food and drink. Three packages are available, ranging from $9 to $13 per guest, depending on food and drink choices. Please call one week in advance.

Pump It Up
195 N. Janacek Rd., Brookfield, (262) 780-1010
pumpitupparty.com
Pump It Up features an array of indoor bouncy structures. Parties range from $200-300 depending on if it's on a weekday or weekend. Call for exact prices. Drinks and use of party room are included.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Bayside, (414) 352-2880
Have your birthday at the center, or have the center come to you. Naturalist-led nature parties starring three or four of Schlitz Audubon's reptile and amphibian friends include a two-hour nature program for up to 15 kids.

StoneFire Pizza Company
5320 S. Moorland Rd., (262) 970-8800
stonefirepizzaco.com
Stone Fire offers a variety of party packages, starting at $179 for a 10-kid party. StoneFire features bowling, bumper cars, indoor rock climbing, video games, play space and more.

Urban Ecology Center
1500 E. Park Pl. (Riverside Park), (414) 964-8505
1859 N. 40th St. (Washington Park), (414) 344-5460 urbanecologycenter.org
Two birthday party options are available at Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Centers. Staff-led, themed birthday parties with guided activities are available, or parents can rent a room and facilitate their own party. Prices for the parties are comparable.